Betting Odds - Graffiti - Podcast

Michael Vick’s legal troubles prompted Nike yesterday to suspend the release of its latest product line named after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

Nike has told retailers it will not release a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer. Company spokesman Dean Stoyer said the four shoe products and three shirts that currently bear Vick’s name will remain in stores.

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will be arraigned next week in a Richmond, Va., federal courtroom on charges of sponsoring a gruesome dogfighting operation. (Tami Chappell - Reuters) Falcons Basics

Vick will be arraigned next week in a Richmond federal courtroom on charges of sponsoring a gruesome dogfighting operation. Stoyer said the company still has a standing contract with Vick but declined to speculate on his future with Nike.

A statement Nike released said the company “is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick, and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent. We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore, we have not terminated our relationship.”

Stoyer, who declined to discuss the terms of Vick’s contract with Nike, indicated the company has no commercials or documentaries planned with the three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection.

Flowery Branch, GA - Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed the Michael Vick situation with a statement Thursday.

Vick, the Falcons star quarterback, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges stemming from a dogfighting ring that allegedly was conducted at his house in Virginia.

“We know you’re anxious to hear more from us regarding the indictment of Michael Vick and its implications to the Falcons, Blank said in the statement. “Pleased be assured that we are working diligently on exploring our options and getting the right people involved in this situation.

“This is an emotionally charged and complicated matter. There are a wide range of interests and legal issues that need to be carefully considered as we move ahead, including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to. Also, this situation affects everyone — our club, our players and associates, our sponsors, our fans and the Atlanta community among them — so we must consider all of our customers in making any decisions.

“Given the differing perspectives and strong feelings around this issue, we probably won’t make everyone happy, but we are committed to doing the right thing. As the owner of this club that’s, ultimately, my responsibility.

“In the meantime, know that I’m saddened and distressed about this — not for myself, but for our fans and community who have been so loyal to us. We will do our very best to continue to earn your support.”

Vick and three others have been indicted with travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

If convicted of the travel part of the conspiracy charge, it carries with it a statutory maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and full restitution. If convicted on the dog fighting charge, the defendants could face either one-year in prison, a $100,000 fine or both.

The indictment was brought about in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, VA.

According to the indictment, the defendants were involved in an ongoing animal fighting business based out of Vick’s property located in Smithfield, VA from early 2001 through sometime in April of this year. Since Vick purchased the property in June 2001, the defendants formed a dog fighting enterprise known as “Bad Newz Kennels” and used the property for housing and training pit bulls used in dog fights. From at least 2002, the defendants and others sponsored dog fights on the property and bringing dogs from several states to participate in the events. During the fights, the participants would place bets ranging from the hundreds to thousands of dollars. The fights would last until either the death or surrender of the losing dog, which would then sometimes be put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshot, electrocution or other methods.

Also, the indictment said the defendants participated in dog fights in North and South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and elsewhere in Virginia.

The dogfighting affair was first brought to light when Vick’s home was raided on April 26 when authorities seized 54 dogs, along with several other pieces of equipment associated in dogfighting.

The property was again searched on June 7 by federal officials, who uncovered the graves of several pit bulls on the property.

Vick denied any involvement in dogfighting conducted on his property when the case first broke, and has blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity.

The indictment could affect Vick’s playing status for the upcoming season under the guidelines of the NFL’s new player conduct policy.

NFL Suicide Pool - 2007 football season: MAKE SOME EZ CASH!

You may not make a living as a professional bettor, but you don’t have to be to pick up some EZ cash around your office this football season.

How about starting your own NFL SUICIDE POOL, and pick up some money from the more than willing squares in those cubicals around you?

The best part of the NFL is that there are hundreds of different ways to get some action and hopefully make a bit of money. You can play your basic point spreads, totals or money line, but there is so much more out there.

Everybody knows somebody who is running some sort of pool or fantasy league, and if you follow football closely you’ll have an edge over the long term over the people who pick teams based on mascot name or uniform color.

One of the most difficult but entertaining and potentially lucrative ways to put your money in play during the pro football season is in an NFL suicide pool - also known as an NFL eliminator pool.

This NFL football season here at BEST ODDS - GRAFFITI WALL, we will provide week-by-week suicide pool handicapping tips to give you the best shot at winning the pot. From a Pro’s persective, it’s just one play each week ON THE MONEY LINE!

The concept of a suicide pool is simple. Deceptively simple. All you have to do is pick one team each week that you think is going to win their game straight up.

If you are right then you are on to the next week. If you lose you are out. The last man (or woman) standing gets all of the money. For an added level of difficulty, most pools add a rule that you are only allowed to pick any team once during the season.

It’s a very difficult thing to do well, and it is uncommon to see a suicide pool that lasts until the end of the season. It sounds easy, but it’s really not.

If you want to have a good chance at being the only one alive at the end of the road, then here are a few things that you may want to keep in mind:

1. Don’t save a safer bet until later - Because you can usually only pick a team once, many people seem to think that you should save the best teams until later on when you really need a win.

This is a terrible idea for several reasons. First, having a ’safe’ pick in your pocket does you no good if you get knocked out before you use it. The point of a suicide pool is survival, and that must be your focus every single week.

More importantly, what is a safe pick now can turn into a less comforting pick down the road. Teams can start strong and then struggle, or run into a schedule that is harder than it looked like it was going to be based on how their opponents are playing.

Most significantly, a saved safe pick can be totally sabotaged by injury. You might want to save the Colts for a couple of weeks, but what happens if Peyton Manning gets hurt and you are left with a quarterback that took his last meaningful snap back when he was in college?

Every time you make a correct pick you get to move on, and you will be facing fewer competitors. It simply doesn’t make sense to make anything other than the best possible pick every week.

2. Don’t take unnecessary risks - Sure, you might get bragging rights if you correctly predict a big upset, but you’ll look like an idiot in the more likely case that you are wrong.

If you want to play the big dogs, bet them on the point spread or money line where you get rewarded for the extra risk. In a suicide pool it only makes sense to lay the chalk, and play the solid favorites.

3. Don’t over think it - Some people will get very worked up about making their suicide pool picks. You know the type - they have charts and graphs measuring every obscure stat and trend out there, and they spend hours reading and re-reading dozens of articles and formulating harebrained theories about who to bet and who to avoid.

It’s not a coincidence that that guy never wins anything - he puts way too much thought into it.

A suicide pool is a very imperfect science. Even the best teams are going to lose a couple of games a year or more, so sooner or later you’re going to lose whether you like it or not.

The best approach to take, then, is to look over the games, find the one that feels right, and just go for it. Putting much more into your selection than that is just wasted effort.

4. Avoid the trap plays - There are enough games every week that you can almost always find a team to pick that stands a solid chance of winning.

To maximize those chances, you might as well avoid the situations that aren’t likely to be consistent winners over the long term.

For example, you would probably want to have a pretty good reason to pick a road team. That’s not to say that you should never pick a visitor, but if two relatively well-matched teams are playing the one at home obviously has an edge.

