http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/1364 Recent articles about Drew Brees en-us The 2008 season is almost here, I thought it would be only fitting to talk about a common trait found in all Saints fans. "Hope", and share a moment that makes me proud to wear the black and gold. It was the 2006 NFC championship game, Saints vs. Bears, and like a kid on the night before the 1st day of school. I laid out my Reggie Bush #25 jersey, and placed my Saints cap next to it, then drifted to sleep, with visions of Drew Brees connecting with Colston for the game winning touchdown that would send them to the Super Bowl for the 1st time in team history. I had accepted an invitation to watch the game at a friend's house, but this my friends was not going to be your normal setting. I was going into the lions den.. I would be the only one with Black and Gold on. You see my friend was a die hard Bears fan, and so would be the other 5 guys watching the game. Was I scared, you ask? In no way shape or form. I walked in with the same strut and swagger, of a father carrying his new born baby. After a week of friendly trash talking, the time had come. Nothing was going to keep the Saints from going to the Super Bowl. It was destiny. After all the years we die hard Saints fans had been through. It was finally our time… Each play seemed to have the same feeling as a game winning touchdown, even if it was only for a 3 yard gain. When the Bears scored 1st, I did not hesitate to inform my friends, that their lead would be short lived. Then without warning, a left side swing pass to Bush, and it was off to the races. I jumped up, did my own touchdown dance, and commenced with the "I told you so". It had begun; the Saints were going to march through a snowy Soldier Field, en route to sunny Miami for the Super Bowl. Then disaster hit – The Saints found themselves with their backs to their own end zone, we needed a play if we wanted to at least give Weatherford some room to punt. Brees dropped back, he looked left then right, no one was open and the pocket was closing in. He scrambled to the right, and it was then I knew what he wanted to do. I screamed, "Don't throw it away", but alas he did not hear me. "Safety" was the call, with Urlacher in the face of the referee, hands together atop his head. The Saints could not recover; and the dream was slowly slipping away, and then in an instant, the light that was burning so bright, was no more. The Saints miracle season was over. I left with my head up high, proud of my Saints, for they had did what no other had done in team history. I slept good that night, with thoughts of what the 2007 season would be. We all know how 2007 turned out; we were early favorites to make it to the Super Bowl. 2007 would be the year the Saints would win it all. Then came the 4 straight loses, and it seemed that the curse had once again returned. Everyone has jumped off the bandwagon since then, and so it is only us, the die hard fans, and the ones that year after year greet each new season with one thing in mind. HOPE…. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287616 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287616 The 2008 season is almost here, I thought it would be only fitting to talk about a common trait found in all Saints fans. "Hope", and share a moment that makes me proud to wear the black and gold. It was the 2006 NFC championship game, Saints vs. Bears, and like a kid on the night before the 1st day of school. I laid out my Reggie Bush #25 jersey, and placed my Saints cap next to it, then drifted to sleep, with visions of Drew Brees connecting with Colston for the game winning touchdown that would send them to the Super Bowl for the 1st time in team history. I had accepted an invitation to watch the game at a friend's house, but this my friends was not going to be your normal setting. I was going into the lions den.. I would be the only one with Black and Gold on. You see my friend was a die hard Bears fan, and so would be the other 5 guys watching the game. Was I scared, you ask? In no way shape or form. I walked in with the same strut and swagger, of a father carrying his new born baby. After a week of friendly trash talking, the time had come. Nothing was going to keep the Saints from going to the Super Bowl. It was destiny. After all the years we die hard Saints fans had been through. It was finally our time… Each play seemed to have the same feeling as a game winning touchdown, even if it was only for a 3 yard gain. When the Bears scored 1st, I did not hesitate to inform my friends, that their lead would be short lived. Then without warning, a left side swing pass to Bush, and it was off to the races. I jumped up, did my own touchdown dance, and commenced with the "I told you so". It had begun; the Saints were going to march through a snowy Soldier Field, en route to sunny Miami for the Super Bowl. Then disaster hit – The Saints found themselves with their backs to their own end zone, we needed a play if we wanted to