With that being said, I thought it the perfect time to make some changes around here. And these are not your standard run-of-the-mill changes, like getting a new header image or some new widgets. Nope. This is big.

We have been running off the free WordPress blog for quite a while now and it has served us well. But the time has come to move up and play with the big boys in the blogging industry. The Hazean is going live:

TheHazean.com

Finally, we are moving up in the world. We bought the domain last week, had to get it transferred (thanks, Mock Draft Central) and now are ready to roll with our new digs.

What this means for you, the reader:

• First, we need you guys to head over to the new site and subscribe via reader or email. We do not want to leave you guys in the dark (this site is not going to be updated anymore), and we want more people to subscribe, so tell your friends to do so as well! However, if you already are a subscriber here, you can keep your subscription and I will fix the feed later this week to automatically transfer you to the new blog.
• Second, more content. We are going to have a few more guys helping write with the goal of throwing out at least one post a day. Some examples: Daily Haze instead of Weekly Haze, interviews, training camp reports, rookie watch, the Monday morning rehab, Friday polls and lists, player rankings and much more.
• Third, more features. Polls, ads, maybe some contests, who knows. As we find cool stuff to do with the blog, we will push it out to you, the reader, to make your stay at The Hazean as good as possible. We want to know more of your ideas/suggestions/comments too!

So head on over to TheHazean.com and bookmark it, or subscribe via feed reader or email. This blog is done, we will not update it anymore from now on, so consider this its farewell. It has been good to us, no doubt, but we are ready for the next phase.

Looking forward to seeing you guys at the new site! Bring your friends!

Here are today’s great reads:

• Breaking the runningbacks into tiers and explaining it. [Fantasy Football Fools]
• Four guys you should not draft this year based on their current ADP. [Fantasy Football Exchange]
• Three fantasy football bloggers mock the top-30 players for 2008. [Fantasy Football Goat]
• Team-by-team runningback analysis. [Football Jabber]
• Why Joseph Addai might be a better pick than Adrian Peterson. [The Fantasy Football Geek Blog]
• Javon Walker partied hard in Las Vegas. Maybe too hard? [Deadspin]
• And was it Floyd Mayweather’s crew that jacked up Walker? [The Big Lead]
• Chad Johnson: Not a man of his word. But you already knew that. [The EndZoneView]
• If you play in IDP leagues. [Fantasy Football Librarian]
• Earnest Graham showed up for work, which is a good thing because he does not have enough years under his belt to hold out. Earn your keep son! [Pancake Blocks]
• Risers and fallers. [No-Offseason.com]

For more great reads, check out my Google Reader Shared Items page.
]]> http://hazeradio.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/weekly-haze-32/feed/ 1 The Hazean http://hazeradio.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/monday-morning-rehab-15/ http://hazeradio.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/monday-morning-rehab-15/#comments Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:32:26 +0000 McNeil http://hazeradio.wordpress.com/?p=296 ]]> Did anyone watch the US Open final round yesterday? Pretty amazing stuff. Tiger v. Rocco today at 11 a.m. CST starting on ESPN should be worth a watch if you get the chance. I will be keeping up with the 18-hole playoff via The Big Lead.

For it being the NFL offseason, yesterday was a pretty big sports day. Fittingly, since it was Father’s Day and all. In addition to the thrilling Open, the College World Series played a couple of games and the NBA Finals tipped off in the night cap, with the Lakers forcing a game six in Boston.

Back to football, though. Only a couple updates in the MMR today, but all big names. Hit the jump to read the latest.

Donovan McNabb [QB, Eagles]

From ProFootballTalk:

A day after Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb downplayed the condition of a shoulder that, per media reports, left him “very limited” in minicamp practice, the Eagles have shut him down for the balance of the week, due to tendonitis (or, as the case may be, tendinitis) in his shoulder.

McNabb later said in another interview that he is tired of all the talk about his health. Every season, this guy finds himself in the headlines in a less-than-positive way. I think he is uber-talented as a quarterback, but the windows of opportunity are coming less and less frequently for D-Nice.