You’ll also probably want to avoid teams fielding an inexperienced quarterback, one that has significant injuries in key positions or teams mired in long losing streaks. Teams can obviously win in all of those situations, but it’s probably not the best idea to bet that they will.

Good Luck,

Tommy Mac - Graffiti Wall

Richmond, VA - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is expected to appear in federal court next Thursday for a bond hearing and arraignment on felony charges relating to illegal dogfighting.

Vick and three others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has scheduled a bond hearing for Thursday, July 26 at 3:30 p.m. (et). Arraignment is expected to follow at 4:00 p.m. (et).

The court date coincides with the first day of training camp for the Falcons in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Vick and the three other men have been indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

If convicted of the travel part of the conspiracy charge, it carries with it a statutory maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and full restitution. If convicted on the dog fighting charge, the defendants could face either one year in prison, a $100,000 fine or both.

According to the indictment, the defendants were involved in an ongoing animal fighting business based out of Vick’s property located in Smithfield, Virginia from early 2001 through sometime in April of this year. Since Vick purchased the property in June 2001, the defendants formed a dog fighting enterprise known as “Bad Newz Kennels” and used the property for housing and training pit bulls used in dog fights. From at least 2002, the defendants and others sponsored dog fights on the property and brought dogs from several states to participate in the events. During the fights, the participants would place bets ranging from the hundreds to thousands of dollars. The fights would last until either the death or surrender of the losing dog, which would then sometimes be put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshot, electrocution or other methods.

Also, the indictment said the defendants participated in dog fights in North and South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and elsewhere in Virginia.

The dogfighting affair was first brought to light when Vick’s home was raided on April 26 when authorities seized 54 dogs, along with several other pieces of equipment associated in dogfighting.

The property was again searched on June 7 by federal officials, who uncovered the graves of several pit bulls on the property.

Vick denied any involvement in dogfighting conducted on his property when the case first broke, and has blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity.

The indictment could affect Vick’s playing status for the upcoming season under the guidelines of the NFL’s new player conduct policy.

By: Conner Byrne of real football 365

Of the 32 players on this list, 20 are first-round picks. The latest player chosen was in the sixth round, while one was taken in a past supplemental draft.

The team with the most representatives is New England (four), while eight other organizations have multiple representatives. Twelve teams didn’t have a good enough defender to make the list.

1.) Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers - Despite a four-game suspension for steroids last season, Merriman still finished with an NFL-best 17 sacks for the 14-2 Chargers. In his first two years, the 6-foot-4, 272-pounder has 27 sacks in as many regular-season games. Merriman, 23, is on his way to becoming the modern-day Lawrence Taylor.

2.) Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos - Bailey entered the NFL in 1999 with the Washington Redskins , and many believed he’d eventually become one of the game’s premier defenders. Over the last couple of seasons in Denver, Bailey has truly reached the elite. Not only is the 29-year-old a shutdown corner — he’s also a big-time playmaker (18 interceptions in the last pair of seasons, including 10 in 2006).

3.) Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens - Reed, no doubt the best safety in the league right now, intercepted 21 passes in his first three seasons, then suffered an injury-laden 2005 campaign in which he picked off just one pass. Last year, though, the Ravens’ 2002 first-round pick from the University of Miami regained form, hoarding five picks in 16 games. Reed is great in coverage and against the run, and he can make plays and intimidate the opposition — he does it all.

4.) Jason Taylor, DE, Miami Dolphins - Like a fine wine, the 32-year-old Taylor seems to only get better with age. The 6-6, 255-pounder took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in ‘06, piling up 60 tackles, 13½ sacks, nine forced fumbles and two interceptions (both of which were returned for touchdowns). In Year 11, there’s no reason to believe the Dolphins’ crown jewel will slow down.

5.) Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers - At 6-7, 283 pounds, few D-linemen are more daunting for an offensive lineman to face. Despite constantly battling double- and triple-teams throughout his five-year career, the 2002 second overall pick has 53½ career sacks, including a career-high 13 last season. Peppers’ numbers aren’t necessarily at the top of the league, but he’s a guy opposing O-coordinators base their entire game plans around while preparing for Carolina.

6.) DeAngelo Hall, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Much like Champ Bailey, the No. 2-ranked defender on this list, Hall possesses the uncommon ability to close off his side of the field to opposing quarterbacks and receivers. Thanks largely to his tremendous athleticism, the 5-10, 197-pounder has 12 picks in three years and has already become one of the game’s best players on either side of the ball.

7.) Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears - Though some believe Urlacher is overrated, his presence in Chicago’s defense and career production simply can’t be argued with. For the Bears last season, he totaled 141 tackles and three interceptions on one of the league’s top defenses, which helped Chicago earn a trip to the Super Bowl.

8.) Tommie Harris, DT, Chicago Bears - It’s only taken three short years for Harris to become the best multidimensional tackle in the NFL. Along with being an elite run-stuffing force in the middle of an outstanding defense, Harris also has some pass-rushing prowess (11½ sacks in 44 regular-season games). When Harris, 24, got hurt late in ‘06, the Bears’ defense went from great to good. The 6-3, 295-pounder is the type of player any team would love to build around.

9.) Rashean Mathis, S, Jacksonville Jaguars - You’d be hard-pressed to find a better playmaker from the safety position than the 26-year-old Mathis, who has 20 career interceptions (eight in ‘06) in only four seasons. He’s also never missed a game and has not finished a season with fewer than 63 tackles. His 46 pass defenses aren’t bad, either.

10.) Richard Seymour, DL, New England Patriots - Seymour, 6-6, 310, has been the straw that has stirred the drink known as the Pats’ defense for much of his six-year career. Seymour has 29½ career sacks, which isn’t a massive number, but he’s incredibly athletic for a big man and is excellent in nearly all phases of the game. What Tommie Harris is to the Bears, Seymour is to New England; he’s the key ingredient that makes everything go.

11.) Adrian Wilson, S, Arizona Cardinals - If you’re a casual football fan, you probably don’t even know who the 27-year-old Wilson is. Despite the fact that he plays for Arizona, which hasn’t exactly been a hotbed for defensive dominance, Wilson has three seasons of over 90 tackles in six years, including two that exceeded 100 takedowns. He also has 13 sacks over the past two seasons, which is almost unheard of for a defensive back, and he pulled in a career-best four interceptions in ‘06.

12.) Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis Colts - Freeney had a down campaign last year with a career-worst 5½ sacks; however, like the aforementioned Peppers, he’s someone opposing offensive play-callers fret over the entire week prior to facing the Colts. Recently, Freeney signed a six-year, $72 million deal, becoming the NFL’s all-time highest-paid defensive player. Expect him to regain the dominance of his first four years, when he accrued 51 sacks.