at least give Weatherford some room to punt. Brees dropped back, he looked left then right, no one was open and the pocket was closing in. He scrambled to the right, and it was then I knew what he wanted to do. I screamed, "Don't throw it away", but alas he did not hear me. "Safety" was the call, with Urlacher in the face of the referee, hands together atop his head. The Saints could not recover; and the dream was slowly slipping away, and then in an instant, the light that was burning so bright, was no more. The Saints miracle season was over. I left with my head up high, proud of my Saints, for they had did what no other had done in team history. I slept good that night, with thoughts of what the 2007 season would be. We all know how 2007 turned out; we were early favorites to make it to the Super Bowl. 2007 would be the year the Saints would win it all. Then came the 4 straight loses, and it seemed that the curse had once again returned. Everyone has jumped off the bandwagon since then, and so it is only us, the die hard fans, and the ones that year after year greet each new season with one thing in mind. HOPE…. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287616 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287616 2008 will prove that the 2006 season was not a fluke. As I said before Coach Peyton has had plenty of time to go over all the game film, and I am sure some very kind words were said in the coaches meetings this off season. So lets look at the offense and break down each position, of coarse there are some questions remaining in the running back position and who will come out as the 4 spot or possible 5 spot in the wide receivers. **Remember I think Coach Peyton has a few tricks up his sleeve this year, and an offense that will revolutionize the game of football will debut this season, so carrying some extra wide receivers will not be surprising. With that in mind let's look at the positions. QB Drew Brees – How well he does is determined on how well the defense plays. Looking back, whenever the defense had a good game, Drew had a better game. If the defense started out good so did Drew, but as the defense often more times than less failed to hold down the attack, Drew fought to maintain down the stretch. Now don't get me wrong, Drew is one of the top QB's in the NFL, his accuracy is second to none, so with the defense stepping up this season, look for Drew to return to the Pro Bowl form this year. Mark Brunell – Mark was a great pick up this off season, his better days are over, but the experience and knowledge he brings is immeasurable. Tyler Palko – I loved watching him in pre season last year, he reminded me of Brett Farve in his younger days. He has 2 of the best in the business to learn from. RB Deuce McAllister – We can hope he will be ready for the start of the season; the Saints need that big punch up the middle. Deuce is also a leader that can make a difference on and off the field. Reggie Bush – What can you say, this year will be a make or break for Reggie. Making the transition from college to pro is difficult.. Add in the media hype that accompanied his arrival, we just expected too much to fast, but now in his 3rd year, he says he is focused, and ready to make a difference. Coach Peyton will give him that chance; it will be up to Reggie to take it. Pierre Thomas – I currently have him ahead of Aaron Stecker. In the last game of the season against Chicago, he made the most of it. With 105 yds rushing and 121 receiving Pierre showed some promise in a game that could have helped the Saints sneak into the playoffs and with the Bears playing for pride. Even though early reports have him working in 3rd down situations, if Deuce does not return to form, I see Pierre getting the ball allot more often. Aaron Stecker – He had some great games in 2007, with Reggie not getting the job done, he came in and held his own until injuries slowed him down. Mike Karney – Am I the only one that thinks this guy is just one big muscle? He is a beast, and loves to hit. He is a great compliment to the running game when they are in the trenches. WR Marques Colston- He is by far Drew Brees favorite target, and will continue to be. Marques is a sure thing, grabbing every ball that is thrown his way. Some injuries have slowed him at times, but I do not see that being the case this year. Without Colston on the field the Saints offense will not get very far. David Patten- Veteran leader that can still make plays, he was one of the best pick ups in 2007, and will make the rest of the guys better with his knowledge and leadership. Robert Meachem – All reports so far is that he is ready to prove to everyone he belongs in the NFL. If he has a good preseason, he could edge up to the WR2 position. Terrance Copper – Good in a pinch, he has shown he wants to play, and with the depth at the WR spot, he will step up his game to cling to one of the last spots. Devery Henderson – Inconsistency, one minute he is catching an 80 yard bomb, the next play he misses a 5 yard