So this is how Spygate ends, not with a bang but a whimper.

Matt Walsh met this week with the league, which discovered about as much as Geraldo Rivera did in Al Capone’s vault. If anything, it confirmed the Patriots were videotaping opponents when they could, which they have already been penalized for. Though the Pats’ reputation might not have improved this week, I don’t think it tarnished any more.

Though Senator Arlen Specter is threatening more investigations, I doubt there we’ll hear additional shocking news on Spygate. Commissioner Roger Goodell has wished this would go away for several months now. Expect him to get his wish.

Goodell, Matt Walsh, NFL, Patriots, Spygate

Should the Ravens, and new coach John Harbaugh, already be concerned that the team got into a brawl with itself during a minicamp?

The coaches don’t seem to be worried, after all, a little heated competition is considered to be good for a football team. But the whole team? At minicamp? Last year might have even been rougher on the Ravens than it appeared. And I doubt it’s going to improve this year, especially in the AFC North, particularly if the Bengals find a way to rebound after their rough 2007. This next season for the Ravens might be a gross example on how things can far so fall, so fast.

But at the very least, their practices should be fun!

NFL, Ravens

Kickers are kickers: There are so many solid ones out there that you shouldn’t stress out over them on draft day. This is the first time I’ve ever ranked kickers from scratch, I looked at total points, potential total points and field goal percentage. Stephen Gostkowski does not earn the top spot, simply because the Patriots score so many touchdowns that they don’t need him as much on field goals.

1. Rob Bironas, Titans
2. Shayne Graham, Bengals
3. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
4. Mason Crosby, Packers
5. Nick Folk, Cowboys
6. Phil Dawson, Browns
7. Adam Vinatieri, Colts
8. Nate Kaeding, Chargers
9. Robbie Gould, Bears
10. Kris Brown, Texans
11. Jeff Reed, Steelers
12. Josh Brown, Rams
13. Josh Scobee, Jaguars
14. Lawrence Tynes, Giants
15. Sean Suisham, Redskins
16. Martin Gramatica, Saints
17. David Akers, Eagles
18. Matt Bryant, Buccaneers
19. Jason Elam, Falcons
20. Matt Stover, Ravens
21. Olindo Mare, Seahawks
22. Ryan Longwell, Vikings
23. Rian Lindell, Bills
24. Jason Hanson, Lions
25. Neil Rackers, Cardinals
26. John Kasay, Panthers
27. Joe Nedney, 49ers
28. Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders
29. Mike Nugent, Jets
30. Matt Prater, Giants
31. Jay Feely, Dolphins
32. Billy Cundiff, Chiefs

fantasy, Kickers, NFL

Simply put, this year’s tight ends are the deepest I have seen in my umpteen years of playing fantasy football. For perspective, Owen Daniels had a better season last year than in 2006 but is ranked lower tha last preaseason. It will take a lot of work not to at least draft an above-average TE for 2008.

1. Antonio Gates, Chargers
2. Dallas Clark, Colts
3. Kellen Winslow, Browns
4. Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
5. Jason Witten, Cowboys
6. Chris Cooley, Redskins
7. Heath Miller, Steelers
8. Ben Watson, Patriots
9. Jeremy Shockey, Giants
10. Todd Heap, Ravens
11. Vernon Davis, 49ers
12. Owen Daniels, Texans
13. Leonard Pope, Cardinals
14. Desmond Clark, Bears
15. Tony Scheffler, Broncos
16. Donald Lee, Packers
17. Randy McMichael, Rams
18. L.J. Smith, Eagles
19. Jeff King, Panthers
20. Chris Baker, Jets
21. Marcus Pollard, Patriots
22. Alge Crumpler, Titans
23. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars
24. Daniel Graham, Broncos
25. Robert Royal, Bills
26. Greg Olsen, Bears
27. Will Heller, Seahawks
28. Alex Smith, Buccaneers
29. Eric Johnson, Saints
30. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings
31. Reggie Kelly, Bengals
32. Zach Miller, Raiders
33. David Martin, Dolphins
34. Bo Scaife, Titans
35. Ben Hartsock, Falcons
36. Ben Utecht, Bengals

fantasy, NFL, tight ends

Compiling this list wasn’t easy — I kept forgetting receivers and scrambled to re-rank them. It’s a tough position to gauge because you never know who might not have a good season despite last year’s performance: Who would have guessed Steve Smith would go from the top WR to out of the top 10? And then there are receivers who didn’t enjoy a complete season due to injuries — Andre’ Johnson would have been a top-five WR if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

I downgraded Chad Johnson due to his holdout threat and Marvin Harrison after his injury-riddled season last year. Aside from that, the slate of receivers doesn’t look as deep as last year. Maybe it’s a transition season, maybe there is just more uncertainty than last year. Though the top of the list isn’t as impressive, expect plenty of above-average WRs in the middle to later rounds.

