The 15-Play Drive

15 thoughts on the abbreviated off-season...

1. You can't win the Lombardi trophy in July, but the Eagles took a giant step in that direction with their trade for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and signings of Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins, and Jason Babin.

2. No head coach will have more pressure on him than Andy Reid. He's won everything but the Super Bowl. It's championship or bust this season.

3. The Cardinals overpaid for Kevin Kolb. They were bidding against themselves.

4. He'll never admit it, but Bill Belichick is going for it now. He wouldn't have brought in the likes of Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco otherwise.

5. Mike Shanahan's really staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck? That's like Kevin Costner staking his reputation on Water World.

6. If the lockout proved anything, it's that football is a business. You can't fault Shaun Ellis or Steve Smith for signing with division rivals. There is no real loyalty, and that works both ways.

7. I don't blame Chris Johnson for holding out. The Titans look cheap here. Johnson is an elite running back, has easily outplayed his contract, and is no 1-year wonder. Pay the man!

8. The Saints didn't get the same headlines as the Eagles, but I love what GM Mickey Loomis has done with this team. They're as good as anyone in the NFC, including the Packers.

9. I can understand why he doesn't want to play another down for the Bengals, but Carson Palmer looks spoiled and petty with the act he's pulling. Palmer needs to realize, he's a very average quarterback these days.

10. Why do I have the feeling the Cleveland Browns are headed for a year that'll be worse than the final season of Entourage.

11. Memo to members of the Tim Tebow fan club...John Elway and John Fox didn't draft him. They don't have to justify selecting Tebow in the 1st round by playing him when he's not ready. Tebow is a project. Give it time.

12. If I had any faith in Norv Turner as a head coach, I could easily see the Chargers coming out of the AFC. However...I don't.

13. There was a better chance of the Giants resigning Tiki Barber than the team actually trading Osi Umenyiora.

14. Chris Carter should be in the Hall of Fame, but his claim that Calvin Johnson isn't an elite wide-receiver is laughable.

15. Count me as an enemy of the new kick-off rules. Players like Leon Washington, Josh Cribbs and Brad Smith are being marginalized.