Every summer, I start to think about NCAA two-zero-fill-in-the-blank, and Madden two-zero-fill-in-the-blank. This year will be NCAA 2010, and Madden 2010, and given that both of my teams should be good (Georgia Tech and the Falcons), I feel a little more excited than most.

[Falcons Message Board]

I’m not somebody that really cares about draft grades the day after a draft — how many times have these so-called “experts” been wrong in the past? — but since NFL is officially over, and since we’re stuck with a few boring NBA series right now and 145 more MLB games, I figure I may as well milk this post for what it’s worth.

It’s the last time we’ll be discussing the NFL until a Bengals player gets arrested in the offseason.

How’d your team do over the weekend? I’ve got lots of different opinions from lots of different people. Click here and you can see how Pete Prisco of CBS Sportsline rates the picks; click here to see how Larry Weisman, writer for USA Today, breaks down all seven rounds. Clifton Brown, writer for Sporting News Today, has his take here; for Yahoo! Sports, go here.

I’d give you Todd McShay or Mel Kiper, Jr., but they’re douche bags and charge you $39.95 a year for their services — if I could charge everyone $39.95 to be completely wrong about how a player will turn out, I would. McShay isn’t that bad, but Kiper’s looked like a weatherman with some of his recent predictions.

Enjoy the grades. They mean nothing. At the end of the day, Calvin Johnson has to catch Matthew Stafford’s passes, and DHB wasn’t a stretch by Oakland until he officially busts in Oakland. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I’m counting down to September. Fall, you couldn’t get here soon enough.

ESPN has a nice little piece on each team’s strength of schedule for 2009. It also notes that if you went from worst to first in the NFC South, then you’re pretty much screwed (see: Falcons, who have the fourth hardest schedule this year, with opponents’ records being a combined 150-105).

An interesting note: The Cardinals, who made the Super Bowl, have the 27th hardest schedule, or sixth easiest next year; the Minnesota Vikings, who won their division and played a first round playoff game at home, have the second easiest schedule. The Patriots, who missed the playoffs, have the third easiest schedule.

You can see all teams here. With the addition of Jay Cutler, and with the easiest schedule in the NFL, it looks as if the Bears might have an easy ride to the playoffs next year.

[ESPN]

Pro Football Talk, who’s right more than they’re wrong, is reporting that the Giants have stated an interest in acquiring Cleveland Browns (drop-a-holic) Braylon Edwards.

The move makes sense. When Plaxico Burress first went out, the Giants got some wins and it was thought they wouldn’t miss a beat. Then they played the Eagles, who blitzed, blitzed, and then blitzed some more, and none of the current Giants’ receivers could get open.

As PFT reports, the deal would be a hard one to pull off — the Browns are looking for a first and third round pick, and Edwards is wanting a major-big contract next year. If the Giants don’t land Edwards, they’ll need to keep reaching out and try to land someone else — otherwise you’re going to see a lot of Eli looking like the old Eli, and Brandon Jacobs can’t carry that offense by himself.

[PFT]

He’s had off field issues. When he’s on the field, he’s likely on the sidelines with crutches or some other ailment. And now, a year after having poor stats and a major staff infection, Kellen Winslow is the richest tight end in the history of the NFL.

As The Big Lead points out, he’s going to receive $20 million in guaranteed money. Guaranteed. I’ll say it again: Guaranteed. Is it just me, or is this a bit much to give to a guy that’s had issues since college and, given one year of his four year career, really hasn’t done anything.

And you have to question the strategy in Tampa: They didn’t re-sign former QB Jeff Garcia, who just signed with the Raiders, and they let go of Derrick Brooks, who has anchored the Tampa 2 for years now. There’s a new coach, a new D-coordinator, a new captain on defense, no quarterback, an oft-injured runnning back, and an overpaid tight end. Could be a while before Tampa makes noise again.

[The Big Lead]

[Free From a Staph-Infected Locker Room, Wealthy Solider Prepared to Truck NFC Safeties]

Donte’ Stallworth showed up in court today, and was allowed to go home on $200,000 bail . In a quick, brief statement, Stallworth said his hopes and prayers are with the Reyes family. And beyond that, he has the utmost faith in the current legal system to get a highly paid star of clean when he killed a guy while driving drunk.

