Don Banks, SI.com NFL Beat

During some maligned talk about free agency and the Columbine in all things NFL as our -- Don -- from Sports Illustrated paid on.

banks what's gone on body it is great what a pleasure to talk year. So flat -- you. But I don't I don't trust it says a lot about -- that things that are going on in your -- with them and gives you a compliment. -- looking for the right hook. I'm still wait if you guys to bring up that last may that I political battle in the -- I got -- you know what they got an I should give you credit for that because it was that hard hitting analysis. Did your conclusion that the -- going to win the Super Bowl because. Behind her time. Well but dilated a little more -- tale -- actually if you if you want to roll the tape. I don't know I -- I. Oh I've got a great post publisher record that you lost one game yeah well. And I did not lay any money on it or go to Vegas. I don't know -- laws patriots that Diego.

Now note states not at that right at saint over the bears in the NFC title game like about it. You know a -- other quote unquote experts.

Talk about Columbine for a minute here in day you write about it on the website about Garrett -- for instance and and you know whether or not he helped himself we were talking about this earlier you know risers and callers and all based on dopey things like how far can you'd jump and can you touch these -- quicken up and things like that.

And I I still think it's wildly overrated process that unfold every February -- in Indianapolis and I think more more. Of the teams at least are paying lip service to that idea but then he get there and buzz start skating attached to certain names and you see and talk -- personnel guys around the league coaches currently make get excited based on. What they see out of those guys running around -- and 40 times and each year. There is you know some poster child for how would come by and doesn't really relate to an actual football game. And then each year there's a couple of guys that came. Out of nowhere established themselves a little bit the -- by the went on to be higher draft picks and and deservedly so so it's really a mixed bag I think if you don't -- it accordingly. It's always going to be out of proportion but and to -- game film game film in game felt should be the top three priorities.

Well -- asked you about a guy who had quote unquote a good com buy it and also has some pretty good game now Joe Thomas from Wisconsin the tackle to left tackle where do you think he's gonna go what we're -- saying about him.

Well I think you're gonna go to number two number two Detroit that that's pretty well conventional wisdom so it probably won't happen but. -- he is very technically sound then Lola interest thing we got him in the very first -- on Thursday and the first thing he was it was practically was the Robert gallery. Comparisons obviously Robert gallery -- Oakland in 2004 number two overall about where we expect to Thomas to go to alliance. And you know. Only -- become -- you start talking about like the link on someone's arms in the al. Tim Thomas has longer arms and match would help them in with the transition to left tackle NFL. Robert gallery now we can see it so clearly is more short armed and he has struggled. But I think more than anything else -- Thomas -- a great point Robert gallery -- about 33 head coaches so far about three offensive coordinators. He hasn't been and then in the same system for very long. He has not drawn a lucky card -- the Oakland Raiders three years ago.

And we and we always wonder about you know guys who rise or fall of the Columbine you know whether it's Mike mumble rocketing up or. You know maybe at Troy Smith moving down this year. How much do you think he should stock should be put in and for instance we've been following sacked the Osce Christina going to work here and he's a great kid. I mean everybody who's seen him and and watch the mountain Indianapolis said he may have taken himself from the second day of the draft to the first step.

I I totally agree with that the united actually guy. Been trying to keep an eye on as well he's represented by brad blank who -- in the back -- it has. Been around -- game for an awful long time -- Pratt was still a little bit about the kidded you know he ran really well he has he's had a you know he's had the kind of career that would wouldn't get -- noticed on its own but the fact that he. Could go to Indy and -- so well that's kind of a positive side of what you can do for yourself that India it because the kid like him needs that. You know that time when. Every personnel guy in the in coach in the league is watching. Down -- really took I think leap into. You know at least the -- third or fourth round with what he was able to accomplish in Indian I think I think he's a great story and I think he's from what I understand he's a great --

You know Donna I I really want to -- on Calvin Johnson 66 guy. Runs of 4340 much like yourself I don't guy's got great size and speed every once and he's great. Let's see what Calvin Johnson did gain by gain. At that Georgia Tech are calmed down Michael the -- had 15 touchdown receptions for Georgia Tech last year. Have you heard anyone say anything negative about Calvin Johnson any about it.