toss. He better have a great preseason or he may find himself on the practice squad. Lance Moore – Showed allot of promise in 2007, his return skills, helped him make the team, but he failed to make the plays at times also. He is in the same boat as Devery, needs to have a great preseason. Adrian Arrington – The next Marques Colston they say, will have to wait until training camp to see if the OTA's were a good sign, but Coach Peyton likes young talent, and he could make the roster with some big plays in the coming weeks. Unless one of the above guys gets injured, the rest of the WR on the roster, should make the most of the preseason, and be ready to fill practice squad rosters this year. OL Jonathan Goodwin – He will have no problem filling the vacancy left by Jeff Faine. He showed great skills when Jeff was out with injury, and is respected by everyone on the team. Jammal Brown – After making the Pro bowl in 2006, he struggled at times in 2007. He will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this year, and I see him going back to the Pro Bowl in 2008. Jamar Nesbit – Great interior linemen, with excellent pass blocking skills. The left side of the line will be a brick wall come this year. Jahri Evans – He started his rookie year, and has only gotten better. Look for him to have a Pro bowl caliber year. Jon Stinchcomb – He in my opinion, was just the only option the Saints had last year. He may have some competition come training camp, so he needs to be ready. Matt Lehr – Some questions arose with steroid use, but he is a good option should Goodwin get hurt. Carl Nicks – This is my long shot; I could not believe we got him in the late rounds of the draft. His character came into question, but if Coach Peyton felt good about drafting him then his character should not be a problem. He is also a giant, and Coach Peyton loves putting young guys in that show promise. I see him taking the right tackle position come the start of the season, if he proves himself. He is what the Saints need up front, big man opening up holes, and protecting the QB, giving time to pick the defense apart. TE Eric Johnson – He was a disappointment last season. We had hoped he would be the playmaker, but injuries sidelined him, and his productivity was limited. He is also not a good blocker so he will not be in on every down. Mark Campbell – One of the 1st early injuries that the Saints saw last year, he will be a toss up, but if healthy can be a playmaker. Billy Miller – The best blocker of the group, he also had some big plays, stepping in while Eric Johnson struggled. He is my surprise pick to move up and start. Defenses see him as a blocker, so he could sneak out and grab a few up the middle just when the offense needs a big play. I know it's early, and in training camp anything can happen, but this is my outlook on the Saints 08 Offense, and the guys I think that will make it happen. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287613 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287613 2008 will prove that the 2006 season was not a fluke. As I said before Coach Peyton has had plenty of time to go over all the game film, and I am sure some very kind words were said in the coaches meetings this off season. So lets look at the offense and break down each position, of coarse there are some questions remaining in the running back position and who will come out as the 4 spot or possible 5 spot in the wide receivers. **Remember I think Coach Peyton has a few tricks up his sleeve this year, and an offense that will revolutionize the game of football will debut this season, so carrying some extra wide receivers will not be surprising. With that in mind let's look at the positions. QB Drew Brees – How well he does is determined on how well the defense plays. Looking back, whenever the defense had a good game, Drew had a better game. If the defense started out good so did Drew, but as the defense often more times than less failed to hold down the attack, Drew fought to maintain down the stretch. Now don't get me wrong, Drew is one of the top QB's in the NFL, his accuracy is second to none, so with the defense stepping up this season, look for Drew to return to the Pro Bowl form this year. Mark Brunell – Mark was a great pick up this off season, his better days are over, but the experience and knowledge he brings is immeasurable. Tyler Palko – I loved watching him in pre season last year, he reminded me of Brett Farve in his younger days. He has 2 of the best in the business to learn from. RB Deuce McAllister – We can hope he will be ready for the start of the season; the Saints need that big punch up the middle. Deuce is also a leader that can make a difference on and off the field. Reggie Bush – What can you say, this year will be a make or break for Reggie. Making the transition from college to pro is difficult.. Add in the media hype that accompanied his arrival, we just expected too much to fast, but now in his 3rd year, he says he is focused, and ready to make a difference. Coach