FanHouse Chadjohnson

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

It could be argued that the Cincinnati Bengals did well to win four games in 2008. They were missing their star quarterback, Carson Palmer, for the majority of the season. That left the job to an overmatched Ryan Fitzpatrick, who did his best, but was saddled with a bad running game, worse offensive line and not much defense. The Bengals found a way to win three straight at the end of the season, finishing 4-11-1.

There are many areas for improvement as the Bengals make their way toward 2009 trying like crazy to avoid doing 2008 over again. Luckily, kicker is not one of those areas of need.

Depending on who you ask, Terrell Owens is as good as gone from the Cowboys, or Jerry Jones could keep him around, presumably because a life without drama ain't a life worth living. Or some similarly lame sentiment.

SI.com's Don Banks writes that "From all indications, the faction that has decided the Cowboys would be better off without Owens includes Stephen Jones, the owner's son and the team's COO and director of player personnel, and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett."

Of course, Garrett is the same guy Jerry paid $3 million to keep in Dallas last season -- much to the delight of Terrell Suggs and Steve Bisciotti -- so who knows if such feelings from a once-promising coordinator carries much weight with the owner.

NFL super-agent Drew Rosenhaus is currently the general manager of zero NFL teams. Amazingly, that's not stopping him from sending out e-mails to the 32 gentlemen that are general managers of NFL teams and informing them as to which of his clients are currently available via trade. Even if they aren't.

According to Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger, Rosenhaus notified every team in the league that wide receivers Plaxico Burress, Anquan Boldin and Chad Johnson were all available, and apparently, the Giants aren't exactly amused by this development.

At one point during the NFL Network's 55 hours of Super Bowl week coverage, Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson made his way on set. The conversation, inevitably, focused on Mr. Ocho Cinco's ploy to change his name, as well as his sometimes rocky relationship with head coach Marvin Lewis.

But Johnson was also asked about teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh -- who is scheduled to be a free agent next month -- and whether his future is in Cincy. Chad adamantly assured co-host Deion Sanders that Housh would indeed be back because (and I'm paraphrasing here), "he loves playing for the Bengals and he loves playing with me."

In 2005, the Bengals won 11 regular season games and were division champions. It was Marvin Lewis' third year in Cincinnati, and it looked like he had accomplished the impossible: saving this franchise from itself.

And then Kim von Oelhoffen happened. The Bengals would blow a 10-point lead to the Steelers in the wild-card round, and never really regain their bearings. They've averaged just over six wins a season since that playoff appearance, and Carson Palmer battled back from a serious knee injury three years ago only to suffer a serious elbow injury in September.

Compared to what Lions fans are dealing with, folks in Kansas City and Cincinnati are rooting for a team that is on the right track. Of course, we all know that isn't true, as the Chiefs just capped off a 2-14 season, their worst in franchise history.

They did manage to win two games, but this truly was one of the worst teams in NFL history. Counting last year, they have lost 23 of 25 games. The Chiefs recorded just 10 sacks this season, breaking the record for least sacks in a season (the Colts had 11 in 1982).

What is amazing is that they were sharing the field with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been one of the worst franchises in the NFL over the past 17 years and were 1-11-1 just three weeks ago. An upset win over the Redskins and wins over the listless Browns and Chiefs gave Cincy a nice three-game winning streak to end the season. It also gives an excuse for owner Mike Brown to stay the course and keep head coach Marvin Lewis.

Despite the feeling that he would get tagged, NFL.com's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Cincinnati Bengals will not use the franchise tag on receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

He cites a league source, so this could be real. However, everything would point to them placing the tag on Housh. He is a Pro Bowl receiver, he's been one of the best players on the team despite their recent swoon and they really have no one else they need to use the tag on.

Last offseason, they used the tag on offensive tackle Stacy Andrews. Just last Sunday, Andrews blew out his knee and is done for the season. It is highly doubtful that the Bengals would bother tagging him because his value has dropped this season. So the thought was that the franchise tag could be used on Houshmandzadeh.

The article says that the Bengals will instead attempt to sign Housh to a long term deal, something it hasn't been able to get done all year long. If they can't get anything done, the Bengals still could use the tag on him.

This news could also mean that Chad Johnson could still be in Cincinnati next year. No way does the team let T.J. walk out and then they deal Chad.

With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. Click here to go back in time.

The 1s

St. Louis (2-13) at Atlanta (10-5): If Atlanta takes care of business here, they could be facing the Arizona Cardinals at home in their first playoff game. Could a scenario get any better for a rookie quarterback? Hey Matt Ryan, I know it is the playoffs and all, but this is one of the worst sports franchises in the history of football. Also, they've won just one game since Veterans Day.

If this shakes out, Ryan might be the most blessed kid since the one Mary conceived.

Pick: Atlanta

So you know, the National Football League doesn't care what time of year it is. Okay? Got that? You do snow angels -- in the snow and on a football field of all places -- after a touchdown and you're going to get fined. Doesn't matter if Roger's supposed to be jolly for the season. And such is the case with Wes Welker, who just had to open up his purse for the NFL.

Welker said he wasn't sure if he would appeal, but he acknowledged his snow-angel-making days are over.

"It was a spur of the moment deal, and you can be sure that it won't happen again," Welker told Gasper.

Per NFL rules, players are not allowed to go to the ground for a touchdown celebration (unless it is a prayer). The official reason Welker was fined, the NFL confirmed today, was for "unsportsmanlike conduct for participation in an illegal demonstration by going to the ground."

Sadly, Welker's not insane "colorful" enough to do something stupid like change (or just create) to a religion that worships the Abominable Snowman and then try to appeal the suspension -- you best believe that Chad Javon would be all over that.

Of course, just because Welker complies wholeheartedly, well, that doesn't make the NFL fining people for doing snow angels or other colorful-yet-classy touchdown celebrations any less stupid.

It's playoff time! In what should be championship week, FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled in order to provide answers to your possible lineup dilemmas. If you need further assistance, please feel free to shoot us an email question.

Far too often we look at certain matchups and let it dictate how we implement our starting lineups. My theory has always been that great players make great plays. OK, I didn't really come up with that slogan, but what I do mean to suggest is that you always start your studs in fantasy football.

Case in point the Johnson boys; Calvin and Andre. Both faced difficult tests last week and both rose above and beyond the occasion. So, you might take notice as to where they sit in the ranks for this weekend. Yes, it's time to pay dues and respect to Johnson and Johnson. A couple of beasts on the field, yet mild-mannered off it, are going to help gift wrap a few fantasy titles this weekend.

Steve Smith is moving up this week, because he too is simply a marvel at times. Not much else to shake up in the Top 10, but keep an eye out for big, big games out of the Wes Welker-Randy Moss combo. My sleeper for the weekend is - gulp - Chad Johnson. Look, the matchup fits and he's due for one of those "where did that come from games." Of course, if you have better options...don't gamble.

And now let's tap into the rest of the field.

1. Calvin Johnson, NO
2. Andre Johnson, @ OAK
3. Steve Smith, @ NYG
4. Greg Jennings, @ CHI
5. Larry Fitzgerald, @ NE