Vick and Eagles high on confidence

"Oh no, Michael Vick used the d-word," I said with heavy sarcasm after watching ESPN analysts discuss Vick's poor choice of words, that he's putting too much pressure on him and his teammates, and all this nonsense. The d-word I'm referring too is "dynasty," which Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick said he believes this Eagles team could become. Michael Vick is a smart man and he knew what he saying and meant every word. And I agree with him; the Eagles have the talent to win a championship. He's confident and rightfully so. Will his words be used as motivation for their upcoming opponents? Of course. But it's also motivation for the Eagles, a team who's backup quarterback of last season Vince Young (currently a Buffalo Bill) said the Eagles were a dream team. The Eagles would finish the season 8-8 and miss the playoffs. The Eagles are better than 8-8 and they're going to be intent on proving that this season. If Vick can slide and run out of bounds, just stay healthy, then this club should win the NFC East.

Law & Order

Players have been making headlines this off-season for run ins with the law. Whether it's possession of illegal drugs, driving while intoxicated or under the influence, domestic violence or restraining arrest. Some of these players have no previous issues off the field and an argument for that will be made, but I think it's time that commissioner Goodell use disciplinary action whether or not they're a first time offender. And even more important, the coaches of these players chew their players' ass and give him hell in practice; hell I'd go as far as cutting him. You don't have to be a genius to realize you've had too many drinks and it'd be best to take a cab home. Why anybody decides to get involved with drugs is beyond me but if they're dumb enough to use them then clearly they're dumb enough to get caught. After being told to leave a club because they were closing and then refusing to leave and follow that with restraining arrest; well it's like what Herm Edwards told this year's rookies, "nothing good happens in a club after midnight," and that was proved yet again this off-season. We've seen the Law part of these encounters, now let's see the Order.

Tag, you're it

Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will play the 2012 season under the team's franchise tag which pays him a guaranteed $9.5 million. He's not complaining nor should he be. After coming off his best season in 2011 recording 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. Welker takes a lot of big hits, which I love about him, but when you add that to the fact that he's 31 years old entering his 9th season, he may not be around for as long as he or the Pats would like. I mean he really takes a beating on the football field and is as tough a player as they come. The Pats could tag him again next season or try to workout a 2 yr deal since he wanted a 3 yr deal this season. People say he's a product of the Patriots system but that's not entirely true. Yes, in this system Welker's skills are put to full use and he certainly excels, plus playing with Tom Brady never hurts. Still, I'm very confident that Welker would be a great receiver for any team in this league
After signing three wide receivers in free agency (Brandon Lloyd, Donte Stallworth, and Jabar Gaffney) his numbers won't be that of last year's but we all know he's going to be just as effective. .

Ravens and Bears ink their star runners

The Chicago Bears and running back Matt Forte have agreed to a 4 yr deal worth $32 million while the Baltimore Ravens signed Ray Rice to 5 yrs at $35 million. Easily the leagues top two all around backs; not only being superb runners but also being very effective in the receiving game as well as pass blocking. Both Rice and Forte were selected in the second round of the 2008 draft by their respective teams and, I believe, have exceeded expectations. As both enter their fifth season in the league, their first four totaled up some pretty impressive numbers. In the 51 games Ray Rice has played in he's rushed for 4,377 yards and 24 touchdowns averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and to go with that he's caught 250 passes for 2,235 yards and 5 touchdowns. As for Forte, in the 50 games played he's ran for 4,233 yards and 21 touchdowns averaging 4.2 yards per carry to go along with his 225 receptions for 1,985 yards and 8 touchdowns. But, what really impressed me about Forte is not his play, but his character; being a professional and classy guy playing last year without getting any offers from his team as far as a long-term contract goes. He knew that playing was the best thing for the team and holding out would hurt them. Good to see him get the money and respect he deserves from the guys in the Bears' front office.

New Orleans' weather finally a Cool Brees

LeBron James said it best, "It's about damn time." He said that in response to winning a championship after nine long ring-less seasons but it's certainly an appropriate response to Brees and the Saints finally coming to an agreement; looks like that threat of not playing without a long term deal paid off nicely. The 5 yr deal is worth $100 million and $60 million is guaranteed, meaning if he suffers a career ending injury this season that $60 million is his money. He's set to earn $40 million this season alone which is just absurd, I don't care who you are or what you've done for the city you play in, that's a crazy amount of money for just one season. The Saints aren't going to win their division but their record will be a hell of a lot better with him as their quarterback.

Bounty Gate is getting old

Stop the bounty talk! Talk of the bounty scandal continues despite the commissioner upholding the players' suspensions. The players need to just own up to what they did and accept their punishments. This is getting pathetic. Let's go back to talking about football instead of lawsuits; those were the good ole' days.