13.) Sean Taylor, S, Washington Redskins - Taylor, 24, is so good that opposing teams do their best to avoid him. Despite only one interception last year, which had more to do with a lack of balls thrown his way than a lack of poor playmaking skills, Taylor piled up a whopping 111 tackles from the free safety position on what was a disappointing Redskin defense. The 6-2, 212-pounder might be the hardest hitter in the league.

14.) Jamal Williams, DT, San Diego Chargers - The 348-pound Williams, one of the best in the league at plugging up the middle, is a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro. The 31-year-old finished last season with a career-best 69 tackles as a member of one of the game’s top defensive units.

15.) Zach Thomas, LB, Miami Dolphins - Although he’ll be 34 years old on Sept. 1, Thomas hasn’t yet begun to decline. In fact, he was as good as ever last season (possibly better), accumulating a jaw-dropping 165 tackles and three sacks for one of the NFL’s fiercest defenses. The last time the 11-year veteran had fewer than 145 tackles in a regular season was 2000, a campaign in which he missed five games because of injury.

16.) John Henderson, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars - The 6-7, 330-pound Henderson, a five-year veteran, has been an absolute menace for opposing offenses to face. He’s never missed a regular-season game (80 in a row), has never finished a year with fewer than 50 tackles (two campaigns of 70-plus) and has 22 career sacks. Before every game, Henderson has the Jags’ trainer slap him in the face to get fired up. It obviously works.

17.) Brian Dawkins, S, Philadelphia Eagles - The 11-year veteran’s skills have declined a bit with age, but he’s still no doubt one of the game’s most feared and respected defenders. He tallied a career-best 93 tackles last season and tied an all-time high with four interceptions. Dawkins has played in 47 of Philly’s past 48 regular-season games, and the 6-0, 210-pound 33-year-old is essentially the Donovan McNabb of the Eagles’ defense.

18.) Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings - For a D-tackle, Williams’ stats over the first four seasons of his career are about as impressive as possible: 199 tackles, 31 sacks. Thanks largely to the 6-5, 311-pounder, the Vikings’ defense in ‘06 was the best the league has ever seen against the run, surrendering fewer than 1,000 ground yards on a 2.83 per-carry average for enemy ball carriers.

19.) Asante Samuel, CB, New England Patriots - It’s a shame Samuel is so bent on receiving a new contract from the Patriots and refuses to play until he gets one. Why, you ask? Because it deprives fans of seeing one of the league’s finest DBs. Samuel broke out last year, in his third season, with an eye-popping 10 INTs to go along with 64 tackles and 14 pass defenses. Without the 5-10, 185-pounder, the Pats’ pass defense will take a big hit. Then again, when do holdouts ever adversely affect New England?

20.) Luis Castillo, DL, San Diego Chargers - Shawne Merriman is no doubt the most well-known defender on San Diego’s roster, but Castillo shouldn’t be that far behind. The two-year veteran has some more developing to do, obviously, but he still totaled 37 tackles and seven sacks in only 10 games last season. Like New England’s Richard Seymour, the 6-3, 290-pound Castillo has the versatility to rotate between end and tackle, making him that much more valuable.

21.) Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders - At 6-2, 210, Asomugha has tremendous size for a corner, and that’s a big reason why he’s become a top-notch defender. After totaling exactly zero interceptions in his first three seasons, the ‘03 first-round pick from Cal tallied eight last year en route to a Pro Bowl bid in the AFC.

22.) Will Smith, DE, New Orleans Saints - Upon entering the league as a first-round pick from Ohio State, Smith was much maligned in New Orleans for multiple reasons, including his weight. Now, though, the 6-3, 282-pounder is becoming a complete end. His sack totals have gone up in each of his three seasons (7½ to 8½ to 10½), and he’s very good versus the run.

23.) Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers - In 2005, Polamalu was one of the key members of the Steelers’ Super Bowl team, with 91 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. He missed three games last year but still racked up 76 tackles and three picks. However, his performance was overshadowed by the rest of the team, which finished a disappointing 7-9. Make no mistake, though, Polamalu is a high-end defender. One of the league’s best DBs, in fact.

24.) Lito Sheppard, CB, Philadelphia Eagles - The 5-10, 194-pound Sheppard has been among the NFC’s best corners for the past three years — 14 picks — and he was a Pro Bowler for the second time last season (six interceptions) despite missing a trio of games.

25.) Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears - Briggs had the best campaign of his four-season career in ‘06 (130 tackles, two interceptions), but the disgruntled 26-year-old is threatening to sit out all of 2007 because of a contract dispute. If he decides not to play, Chicago’s defense will indeed be shaken.

26.) Kerry Rhodes, S, New York Jets - It’s hard to believe the 6-3, 210-pound Rhodes has come such a long way in two seasons. After all, he was an unheralded fourth-round pick in ‘05. In his first pair of years, though, Rhodes has notched 203 tackles (105 as a rookie, 98 in 2006), and he added five sacks and four picks last season. The 24-year-old was a Pro Bowl snub in ‘06, but he should make plenty in the future.

27.) Corey Redding, DT, Detroit Lions - Before Monday, when he signed a seven-year, $49 million deal, nine of 10 football fans were probably unaware of Redding because he’s been overlooked in Detroit. However, his numbers last year — 47 tackles, eight sacks — were stupendous, and he’s still only 26 years old.

28.) Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots - The third Pat to make the list, the 325-pound Wilfork is a tackling machine (146 in three seasons) who is absolutely superb against the run. His ability to clog the middle is one of the things that allows much-ballyhooed linebackers like Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Rosie Colvin to roam free and make high-impact plays. Consider Wilfork Ted Washington Part II.

29.) Pat Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings - In 10 mostly standout seasons, Williams, oddly enough, has never made a Pro Bowl. Along with Kevin Williams, though, who’s ranked 16th on this list, Pat has guided the Vikings’ ground defense to incredible heights over the last two years.

30.) DeMarcus Ware, LB, Dallas Cowboys - Ware entered the league in ‘05 as a first-round pick, and so did Merriman. For that reason, Ware has been overshadowed. However, he has 20 sacks in two years and 129 tackles. Though Ware won’t ever be on the same level as Merriman, he’ll still be a dominant force from the outside for a number of years.

31.) Casey Hampton, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers - Hampton, a 6-1, 325-pounder, has been one of the main reasons why Pittsburgh’s defense has been so good during the last six years. The 29-year-old has only four career sacks; however, his ability to stop the run is what landed him on this list.

32.) Adalius Thomas, LB, New England Patriots - Once Thomas’ playing time began increasing with Baltimore in 2004, the 270-pounder burst out of Ray Lewis’ shadow and became his own player. Now a Patriot (he signed a big contract to join them in the offseason), Thomas hopes to keep increasing his sack totals (from seven to eight to 11 since 2004) and chip in one more great element to New England’s defense.

Notable omissions: Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens ; Derrick Burgess, DE, Oakland Raiders ; Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts ; Marcus Stroud, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars ; Derrick Brooks, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ; Michael Strahan, DE, New York Giants ; Aaron Kampman, DE, Green Bay Packers ; Aaron Schobel, DE, Buffalo Bills .