Hopefully, this injury will not affect his ability to practice once training camp comes along. Otherwise, the media are going to eat this up, just like every other McNabb story in the past.

Ronnie Brown [RB, Dolphins]

From Sun-Sentinel.com:

Brown had been practicing on a limited basis during his recovery from knee surgery eight months ago — until this week when he participated in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time. It’s an optimistic sign that he will hit his target date and be ready to play in the season opener against the Jets on Sept. 7.

I know you might be getting tired of hearing about how well Ronnie Brown is doing, particularly if you do not own him in a keeper or dynasty league.

But I own him. And I think these are vindicating updates. So bear with me, for the sake of Ronnie Brown owners everywhere.

Cadillac Williams [RB, Buccaneers]

From the St. Petersburg Times:

You can’t spend a day at One Buc Place lately without getting a glimpse of running back Cadillac Williams pushing himself through another workout as he attempts to come back from a devastating knee injury.

As training camp nears, the idea of his 2008 return is gaining momentum.

“What he’s done is nothing short of miraculous,” Gruden said. “He has worked his tail off. He’s got a chance to be ready to play football again this season. The amount of work he’s put forth has really excited our players, and he’s really done a great job.”

Well, it would be nothing short of a miracle is right. If Caddy makes it back to the field for training camp, even. Amazing stuff here.

I was big on Caddy coming out of college. Thought he might have been the best of the bunch that year, and it looked good early. Hopefully he can regain some semblance of his former self and be a productive ball-carrier again.

Get your subscription to The Hazean for just $0 a month! You can subscribe to The Hazean by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get all the fantasy info you need fast and easy. But hurry because this offer may not last forever!*

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*This offer will last forever

Pick me, please me, pay me!

With most teams’ OTA’s wrapping up, three of the top five selections in the 2008 NFL draft have already been signed: Jake Long, left tackle with the Miami Dolphins, Matt Ryan, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and Darren McFadden, running back for the Oakland Raiders.

Each player brings huge fantasy implications to their respective teams. Hit the jump to go in-depth.

For Miami, Long will strengthen the line and give Ronnie Brown a little more room to maneuver for those extra yards.

Matt Ryan is the future of the Falcons. After dropping $130 million dollars in December of 2005 on the now-incarcerated Michael Vick (aka Ron Mexico), Atlanta unloaded their dough to lock Ryan up for the next half decade. Unfortunately for Ryan, Atlanta’s offensive line has not improved much so he will be earning his millions while spending time on his back.

Oakland avoided another lengthy holdout this year by signing Darren McFadden to a reported six-year, $60 million contract. Being able to participate in OTAs and training camp could potentially make McFadden an instant starter and a fantasy stud for the 2008 season.

Just in case you were feeling adequately appreciated at your job, check out how much money these guys are going to make in the next five-to-six years. Humbling.

Get your subscription to The Hazean for just $0 a month! You can subscribe to The Hazean by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get all the fantasy info you need fast and easy. But hurry because this offer may not last forever!*

Don’t understand this whole subscribing thing? Check out this short video on RSS courtesy of my friend The Fantasy Football Goat. Isn’t technology great?

*This offer will last forever

• Crazy awesome analysis. A must-read for all fantasy footballers. [Fantasy Football Librarian]
• Comeback player of the year candidates. [Fantasy Football Goat]
• The June mock draft will be coming your way soon, but until then here is more analysis of our May mock draft. [Fantasy Football Fools]
• Chicago runningbacks — Cedric Benson included — have been not so good lately. [EndZoneView]
• Speaking of Benson, he apparently was not well liked by his teammates. [Shutdown Corner]
• I have been saying this for a while now: Antonio Gates NOT the No. 1 tight end. [No-Offseason.com]
• If you are looking for a site to host your fantasy league. My favorites: Yahoo! and Fleaflicker. [The Fantasy Football Geek Blog]

For more great reads, check out my Google Reader Shared Items page.

So I was in Austin this weekend for an ultimate frisbee tournament, and by now you all know our good friend Cedric Benson was — once again — in Austin again for the weekend. And again, Benson got himself into trouble.

