FanHouse Dwayne Jarrett

The Washington Redskins aren't the worst team in the NFL, but they're certainly the most chaotic. And the most disdainful of their paying customers.

They flounder on the field and they flounder off it -- especially off it, where owner Daniel Snyder, a self-absorbed billionaire who views his employees as pawns to be manipulated and eventually discarded, is loathed now by fans who are among the most loyal in sports.

Consider this tweet Tuesday night from a fan who calls himself @kn0nothing: "Had to sneak in our Sean Taylor memorial banner last 3 games.''

Why? Because Snyder and his minions have banned banners, many of which were uncomplimentary to them and their 2-5 team.

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One of my favorite moves on fantasy football draft day is taking a late-round gamble and letting everyone else laugh at me. You can have the first round, just let me pick late. To illustrate, here's an actual message board post last season after one of my drafts: "Commish Snyder purposefully did not draft a kicker so he could take a flier on yet another long shot (Steve Slaton of the Texans). I'm sure he'll say it will pay off in the long run."

My response? "I'll end up dropping Patrick Crayton (my fifth WR) for a kicker before week 1 when Slaton wins the Houston gig -- unless someone suffers a season-ending injury, in which case I'll drop that person."

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With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.

Meet the ...
Home of Smash and Dash. Why is that important? Because that's the nickname of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, one of the most prolific running back combinations in the NFL last year. Oh, yes, and in case you didn't see the Jake Delhomme Meltdown Party against the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs last year, the running game is mildly important to the Panthers success.

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Terrell Owens and Keyshawn Johnson have a history of clowning each other that dates back to last season. Two months ago, T.O. took time out from complaining that he wasn't getting the ball enough to take a few shots at "Sheshawn." And then, last week, Johnson's ESPN colleague Emmitt Smith announced that the 2008 Cowboys were nothing more than mediocre, which after what happened Sunday, it probably a fair assessment.

Shockingly, Owens isn't terribly impressed with Johnson or Smith. According to the Dallas Morning News' Tim MacMahon, T.O. says he doesn't watch ESPN, but he has plenty to say about two of its NFL analysts who formerly played for the Cowboys. (And the media didn't even have to ask him -- he just starting taking shots!)

Last night I pointed out that Terrell Owens, according to sources, had concerns with how Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was utilizing his awesomeness during games. No specifics, but some vague mention of being frustrated with his lack of touches (wait, what?), especially in the deep passing game.

Turns out, T.O. isn't upset with Dallas' offensive game plan, he's bummed that ESPN studio analyst Keyshawn Johnson, who Owens has affectionately taken to calling "Sheshawn", was critical of his play following the Redskins game.

No worries, though; T.O. WILL NOT BE SILENCED ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER:

Regarding Keyshawn Johnson, whom Owens' referred to as Sheshawn at least three times, he said: "[As the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft] he is the ultimate underachiever on that panel. I am the reason he is in the booth. Everybody is aware when I was brought to Dallas he was the one they let go to get me here."

He said there was one thing he agreed with that [Cris] Carter had to say and that was that Jerry Rice is the best receiver of all time. "But I am second all time behind Jerry Rice," Owens said in accentuating his superiority over Carter and Johnson.

Two things: first, Dwayne Jarrett is the reason Keyshawn is "in the booth"; the Panthers drafted Jarrett in the second round of the 2007 draft, which ultimately led to Johnson's release -- or, asking to be cut, depending on who's telling the story -- and a second career in television.

The important thing to remember about Sunday for the Carolina Panthers is that the the San Diego Chargers played a very good game. Why is that important? Because the Cats won, that's why.

Jake Delhomme, after completing a highly improbable walk-off touchdown pass to Dante Rosario (see right) was by all accounts pretty emotional, "Oh man, I don't know how to put in words. Let's be honest ... Games like this, they don't happen often. This ranks for me, I promise you, and with good reason."

Delhomme missed all of last season, and believe me when I say that having to watch Mittens mangle your team for an entire season is good enough reason to cry.

