As we move closer to the beginning of the regular season there are some interesting storylines developing around the league:
Are the Giants seriously considering luring Strahan out of retirement? I know they desperate to find another pass rusher with Osi Umenyiora going down for the year. And, I know Strahan sat out most of camp last year but he was also working out on his own and staying shape. Do the Giants really believe Strahan has kept himself in game shape? Furthermore how many weights is Strahan lifting while he is living it up over in Greece right now? Strahan says he would come back for $8 mil but then again who wouldn’t? He still looked like he has some lead left in his pencil at the end of last year, but, then again, he also had the luxury of not having to be the guy and played in a rotation that was 3 deep in terms of quality pass rushers with Justin Tuck in the mix. Would Strahan have enough to go back to being an everydown end in the NFL again? Are the Giants even willing to take the $8 million gamble that he does?
On the heels of an impressive showing in his last preseason game against the Titans Matt Ryan has been dubbed the opening day starter at quarterback for the Falcons. This always has the potential to go either way but QBs who spend four years in college and start for two plus seasons, including 3 bowl games, tend to succeed more times than not at the next level. In watching Ryan play quite a bit last year he impresses me as one of those guys who easily shakes off the bumps, bruises, and mistakes that go with playing the position and moves on. He seems to be one of those guys who impresses with his leadership skills as much as his QB skills. Besides, it is not as though Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, or D. J. Shockley provide Falcons fans with anything to be excited about. With Micheal Turner and Jerious Norwood to hand the ball off to Ryan should be okay for now.
Apparently Kurt Warner has beat Matt Leinart out for the starting job in Arizona. Is this a wake up call to Leinart who made the news for his wild offseason co-ed parties or does Ken Whisenhunt truly believe Warner is the best fit to lead his team? Given Warner’s inability to stay healthy during his tenure in Arizona Leinart will probably be back on the field before you know it.