1. Randy Moss, Patriots
2. Terrell Owens, Cowboys
3. Reggie Wayne, Colts
4. Braylon Edwards, Browns
5. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals
6. Marques Colston, Saints
7. Plaxico Burress, Giants
8. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
9. Torry Holt, Rams
10. Wes Welker, Patriots
11. Andre’ Johnson, Texans
12. Chad Johnson, Bengals
13. Brandon Marshall, Broncos
14. Steve Smith, Panthers
15. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals
16. Lee Evans, Bills
17. Bernard Berrian, Vikings
18. Roddy White, Falcons
19. Kevin Curtis, Eagles
20. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
21. Chris Chambers, Chargers
22. Greg Jennings, Packers
23. Santonio Holmes, Steelers
24. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets
25. Marvin Harrison, Colts
26. Hines Ward, Steelers
27. Santana Moss, Redskins
28. Donald Driver, Pakcers
29. Derrick Mason, Ravens
30. Joey Galloway, Buccaneers
31. Laveranues Coles, Jets
32. Deion Branch, Seahawks
33. Shaun MacDonald, Lions
34. Donte’ Stallworth, Browns
35. Joey Porter, Jaguars
36. Roy Williams, Lions
37. Bobby Engram, Seahawks
38. Reggie Brown, Eagles
39. Ronald Curry, Raiders
40. Jabar Gaffney, Patriots
41. Patrick Crayton, Cowboys
42. Bryant Johnson, 49ers
43. David Patten, Saints
44. Marty Booker, Bears
45. Antawn Randle-El, Redskins
46. Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
47. Kevin Walter, Texans
48. Drew Bennett, Rams
49. Justin Gage, Titans
50. Calvin Johnson, Lions
51. Ike Hilliard, Buccaneers
52. Amani Toomer, Giants
53. Nate Burleson, Seahawks
54. Vincent Jackson, Chargers
55. Brandon Stokley, Broncos
56. Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
57. Mark Clayton, Ravens
58. Terry Glenn, Cowboys
59. DeSean Jackson, Eagles
60. Mike Furrey, Lions
61. Devery Henderson, Saints
62. Dennis Northcutt, Browns
63. Andre Davis, Texans
64. Matt Jones, Jaguars
65. Bobby Wade, Vikings
66. James Jones, Packers
67. Devin Hester, Bears
68. Donnie Avery, Rams
69. Drew Carter, Raiders
70. Roydell Williams, Titans
71. Antonio Chatman, Bengals
72. Sidney Rice, Vikings
73. Dexter Jackson, Buccaneers
74. Josh Reed, Bills
75. Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins
76. Joe Horn, Falcons
77. D.J. Hackett, Seahawks
78. Ruvell Martin, Packers
79. David Tyree, Giants
80. Chris Henry, free agent
81. Joe Jurevicius, Browns
82. Eric Moulds, Titans
83. Ashley Lelie, 49ers
84. Devin Thomas, Redskins
85. Darrell Jackson, Broncos
86. Justin McCareins, Titans
87. Koren Robinson, Packers
88. Javon Walker, Raiders
89. Jordy Nelson, Packers
90. Brandon Lloyd, Bears
91. Ernest Wilford, Jaguars
92. James Hardy, Bills
93. Jeff Webb, Chiefs
94. Michael Clayton, Buccaneers
95. Malcolm Kelly, Redskins

fantasy, NFL, receivers

Cedric Benson was arrested and pepper sprayed over the weekened. Bullets from a gun Marvin Harrison owns might have been involved in a shooting. Falcons linebacker Michael Boley was charged with battery against his wife. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint.

No, it wasn’t a good weekend for the NFL’s image, which commissioner Roger Goodell is trying so hard to improve after last year’s rough offseason. Maybe there’s not much he can do. With over 1,500 players in the league, these things are bound to happen, but so much of it on the same weekend?

At least no Bengals were arrested this week. But there’s always next weekend.

benson, Boley, Goodell, Marvin Harrison, Mendenhall, NFL

In the bottom-line NFL, it’s good to see an owner and a coach realize the game, and its players, are more than just dollars, cents and victories.

The Vikings announced today that defensive end Keneche Udeze won’t play this season as he battles leukemia. Minnesota placed Udeze on the reserve=non-football-illness list, meaning he is out for the season but will still get his salary.

Coach Brad Childress praised owner Zygi Wilf for the move. The Vikings could have cut Udeze loose, leaving him to worry about where he’s going to play next while fighting a serious disease. Instead, Udeze has a year to get better, not worry about his salary, and possibly return in 2009. Though he’ll be a free agent next year and the Vikes may have made a huge stride in re-signing him by this gesture, it’s still a classy move by the team.

Hopefully other teams will remember this example when faced with similar adversity. It would be a shame if they don’t.

NFL, Udeze, Vikings

Not only are the Bills moving one home game for the next five years to Toronto (as well as a few preseason games), they are being paid $78 million to do so.