The comeback was especially impressive because it came amid an efficient three touchdown performance by Philip Rivers and a near 100 yard game for LaDanian Tomlinson. Of course, it was never a blowout: Carolina showed offensive balance and defensive toughness and in the end, and more importantly, they flashed some of Delhomme's trademark last second luck.

And luck matters a whole hell of a lot more in a short football season than it does in other sports -- a few good bounces and a few close wins turns a decent team into a playoff and Super Bowl contender.

Which is what both of these teams are going to be in 2008, and for likely the same reason: the return of their quarterbacks. It's an encouraging sign for San Diego that Rivers played like he did against a tough and underrated defense, considering he was Captain Strugglesworth last year.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery so no one knows what to expect. At the end of 2006, some fans wanted someone new at quarterback. Before he was injured in 2007, he was off to a white-hot start. How he recovers will go a long way to a successful Panthers season. Matt Moore filled in nicely late last season and may be the team's future. Brett Basanez isn't ready for prime time. No more Vinny or Mr. Mittens. Heat Index: 5

Running backs: The Panthers have been looking for a Stephen Davis type back and may have found one in rookie Jonathan Stewart. He's the kind of bull coach John Fox likes to center his offense around. DeAngelo Williams will be more efficient as a change-of-pace back. Brad Hoover is back again as an effective fullback. Nick Goings is always around to back up anybody. Heat Index: 5

Hear that? It's the pitter-patter of fantasy football season approaching. Fantasy FanHouse is here to get you ready by previewing every team from a fantasy perspective.

Meet the ...
Super Bowl Champions. Look, people can claim they're not homers all day long, but the fact of the matter is, I read/watch/write re: the Panthers a lot. (Well, as often as I can anyway.) And maybe I'm a little biased, but they're going to win the NFC South this year and they're going to do it by scoring a ton of points. Of course, if Jake Delhomme goes down again, I may look stupid. But it wouldn't be the first time.

The Breakout
The bad news? Jonathan Stewart is already getting a lot of preseason love (check him dead center of the sixth round in an average 12 teamer). The good news? The love is warranted. Stewart was thought to be a top choice of plenty of teams in the draft, but a turf toe injury let him hang around for the Cats. Note that the Carolina team doctor performed his surgery

Over a month ago, Panthers' receiver Dwayne Jarrett was arrested for a DWI in the Charlotte suburb of Mint Hill (his court date is set for June 23). During a charity golf tournament in Raleigh, Steve Smith chimed in on Jarrett's issues.

"You know, the party session is actually over. This is the NFL," Smith said. "You make plays. You're here to play football. You do the party scene at your own discretion, but on Sundays, we're here to play football. If you can't play football, you won't be playing with the Carolina Panthers or any NFL team.

"So, this isn't a poke at anybody," he added at a charity golf tournament hosted by fellow NFL players Torry and Terrence Holt. "That's just the way it is. You know, you produce, you're in. You don't produce, you're out."

This isn't the first time that Smith has called out Jarrett. During last season, Smith famously told Jarrett to stop talking to the media and "why don't you go home and watch some film?" After which, Jarrett grinned ... to which Smith capped it with "Seriously."

Smith is an intense guy who is highly competitive ... so getting on his bad side isn't a good thing. Jarrett really struggled in his rookie season (just six receptions) and will see his playing time drop with Muhsin Muhammad back. Perhaps he can get his ish together and start listening to Smith and Muhammad and become a difference maker.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the Carolina Panthers have signed free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

Hackett will compete with Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett for the starting job across the field from Steve Smith.

Hackett, who has played his entire four-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, was also considering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. In Hackett's best season, 2006, he caught 45 passes for 610 yards as Seattle's third receiver.

In 2007 Hackett opened the season as a starter for the first time in his career, but he was hurt in the first game of the season and ended up playing just six games. Hackett will never be the No. 1 receiver on any NFL team, but as a role player on a team that already has an established No. 1, I like him a lot. Panthers fans will, too.