Updated: July 18, 2007, 1:07 AM ET

MIAMI — Daunte Culpepper finally has what he asked the Miami Dolphins for weeks ago — a chance to start over with a new team.

Miami released the former Pro Bowl quarterback Tuesday, wrapping up a contentious split between player and team. The move came one day before a breach-of-contract grievance filed by the NFL Players Association on Culpepper’s behalf against the Dolphins was scheduled to be heard, and after Miami unsuccessfully tried for weeks to trade the 30-year-old.

Culpepper — who became expendable once the Dolphins made a trade six weeks ago with Kansas City for Trent Green, who’ll be Miami’s starter entering this season — said he got word from his attorneys about the release on Monday night.

“As I was going through this process I heard about a quote by Gandhi that best expresses my thoughts about this victory: ‘First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win,’” Culpepper, who serves as his own agent, said in an e-mail. “Now that I have won my freedom and I get to choose my next team, I am just like many other people who have to go out and find employment so that I can take care of my family.”

Clayton: Culpepper’s strategy

It may have cost him two weeks, but Daunte Culpepper gained his release from the Miami Dolphins. John Clayton discusses Culpepper’s approach and eventual vindication.

The Dolphins, who announced the move in a one-sentence e-mail, did not have further comment.

“The best possible result we could have gotten in the arbitration is what we got in this settlement, so we are obviously pleased,” said Richard Berthelsen, the NFLPA’s general counsel. “We do wish, for Daunte’s sake, that his free agency could have happened sooner, but we look forward to his having a great season with a new team.” Miami acquired Culpepper before the 2006 season, even though the 6-foot-4, 265-pound quarterback was coming off major surgery to rebuild his right knee, which he shredded the previous year while playing with the Minnesota Vikings. Culpepper was cleared to start last season’s opener with the Dolphins, but struggled with his mobility and was sacked 21 times in the first four games.

He didn’t play again with the Dolphins, who shut him down so he could continue rehabbing and eventually placed him on injured reserve. Culpepper continued to train and vowed to be ready for this season, yet the Dolphins and new coach Cam Cameron decided Green would be a better fit for the offense.

Green made his practice-field debut with Miami on June 8, the same week where team doctors told Culpepper he was finally ready to resume full workouts with the team — an announcement that was quickly tinged in irony. Culpepper said Dolphins’ quarterback coach Terry Shea said during that minicamp practice he wouldn’t be allowed to take snaps with the regular offense and was limited to individual drills.

So Culpepper walked off the field as Green and other quarterbacks worked against Miami’s defense, correctly predicting that would be his last workout with the full team.

“It’s sad that it didn’t work out for Daunte,” Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown said that day. “He’s a good guy and he’s worked hard and I think he’s been a good teammate. Sometimes things just don’t work out.”

With training camps set to open in the next couple days, Culpepper — who, in 84 games as a starter, has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 21,091 yards and 137 touchdowns — will be moving quickly to find a new club.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are thought to be among his potential suitors; coaches there told quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and David Garrard earlier this offseason that they would consider acquiring him before training camp if he was available. Culpepper had his best NFL seasons with the Vikings under coach Mike Tice, now an assistant head coach in Jacksonville under Jack Del Rio.

“I just hope that there is still a team or two out there that has an opportunity for a hard working quarterback who is willing to come in and contribute wherever needed,” Culpepper said. “I am ready to get into a training camp so that I can prepare for the 2007 season.”

The Dolphins would have owed Culpepper $5.5 million this season.

It’s not known if they came close to moving him in a trade; Culpepper vowed to block any such moves, saying he wouldn’t accommodate the Dolphins by agreeing to a new contract. His existing deal, which would have paid him $51.5 million through 2013, made it nearly impossible for Miami to find a team to trade with.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

By Mike Tanier

FootballOutsiders.com

When ranking NFL quarterbacks, it’s pretty easy to fill in slots three thru 32. Picking No. 1 and No. 2, on the other hand, is a real headache.

Who do you prefer? The reigning champion or the three-time champion? Which stat do you find more impressive — 12 playoff victories or 275 career touchdown passes? Do you like the guy who silenced his doubters last year or the guy who never had any doubters?

The following rankings are based on team depth charts, not just starters. So we’re really pitting Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, and John Navarre against Tom Brady, Matt Cassell, and Matt Gutierrez. Does it really matter? When you think about Patriots vs. Colts, do you think of Sorgi vs. Cassell? If Matt Gutierrez fell in the woods, would he make a sound?

At Football Outsiders, we’ve done our homework. We’ve ranked the quarterbacks from all 32 teams based on our groundbreaking DVOA and DPAR metrics, our scouting and game charting data, and a healthy dollop of horse sense. For rookies and prospects, we used the Lewin Career Forecast System, a projection method so accurate that it has generated some sizzle among NFL insiders (you can read more about DVOA, DPAR, and Lewin’s Career Forecast System in Football Prospectus 2007, available wherever fine paperbacks are sold). Armed with this arsenal, we can definitively say who’s tops among NFL signal callers.

Here’s a hint: he does a lot of commercials.

1. Colts (2006 Rank: 1)

If you lumped together all of Peyton Manning’s third down pass attempts from the last three seasons, you would get this stat line: 243-of-384 (63.3%), 2889 yards, 38 touchdowns, eight interceptions. The dude is pretty good on third downs.

Take four years of Peyton’s fourth quarter performances and add them together to get this stat line: 304-of-454 (66.9 percent), 3,589 yards, 22 touchdowns, 10 interceptions. He’s pretty good late in the game, too. If you are only interested in “late clutch” situations (fourth quarter, game within seven points), Peyton is 229-of-335 (68.3 percent) for 2,768 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He’s not too shabby with the game on the line.

In short, Manning is the guy you want to give the ball to in pressure situations. The “playoff choke artist” isn’t dead; he never existed. The Peyton Manning we saw in January and February — the guy who battled back from a 21-3 lead in the AFC title game against the Team of the Decade, who threw for 247 yards against the league’s best defense in the rain-drenched Super Bowl — is an all-time great, a legend in his prime.

Jim Sorgi has been in the system for four years and has looked good in mop-up duty. John Navarre provides much needed preseason comic relief as the third stringer.

(Note: Manning naysayers should email their complaints to me at mtanier@footballoutsiders.com, not Aaron Schatz or Rupert Murdoch.)

2. Patriots (2006 Rank: 2)

Fourteen wins. Twenty-four touchdowns. Over 3,500 yards. Another 724 yards and five touchdowns in the postseason. Welcome to an off year, Tom Brady style. When Brady comes within four points of reaching the Super Bowl, he’s a disappointment. With three rings on his fingers and a new crop of receivers to throw to this season, he’s sure to find a way to bounce back in 2007.