No no he's done and I had personnel guy have to personal guys tell me is to complete athletic freak. And he's clear cut the best player of the best prospect in the strapped now he Italy probably will last for number four Tampa bay because of the way that. The top three break but. He is to meet the kind of want continued talent that comes in this league and what's amazing to me is the 45 inch vertical leap that he. Apparently last year yelled don't yelled jump the vertical leap poll that they used to measure vertical leap into the top of that. So you know if you if you jump 38 inches here. You're sky mining and to get 45 is just ridiculous but when you put it together. You know with the with with his -- I get wholly negative I've heard is that some people think. You better drop the weight he was at 239 that are dropped the weight maybe 1213 14 pounds and be. I think they think ideally is speed would be even better if he was in the 225 --

Ironically this is the year win Detroit should take a wide receiver where they're making Andrea because of all the other screw -- the year they tell you what they can't.

Right exactly that that'd be one given in this year's draft that Detroit will not take a wide receiver and -- ironically you know. It this isn't Mike Williams were talking about.

Why you know what why is -- a given I know they screwed up. But at this at this guy is as great as everybody says. In the personnel guys have raved about a no one will make fun of Matt -- for taking him. The make -- of Matt -- war you know Mike Williams and Charles Rogers but they make fun of for this.

It's a little bit groups think Mike but I think that there is. It's there at the ability from Detroit's standpoint -- say we can't take camp because we've already overloaded at that position even though. Even though Charles Rogers gone and even know Mike Williams hanging on by red. Even even though they needed you know oh let that Mike Furrey this year to -- come on in and in. Converted receiver put up the best numbers on the club. There they're probably going to be a free agent market chasing Kevin Curtis and ram but I don't. See that they'll be able to pull that trigger for Calvin Johnson if they do little bit you to upset.

There are a lot of people who thought that with the the increase in the salary cap this year the it was going to be great year to be a free agent but as you point out. On SI dot com it's it's probably bad year to be a free agent first the ball. More guys have been franchise maybe than any year and and and second of all. The money is being given out to guys to keep guys on teams being a free agent may not be that go to thing this year.

Well you know I don't just couple would look at it -- I don't know that it's it's a bad year it's just I. -- your shopping it's kind of a bad year because I think you're gonna end up if your team. With the cast disbanded almost everyone has cast dispense this year some teams supposedly to at least canteen of 30 million or more of cap -- That's where you're in the worst position because you're gonna end up. Beating furiously for at the true high level free agents the first two or three days a free agency. That group is not -- the big names of the past there's not Edgerrin James even in issues initiated group a free agent everybody has done such a great job. A -- Reese signing their own to contract extension or franchising that really big name. So what that means is that. That middle class many -- this is an idea brad blank and I talked about yesterday there's been a middle class created in the NFL free agency used to be more of you're elite class or you got an NFL medical field and now there is that middle class and you're gonna end up paying. You know public and that pain that middle class free agent. Like high class free agent talent because they have to spend X amount of dollars is that there's salary -- floor as well the feeling and there's just. You know that the market of supply and demand. There's only so many names out there and you gotta get somebody to place of those positions still I'm I'm not sure it's a -- to be a player and be a free agent I do think. It's a bad year to be a club in -- free agency.

They Don the patriots are probably going to release Corey Dillon what do you think the market for him will be and what do you hear general managers and personnel men around the league saying about -- at this stage in his career.