Maybe, just maybe, we should take a look at this ‘legal system.’ On Steve Czaban this morning (he hosts a radio show on Fox Sports), there was talk of what Stallworth’s suspension should be. Suspension? He killed somebody. And though I don’t condone killing dogs, isn’t it silly that a guy driving drunk and killing a person — someone’s brother, someone’s husband, someone’s father — goes almost unnoticed, while a guy kills some dogs and it’s the talk of the nation?

Again, I don’t condone killing the dogs. But it seems a little silly that most the nation couldn’t tell you who Donte’ Stallworth and Leonard Little are, but anyone can tell you who Michael Vick is, and point out his transgressions.

[ESPN]

As a Tennessee fan, I’ve always been kind of partial to Donte’ Stallworth. He’s fast, always seemed like a pretty nice guy, and was one of those players you just kinda waited to have a break out year.

As a fantasy football owner, I hate the guy. He’s fast, always seems like a solid 7th rounder, and is one of those players you’re absolutely certain is going to have a breakout year.

We don’t have to worry about that this year. It looks as if the only balls Donte’ will be catching will have to come from the arm of Michael Vick, or the sac of the dude he’s sharing a cell with.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk after a night out at a swank South Beach nightspot.

An arrest warrant charging Stallworth, 28, with DUI manslaughter was filed in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. If convicted, Stallworth would face as many as 15 years in prison.

Stallworth’s blood-alcohol level after the crash was .126, well above Florida’s legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth also will be charged with DUI, which carries a possible six-month sentence plus fines and community service for first offenders.

There’s a Leonard Little joke somewhere, so I’ll just let you fill in the blanks. It’s hard to believe Stallworth was drunk, given that he had the reaction time to flash his lights at the guy he was about to hit in the road, but, uh, you know, never hit the brakes.

[ESPN]

Every year, someone takes Donte Stallworth. There’s that feel that one day he’s going to live up to his potential, so you draft him, you think you got a real steal, and then two games into the season he sprains a finger and is out the rest of the year.

If you draft him this year, you may not even get that many games out of him.

As PFT is reporting, Donte Stallworth is almost sure to be charged for DUI when he hit and killed a 59 year-old man in Florida. They’ve got all the fancy law details at what DUI vehicular homicide means in Florida, but, pretty much, it means Stallworth won’t be playing in the NFL again, not unless he’s still capable of running a 4.3 when he’s 60. I’ll keep you updated as they keep me updated.

[Pro Football Talk]

The Cowboys cut T.O. Given last year, probably a good move. The T.O. sweepstakes have begun, only it appears there’s less bidders for him than there was for Manny Ramirez. Early rumors had him going to Cleveland, which isn’t happening. Then the Giants, and that’s not happening (though I gotta say: if you put him and Plax with that offensive line and Brandon Jacobs, you’d probably get another Super Bowl).

Over the next couple of days, I’m sure we’ll hear of seven or eight teams, none of which will be very serious, and then he’ll land with the Patriots, and Tom Brady will beak his own ridiculous touchdown record.

[Cowboys Cut T.O.]
[ESPN]

I’ve noted many times that the NFL Combine is the most overrated event in sports when it comes to gauging talent, yet every year I get caught up in what a guy runs or what a guy jumps or what a guy throws (combine studs that probably went a bit high: JaMarcus Russell, Donte Stallworth, and just last year, Vernon Gholston).

That said, via The Big Lead, here’s some guys that impressed, and some guys that didn’t. A couple of notables on my end, from what I’ve seen on NFL Network:

Pat White, QB/WR: He ran an unofficial time of 4.49 in the 40, and then it was adjusted to a 4.55. He also jumped a solid nine feet in the broad jump, which is real important once you’re actually in the game. I know I often see guys stand in place, squat, and leap as far forward as possible. Like I said: Great gauge at talent.

Darius Heyward-Bey, WR: This guy was being talked about as a second rounder, but after running a 4.3 flat, he’s probably going to end up cracking the top 15. Michael Crabtree is still “the guy” when it comes to receivers, but Heyward-Bey is sure creeping up.

Derrick Anderson, WR: This is the guy that I think will be a solid NFL player — probably a good number two receiver — but his 4.58 40 will have schools not paying attention to whether or not he can run a route and catch the ball, and just say he’s too slow to play.

Beanie Wells, RB: I can’t tell if a 4.59 40 is good or bad for him. On one side, it’s slower than most strong safeties. But he’s 235 pounds, and at that size, how fast do you want him to run?

[The Big Lead]
Getting Listy With The Combine