It could be big trouble for Benson. Rumors are flying that he could be canned today. Good thing the Bears drafted Matt Forte in the second round of this year’s draft.

The moral of the story: If you are a Cedric Benson owner, keep your eyes peeled for updates today. Everyone else, hit the jump for this week’s MMR.

Antonio Gates [TE, Chargers]

From the North County Times:

Also, tight end Antonio Gates (toe) hasn’t yet begun running, but Turner said Gates is “making good progress.”

Not sure what kind of progress a tight end who cannot run is making, but it sounds good when you read it.

I have seen a few early rankings, and Gates has topped several of them at his position. I think that will change as the summer heats up, training camps open and Gates’ timetable becomes more apparent.

Ronnie Brown [RB, Dolphins]

From the Miami Herald:

Running back Ronnie Brown’s progress continues at a good pace. He’s getting more carries and more repetitions than he did earlier in the OTA workouts.

“Each one of these practices, he’s been able to do a little bit more and that’s good for us and good for Ronnie,” Sparano said.

Still no setbacks.

Ricky Williams has reportedly looked good in practices so far as well, which could be a good thing for Brown this season. He may not be able to carry the entire load for the entire season, but a season like Deuce McAllister’s 2006 comeback year is not out of the question if Brown gets decent help in the backfield.

Plaxico Burress [WR, Giants]

From No-Offseason.com:

We’re hearing that Giants WR Plaxico Burress will not be a full go by the time training camp starts. He’s still nursing knee, ankle and shoulder injuries that he suffered and played through last season.

As much grief as Plax gave his fantasy owners last year (myself included), he stepped up and played huge when called upon in the games.

It would be nice if he could actually practice this season, even though he did well without it last year, so that fantasy owners can worry less about his status on a weekly basis.

Phillip Rivers [QB, Chargers]

From ProFootballTalk:

But even though Rivers initially was regarded as a longshot to be ready to go when training camp opens, Rivers is already back on the field, as Adam Schefter points out in his Wednesday “Around the League” segment for NFLN’s Total Access. He took ten snaps with the starting offense during the last practice before Memorial Day, and he led the offense throughout 11-on-11 drills on Monday of this week.

Rivers seems well ahead of schedule. His body is healing very quickly according to reports, and he has proven himself as a tough guy already.

I would not move him up my draft board just yet, but I would not move him down much either.

Get your subscription to The Hazean for just $0 a month! You can subscribe to The Hazean by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get all the fantasy info you need fast and easy. But hurry because this offer may not last forever!*

Don’t understand this whole subscribing thing? Check out this short video on RSS courtesy of my friend The Fantasy Football Goat. Isn’t technology great?

*This offer will last forever

• Playing in a keeper league? Check this out. [The Fantasy Football Geek Blog]
• The CBS guys are putting on a mock draft right now. [CBSSports]
• Chad Johnson lost this hand of poker. [EndZoneView]
• The Cowboys showed Terrell Owens the money. Will he end his career in Dallas? [Every Morning Quarterback]
• Travis Henry out in Denver, so for now it is the Selvin Young show. [Fantasy Football Exchange]
• Of Henry, Shaun Alexander and Kevin Jones, who would you want? [Football Jabber]
• Ranking the best offensive lines in football. [FF Toolbox]
• Darren McFadden looking good, other Raiders? Not so much. [No-Offseason.com]
• A good day for the fantasy sports industry. [RotoNation]
• Someone did not like one of the first-round picks in our May fantasy mock draft. [The Fantasy Football Geek Blog]
• It’s Matt Leinart’s job … for now. [The NFL Guru]

For more great reads, check out my Google Reader Shared Items page.

But the MMR must go on, so here it is. And on-time this week, unlike last week’s installment. Please forgive me, it was a holiday after all!

Jake Delhomme, Deuce McAllister, Andre Johnson and more after the jump.

Jake Delhomme [QB, Panthers]

From ProFootballTalk:

Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme participated in team drills today for the first time since an elbow injury ended his 2007 season in September.

He threw about 40 passes during today’s minicamp practice at Bank of America Stadium and said he felt no ill effects.