Well I think there's not having been beat anyone stepping up and saying you know what this is our feature back because. The last two years is made everyone around -- wary that you know ten years too much pounding and with that would decrease to two -- in sweeping the league is it's even more impetus to think that if he at this spot honestly if he will -- spot if he wants it. It'll be at that second complimentary back I I really think that he's he's probably got a year a year left at most I don't think he can be terribly effective. For much more than a year to year basis at this point. And I think. He'll find you know find a market -- But the running back market is really as well as the top of the draft is really an impressive this year. And you know you that the likes of Mark green guys like that and I think. All of them are going to look a little bit like fallback option.

You mentioned Ahman Green and that I mentioned Corey Dillon how about Jamal Lewis what what do you what do you see the market being for him.

He's a very old 27 Mike and it's hard to believe he's only 27 could -- is that he's been around forever but he's a guy much like -- his take an awful lot of pounding. He's come off two very unimpressive years. And if he's a question Mark and I think is best market is that -- in Baltimore. Reason known quantity where they know you know what he is at this point he's say you know he's he's part of a two headed back field. And you don't want to overuse them or he's gonna start push and that two point eight average that crops up every once in awhile so. Can be Venus sounds like he you'd think they'll be able to come to an agreement in Baltimore I think Jamal Lewis is smart. That's where he's going to it is best -- That's where he's going to get his best situation playing time.

Patriots tight end Daniel Graham is a free agent will be at midnight tonight I was reading a piece a little while ago a lot of the Denver post suggesting that they will make a concerted effort to bring him back to Colorado worry grew up in. Went to CU is not going to get big bucks from somebody.

I think is I mean I think he's he's that type of guy we were talking about it. You know he's -- mid level free agent he's the middle class guy and yet I think he's going to get pushed up in this market. Into really serious money. And it is ironic because the players fought for more you know higher dollars in the salary cap. And yet by increasing his salary cap to what they have the -- CPA creek at two you know 12 last year 19 this year. It's actually working to keep or guys out of free agency and allow clubs -- beside more. The big winner is is the -- level free agents that it's pushed up into kind of the elite payday.

ask you about a couple trades potential trades and see what you'd think album we hear about Randy moss. Once again wanting to be moved out of Oakland and also Marv Levy. Suggesting I think it was -- I'd -- that Willis McGahee could be moved what's the likelihood of both of those guys moving on the flavor some audio.

You know I can't think Willis McGahee is -- the chances they're fairly good because I think buffalo has been rather disenchanted with his. Kind of his production the last two years in order. No more to the point perhaps his attitude and I think if the giants are buyers and I think the bills -- listening -- an -- There Randy -- deal I still think it's it's going to be pretty complicated in al Davis is going to have to. Kind of swallow his pride a little bit and take. You know maybe a third round pick I don't know that's going to happen but I don't think -- value is much higher. Eat you guys notre you know NFL trades you can get an awful lot for you know of our first -- that's not the first round and I think -- devalued his his himself so much that it -- only bring a third round pick and I. I'm not positive out davis' going to look at -- it's time -- You know two basically cut ties with any monster I think he's gonna end up -- any mosque in talks himself into given it one more goat this year would link -- and been able to use them. Hopefully more effectively than art shell or or Norv Turner did that it only takes one team decide they have to album and then and then they -- any and that might like in about Oakland but right now I'd say the odds are against --

The Nashville tennessean is reporting today that pac man Jones is facing further charges felony charges arising from. An incident that occurred last February in Georgia a physical altercation with police snow last. This would make ten according to the tennessean incidents involving pac man and the police. At what point does the National Football League on invite pac man from their little league.

But I really think we might be building towards critical mass I got the sense that the Columbine that. You know Jeff Fisher and the titans are trying to say the right things and and in being noncommittal. There was clearly a lot of different versions of the facts coming out of his incident in the at Las Vegas strip club. Once they found out or once they got. You know find out what exactly happened that night too early that morning. I think they're going to act I think. I I speak they might be forced. You know to cut ties with them and that's amount -- because he really started to make plays on the football field last year but he might become. The poster child for Roger -- do you know we've got to address the off field issues with guys like. You know Tony Dungy and well they'll pull it weighed in on it that the combined I think. You know I think someone's gonna have to really pay and I can't think of a more deserving player as far as the off field distractions than -- packed and two outs.