On the surface, this looks like a great deal for the Bills, who lose just one game yet make a huge windfall that will keep the small-market team competitive (and it shows how serious Toronto is about attracting and NFL team). But beyond that financial benefit, I can’t help but think it’s a little troubling, that the only way small-market teams might be able to keep up with the Joneses (yes, the pun is intended) — especially if the salary cap ever disappears — is to sell home games. The Bills, as well as the Packers, Jaguars, Panthers, Browns, Titans and Steelers play in cities that can’t earn the revenue bigger cities can. Buffalo can never charge as much for tickets as the Patriots or Giants can, nor can they rake in the extra revenue that the Cowboys can by putting a Nike swoosh on the side of its stadium.

What makes the NFL so unique is the way smaller markets can compete with larger markets, thanks to its revenue sharing plan from its TV deal and the salary cap. Hopefully the NFL never loses that, lest the Packers are forced to start selling home games to Beverly Hills.

Bills, NFL, Toronto

With the NFL Draft complete, I feel a little better ranking running backs, though I think no rookies will have the impact Adrian Peterson, or even Marshawn Lynch, did last season. Running backs run much deeper than they did last year at draft time, perhaps because of the injuries and inconsistent play that plagued RB1s last season forced more players to step up and more teams to turn to RBBCs (running back by committee). There are a few RBs that I couldn’t believe I ranked as low as I did, but would you risk Frank Gore as your RB1 in 2008?

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
3. Joseph Addai, Colts
4. Steven Jackson, Rams
5. Brian Westbrook, Eagles
6. Larry Johnson, Chiefs
7. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
8. Willie Parker, Steelers
9. Ryan Grant, Packers
10. Marshawn Lynch, Bills
11. Reggie Bush, Saints
12. Brandon Jacobs, Giants
13. Marion Barber III, Cowboys
14. Laurence Maroney, Patriots
15. Clinton Portis, Redskins
16. Willis McGahee, Ravens
17. Jamal Lewis, Browns
18. Earnest Graham, Buccaneers
19. Julius Jones, Seahawks
20. Darren McFadden, Raiders
21. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
22. Fred Taylor, Jaguars
23. Travis Henry, Broncos
24. Kenny Watson, Bengals
25. Frank Gore, 49ers
26. Michael Turner, Falcons
27. Edgerrin James, Cardinals
28. Chester Taylor, Vikings
29. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
30. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
31. Deuce McAllister, Saints
32. LenDale White, Titans
33. Justin Fargas, Raiders
34. Tatum Bell, Lions
35. Ahman Green, Texans
36. Rudi Johnson, Bengals
37. Thomas Jones, Jets
38. Cedric Benson, Bears
39. Chris Henry, Titans
40. Ladell Betts, Redskins
41. Felix Jones, Cowboys
42. DeShaun Foster, 49ers
43. Ron Dayne, Texans
44. Kevin Smith, Lions
45. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
46. Warrick Dunn, Buccaneers
47. Selvyn Young, Broncos
48. Ricky Williams, Dolphins
49. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
50. Chris Johnson, Titans
51. Najeh Davenport
52. Jerious Norwood, Falcons
53. Adrian Peterson, Bears
54. Kenton Keith, Colts
55. Sammy Morris, Patriots
56. Brandon Jackson, Packers
57. Leon Washington, Jets
58. Reuben Droughns, Giants
59. LaMont Jordan, Raiders
60. Correll Buckhalter, Eagles
61. Kevin Faulk, Patriots
62. Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers
63. Kolby Brown, Chiefs
64. Vernand Morency, Packers
65. Darren Sproles, Chargers
66. Michael Bennett, Buccaneers
67. Shaun Alexander, free agent
68. Marcel Shipp, Cardinals
69. Greg Jones, Jaguars
70. Kevin Jones, free agent
71. Chris Brown, Texans
72. Jesse Chatman, Jets
73. DeShawn Wynn, Packers
74. Heath Evans, Patriots
75. Maurice Morris, Seahawks
76. Musa Smith, Ravens
77. Derrick Ward, Giants
78. Dominic Rhodes, free agent

fantasy, NFL, running backs

The Raiders released running back Dominic Rhodes on Monday, a move that was not surprising considering they drafted Darren McFadden over the weekend.

Rhodes left the Colts before last season to sign with Oakland, then was hit with a four-game suspsension for violating the league’s drug policy. As Justin Fargas emerged as a solid NFL running back (and signed a big contract in the offseason), Rhodes apparently became the odd man out. I wonder if LaMont Jordan will be far behind in unenployment.

I also am a little befuddled why the Raideres drafted McFadden when they did just sign Fargas to the big deal in the offseason. Perhaps Oakland hopes the two running backs can turn into the Adrian Peterson-Chester Taylor combination that worked so well in Minnesota last year. But those were the Vikings, these are the Raiders, where nothing seems to go right. McFadden won’t have the initial fantasy value Peterson did last year, and Fargas’ stock just dropped. I think McFadden will be the man in Oakland, just maybe not in 2008.