Peyton will give him that chance; it will be up to Reggie to take it. Pierre Thomas – I currently have him ahead of Aaron Stecker. In the last game of the season against Chicago, he made the most of it. With 105 yds rushing and 121 receiving Pierre showed some promise in a game that could have helped the Saints sneak into the playoffs and with the Bears playing for pride. Even though early reports have him working in 3rd down situations, if Deuce does not return to form, I see Pierre getting the ball allot more often. Aaron Stecker – He had some great games in 2007, with Reggie not getting the job done, he came in and held his own until injuries slowed him down. Mike Karney – Am I the only one that thinks this guy is just one big muscle? He is a beast, and loves to hit. He is a great compliment to the running game when they are in the trenches. WR Marques Colston- He is by far Drew Brees favorite target, and will continue to be. Marques is a sure thing, grabbing every ball that is thrown his way. Some injuries have slowed him at times, but I do not see that being the case this year. Without Colston on the field the Saints offense will not get very far. David Patten- Veteran leader that can still make plays, he was one of the best pick ups in 2007, and will make the rest of the guys better with his knowledge and leadership. Robert Meachem – All reports so far is that he is ready to prove to everyone he belongs in the NFL. If he has a good preseason, he could edge up to the WR2 position. Terrance Copper – Good in a pinch, he has shown he wants to play, and with the depth at the WR spot, he will step up his game to cling to one of the last spots. Devery Henderson – Inconsistency, one minute he is catching an 80 yard bomb, the next play he misses a 5 yard toss. He better have a great preseason or he may find himself on the practice squad. Lance Moore – Showed allot of promise in 2007, his return skills, helped him make the team, but he failed to make the plays at times also. He is in the same boat as Devery, needs to have a great preseason. Adrian Arrington – The next Marques Colston they say, will have to wait until training camp to see if the OTA's were a good sign, but Coach Peyton likes young talent, and he could make the roster with some big plays in the coming weeks. Unless one of the above guys gets injured, the rest of the WR on the roster, should make the most of the preseason, and be ready to fill practice squad rosters this year. OL Jonathan Goodwin – He will have no problem filling the vacancy left by Jeff Faine. He showed great skills when Jeff was out with injury, and is respected by everyone on the team. Jammal Brown – After making the Pro bowl in 2006, he struggled at times in 2007. He will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this year, and I see him going back to the Pro Bowl in 2008. Jamar Nesbit – Great interior linemen, with excellent pass blocking skills. The left side of the line will be a brick wall come this year. Jahri Evans – He started his rookie year, and has only gotten better. Look for him to have a Pro bowl caliber year. Jon Stinchcomb – He in my opinion, was just the only option the Saints had last year. He may have some competition come training camp, so he needs to be ready. Matt Lehr – Some questions arose with steroid use, but he is a good option should Goodwin get hurt. Carl Nicks – This is my long shot; I could not believe we got him in the late rounds of the draft. His character came into question, but if Coach Peyton felt good about drafting him then his character should not be a problem. He is also a giant, and Coach Peyton loves putting young guys in that show promise. I see him taking the right tackle position come the start of the season, if he proves himself. He is what the Saints need up front, big man opening up holes, and protecting the QB, giving time to pick the defense apart. TE Eric Johnson – He was a disappointment last season. We had hoped he would be the playmaker, but injuries sidelined him, and his productivity was limited. He is also not a good blocker so he will not be in on every down. Mark Campbell – One of the 1st early injuries that the Saints saw last year, he will be a toss up, but if healthy can be a playmaker. Billy Miller – The best blocker of the group, he also had some big plays, stepping in while Eric Johnson struggled. He is my surprise pick to move up and start. Defenses see him as a blocker, so he could sneak out and grab a few up the middle just when the offense needs a big play. I know it's early, and in training camp anything can happen, but this is my outlook on the Saints 08 Offense, and the guys I think that will make it happen. