The Student of the Game

Now that people have finally begun to realize that there is life beyond Pittsburgh Steeler QB “Big” Ben Roethlisberger french kissing the windshield of an automobile in a motorcycle accident where he wasn’t wearing a helmet . . . Now that he has seen the error of his ways starting statements with the phrase “IF I ever ride a motorcycle again . . .”, it’s now impossible to make him out to be a worse role model than a villain in a comic book inspired summer blockbuster movie and difficult to declare him stupider than said villain’s stereotypical brawny sidekick any longer.
And now COUNTLESS fans are again in the woe of the seemingly uneventful off-season. Bored . . . wondering what there is to care about. Rejoice, friends — the SoTG to the rescue . . . and THESE issues actually involve football rather than accidents and arrests.

TY LAW and his future This time last year, CB Ty Law was one of many Patriots DBs who were hurt in a season where even WR Troy Brown had to step in as a cornerback covering receivers to alleviate the shortage of secondary defensive players caused by injury. At age 31 when he signed with the Jets, Law was lucky to even GET a job considering his age and the magnitude of the injury he suffered in 2004. Apparently, Law proved why he’s considered a top CB in the NFL when he tied for the most INTs in 2005 with 10 (and he didn’t have the advantage of playing Brett Farve and the rest of the crappy QBs of the NFC North as Bengals CB Deltha O’Neal did when he tallied 10 INTs as well last season). Making yet another Pro Bowl, last season’s performance in addition to Law’s asking price still leaves him on the open market. The quandary with teams interested in Law is the fact that he is an expensive short term investment due to his combination of age and talent (in the 2006 season he’ll be 32). He would be perfect filling a hole for a darkhorse type team who’s looking to get a little extra boost into the playoffs. Also, if a team who has many young and developing DBs, Ty Law would be arguablely the best guidance in improving their evolution into future starters once he departs from the franchise. A good team with salary cap space is in itself a rarity, but there are some who fit the bill. One candidate who appears to be in the lead is Law’s old team with whom he won 2 Championships, the New England Patriots. It’s not that their CB Corps is bad, but who could say no to a solid defender . . . ESPECIALLY when so many of them have recently departed from that franchise. Other good fits, in my opinion, would include San Diego, St Louis, New Orleans, Kansas City, and Cincinnati — but the salary cap issues involved could be the obstacle attracting Law to their respective franchises that will ensure his return to Foxboro.

ASHLEY LELIE’s quest for #1 The career of WR Ashley Lelie since his drafting has been that of a 2nd banana to perennial Pro-Bowler and Bronco pass-catching staple since the Elway days, Rod Smith. While there are certainly worse WR gigs out there (such as the uplifting prospect of teams who see Aaron Brooks or Trent Dilfer as an upgrade in their QB situation), Lelie wants a shot at being the number one guy for a team’s air attack. While waiting for Rod Smith may have once been an annoying, but viable option, the arrival of former Packer Jevon Walker into the receiver spot has made being the lead receiver in Denver practically impossible. There are teams out there interested in the services of the speedy downfield-threat receiver, but the Broncos are asking a high-level RB or 1st round draft pick that spoils the appetites of many would-be possibilities. However, discontent recently revealed by Atlanta with their big RB TJ Duckett along with the Falcons complete LACK of receivers, could be the makings of an future deal. Could Ashley Lelie be the answer to QB Michael Vick’s air attack woes?

No matter the answer to these and other questions to be answered in the next episode of the SoTG, one thing remains clear — we NFL fans are STARVING for some action when the lead page on NFL.com features the fact the QB Jay Fiedler’s recent signing with the Tampa Bay Bucs anoints him as the only QB to play with all 3 Florida teams. Keep looking out for the Best Running Attack and Best Defense pod casts.