NFL dreamin': Offseason thoughts (Part 2)

By Kevin Holtsberry Sports Central Columnist

Football fans are in the difficult home stretch of the offseason; a time when football news is scarce and relegated to mostly gossip and contract negotiations.

We still have months to go before we will see any meaningful football, and the draft is behind us, so the true fan must hunker down and ride out the drought, hoping his team signs its rookies and free agents. Personally, I have spent my time nursing an ever growing hatred of the Lakers and watching Tiger Woods alternate between the ugly and the sublime.

But since this is supposed to be an article about NFL football, let me offer a few thoughts on some offseason moves and potential moves.

First off, let me respectfully disagree with Sports Central's own David Martin. Last Sunday, Dave suggested that former New York Giant quarterback Kerry Collins would be a good fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I, too, am a Steelers fan, but I don't share his assessment of Collins or the Steelers' needs.

Obviously, Tommy Maddox and the Steelers struggled last year. A record of 6-10 is nothing to be proud of, especially in a division as week as the AFC North. If not for the Browns' implosion, the Steelers would have finished dead last. Maddox struggled with 17 interceptions and only 18 touchdowns, leading to an unimpressive 75.3 QB rating. But to be fair, the Steelers offensive line was in disarray (thus the 41 sacks) and the running game was weak. Even so, Maddox did better than Collins.

Dave mentioned Collins' career stats, but failed to mention that last year, he managed only 13 TDs against 16 picks. Maddox had a better QB rating and completed a higher percentage of his passes. So how exactly does Dave know that Collins is likely to be better than Maddox (or Charlie Batch, for that matter)?

I will admit that Collins has done more in his career than Maddox and that, all things being equal, he is a better QB. But, as even Dave admits, Collins' career is coming to an end. In my mind, the burden of proof is on those who feel Collins will return to top form rather than continue to fade.

The other issue is leadership and team chemistry. Bringing in a new QB would force the team to adjust to a new personality and require Collins to learn the Steelers' system. With the addition of Duce Staley and a healthy O-line (knock on wood), the Steelers' offense should be improved. Within this framework, Maddox doesn't need to be a hero, he just needs to run the offense.

Bringing in Collins threatens to disrupt the rhythm and continuity of the offense. Collins has never had the reputation as a leader and I am not sure what qualities he brings to the locker room that would make him a worthy acquisition. I am confident that the coaches can bring first-rounder Ben Roethlisberger along without the assistance of Collins. I think Maddox, Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre, and Roethlisberger should compete for the starting job.

The coaches will pick the top three and that depth should give the Steelers the talent they need to compete. A move to bring in Collins only adds risk, complicates the offensive preparation, and disrupts the team chemistry. Not worth it, in my mind, for a player like Collins.

So much for potential moves, what about actual moves? Let me offer an opinion about a move many saw as a positive one: the New England Patriots' acquisition of former Bengal Corey Dillon. I will admit that Dillon has had some quality years despite playing for the hapless Bengals, and that he obviously has talent.

That said, I have been less than impressed with his play and his attitude the last few years. Does it suck to be on a losing team year in year out? Heck, yeah. But professionalism and hard work are not too much to expect out of a professional athlete. Dillon's attitude has instead turned negative and disruptive as the team has improved. With his injuries last year, he was clearly out-shined by Rudi Johnson. And I felt on a couple of occasions that he seemed to give up on games.

What worries me about a player like Dillon is that his best years might be behind him. Does he have the drive and determination to work hard no matter how the season unfolds? Can the Patriots running problems be laid at the feet of Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith? I also wonder how Dillon will get along with Bill Belichick. Perhaps his new situation, with the defending Super Bowl champions no less, will erase the bad attitude and Dillon will have a healthy and productive year, but count me as skeptical.

Speaking of worries, I would be worried if I was a 49er fan right now. First, they let Jeff Garcia escape to Cleveland (not much of an "escape," I know) and Terrell Owens head off to Baltimore, I mean Philadelphia. Then they dump Garrison Hearst. Then quarterback of the future (quit giggling) Tim Rattay sustains a serious groin injury (groin injuries are always serious, aren't they guys?).

Given their offensive line is less than stellar, where do you suppose the offense will come from? Who will provide the leadership and passion in a tough division? Ken Dorsey? I am not sure even Bill Walsh in his heyday could turn Dorsey into the second coming of Joe Montana. I understand that for financial reasons, the Bay Area club lacks room to maneuver, but still you have to think it might be ugly for a few years.

This will be a young club with a coach who hasn't shown a lot of promise in a town that expects a great deal out of their team. I wouldn't want to be reading the papers in San Fran this year. Repeat after me, 49er fans: "low expectations."

A few more quick hits:

* I think the Giants gave up too much for Eli Manning. First-round QB picks are a real gamble. And I don't care what his dad or brother says, Eli is a punk in my book for his actions surrounding the draft. I would carry water buckets for any NFL team if I could make a living at it. Manning was set to make millions, play with one of the best running backs around, and live in San Diego, for Pete's sake!

* I think the Steelers got the best QB in Ben Roethlisberger. I am biased, of course, but I am so excited about having a real QB prospect in the 'pen for the black and gold. If the Steeler coaches can't take this athlete and succeed, then they should look for new work.

* I don't think the Browns draft move to take Kellen Winslow will suddenly rejuvenate the franchise, despite his agents claims. Winslow is certainly a potential weapon, but he is also a trouble maker. And what is up with trading up one stinkin' spot? For a tight end? Seems like a bit of a reach to me. It is not as if the Browns are looking for one last piece to an otherwise solid puzzle.

Plus, Cleveland seems in front office disarray with the organizational purging and all. As the cherry on top, count me in the skeptical camp when it comes to Butch Davis. The more he tries to run the organization, the less time he can focus on coaching the team. And this team needs some coaching.

* I am looking forward to watching the Detroit Lions for the next few years. Questions abound. Can the heretofore hapless Lions surround Joey Herrington with enough talent to win? Can Steve Mariucci mould a franchise adding the young guns he has acquired to the veterans he picks up?

I certainly think both Lion draftees Roy Williams and Kevin Jones have the potential to be big-time players in the NFL. Williams will be added to a receiving corps that already includes last year's top pick in Charles Rodgers and incoming veteran Tai Streets. If Herrington can continue to improve, and if Kevin Jones can boost the running game, Detroit could be dangerous on offense. As a native Michigander, I would love to see a winning franchise in Detroit.

One thing the offseason certainly does is wet your appetite for the next season. Diehard fans wait impatiently during the offseason -- scouring the papers and Internet for hints, clues, and news about trades, signing, and the draft -- hoping and wondering how the various offseason changes will impact the play on the field.

After all, these moves and counter moves mean nothing if they don't impact wins and loses on the field. There is a lot of pressure, money, and careers riding on them, but we won't really know the results until the games are played.

Man, I can't wait for the season to start!

Article courtesy of Sports Central.