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287613 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287613 The NFL announced Monday that Commissioner Roger Goodell, joined by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and New York Giants defensive end Osi Mumenyiora, will soon leave on a seven-day, three-country summer USO tour led by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. It will be the first time that the commissioner of a sports league visits U.S. troops overseas as part of a USO tour, according to the USO. At the request of Commissioner Goodell, Brees and Umenyiora will join the tour along with other participants invited by Admiral Mullen, including two members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. "It is a great honor to have been asked to join Admiral Mullen on this USO tour," said Commissioner Goodell.  "I anticipate that it will be a very humbling and memorable experience.  I am inspired by the many NFL representatives that, over the decades, have volunteered to visit our troops overseas and have talked about it being a life-changing experience.  I want to do my part and emphasize that the entire NFL appreciates and supports the work that our military does to protect our country." The NFL has partnered with the USO for more than 40 years. According to the NFL the league "was the first sports organization to send players to visit troops in Vietnam when future Pro Football Hall of Famers Wille Davis, Frank Gifford, Sam Huff and Johnny Unitas went there and to other parts of the Far East in 1966.  Earlier this year, three NFL players – defensive linemen Luis Castillo of San Diego , Tommie Harris of Chicago and Mike Rucker of Carolina – took a week-long NFL-USO tour to Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan to support the soldiers." For the two NFL players accompanying Commissioner Goodell, this will be their second time overseas this offseason on goodwill trips. Brees, the co-winner of the 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award who has produced the first two 4,000-yard passing seasons in Saints history, visited Okinawa on a USO tour this spring.  While on those Pacific beaches, Brees talked by phone to his grandfather, who had landed as a U.S. Marine on those same beaches more than 60 years ago and participated in some of the heaviest fighting in World War II. Umenyiora, who led the Giants in sacks (13.0) last season while helping the club to its Super Bowl XLII title, joined four other NFL players – Ahman Green (Houston), Isreal Idondie (Chicago), Adewale Ogunleye (Chicago) and Amobi Okoye (Houston) -- this spring on a humanitarian mission to Nigeria to help set up college scholarships at 10 universities, distribute HIV testing kits to clinics, dig water wells in villages, and outfit a youth soccer team.  Source: National Football LeagueOTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK Linkin Park, MLB Properties Hook-up For 3rd Year - The Biz of Baseball Wrigley Field It Is: NHL Outdoor Classic in Chicago Jan. 1 - The Biz of Baseball Passing Gas? Rays, Hess to Give Away $5 Cards on July 18 - The Biz of Baseball All-Star Game Starters, Reserves, and Pitchers Announced - The Biz of Baseball 214.7 Million Votes Cast Online for All-Star Game - The Biz of Baseball Is the Ed Wade/Shawn Chacon Altercation a First? - The Biz of BaseballYou Really Like Me! Rays See Highest TV Ratings Ever - The Biz of Baseball Cellphone to Throw Away at the All-Star Game - The Biz of Baseball Six GMs on the Hot Seat - The Biz of Baseball Chicago's Wrigley Field to Host Next Outdoor Classic on New Years Day - The Biz of Hockey Jaromir Jagr First Major NHL Player to Crossover to Continental Hockey League - The Biz of Hockey Free Agent Signings - July 1, 2008 - The Biz of Hockey NHL Free Agent Listing As of July 1, 2008 - The Biz of Hockey Ducks owner Henry Samueli Suspended by NHL - The Biz of Hockey NHL 2K9, First Officially Licensed Game by NHL and NHLPA for Wii, Coming this Fall - The Biz of Hockey Dion Phaneuf Selected for Cover of EA Sports "NHL 09" - The Biz of Hockey Bryan Perez Named Senior VP and General Manager of NBA Digital - The Biz of Basketball Narcissist Alert: Former NBAer Doug Christie and Wife Jackie Announce They'll Get Married for 13th Time - The Biz of Basketball A Drop in the Bucket: Why the Settlement between the Sonics and Seattle will See Bennett Making $$$ - The Biz of Basketball NBA Opening Stores in China Next Month. Using Olympics to Boost Interest - The Biz of Basketball TNT Lands Full Slate of Sponsors For "Wide Open Coverage" Telecasts - Maury Brown's Biz of Sports Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.  Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:13:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287240 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287240 this iz an allstar team dat can win Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:13:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286504 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286504 Finally I've made it to the Top 10 Fantasy Football Quarterback for the 2008 season. This is the best part of the season for me. I get to sit down at the computer, break down numbers, review rosters, and than project how each player will perform this upcoming season. From the first article I wrote, QB Rankings 21-30, till the last projection is written down, I will have seen 250+ hours of film from last season, and projected Fantasy numbers for over 270 players. To be honest, this is the best part of the season for me. