Sunday Post: What we learned, what we heard this week
By Michael Lombardi | National Football Post
Michael Lombardi surveys NFL topics in newspapers from around the country and adds in his own analysis and perspective.
Things we learned last week in the NFL ...
1. Former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from prison to serve his remaining time under house arrest. The National Football Post spent considerable time reviewing possible destination points if -- or when -- Vick is allowed to resume his NFL career. There's been a great debate among our readers -- I've read different points of view on both sides of the aisle -- mostly well informed but all passionate.
2. I hope this will be the last Brett Favre article of 2009, but I highly doubt it. Coach Brad Childress of the Minnesota Vikings announced he had a phone conversation with Favre indicating that for "now" Favre is retired. I hope that ESPN's Rachel Nichols has left Hattiesburg, Miss.
3. Jon "Love You Bro" Gruden has replaced Tony Kornheiser in the Monday Night booth for ESPN. Gruden will have to convince teams he's not a short-term fix on Monday Night or many will be uncomfortable allowing him access to scout their teams. Gruden once said, "I'm a short-term, goal-oriented person." At another point he said, "I dearly miss coaching."
4. The Cowboys sent Greg Ellis, their former No. 1 pick, home from OTAs to avoid any chance he might get hurt while they try to trade him. Ellis is a powerful rusher from the edge. He had eight sacks last year, but in the 3-4 defense, which forces him to play in space, he's limited. I suspect there will be teams (some 3-4, some 4-3) wanting a player like Ellis. He can provide some physical play to any team if used in the right role.
5. LeBron James' game-winning three-point shot Friday night might have been the best thing that's ever happened to the city of Cleveland. The town has had to endure "The Drive," "The Fumble" (more about that in Remember When) and some heartbreaking losses in recent sports history. The fans, faced with the prospect of their team being down 0-2, might have been suicidal. Watching the late games in the NBA is tough on the East Coast, but they are too good to miss. We all were a witness to a great game.
Things I heard around the NFL last week ...
1. The trade rumors about Oakland Raiders defensive end Derrick Burgess are real. So real, in fact, the Raiders asked the Patriots for their second-round pick this year, Sebastian Vollmer, and back-up quarterback Kevin O'Connell in exchange for Burgess. The Pats turned down that trade proposal, just as the Raiders have turned down a few of the Patriots'. New England remains interested in Burgess, but the prevailing thought in the NFL is that the Raiders will not trade him -- they're just making it seem that they're making the effort. Burgess has made it clear to anyone who listens that he wants out.
2. Everyone in San Diego is excited about LaDainian Tomlinson returning to his old self. He's looked more explosive in OTAs than at any point during the season last year. If he can avoid injuries, he can have a huge year. Vincent Jackson averaged over 18 yards a catch last year and looks like he's going to have another big season, too.
3. It might take some time, but the Denver running back situation will sort itself out as the preseason moves along, with No. 1 pick Knowshon Moreno as the primary back. If J.J. Arrington doesn't get healthy soon, I expect the Broncos to release him.
