FanHouse Tony Richardson

CORTLAND, N.Y.(AP) -- Mark Sanchez reared back and lofted a pretty pass downfield that landed in Jerricho Cotchery's hands for a touchdown.

It was the first play of team drills and the beginning of a brilliant practice Saturday for the New York Jets rookie quarterback.

"I put it in a place where only J-Co can get it," Sanchez said, "and he made a great adjustment for the ball."

Working exclusively with the first-team offense for the first time this summer, Sanchez completed 10 of 19 passes for two touchdowns and an interception. He also further solidified his edge over Kellen Clemens in the team's quarterback competition.

His message is the same at every stop -- Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. So far, new players union chief DeMaurice Smith is thrilled with the way the NFL players to whom he's spoken have embraced both ends of that credo.

"The guys want to know what it's like to be a man and a businessman in the business of football," Smith told FanHouse in a phone interview Thursday, after his meeting in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans. "Especially given what looks like an intent on the part of the NFL to lock the players out."

Those are strong words, but Smith believes he has the evidence to back them up. He isn't necessarily looking for a fight, but he's ready if there's to be one. And as he travels the country speaking to players, he's pleased to find out they're very much with him.

Tony Richardson didn't last long as a free agent, re-signing with the New York Jets shortly after the free agency period began at midnight on Friday.

Richardson inked what is believed to be a one-year deal with $500,000 guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter.

It's pretty incredible, when you think about it, how underrated a guy like Richardson is: he's cleared the way for Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Adrian Peterson and last year, he made Thomas Jones look like an All-Pro. Yet, somehow, he can't pull a monster deal.

I understand that no fullback is going to get some insanely large contract, but at the same time, Richardson has done wonders for the running game on every team he's suited up for, so this deal shouldn't be overlooked in terms of its importance for the Jets' 2009 season.

To get you ready for week 1, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Atlanta Falcons/Minnesota Vikings preview.

2006 Records: (Click names for 2007 preview)

Atlanta Falcons: 7-9 (Third in NFC South)
Minnesota Vikings: 6-10 (Third in NFC North)

2006 Head-to-Head:

No game. (Falcons 30 - Vikings 10 in 2005)

When the Falcons have the ball: Warrick Dunn has been cleared to play and will start for Atlanta; Jerious Norwood will see an increased load and Joe Horn will makes his Falcons debut. All those are exciting things for Atlanta fans, but none of them will be the big story of the day.

Unfortunately, the spotlight will be on Joey Harrington, but not because it's his first regular season game as a Falcon. As we'll no doubt be subject to for nearly three hours, the reason he commands the most attention is because of the man he's replacing. Because the very first time he takes a snap from under center it officially marks the end of the Michael Vick-era in Atlanta.

This is a continuation of a 2-part series regarding what the Chiefs must do next season to fix their woes on offense. Click here to read Part I.

Whether you like Herm Edwards or not; whether you like Herm's offensive philosophy or not, we have to recognize that the offense needs to change. Even if Dick Vermeil were still head coach, the Chiefs would still need to undergo a massive facelift. Will Shields and Casey Wiegmann have gone from terrific to average due to age. Jordan Black is certainly no Willie Roaf, and Kevin Sampson and Chris Terry are no John Tait. Ronnie Cruz is no Tony Richardson. And Trent Green... just isn't Trent Green anymore.

The writing should have been on the wall the minute we saw Herm's drafting and roster decisions on offense. The Chiefs went with Jeff Webb in the draft, a tall, big receiver--by all indications, a terrible fit for Saunders' Coryell offense. As the 5th receiver, the Chiefs went with another big guy: Chris Hannon, a 6'3", 205 lb. receiver. Lightning fast receiver Craphonso Thorpe was cut for being a "crappy" fit to Herm's new offense. Vermeil favorite Chris Horn was also not brought back into Kansas City.

When it rains it pours. The Chiefs can't buy a break this season and it's all happening up front.

• The Chiefs don't re-sign standout blocker Tony Richardson
• Starting right tackle John Welbourn "retires" out of the blue
• Starting pro bowl left tackle Willie Roaf suddenly retires
• The Chiefs lose starting right tackle Kevin Sampson to injury for the season opener
• Trent Green misses half the season with a concussion (forces KC to go into a completely run-centered offense)
• The Chiefs lose Kyle Turley for an extended time because of back problems

Now, it's reported that starting fullback Ronnie Cruz will miss the entire season.

Larry Johnson has to be asking himself what he's done wrong. Perhaps he is a real version of Earl Hickey from the NBC sitcom My Name is Earl. Perhaps LJ should start preparing a similar karma list. Either way, the odds keep stacking up against him.

That means that in the course of one half-year stretch, Larry Johnson has lost two Pro Bowl blockers, two starting left tackles, one starting right tackle, and now two fullbacks, in the process of earning a new role as the Chiefs' lone hope on offense.