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:31:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286480 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286480 Year after year there are surprises and disappointments in the NFL even though before the season starts many seem convinced that they can predict the top five or ten players at each position. Since 1999, it has never happened that the top three fantasy quarterbacks all remained in the top five the following season. Find out which of Brady, Manning and Romo we believe may not finish amongst the top five this upcoming season. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:44:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285972 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285972 Jeff and Greg flip the pigskin around for their first NFL mock fantasy draft, and not a moment too soon. With both of their baseball seasons careening into a dark chasm, the colicky couple need to be pacified, and fast. Neither of them have done a stitch of research for this draft, but they both believe that gives them a strategic advantage. Who the hell can predict anything in football? Not these two, but that's not going to stop them from trying. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:03:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285473 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285473 I loved Prisco's top 50, but there were definite faults in it.  Even though he did a great job tackling the Brady v. Manning topic, some of his picks were, how do you say, questionable.  Here is my attempt at naming the top 50 players in the NFL.  With 1696 players on the active roster, cutting it down to 50 is tough, but here I go. 1. Tom Brady/QB/New England Patriots (Prisco Ranking-1): Ugh.  I hate this.  I hate putting Brady at number one.  50 touchdown passes does qualify him for this spot though.  This doesn't feel right.  Do I have to put Patriots players on my list? 2. Peyton Manning/QB/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-2): Ah, this feels better.  Manning in his downyear through for more than 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, got his team a first-round bye while missing his top wide receiver for most of the year.  Scary to think of what he can do with the whole team in his "great" years. 3. Randy Moss/WR/New England Patriots (Prisco-4): When he's not bumping traffic cops, he's pushing off of cornerbacks and safeties to break the receiving touchdowns in a season record (although that title is complete bogus).  He should do well again this year, but not 20+ touchdowns. 4. LaDanian Tomlinson/RB/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-3): LDT is a Hall of Fame running back, but there are other backs in the league that are catching up to him.  Tomlinson can do it all: run, catch, and even pass.  He's the definition of an all-around back. 5. Bob Sanders/S/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-7): Sanders is definitely the best defender in the league.  No other defensive player changes a game in the way that Sanders does.  We've all seen what the Colts did on defense in 2007 as opposed to the Sanders-less 2006. 6. Jared Allen/DE/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-12): Legal matters aside, Allen has moved into the category of a healthy Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeney as the game's premier pass rushers.  He got 15.5 sacks in 14 games last year.  It is crazy to put him out of the top 10. 7. Antonio Cromartie/CB/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-NR): I have no idea how Antonio Cromartie was not ranked by Prisco.  Cromartie led the league in interceptions, returned a missed field goal for a touchdown, and he recovered 2 fumbles.  He was definitely the best corner in the league last year. 8. Adrian Peterson/RB/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-15): Peterson exploded onto the scene last season, running for over 1300 yards, leading the league in rushing yards per game, and taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. 9. DeMarcus Ware/OLB/Dallas Cowboys (Prisco-9): Last season, Ware had the best season of his career.  He had career-highs in sacks and tackles, and he is only going to improve. 10. Walter Jones/OT/Seattle Seahawks (Prisco-16): Even though the Seahawks have no offensive weapons, the Seahawks have a top 10 offense.  How is it possible?  