like they're really big. Fan of pac man --

I you know I've I play what I watched him in the regular season finale at New England I was impressed by how much. That guy can can make happen especially in the return game. -- is coming on as a cornerback. And it would you know I think it was what number five pick overall it would be a huge loss for Tennessee. To kind of you know the cut and move on but. Ten incidents and and just these the type of incidents I would not be shocked. If will be encouraged tendency to do the right things from public relations standpoint and and and you know eat out the ultimate. Punishment --

He left out that he can. Make it rain in the strip club to.

And I and I did leave that out -- under the heading of an incident but yes you know he's big he is starting to become a real playmaker on the level that you know I don't think many guys can make the plays that he can make out -- the football field but unfortunately. The maturity factor I think is going to catch up to ultimately.

But if the if the Tennessee Titans did do the right thing as you said and just said you know that's it you're out of here you're gone. -- fairly confident that there won't be some team out there will say you know what we we can straighten amount.

Of course there's always there's always the second team there's always somebody who feels that they can fix the problem. And eat too much of a talent from did not you know be back in the league very quickly.

That's going to lead at best -- and.

I think that's the greatest argument of -- the titans won't -- because they'll say you know what it will just be playing against them and next season and but I get the feeling that Fisher perhaps through his ties on the competition committee and I get the feeling that there's there's pressure building for the titans. To come down hard and I think it almost have to come from the team more so weak. Perhaps to avoid -- in trouble you know grievances from the.

Down we talked a lot about all the cash that teams have out there is anybody in the league. Going to have to cap problems.

You know Indianapolis Colts probably have as tough a situation as anyone. If you if you believe various reports they're anywhere at three to five million of cap room and then they've got all these. You know fairly significant free agents it is the Cato June -- rob Morse oh. Nick harper. To meet their situation is as tough from a cap standpoint for what they have to read side but they could lose -- deep sense. And then we knew when you judge their cap broke now Peyton Manning's restructuring I think addressed some of the the you know the cap squeeze but to meet a colts are still. Probably less likely to be players in free agency except for on the way you don't want to beat -- in the team.

Midnight tonight is the beginning of the free agency period it has been kind of the norm here the last few years that some teams have struck early and and and really gone after things the Minnesota Vikings for instance soccer early year ago. Can we expect that a guy like -- alias Thomas could end up in San Francisco at midnight tonight or other big names going quickly.

Yeah I think it's entirely possible I mean two lead guys like Adalius Thomas nate Clements. You know Kris Dielman of San Diego their guard trade is itself guards are going to be one of the premier positions in -- history agency which speaks to. What you know -- the Indy year free agency that this is but I would think there could be some deal that doesn't necessarily have to beat but with so many teams being kind of flush with cash. And there are only being may -- and guys that you would really consider. You know really top of the line free agents. Even that in a relative sense I think they're there could be somebody quickly -- you know Washington -- months ago. They'll pay -- or early and we hit our interest to let it. Fletcher baker in the middle linebacker for the bills so there could be if you I don't I don't think it'll be you know midnight --

Will the patriots died in early.

Not their MO so no I would I would put my -- gonzo for them but they they could do they could surprise this make it to have a receiver pegged. That they want to go after I don't know -- is going to pull it out of play. You know why they Drew Bennett or somebody like that but they you know it's certainly not their style.

We always appreciate time Don banks that where we're getting into the silly season so he'll be real busy here now.

But a -- and it went at what does that start -- Cold chargers just about that yeah like I'll let you know but I'll break it on your show all yeah so we didn't know it may have that got to it would -- 88 hole that we have to.

And I didn't even go to China with the patriots in August.

I don't foresee that trip now I'm up up for the dolphins giants and landed in late October but. China the long way to go for preceding game I don't care that is the -- Bob Kraft.

I understand Don thanks we appreciate it. They -- Don banks from Sports Illustrated SI dot com