As Delhomme goes, so go the Panthers. So much is riding on his right arm (elbow) this season, including the values of Steve Smith, D.J. Hackett, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

It seems like everything is going well for Jake. Training camp will be the real test.

Terry Glenn [WR, Cowboys]

From FanHouse:

Glenn tells the Star-Telegram that the team has asked him to sign an agreement that the team would owe him only $500,000 if he suffers a season-ending injury during organized team activities. Ordinarily, if players are injured in practice they are entitled to their base salaries, which in Glenn’s case is $1.74 million.

I was never confident in seeing Glenn return to the field anytime soon, or ever for that matter.

This news just solidifies it for me — the Cowboys do not think he will, either.

Deuce McAllister [RB, Saints]

From No-Offseason.com:

29 year old Saints RB Deuce McAllister went through about a third of Saints practice yesterday, and reportedly looked solid doing it.

Still no bad news out of the McAllister camp. No setbacks, no trade talks, no getting cut talks.

There has been plenty of talk, however, about his role going forward. Nothing will be decided immediately, but it is worth watching in training camp how much time Pierre Thomas gets in the backfield with Reggie Bush.

Jerry Porter [WR, Jaguars]

From FanHouse:

Jaguars fans, try to remember to breathe. I know you don’t want to hear that your $30 million receiver blew out a hammy in workouts last week. Just remind yourself, “It’s only May … It’s only May …”

OK, I will be the first to admit that there is not much in that above quote regarding Porter’s injury. But the story, linked above, does have some good information. Make sure to head over to FanHouse to check that out.

I am not too worried about this injury. Porter caught the pulled hamstring bug that goes around the NFL every May and June. If the hamstring comes back to haunt him in training camp, however, I would start to worry.

Andre Johnson [WR, Texans]

From ProFootballTalk:

But there is good news: Johnson says his knee will be OK for training camp.

“If you are worried about my knee, my knee’s doing fine,” Johnson told Texans fans at a public event hosted by the team.

As TO would say (I think he said this?), the proof is in the pudding. It is nice to talk about how good the knee feels now and all that jazz, but until Johnson gets on the field and starts high-level practice all bets are off.

AJ needs to prove he can stay on the field for an extended amount of time for fantasy owners not to worry about his injury-laden past.

Get your subscription to The Hazean for just $0 a month! You can subscribe to The Hazean by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get all the fantasy info you need fast and easy. But hurry because this offer may not last forever!*

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*This offer will last forever

So our friend Tim from Fantasy Football Exchange offered to give a little feedback. His grades and analysis for our May fantasy mock draft is after the jump. Feel free to leave some feedback of your own in the comments.

Team 1 – LaDainian Tomlinson (#1) and Brandon Jacobs (#24)

Tomlinson is the safest choice of the top three RBs. Peterson and Jackson have similar ceilings, but more risk. Jacobs is a good pick if you like the 2 RB approach, but I think he falls into a tier of RBs where I’d rather choose Brees, probably the only remaining elite QB, or one of the remaining elite WRs because I think I could get a similar back, but lesser back when my turn comes back up in the 4th round.

Grade: B

Team 2 – Adrian Peterson (#2) and Tony Romo (#23)

It is hard to argue with having a top 3 RB and top 3 QB after two rounds. Both have been a little inconsistent, but expect some monster weeks.

Grade: A

Team 3 – Steven Jackson (#3) and Reggie Wayne (#22)

It is also hard to argue with having a top 3 RB and top 3 WR, especially when he’s the 4^th receiver off the board. Jackson could have a huge comeback year with Al Saunders taking over as the offensive coordinator and a healthier team.

Grade: A

Team 4 – Tom Brady (#4) and Ronnie Brown (#21)

Brady had a huge year last year, but neither Manning nor Marino could come close to matching their career year when they had it and I expect the same here. Brady is taken a little early for me, because as happened here, by the time you can take your first RB, he has a lot of question marks. Ronnie Brown is coming off an injury and is now not the only back in Miami.