This man is the reason why. 11. Nnamdi Asomugha/CB/Oakland Raiders (Prisco-29) 12. Brian Westbrook/RB/Philadelphia Eagles (Prisco-20) 13. Reggie Wayne/WR/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-22) 14. Steve Hutchinson/OG/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-19) 15. Albert Haynesworth/DT/Tennessee Titans (Prisco-14) 16. Terrell Owens/WR/Dallas Cowboys (Prisco-13) 17. Jeff Saturday/C/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-NR) 18. Champ Bailey/CB/Denver Broncos (Prisco-5) 19. Shawne Merriman/OLB/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-11) 20. Kevin Williams/DT/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-10) 21. Dwight Freeney/DE/Indianapolis Colts (Prisco-25) 22. Ed Reed/S/Baltimore Ravens (Prisco-23) 23. Jason Peters/OT/Buffalo Bills (Prisco-27) 24. Richard Seymour/DE/New England Patriots (Prisco-30) 25. Braylon Edwards/WR/Cleveland Browns (Prisco-34) 26. Devin Hester/RS/Chicago Bears (Prisco-50) 27. Andre Johnson/WR/Houston Texans (Prisco-26) 28. Chad Johnson/WR/Cincinnati Bengals (Prisco-28) 29. Asante Samuel/CB/Philadelphia Eagles (Prisco-37) 30. Patrick Willis/MLB/San Francisco 49ers (Prisco-43) 31. Antonio Gates/TE/San Diego Chargers (Prisco-24) 32. Osi Umenyiora/DE/New York Giants (Prisco-42) 33. Tony Romo/QB/Dallas Cowboys (Prisco-NR) 34. Tony Gonzalez/TE/Kansas City Chiefs (Prisco-46) 35. Steven Jackson/RB/St. Louis Rams (Prisco-33) 36. Patrick Kerney/DE/Seattle Seahawks (Prisco-NR) 37. Mario Williams/DE/Houston Texans (Prisco-6) 38. Ernie Sims/OLB/Detroit Lions (Prisco-39) 39. Larry Fitzgerald/WR/Arizona Cardinals (Prisco-31) 40. Ben Roethlisberger/QB/Pittsburgh Steelers (Prisco-17) 41. Lofa Tatupa/MLB/Seattle Seahawks (Prisco-40) 42. Adrian Wilson/S/Arizona Cardinals (Prisco-NR) 43. Shawn Andrews/OG/Philadelphia Eagles (Prisco-38) 44. Tommie Harris/DT/Chicago Bears (Prisco-36) 45. Pat Williams/DT/Minnesota Vikings (Prisco-NR) 46. Aaron Kampman/DE/Green Bay Packers (Prisco-45) 47. Drew Brees/QB/New Orleans Saints (Prisco-35) 48. Brian Urlacher/MLB/Chicago Bears (Prisco-32) 49. Larry Johnson/RB/Kansas City Chiefs (Prisco-NR) 50. Plaxico Burress/WR/New York Giants (Prisco-NR) Unranked Players On My List That Are On Prisco's List: Carson Palmer (8) Charles Woodson (18) Steve Smith (21) Vince Wilfork (41) Kellen Winslow (44) Marcus Trufant (47) Wes Welker (48) Fred Taylor (49) Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:49:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284878 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284878 Tonight, I'll be representing MVN in an expert fantasy football mock draft at one of our partner sites, Mock Draft Central. The site was created to give any fantasy junkie the chance to participate in multiple mock drafts in order to prepare to out draft their league foes when the real draft came around. If you're into fantasy sports at all, it wouldn't be a bad idea to check this site out. It will definitely give you the opportunity to see if that guy you think is a sleeper pick truly IS a sleeper. In the spirit of being prepared to 'represent,' I tallied a list of top 5's at the QB, RB, TE, WR, and K positions. Let's see how I did... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:38:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284218 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284218 After the top four it's wide open and no we didn't forget Carson Palmer, there is simply too much uncertainty about the offense in Cincinnati. Jay Cutler is a surprise choice at number five but he should improve in his third NFL season like others have before him and he has an excellent surrounding cast in Denver. We are going out on a limb with some of these picks but remember that year after year only about five of the QBs in the "consensus" top ten end up in the top ten QBs at the end of the year. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:32:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283994 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283994 The gloves are off.  No more Mr. Nice Guy. Look, I wrote three posts here that pointed out the top ten reasons to hate the teams in our division (Falcons, Buccaneers and Saints).  I figured it would be good for entertainment.  Shoot, it might even be enough to start a good debate.  I didn't count on this. Of [...] Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:42:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283163 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283163 Two offspring of former HC Dave Wannstedt show up in our 4th match-up of the worst events in Miami Dolphins history. Ricky Williams and Jamar Fletcher. Ricky Williams came out of Texas in 1999 to the roar of a New Orleans crowd as the 5th overall pick. 3 seasons and 2 more 1st round draft picks [...] Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:52:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283060 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283060 In most fantasy football formats, running backs are considered the creams of the crop ... but quarterbacks aren't far behind. Screaming Sports' Hugh Duckwall runs down a list of his top 10 quarterbacks for the 2008 fantasy season. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:17:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282916 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282916