Football is in the Air

It is almost here.  The NFL lockout is almost over and training camp is scheduled to open up this Saturday, July 23rd. (Doubt it'll take place that early but it is that close.  Can't you feel it!?)  The next month will resemble fast-forwarding through a VHS of Hard Knocks more than a typical NFL preseason.  The league as a whole has too much to accomplish in less than a month before the Hall of Fame game. (August 7th, which I guess will be rescheduled and the number of preseason games cut down to three)  Typically by mid-July the majority of free agents are signed and contract hold outs heat up as training camp nears.  Due to the lockout, all of this is about to happen in a matter of weeks instead of months.  Imagine if tailgating was only allowed for one hour before games versus the standard five.  Students would be bonging and shot gunning every beer in sight, complete chaos.  To exasperate the situation, last season was an uncapped year so the number of free agents is higher than the majority of seasons.  Anyways here are some of top players at their positions that could potentially be wearing a different helment in a few weeks .

Quarterbacks

• Carson Palmer

• He clearly wants out of Cincy and if he had a sane owner he'd be getting his wish shortly.  Mike Brown (Not the new Laker) has made it clear that he won't be told what to do and would go as far as to sit Palmer for the final year of his deal or force Palmer to retire.
• UFL is always an option if Palmer is indeed forced to retire but hopefully Brown will recognize that he just screwed over Palmer enough in the new CBA and trade him for some draft picks. 
• Kevin Kolb
• Michael Vick is the Eagles free agent quarterback, not Kolb, but it's obvious that they will be resigning Vick. 
• Reid and company plan on using Kolb as a pawn in a chess match.  He's still useful on the roster but they have no problem dropping him if it means taking out a rook or a bishop. (improving another piece of their team)
• I say keep him.  Vick's style of play puts him at risk of potential injury more than any other quarterback in the league. What is the harm in keeping Kolb until the trade deadline and then moving him?
• Donavan McNabb
• No way the Redskins bring McNabb back for a repeat of the most embarrassing season of his career.
• There are several teams that with the addition of a veteran QB could make a leap to the next level. (49er's, Vikings, Seahawks, Cardinals, Raiders) All of which are a possibility for McNabb to finish off his career on a high note.

Running Backs

• Deangelo Williams

• This one is personal and I believe it is going to end badly for me.  The Panthers were depleted with injuries on top of their horrid play last season and were able to see several options at running back throughout the year; Williams, Stewart, Goodson.
• The majority of the buzz I've heard is that Williams is out and Stewart and Goodson will share the snaps this season.  I totally understand not wanting to over pay a running back in today's NFL game, especially when you have other productive options on the roster. 
• I believe the Panthers are over looking how productive Williams can be (5.1 ypc) and how important it is to have depth at the running back position.  One other tidbit; Williams has only fumbled the ball 5 times in as many years.  Stewart has fumbled the ball 9 times in only 3 years.  Goodson fumbled it 4 times alone last season on 103 carries.
• Nothing is more important than ball control in the NFL.  You win the turnover game and 95% of the time you win the game.  How do you justify rebuilding a franchise with two guys proven to drop the rock?  Fork over the money Jerry for the All-Pro caliber of player that Williams has been and can be again.
• Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams
• The first of the back field mates that are on the market simultaneously.  Doubt the Dolphins bring both back, making their decision cloudy at best.  Williams is 34 and anything other than a two year deal would be out of the question.  Brown has made it clear that he struggles to make it through an entire season (only one 16 game season under his belt) and a top dollar contract for him wouldn't be plausible either. 
• The Dolphins drafted Daniel Thomas out of Kansas State in the 2nd round of this year's past draft making it evident that at least one of the two key members to their "Wildcat" offense will be on the market.  I fully expect it to be Williams simply because of age but wouldn't surprised if neither returned to Miami next season. 
• Both will be able to find a team that they can "take their talents" to next season.
• Ahmad Bradshaw
• Previously a member of the trio "Earth, Wind, and Fire," Bradshaw has became a focal point of the Giants offense.  Do the Giants allow him to hit the open market?  NO WAY.  Brandon Jacobs is a beast but is exclusively a downhill runner.  Having two running backs that have opposite playing styles keeps a defensive on their toes and provides the necessary versatility for a successful offense.
• Doubt he could go to a team and be the featured back.  Bradshaw loves to put the ball on the floor (had 7 fumbles last season alone) and is a little undersized to carry the entire load.  Put him with a big bruising back (like Jacobs or LeGarrette Blount) and he makes a very nice addition in the back field.
• Cedric Benson
• The lockout could not have come at a worse time for Benson.  He was just arrested for the second assault charge in as many years.  Without the lockout, Benson would have already been signed to a team instead of clearing his name and pleading his case to them.  
• On the bright side, Benson has rushed for over 2,300 yards during the past two seasons with the Bengals. (a team that is constantly behind in games)  Benson also doesn't have a ton of mileage on him at the age of 28.  Probably has another 3 or 4 years left in the tank as a serviceable anchor in a back field.
• Reggie Bush
• Reggie Bush's yardage (rushing + receiving) has decreased every season he has been in the NFL, eclipsing 1,000+ total yards only once. (his rookie season)  Bush has also missed 20 games during his first five seasons.  He demanded top dollar out of college because of his draft selection but no way does a team fork over that cash for him now.  That being said, Bush is one hell of an athlete and there are few things more impressive in the NFL than him healthy and in the open field.
• If Bush is willing to accept his role in the NFL and the contract that comes along with that role then he isn't completely out of the picture with the Saints.  Coach Sean Payton is in love with his play making abilities and Ingram serves a different purpose than Bush in the backfield.