Brady is best in the league at spraying the ball to his backs and tight ends in space, and he has the best pocket awareness since Troy Aikman. Only Peyton is better at dissecting and dismantling coverage schemes. Some micro-analysts think he can’t throw the deep ball. Just wait until Brady sees Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth streaking down the sidelines. He’ll show you a deep ball.

Backup Matt Cassel has been with the Patriots so long that he once fumbled in Nickerson Stadium. In a preseason game, of course. Cassel is a swashbuckling scrambler with a case of fumble-itis, but he knows the system. Rookie Matt Gutierrez posted marginal numbers at I-AA Idaho State but has NFL size and arm strength.

3. Eagles (2006 Rank:

Donovan McNabb surprised many by participating in a May mini-camp; it was an encouraging sign that he is ahead of schedule in his ACL rehab. McNabb underwent a grueling off-season program of knee exercises that included, among other things, long games of tag. Yes, as in “you’re it.” Don’t laugh; children’s games can help athletes improve the strength and flexibility in their legs. In fact, legend has it that Dan Marino overcame his collegiate knee injuries by riding the Double Dutch Bus.

When healthy, McNabb is an elite quarterback. He’s great at launching deep passes, but he’s even better when the Eagles offense is balanced and he has the chance to throw underneath. McNabb underthrows some passes and is starting to lose his scrambling ability, but he’s a great decision maker in the pocket and one of the hardest quarterbacks in NFL history for players not named Ronde Barber to intercept.

McNabb has missed 13 starts in the last two seasons and is coming off a major injury. Luckily, the Eagles have the best quarterback depth in the NFL. A.J. Feeley is an Andy Reid disciple who knows the system and takes what the defense offers. Rookie Kevin Kolb is a shotgun quarterback with great touch and mobility; the Lewin Career Forecast ranks him as an excellent long-term prospect. Kelly Holcomb, acquired in the Takeo Spikes trade, may be the odd man out, but he’s a heady veteran who can win a game or two if called upon.

4. Bengals (2006 Rank: 6)

As Carson Palmer continues to recover from that devastating ACL injury, the Bengals could move up this list. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

Carson Palmer slipped a bit after his tremendous 2005 season. The lingering effects of his ACL tear troubled him early in the season, and injuries on the offensive line resulted in 36 sacks. Still, 4,000 yards and a 28/13 touchdown-to-interception ratio are nothing to apologize for. Palmer may have the quickest release in football and excels at throwing deep outs and comebacks. He also knows how to check down and can buy time in the pocket. The Bengals would rank third, but mediocre backup Doug Johnson and rookie Jeff Rowe wouldn’t win many games in Palmer’s absence.

5. Seahawks (2006 Rank: 3)

You may have seen Matt Hasselbeck sporting a blonde wig during mini-camp. Do not be alarmed. Hasselbeck and Mike Holmgren just had some communication issues. Holmgren said that the quarterback had to be more like Montana. Holmgren meant “Joe.” Hasselbeck thought he meant “Hannah.”

After suffering through his worst season in five years, Hasselbeck probably felt the need to wear a disguise and lay low. Hasselbeck missed four games with a knee injury, then started forcing balls into coverage when he returned. Dropped passes and instability on the offensive line didn’t help. Hasselbeck is healthy again (the minor off-season surgery on his non-throwing shoulder is not an issue), so look for him to return to form as soon as he loses the wig. He’s a consummate West Coast quarterback who breaks down coverages well and puts tremendous touch on the ball.

Backup Seneca Wallace is a 5-foot-10 scrambler with an average arm. Mike Holmgren changes the offense when Wallace is in the game, calling more shotgun formations and rolling pocket plays. Despite his physical limits, Wallace has a little bit of Flutie Magic and can surprise opponents.

6. Saints (2006 Rank: 10)

He’s short. His passes don’t exactly whistle in the air. He can run a little, but he’s no Michael Vick. He came from the type of spread college offense that has been churning out NFL busts for two decades. Drew Brees’ measurables don’t add up to a Pro Bowl quarterback, but here he is. Brees has now enjoyed three straight outstanding seasons for two different teams, so it’s time to give him his due. Brees is a mechanically sound technician with great touch and accuracy who has good pocket awareness and gets rid of the ball quickly. Combine all of those “little” skills, and you get 4,400 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a deep playoff run.

Backup Jamie Martin has been in the NFL for 13 seasons, most of them as a third stringer. He’s auditioning for an offensive coordinator’s job. Second-year pro Jason Fife is a project. 7. Rams (2006 Rank: 17)

Another year, another 4,000 yards or so and 24 touchdowns. Bulger may be the most consistent quarterback in the league. He rarely has a truly bad game, and when he does (like last season’s 151-yard, zero touchdown, seven-sack effort against the Panthers), it’s pretty obvious that there were breakdowns elsewhere on offense. If Rex Grossman could take Marc Bulger pills, Bears fans wouldn’t need so much ibuprofen to get through the fall.

Backup Gus Frerotte is a streak shooter with a great arm and tons of experience. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a fleet-footed Ivy Leaguer who throws well on the run. Neither could lead the Rams to the playoffs, but both could win a game in a pinch.

8. Steelers (2006 Rank: 4)

He led his team to a 15-1 season. He won a Super Bowl. Then he turned 24. He accomplished so much that it was easy to forget how young Ben Roethlisberger was. He crashed his motorcycle. He needed an appendectomy. He battled back, but he couldn’t overcome the distractions and the expectations. He was awful early in 2006, throwing no touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first three games. He got better, but he kept pressing. Roethlisberger was a terrible fourth quarter passer in 2006: four touchdowns, 11 interceptions, many of the picks coming at the worst possible times. He was trying too hard, playing outside the system. It was a miserable year.

Now, the good news: Big Ben is healthy and focused. The new coaching staff plans to maximize his strengths by introducing more spread formations and a no-huddle package. And he’s still only 25 years old. Think of last season as his “rookie lumps” year. He just had it out of order.

Backup Charlie Batch has a poor arm and has lost much of his athleticism, but he’s crafty and played well in relief over the last two seasons. Brian St. Pierre has been hanging around practice squads for four years. Brian Randall, a former standout at Virginia Tech, will try to make some noise in camp.

9. Ravens (2006 Rank: 12)

Steve McNair is Captain Checkdown, a dink-and-dunk specialist who never met a slant, hitch, or curl route that he didn’t like. McNair still has the arm to throw deep but rarely does; just 13 percent of his passes traveled 16 or more yards in the air, easily the lowest figure among starters. McNair is a marksman on short routes, and while he isn’t very fast, he knows when to tuck and run for positive yardage.

Backup Kyle Boller has plenty of experience, throws a great deep ball, and can run away from trouble. Boller played well when McNair was hurt last year but still overthrows too many receivers. Rookie Troy Smith has all the intangibles but must prove that he is more than a shotgun-option rollout quarterback.

