Another week, another sound off from Chad Johnson.  Another chapter in the Pac-man saga.  Another MVP QB retiring.  What?  Yep.  Breaking news: Steve McNair is going to rest his aching back… hips… shoulders… neck… all of it - for good.  Ravens fans are shocked today at the news.  I’m shocked that they’re shocked.  Think about it.  He’s spent 13 seasons being a human tackling dummy.  He’s done it marvelously, mind you.  But, still.  After a 13-3 year his first season in Baltimore it all looked so promising.  Watching him limp around the sideline last season sucked the promise out of the future.

Pac-man is applying for reinstatement.  Wait.  Check that.  Pac-man wants to be traded.  Wait, no.  Hold that.  Pac-man is going out with his homies this weekend.  Wait.  Check that.  He’s on the witness protection list.  Will this man ever play a meaningful down of football again?  Yes, he is a talent.  But how much is Jerry Jones willing to risk… uh, I mean spend?  His agent says that he wants to be traded before he applies for reinstatement.  I think that actually hurts his bottom line - wouldn’t a player active in the league be worth more to you than one on ice?  So what’s his game? 

Chad Johnson wants out of Cincinnati - again.  This time, however, he just may get his wish.  T.J. Houshmandzedah is now cheerleading for the Bengals to grant his wishes.  When your teammates have said enough is enough, you’re on the fast train.  Johnson will find a home.  There are few teams in the NFL who wouldn’t be in the market for an upgrade of his quality, and most teams have the cap room now, like few have in the past, and like few will in the future.

Seems that my English counterpart has made a case for the Bucs not drafting a QB this year.  Once again, I disagree with the old chap.  Think, man!  This is John Gruden we’re talking about.  He has Garcia, but they can’t get him a deal beyond the upcoming season.  And, he’s 60 years old.  They have Brian Griese, but he was brought in to be a stable number 2.  We have Luke McCown.  Yes, we do.  Then there’s Bruce ‘You Had Your Chance’ Gradkowski.  Oh yes, and there’s Phil Simms’ kid.  Gruden still asks, “What’s his name?” Simms will be gone before mini-camp.  McCown and Gradkowski will be playing for the clipboard at best.  You don’t think Gruden would jump at the chance to grab up a signal caller with this draft?  Let’s be clear.  I don’t see him moving up the board after Matt Ryan.  If Joe Flacco or Brian Brohm were to fall to the Bucs, don’t bet against it.  What better time to mine for a QB of the future than when you have a stable full?  A sleeper?  Eric Ainge.  Hey, come on… he’s better than Gradkowski.

I’m looking forward to the draft.  I’ll be back next week and call the first round for you.  Stay tuned.