It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty prepared for training camp. We're calling it the Summer Scramble, and today we look at some burning questions in the AFC South and offer a ridiculously early prediction.
It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty prepared for training camp. We're calling it the Summer Scramble, and today we look at the AFC North's looming position battles.
Rookie receivers traditionally have one of the toughest transitions to life in the NFL, topped only it seems by quarterbacks. With that in mind, it seems pretty clear that Kenny Britt, the Titans' first round pick, will not start the season as a key part of the team's offense.
The Tennessee Titans finally broke down and drafted wide receiver in the first round, and he's a dynamic talent. Kenny Britt, a Rutgers product, has the physical tools to be a star receiver in the NFL. There are some questions about his attitude, but it's hard to imagine the Titans not doing their due diligence on a kid after the fiasco they just went through with PacMan Jones (to be fair, it's apples vs. oranges: Britt doesn't have any legal issues, just is seen as arrogant by some). I have faith in Jeff Fisher and Kerry Collins to bring this kid along properly.
So, what does Britt's addition mean to the rest of the Tennessee offense from a fantasy perspective?
In an effort to upgrade their wide receiver position, the Tennessee Titans have signed free agent Nate Washington to an undisclosed contract, as reported by Adam Schefter of NFL.com.
Washington spent the past four seasons as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, emerging as a steady No. 3 receiver in the team's offense. He caught a career-high 40 passes for 631 yards and three touchdowns in 2008.
After trading Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys prior to this year's trade deadline, the Detroit Lions had a need for a wide receiver to start opposite Calvin Johnson. On Saturday, Pro Football Talk reported the team has filled that void, in theory, by signing free agent Bryant Johnson to a three-year, $9 million deal.
Originally a first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2003, Johnson spent the 2008 season in San Francisco and caught 45 passes for 546 yards and three touchdowns.
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
The 2008 season might go down as one of the most bizarre campaigns in the history of the Oakland Raiders. Lane Kiffin and Al Davis clearly didn't get along, while Kiffin pulled off the impossible task of making Davis look like a sane, rational person.
A team spokesperson nearly decked a beat writer; the punter was, reportedly, punched out by a defensive lineman; and the team on the field finished with a losing season, failing to win more than five games for the sixth consecutive year. Just a disastrous season in every way imaginable.
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
For the second time in four years, the Steelers hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, which means no matter what happens this offseason, Steelers fans have plenty of reasons to be happy. But with an easier 2009 schedule on the horizon and few big names hitting free agency, Steelers fans are ready to start thinking repeat, even if Mike Tomlin won't use that word.
Nate Washington has always been a enigma to Steelers fans. Some (like me) have always had a (maybe unhealthy) fascination with his big-play ability. Other Steelers fans have been constantly frustrated by his tendency to drop passes.
But as big a Washington fan as I am, I have to admit that I was surprised to see that Mike Lombardi's free agent rankings. According to Lombardi, Washington is the second-best free agent receiver available, topped only by Antonio Bryant. To Lombardi, T.J. Houshmandzadeh rates below Washington.
As they create room in the trophy case for a sixth Lombardi Trophy, the Steelers also have some decisions to make. Four of the team's top five offensive tackles are free agents (although Willie Colon is only a restricted free agent), as are starting cornerback Bryant McFadden and No. 3 receiver Nate Washington.
But according to Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, the Steelers have already decided on their top free agent priority. Banks says the Steelers plan to try to re-up McFadden before free agency begins on Feb. 27. With $19 million in cap room, Pittsburgh has some room to get McFadden under contract while also either re-upping Max Starks or trying to bring in free agent offensive line help.
Rookie receivers traditionally have one of the toughest transitions to life in the NFL, topped only it seems by quarterbacks. With that in mind, it seems pretty clear that Kenny Britt, the Titans' first round pick, will not start the season as a key part of the team's offense.
The Tennessee Titans finally broke down and drafted wide receiver in the first round, and he's a dynamic talent. Kenny Britt, a Rutgers product, has the physical tools to be a star receiver in the NFL. There are some questions about his attitude, but it's hard to imagine the Titans not doing their due diligence on a kid after the fiasco they just went through with PacMan Jones (to be fair, it's apples vs. oranges: Britt doesn't have any legal issues, just is seen as arrogant by some). I have faith in Jeff Fisher and Kerry Collins to bring this kid along properly. 
In an effort to upgrade their wide receiver position, the Tennessee Titans have signed free agent Nate Washington to an undisclosed contract, as reported by Adam Schefter of NFL.com. 
After trading Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys prior to this year's trade deadline, the Detroit Lions had a need for a wide receiver to start opposite Calvin Johnson. On Saturday, Pro Football Talk reported the team has filled that void, in theory, by signing free agent Bryant Johnson to a three-year, $9 million deal. 
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
Nate Washington has always been a enigma to Steelers fans. Some (like me) have always had a (maybe unhealthy) fascination with his big-play ability. Other Steelers fans have been constantly frustrated by his tendency to drop passes.
As they create room in the trophy case for a sixth Lombardi Trophy, the Steelers also have some decisions to make. Four of the team's top five offensive tackles are free agents (although Willie Colon is only a restricted free agent), as are starting cornerback Bryant McFadden and No. 3 receiver Nate Washington.