10. Chargers (2006 Rank: 22)

Philip Rivers finished fifth in the league in DPAR (88.6), threw for 3,388 yards, and led his teams to a 14-2 record. Still, his performances against the Raiders in Week 12 (14-of-31, 133 yards, one interception) and Chiefs in Week 15 (8-of-23, 97 yards, two interceptions) suggest that Rivers is still suffering through some growing pains. New coach Norv Turner will focus on fundamentals to improve Rivers’ awkward backpedal and delivery style. But Turner’s system lacks creativity, and Rivers may struggle when opponents figure out the game plan. Backup Billy Volek went from heir apparent to dirty dishrag in Tennessee in just a few weeks last year. Volek has a live arm and has proven he can win games off the bench.

11. Cowboys (2006 Rank: 21)

Tony Romo is no half-year wonder. Romo spent three years on the Cowboys bench learning the ropes from Sean Payton before bursting into the spotlight last October. When he’s focused, his mechanics are solid, his release is quick, he makes good decisions, and he can make plays on the run. Focus, though, is the key. By December, Romo seemed to be reading his press clippings; he started scrambling around in search of highlight-film touchdowns and carrying the football like it was an overfilled diaper pail. With a season to settle into his role as a starter, Romo will calm down and return to the form he displayed during his nine-touchdown, one-interception November run.

Backup Brad Johnson aged quickly last year. He’s a fine sounding board and mentor for Romo, but the Cowboys are in trouble if he plays.

12. Jets (2006 Rank: 26)

Chad Pennington is the best play-faker in the NFL, and few can match his touch and timing on crossing routes. The Jets would rank much higher if Pennington could throw deep. Only five percent of his passes traveled more than 25 yards in the air, one of the lowest figures in the league. The handful of bombs he did throw fluttered like plastic bags in an autumn breeze. Pennington looked like a budding star before the shoulder injuries; now, he seems destined to have a Brad Johnson career. There are worse fates; Johnson, after all, won a Super Bowl.

Sophomore Kellen Clemens gets high marks from the Lewin Career Forecast, and Eric Mangini hinted early in the off-season that Clemens would get a chance to challenge Pennington. But Clemens didn’t perform well in mini-camp and may face a challenge from fleet-footed ex-Raider Marques Tuiasosopo for the backup role.

13. Cardinals (2006 Rank: 14)

Matt Leinart started as a rookie and should only get better. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

Matt Leinart’s completion percentage was 51.6 in October, 59.3 in November and 61.3 in December last season. He averaged 5.9 yards per attempt in October, 7.2 in November, and 7.5 in December. By season’s end, he ranked 16th in the NFL in DPAR, ahead of such veterans as Jake Delhomme, Eli Manning, and Matt Hasselbeck. Leinart has a great arm, lightning-quick release, and the decisiveness to improvise when plays break down. He should benefit from Ken Whisenhunt’s guidance.

Kurt Warner fumbled 10 times in five starts last season and is a rickety, jittery shell of the quarterback who threw 41 touchdowns and won a Super Bowl in 1999. Still, his football IQ and big-game experience make him an ideal mentor.

14. Titans (2006 Rank: 28)

The Lewin Career Forecast predicts that Vince Young will grow into a very good passer, not a great one. Add exceptional running to very good passing and you have one heck of a player. We caught a glimpse of a possible future during Young’s late-season hot streak: he beat opponents with his arm and his legs, demonstrating more grace under pressure than the typical rookie.

The fear in Tennessee is that Young may have experienced too much success too soon. If Young lets the Pro Bowl berth, Rookie of the Year award, and press clippings go to his head, it could stunt his development. Don’t be surprised if Young suffers through a serious sophomore slump this year. Everything broke right for him in 2006, and he may be asked to do too much while breaking in a new receiving corps on a still-rebuilding team.

Kerry Collins joined the Titans late in the 2006 off-season and was unprepared to start on opening day. He’s through as a starter, but he’s a quality backup who can still make all the throws. Tim Rattay played very well in a late-season trial with the Bucs last season. He can look like Joe Montana for short stretches, but he lacks the arm and athleticism to contribute on a regular basis.

15. Chiefs (2006 Rank: 7)

Brodie Croyle spent June mini-camp taking reps as the Chiefs starting quarterback while preparing for his wedding. Compared to the wedding, the sophomore told the Kansas City Star, “football is a piece of cake.” Speaking of cake, Brodie, Bridezilla just called. It’s a triple-tiered tiramisu with white chocolate fondant or else she marries Casey Printers.

Damon Huard finished second in the NFL to Peyton Manning in DVOA last year. So why isn’t he the starter? Huard is a 34-year old career backup coming off a charmed season. Croyle is an athletic, strong-armed youngster with a head for the game who would have been a first-round pick in 2006 if he hadn’t suffered numerous college injuries. The Chiefs’ run-heavy offense is very quarterback-friendly, so why not install the youngster now? If he falters or gets hurt again, Huard is a capable backup.

16. Packers (2006 Rank: 19)

You know when you are over the hill: it’s when your mind makes a promise that your body can’t fill. Favre sees the coverage converging, thinks back to 1996, and truly believes he can rifle the ball to his receiver before the safeties arrive. Unfortunately, his release is a bit slower and his fastball a few degrees cooler, so 1990s touchdowns have become new millennium interceptions.

Still, DVOA grades Favre as an average passer. His gunslinger mentality resulted in 47 interceptions in the last two seasons, but it also produced a fair share of big plays. Many teams, like the ones further down this list, would be thrilled to have a veteran quarterback with some big-play ability who never, ever misses a start.

Backups Aaron Rodgers and Ingle Martin are true unknowns. Rodgers took over for a briefly injured Favre last season and promptly suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Martin, a small-school project, took some reps with the starters in mini-camp and threw two interceptions in his first practice session. He needs more work.

17. Panthers (2006 Rank: 15)

While his overall stats didn’t look bad, Jake Delhomme grades out as a below-average quarterback according to DVOA. Our system evaluates things that aren’t obvious in the stat totals, like six interceptions, 12 sacks, and a 50.4 completion percentage on third down. Delhomme has great accuracy and throws an excellent deep ball, but he forces lots of passes, makes bad reads, and doesn’t feel the pass rush until after the ball has been stripped. Too many Panthers losses last season were decided by Delhomme miscues.

Backup David Carr completed 68.3 percent of his passes last season, but most of his receivers were three yards away in the Texans’ dink-and-dunk attack. Carr is a tough competitor, but he’s wobbly after enduring 249 sacks in five seasons, and he never had great athleticism or fundamentals. Sophomore Brett Basanez is smart and looks the part, but the Steelers defense ate him up in his lone outing last season.

18. Bills (2006 Rank: 32)

J.P. Losman improved tremendously in the last two seasons. He’s still a mad bomber who likes to take chances deep, but last season he learned to check down and use his underneath receivers more effectively. Losman still takes too many hits, but he no longer tucks and runs before his receivers have time to flash open. Losman’s emergence keeps Craig Nall on the bench, where he must be mighty comfortable. Nall has never started an NFL game, but he has a gaudy 139.4 career passer rating thanks to some mop-up work in Green Bay. Rookie Trent Edwards is smart but injury prone and doesn’t have a great arm.

