The Summer Lull

All good things come to an end. At mid-summer, that is. The NBA season is over, hockey season is history, and although NASCAR and baseball are in full-swing, I could honestly care less. The Olympics are too corporate, and as Nick mentioned the other day, Team USA is only moderately interesting. And frankly I could go without communist propaganda, so I won't be watching the Olympics this summer.

Hence the "Summer Lull" as I like to call it. From July until late August you have a period of time which lets you prepare for the regular season both emotionally and physically. This time is important because other sports do not distract you and by the time August rolls around, your head is clear and ready to focus on NFL. Like many of you, I spend this time anxiously dissecting the free agent markets, recent deals, waiver releases, off-season troubles, and training camp performances. I also follow the high-stakes drama throughout the league with interest. So without further ado, I'd like to discuss the top-five stories and themes which have characterized this year's off-season:

1. The Jason Taylor Saga is interesting because Bill Parcells is a badass. The Dolphins had a horrible season last year and instead of working out with his team in the off-season, their best player decided to become famous on TV. To fix the Dolphin's terribleness, the owner hired task-master Parcells and the first thing he did was target the Dolphins apparent sickness: players who care more about themselves than the record of their team.

Parcells should be a Hall of Fame coach for this type of intelligence alone. Join a new team and quickly identify why the team sucks so badly. Identify and cut out the cancer immediately:

"Oh hey, maybe it's your best player dancing around like a chick on national TV? Maybe he cares more about Hollywood than his team and winning."

As GM do whatever it takes to get this guy working-out or off the team. Antagonize him. Don't take his shit. Throw down if necessary. Show him whose the Alpha dog. Well Bill, I salute you. What you did with Jason Taylor is legendary and awesome. Expect the Dolphins to hit .500 this year as a result. Taylor: say goodbye to an owner and GM with kid-gloves.

2. The Shockey Saga. A part of me wants to feel bad for Jeremy Shockey. Here you have a guy with a lot of talent, drive, and charisma who is forced to sit with an injury during his team's Super Bowl run. I bet you Shockey went insane while the Giants kept winning. What else could be worse?

But then again, Shockey is an asshole and by skipping the White House celebration, berating his owner for a new contract, demanding to get traded while under contract, and speaking badly about his teammates, the guy is doing himself no favors. So maybe I don't feel so bad for him.

As Nick mentioned the other day, the Giants should trade him for Jason Taylor. The Dolphins need a receiving threat and the Giants need someone to replace Strahan. Both players want out so the deal would be win-win. And then Shockey could return to the U and find his roots, while Taylor could be closer to NYC in order to fufill his entertainment ambitions. Imagine Taylor hitting Broadway if he gets injured!

3. The Bucs' spending spree on QB's and running backs is interesting because it gives Coach Gruden an arsenal of talented guys. First they load up on Warrick Dunn and Michael Bennett -- two very good running backs. Then they resign Earnest Graham and keep Cadillac on the back-burner while he heals, effectively using their other backs as contract leverage over Cadillac. Very smart moves by Coach Gruden if you ask me.

Also consider their QB situation. You have an unhappy Simms whose dad won't stop complaining about the situation; you have Griese who is very solid; and you also have Garcia, whose old, but probably worth a few more good seasons and without a contract. So how will all of this play-out – will they pay the guy Terrell Owens called a “F**”? Who will start this year? Should be very interesting on both fronts. I like Coach Gruden a lot so I hope they work it out.

4. The Titans Receiving corps is interesting for a lot of reasons:

a. They are very young and unproven.

b. Their performance will tell us whether or not Vince Young is not Michael Vick 2.0. In other words, can he make no-name receivers good through his improved passing skills? Or, will he be known as a runner without passing skills like Vick? I'd like to know.

c. The lack of stars or proven quantities will give a lot of players opportunities to become stars if Young comes through.

d. The corps will give Mike Williams a shot a redemption. I was a huge fan of his at USC so I hope he can turn his career around.

5. The Raider’s questionable roster investments and the signing of SEC BEAST Darren McFadden.

a. Will Javon Walker be worth the cash? Remember what happened with Jerry Porter? Will he recover from his Vegas robbery or the death of his teammate?

b. Will Jamarcus be a bust? Has his weight loss affected his play?

c. Will McFadden live up to the hype a high price tag? (I hope so…) For those of you watch the SEC, you know what I am talking about. If this guy stays healthy, he will be an amazing player.

d. Will their spending strategy play out, considering how the league's cap situation may change? Is Al Davis a total idiot or genius in disguise? Next year should give us a pretty good idea.

There are, of course, about 100 other stories I'm not mentioning here. Chad Johnson and the Bengals; Kevin Jones without a team; Terry Glenn calling out Jerry Jones and having his bluff called which was awesome; Pacman changing his name and team; McNabb's shoulder; Plaxico without a contract; Strahan retiring; Lynch's hit and run; Harrison's gun; Marshall's multiple DUIs; Zach Thomas' contract; Urlacher without a deal on the Bears; Benson's boating DUI; the Cardinal's receiving corps; Snee's new contract; Favre retiring -- to name a few.

But these top five, so far, have really been the stories of interest. After training camps begin in July, I'll have more to report.