Grade: C

Team 5 – Joseph Addai (#5) and Braylon Edwards (#20)

I was as big on Joseph Addai as anyone at the start of last year and I thought he was a huge disappointment because of my high expectations. He finished with good numbers, but he didn’t finish strong, he had no 100 yard rushing games in the second half and TDs were down as well. Add Dominic Rhodes back into the mix and this is a little high for me, but still a very good back and a steal if he put it all together. Add a top 3 WR in Edwards and this makes a good start of a team.

Grade: B

Team 6 – Jamal Lewis (#6) and Ryan Grant (#19)

I’m a believer in the notion that you can’t win your league in the first round or two, but you can lose it. Jamal Lewis is the one pick that stands out as a potential team killer as a 6^th pick overall. Finding a site that lists Average Draft Positions can be useful. Even if you are the biggest Lewis believer and think he might put up top 5 RB numbers, if the ADP suggests him being drafted in the 3^rd or 4^th round, take a risk that Lewis will be there in the 2^nd or 3^rd round and draft Westbrook here and Lewis a round or two later. I actually like Ryan Grant better than Lewis.

Grade: D

Team 7 – Brian Westbrook (#7) and Marshawn Lynch (#18)

Great value on both picks. I expect both teams to be improved and Lynch to break out this year. Lynch was overshadowed by Peterson last year, but he rushed for more than 1,100 yards in only 13 games. With a new offensive coordinator, dedicated to the run, Lynch could be a top 10 RB.

Grade: A

Team 8 – Randy Moss (#8) and Willie Parker (#17)

These are both guys I know everyone will like better than me. I know Moss can put up huge numbers, but he can also disappear in games. Parker had trouble finding the end zone last year and the Steelers have added Mendenhall, which could cut into Parker’s numbers.

Grade: C

Team 9 – Larry Johnson (#9) and Clinton Portis (#16)

Johnson is a little risky this year, but this isn’t a reach, he was great two years ago and the Chiefs should have improved. Portis is great value at 16 and I actually have him ranked just ahead of LJ in my rankings.

Grade: B

Team 10 – Marion Barber (#10) and Larry Fitzgerald (#15)

I liked Barber a little more when he was playing for a contract, but still feel he’ll put up great numbers. Fitzgerald is taken too early. Again, an ADP list would show him at least a round later. You could probably have taken Barber, Portis, and still taken Fitzgerald in the next round.

Grade: C

Team 11 – Peyton Manning (#11) and Frank Gore (#14)

This is a great spot to take Manning, knowing there are still some elite RBs on the board and Frank Gore fell to 14, which is incredible value. Gore had a disappointing year, but had huge numbers the year before. Gore should be healthy and play in a rejuvenated offense with a coordinator that loves RBs that can catch the ball.

Grade: A

Team 12 – Willis McGahee (#12) and Maurice Jones-Drew (#13)

McGahee is a top 10 RB who can have bad games because he plays for a bad team. MJD is a great versatile back, but is the 2^nd RB in his committee, so he can be inconsistent. If Fred Taylor ever shows his age or regains his “Fragile” title, MJD could be an elite RB. This is a great tandem, but could have some off weeks.

Grade: B

Get your subscription to The Hazean for just $0 a month! You can subscribe to The Hazean by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get all the fantasy info you need fast and easy. But hurry because this offer may not last forever!*

Don’t understand this whole subscribing thing? Check out this short video on RSS courtesy of my friend The Fantasy Football Goat. Isn’t technology great?

*This offer will last forever

• A mock draft with PPR and six points per passing touchdown. [RotoWorld]
• Good idea: Using a tiered cheat sheet. [Fantasy Football Fools]
• How important is home-field advantage to your fantasy team? [Fantasy Football Goat]
• More on using RSS to uber pwn your fantasy football leagues. [Football Jabber]
• Five up-and-coming offenses to watch out for this season. [Pancake Blocks]
• Vince Young considered retiring after his first NFL season. WTF? [Deadspin]
• I am just going to steal the title of this article: Why does Brett Favre still have a locker? [Every Morning Quarterback]
• Selvin Young: The next 2,000-yard rusher? Hmmm … [FanHouse]

For more great reads, check out my Google Reader Shared Items page.