19. Giants (2006 Rank: 18)

Eli Manning appeared to turn the corner at the start of last season. He threw nine touchdown passes in his first four games, completed 67.1 percent of his passes, and brushed off an eight-sack pounding by the Eagles to lead an improbable comeback. Then came a miserable November stretch; the Giants kept losing, and every Manning pass seemed to be two seconds too late or five yards too high. Manning has a quick trigger and can drop a bomb into a receiver’s arms 40 yards downfield like he’s sinking a free throw. But zone blitzes mystify him and, unlike his brother, he makes some awful game management decisions. Eli is no lost cause, but it will be tough for him to get better while battling opponents, his own overmatched coaches, and the often hostile Big Apple media.

The Giants backups are more interesting than effective. Jared Lorenzen looks like Billy Kilmer after a White Castle Crave Case binge. Tim Hasselbeck’s wife hates Rosie O’Donnell.

20. Lions (2006 Rank: 24)

Jon Kitna put up good numbers on a bad team. (Nick Laham / Getty Images)

Jon Kitna finished 11th in the NFL in DPAR, but even Football Outsiders stats can be snookered once in a while. DVOA ranked him as a league-average quarterback, but an average quarterback who throws 596 passes is a pretty valuable commodity. Kitna was exceptional in the final two weeks of last season — 589 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception against the playoff-bound Bears and Cowboys — but he surrendered too many sacks and turnovers before the yuletide surge. He’s a serviceable custodian who reads defenses well and can pick apart zones.

Dan Orlavsky and Drew Stanton are vying for the heir apparent role. Orlavsky, a third-year player from Connecticut, has NFL size and athleticism, but he hasn’t distinguished himself. Stanton survived the John L. Smith era at Michigan State, so he’s ready for the worst the Lions can throw at him. He’s a scrambler who throws a nice short ball but needs to work on his mechanics and recognition.

21. Broncos (2006 Rank: 5)

Jay Cutler fared well for a rookie in five late-season starts. He play-fakes and throws deep well, making him a perfect fit in Mike Shanahan’s offense. He has the arm to throw deep outs and can take a licking in the pocket. Cutler doesn’t have the elite ability of a Leinart or Young, and he still must work on ball security and blitz pickup, but he’s a legit prospect. Patrick Ramsey has lost his youthful glow and must settle into a career as a backup-for-hire. He’s a heady player with average talent.

22. Jaguars (2006 Rank: 9)

Byron Leftwich is a big-armed, immobile passer with a funky windup delivery. He is at his best when standing in the shotgun and firing the ball down the field. Leftwich is the most experienced quarterback on the roster and the nominal starter, but Jack Del Rio lacks confidence in him. David Garrard is a “makes things happen” type, a scrambler who is more effective than Leftwich on short routes. He had big games against the Titans and Dolphins last year, but the more defenses see of him, the worse he looks. Third-stringer Quinn Gray has Leftwich’s arm and Garrard’s legs, and after four years in Jacksonville he expects a crack at the starting job. There’s a quality quarterback here somewhere. The Jaguars might waste the whole season trying to find him.

23. 49ers (2006 Rank: 29)

Alex Smith’s mechanics and decision making improved last season, transforming him from an awful quarterback into a mediocre one. Smith’s small hands are a liability, and he still produces some ready-for-the-blooper-reel fumbles, but he’s an athletic specimen from the wrist up. Smith is just five months older than Brady Quinn, so he still has plenty of time to develop. Backup Trent Dilfer is a straight-off-the-rack mentor who can share horror stories with Smith about the high expectations that come with being a player taken high in the draft.

24. Buccaneers (2006 Rank: 24)

Jeff Garcia is only as good as the offense around him. He led a great Eagles team to the playoffs last year but floundered in his stints with the Browns and Lions. Garcia’s tendency to tap dance in the pocket sometimes results in great plays, but he’ll often dance right into harm’s way behind Tampa’s work-in-progress offensive line.

Chris Simms is still technically in the hunt for a starting job but won’t beat Garcia in camp. Simms got off to a terrible start in 2006 before rupturing his spleen against the Panthers in Week 3. Simms is streaky and has confidence lapses. Sophomore Bruce Gradkowski is a fiery scrambler who won a few games before the league figured him out last season. He still has some long-term potential. If Jake Plummer comes out of retirement, he’ll only add confusion, not quality.

25. Bears (2006 Rank: 27)

Lovie Smith stuck with Rex Grossman through hell and high water last year. Hell came in the form of a two-game, zero-touchdown, six-interception stretch against the Patriots and Vikings. High water came in the Super Bowl, when Grossman laid a two-interception, two-fumble ostrich egg on the biggest stage in sports.

Grossman is a five-year veteran who still makes basic mistakes when reading defenses. He throws a fine deep ball and will have some hot streaks, but he has awful lapses in timing and judgment. Grossman admitted that he didn’t adequately prepare for the Bears’ meaningless season finale. He needs to take practice and film study more seriously if he hopes to become more consistent.

They’re ranked 25th, but in many ways the Bears have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. Grossman will have to blast a hole 10 feet below rock bottom for Smith to switch horses. The other horse, Brian Griese, is an injury-prone dink-and-dunker who doesn’t fit the system. Grossman could mature this off-season, but if he succumbs to bad practice and in-game habits, the Bears are doomed.

26. Falcons (2006 Rank: 16)

Michael Vick has enjoyed a distraction-free off-season. A consummate student of the game, he memorized every page of Bobby Petrino’s playbook down to the watermark. He spent six hours every day mastering his delivery and footwork, then spent two more hours studying game film of NFC South opponents. It has been a blissful couple of months, unmarred by obscene gestures, suspicious bottles, restaurant openings, or animal abuse allegations.

Vick is poised for a breakout year. He’ll complete 72 percent of his passes, rush for 1,100 yards (while only running when he has to), and lead the Falcons to an undefeated season. He’ll then accept a cabinet position as Secretary of Education. His backups won’t be needed, but all are excellent options. Joey Harrington is coming off wildly successful stints in Detroit and Miami, D.J. Shockey is a known commodity with gobs of experience, and Chris Redman is well rested after several years out of football.

(The preceding comment was furnished by the Ill-Informed Wishful Thinkers of America and does not represent the opinions of Mike Tanier, Football Outsiders, FOXSports.com, or anyone with half a clue.)

27. Dolphins (2006 Rank: 11)

If Trent Green were a used car, his Carfax report would reveal that his odometer has turned over and he was totaled in a collision on Sept. 10, 2006. Green was once an excellent system quarterback, a point guard who always got the ball to his receivers in space on short routes and could pick his spots downfield. But he was very shaky when he returned from last year’s concussion. Take away his 297-yard, four-touchdown game against the Browns, and he threw for just 1,045 yards, three touchdowns, and eight picks in seven starts. Green turned 37 last week, making him an old dog trying to learn the new tricks of Cam Cameron’s offense in a shortened off-season.

