Broncos Update

Has "the Mastermind" finally lost his objectivity? During the offseason for the Denver Broncos clarity is out to lunch. The Broncos have stated they're changing their defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4, yet they have only been signing defensive lineman. The Broncos signed former Cleveland Browns D-Line coach Andre Patterson, and then the Broncos signed all of the former D-Line starters from the Browns.

The Broncos traded a fourth round pick for DT Gerard Warren. They signed DE Courtney Brown as a free agent. They traded RB Reuben Droughns for DE Ebenezer Ekuban and DT Michael Myers. It's kind of hard to make the 3-4 a believable option when the only LB the Broncos signed is LB Ian Gold, whom they should have kept last offseason. The Broncos have 3 good starting LB's in Al Wilson, D.J. Williams, and Ian Gold. The other LB's on their roster aren't ready to start by Coach Mike Shanahan's standards.

The Broncos also resigned DT Luther Ellis, and DE Monsanto Pope. I know the Broncos got a deal on 4 ex-Cleveland D-lineman for $5 million, but what about the two that got away. Last offseason the passed on resigning Pro Bowl DE Bertrand Berry, and the Arizona Cardinals are eternally grateful. This offseason the Broncos failed to resign DE Reggie Hayward who is going to make a great addition to the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. All the while the Broncos are shopping DE Trevor Pryce for a draft pick, and they aren't getting the response they expected. There are lingering doubts about the recovery of Pryce's back injury from last season.

The Broncos are also depending on a recovery from CB Lenny Walls. Walls size (6'4") is an asset against new rival Oakland Raiders WR Randy Moss. The Broncos are comfortable enough with Walls to let CB Kelly Herndon sign with the Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos have a few positional needs in the upcoming draft. They need a WR, a SS, and a LB. They will have six draft selections in the 2005 NFL Draft to shore up their team. In the first round they select 25th. In the second round they select 24th (56th overall). In the third round they select 34th and 38th (97th and 101st overall). In the sixth round they select 26th (200th overall). In the seventh round they select 25th (239th overall). The Broncos have a knack for finding gems in the draft, let's hope this year they still have their magic.

Vikings Update

Good or bad, the Minnesota Vikings can't manage to stay out of the news. On the bad news side Mike Tice's Super Bowl scalping scandal won't disappear. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated the penalty for scalping will be a fine and no suspension. That is great news for Tice. Another piece of good news for Tice, is that FS Brian Russell signed to an offer sheet by the Cleveland Browns last Friday. The Vikings aren't expected to match the offer. With the addition of FS Darren Sharper, Russell became expendable. The Vikings also sought SS Donovin Darius from the Jacksonville Jaguars this off season, but the Jags pulled him off the market. The Vikings were also smart not to get into a auction for WR Plaxico Burress with the New York Giants, because Burress hasn't proved himself to be a premier receiver yet for the $5 million he wanted in annual salary.

The Vikings are loaded with draft picks this year because of the WR Randy Moss trade. The Vikings have the 7th and 18th pick in the first round. In the second round they have the 17th pick (49th overall). In the third round they select 16th (80th overall). In the fourth round they have the 19th pick (120th overall). In the fifth round they select 18th (154th overall). In the sixth round they have the 17th pick (191st overall). In the seventh round they select 5th and 16th (219th and 230th overall).

In a few mock drafts the Vikings are seen taking WR Mike Williams - USC if he's still available, or LB Derrick Johnson - Texas with the #7 pick in the first round. The Vikings are projected to take WR Michael Clayton - Oklahoma , or DE/DT Marcus Spears - LSU with the #18 pick. The Vikings have a needs at WR, DT, and DE. With nine picks in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Vikings are in a good position to fill all of their player needs this year.

NFL Steroid pattern

Has anyone noticed how 2 of the last 3 Super Bowl losers had people on their team outed for performance enhancing drugs the during the season following their loss? January 26, 2003, the Oakland Raiders were on the wrong end of a 48-21 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl 37. Fall 2003 some reports come in that some Oakland Raiders are involved in the BALCO investigation. DT Dana Stubblefield, LB Bill Romanowski, C Barrett Robbins, and DT Chris Cooper were drug tested by the NFL, and all tested positive for the performance enhancing drug THG. Stubblefield, and Romanowski proceeded to retire. Robbins and Cooper ended up getting cut by the Raiders.

Romanowski faced litigation from a former teammate TE Marcus Williams after a 8/24/03 assault against him left Williams with permanent eye damage. The judgment for $340,000 on top of another $60,000 fine by the Raiders cost Romanowski a lot of money. The trial painted Romanowski as a steroid induced roid rager who took out frustration on a teammate during a pretty common drill for TE and LB to engage in during practice. Romanowski may never live down the reputation that he was a cheater, the doubt was cast on him after he left the Denver Broncos organization without disclosing the nature of the "supplements" he always used.

Barrett Robbins had a brutal fall from grace that has him at last account living on a respirator in a FL hospital after an alleged attempted murder against a police officer during a bungled robbery attempt. Cooper served his four game suspension and made the roster for the San Francisco 49ers last season. Stubblefield is still out of football and out of the news.

February 1, 2004, Super Bowl 38, the closest Super Bowl in history, closes and the Carolina Panthers lost 32-29 to the New England Patriots. Carolina enjoyed a great playoff run. The NFC had just witnessed a defensive stalwart dominate all the conference playoffs could dish out, but they fell a little short of winning the overall title. March 2005, CBS News reports that South Carolina Dr. James Shortt, is under FBI investigation pertaining to claims that he provided three Carolina Panthers with Testosterone Cream, Stanozolol, and syringes. C Jeff Mitchell, OT Todd Steussie, and P Todd Sauerbrun during Carolina's NFC championship season were given steroids by a doctor, never failed a NFL drug test, and would never fail a drug test under part of the NFL drug testing program.

The NFL still doesn't test for testosterone levels under a certain number, that are in excess of normal testosterone levels for anyone, nor do they test for HGH. C Jeff Mitchell was able to acquired 7 testosterone cream prescriptions, over a six month period. OT Todd Steussie was able to acquire 11 testosterone cream prescriptions, over a eight month period. P Todd Sauerbrun was able to acquire testosterone cream, 2500 mg of Stanozolol in a 21 day period, and syringes. Stanozolol is what Canadian Sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for following the 1988 Olympic Games. Reportedly Stanozolol aids the body's ability to increase muscle mass. Kinda explains why Carolina's punter is huge. Punters used to be small. All three players acquired prescription steroids with their real names on them, they were tested by the NFL, and still they remain in the league unpunished.

I think it's interesting that the NFL drug test missed all of the players steroid use. The FBI leaks the info to the NFL and then the NFL pursues the information and subsequent suspension. The NFL did bring drug testing into the forefront of major American Professional Sports, but their policy needs to be tweaked to include HGH testing, and a more stringent testing standard. Players shouldn't be able to use a steroid on the NFL list of banned substances and not get caught.