Green will be an excellent mentor for John Beck, the 26-year-old rookie from Brigham Young who, like Green, is a ball distributor with good pocket presence. Cleo Lemon, who didn’t embarrass himself in some late-season action, is also in the mix.

28. Redskins (2006 Rank: 13)

Jason Campbell fared well in seven late-season starts last year. He didn’t make the highlight reel very often, but he avoided sacks (just seven) and fumbles (one) and proved that he was a decent decision maker. Campbell must improve his accuracy and show that he can handle the entire playbook. Backup Mark Brunell is on his last legs. His arm is spent and he bails on too many plays. Todd Collins is a well-traveled third stringer. Rookie Jordan Palmer is Carson Palmer’s brother, but most of their similarities are buried in the DNA sequence.

29. Texans (2006 Rank: 23)

Matt Schaub impressed as a backup in Atlanta. How will he do now that he’s a starter? ( / Getty Images)

Where were you on Oct. 9, 2005? Matt Schaub was in Atlanta, earning $48 million with a three-touchdown effort against the Patriots. Schaub looked great in that game, but it was two years ago, and we’ve only seen him in exhibition and mop-up duty since then. Until we have more than 161 career attempts to analyze, Schaub ranks among the rookies and the unknowns. Backups Sage Rosenfels and Bradlee Van Pelt won’t threaten Schaub’s status as the starter. Rosenfels looked good in a relief appearance against Tennessee last year. Van Pelt is a discount rack scrambler who spent a few seasons with Gary Kubiak in Denver.

30. Browns (2006 Rank 25)

The Lewin Career Forecast predicts great things for Brady Quinn, a four-year starter in a complex, pro-style offense at Notre Dame. Quinn displayed the accuracy, touch, and decisiveness to succeed in the NFL, and he held up under intense media scrutiny in college and at the draft. Yes, he looked bad against top competition, but Peyton Manning never beat Florida, and he turned out OK.

That being said, Quinn won’t succeed immediately. The Browns will probably open the season with either Derek Anderson or Charlie Frye at quarterback. Anderson is a one-half wonder who led the Browns in their comeback against the Chiefs in Week 13. He can run, and his arm looks great after watching Frye for a few weeks. Frye couldn’t throw a football 50 yards if you pumped the pigskin full of helium. Quinn will rank in the top half of the league by 2009. But this year, he and the Browns are mired here.

31. Raiders (2006 Rank: 30)

From draft day until the start of Raiders mini-camp in June, JaMarcus Russell spent an average of nine hours per week on the telephone with his coaches learning the playbook. Two thoughts here. 1) Nine hours per week isn’t a whole lot. Some people spend that many hours per week stuck in traffic. Maybe they should get on the phone and learn an offense instead of honking their horns and cursing. 2) The telephone may not be the best device for imparting complex football information. The Raiders could invest in some video conferencing equipment, but Al Davis is probably too old school.

Despite phoning in his off-season study sessions, Russell fared well in mini-camp. The organization is saying all the right things: he’s in shape, his arm is as good as advertised, he’s the coolest cucumber in the crisper, and so on. Still, he’s a rookie who will likely be the Opening Day starter for a team that won two games last season. He has a promising future, but 2007 will be a long year. Backup Andrew Walter is out indefinitely after knee surgery, leaving Josh McCown as the only experienced quarterback on the roster. McCown played for the Lions last year — at wide receiver. ‘Nuff said.

32. Vikings (2006 Rank: 31)

Tavaris Jackson started two games at the end of last season and looked helpless. Jackson is a decent athlete who has the arm and IQ to succeed, but he faced a huge adjustment from a Division I-AA spread offense to Brad Childress’ quantum physics scheme. Jackson’s first instinct last season was to run at the first sign of trouble. Brooks Bollinger, who may challenge Jackson, went 2-7 as a starter for the Jets in 2005; the teams he beat had a combined 9-23 record. Bollinger is an undersized high-effort guy with decent mobility but little else. Tyler Thigpen, a rookie from Coastal Carolina, will get a long look in camp. Thigpen, like Bollinger, lists at 6-foot-1, an inch shorter than Jackson. Childress may want to hire some roller coaster attendants to make sure that his quarterbacks meet minimum height requirements.

Drew Henson, who is pretty tall, is also in Vikings camp. He’s still hoping for a September call-up from the Yankees.

Miami, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina early Saturday and charged with driving while impaired, a Miami newspaper reported.

The Miami Herald reported on its website Saturday that Chambers, the Dolphins’ top receiver, was arrested at 2:31 a.m. in Charlotte and released on a $1,750 bond.

This continues a less-than-stellar offseason for Dolphins players, as Chambers is the third Miami player to be arrested since the end of last season. Joey Porter, a free-agent addition, was arrested after punching Bengals tackle Levi Jones in a Las Vegas casino in March, and defensive tackle Fred Evans was arrested in Miami on June 23 for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a police officer and trespassing, according to the Herald.

Porter was not punished for his arrest, but Evans, who has been arrested twice in the past three months, was let go by the Dolphins.

Chambers, who will turn 29 in August, is entering his seventh season in the NFL, all with the Dolphins. He had 59 receptions for 677 yards and four touchdowns in 2006, a step down from 2005, when he hauled in 82 catches for 1,118 yards and 11 scores.

Cincinnati, OH - Cincinnati Bengals linebacker David Pollack will sit out the 2007 season while continuing to recover from surgery to repair his fractured neck.

Pollack suffered the injury in a September 17 game against Cleveland when he made a hit on running back Reuben Droughns.

Pollack suffered no paralysis from the injury and was able to resume normal activities outside of football, although he continued to wear a neck immobilization device. He underwent surgery January 3.

“David and the team agree that he is not physically ready to play this season,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in a statement. “He is working extremely hard and will continue focusing his efforts on rehabilitating with our medical staff.”

In 14 games in 2005, including five starts, Pollack recorded 35 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks. Cincinnati picked him with the 17th overall pick of the 2005 draft out of Georgia.

“I’m grateful for my recovery to this point, and I’m working every day to get my full strength back,” said Pollack. “Any final decision on football is still down the road for me.”

Indianapolis, IN - The Indianapolis Colts and standout defensive end Dwight Freeney agreed in principle on a lucrative long-term contract on Friday.

The deal is for six-years and $72 million with a $30 million signing bonus, Freeney’s agent Gary Wichard confirmed to the Indianapolis Star.

The Super Bowl Champion Colts placed the franchise tag on Freeney in February and the team had until Monday to work out a new contract.

The only player in club history with four consecutive double-digit sack seasons, Freeney is Indianapolis’ all-time sacks leader. He has 56 1/2 over his five-year career.

A first-round draft choice of the Colts in 2002 and three-time Pro Bowl selection, the Colts put the tag on Freeney on his 27th birthday.