Around the League with Todd Heap, Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch, and others!

As Memorial Day weekend wraps up, I hope you experienced family time in great weather. Despite the sad state our country is in, we still live in the greatest country in the world. Don’t ever forget that.

For those who have asked, sure the stories I talk about may be a week or two old, but that’s the fun part of the offseason. Most stories will drag on for weeks, even months, percolating before concluding. It’s a different pace from the fast-paced in-season stories. It’s one that I enjoy, so let’s get to what I’ve seen crossing my desk recently.

HC Jim Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens, on TE Todd Heap: “He’s not as far along as we all thought he would be…”

I love Heap as he was the tight end who would sell himself out for the team with his body. He’s paying the price now. His body continually breaking down is a product of his style of play.

I believe Heap is done! I thought if he could return to health last year he could make a difference, but with the team drafting tight end Davon Drew and signing L.J. Smith to a one-year deal, they agree with me. Move on and ignore him on draft day.

Writer Michael Lombardi speculating on a potential trade: “If I were working for the Seahawks, I would call the Jets…”

Lombardi was saying that if he were the Seattle Seahawks, he would call the New York Jets for a trade. He suggests Deion Branch for Thomas Jones straight up, but the problem is that Jones is worth more than Branch. Add that to the fact Jones can be tough to deal with, and this will never happen.

The truth is that the Seahawks would not benefit. Branch has yet to be healthy for a full season, so the jury’s still out for Seattle management regarding his abilities. Now, they may be fed up with his injuries, but not his talent.

Jones will also demand a new contract before a trade and then demand it again two years later after one good season. That has always been his problem—some success and he wants a new deal!

You pair him with his brother Julius, who runs for Seattle, and you have an instant cancer in Julius’ ear. Obviously that’s my opinion, but I don’t think I’m far off after following his career. This deal would never happen!

RB Shaun Alexander, Free Agent, on a team signing him: “…they would be so pleased with what they got.”

Alexander would like the Washington Redskins to re-sign him this year. He wants back in and is working with a new set of trainers. When it comes to Alexander, it’s about discipline. I believe, if fully healthy, he can make an impact. Not as a top-tier running back, but as part of a committee approach.

Maybe I’m wrong and he’s done, but it’s tough to accept how quickly he fell off in production. Was it injury, or did he have nothing left in the tank? Stay tuned, but right now he’s nothing but an offseason story with no fantasy relevance … yet!

Alex Marvez on Brian Griese possibly going to the New England Patriots: “Griese was a college teammate of Tom Brady…”

One of my favorite writers, Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, states Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brian Griese will be released, which is no surprise. However, he goes on to say the Patriots need a proven backup, which is true after the loss of Matt Cassel by trade to the Kansas City Chiefs.

As the header states, Griese and Brady were college teammates, and with no guarantees on Brady’s health, this makes sense. It’s important for fantasy owners because we saw what Brady and Cassel can do; both were backups, so whomever is slinging the ball in New England has value. Stay tuned for any developments.

Allen Wilson article on RB Marshawn Lynch: Bills’ Lynch files appeal of suspension

I haven’t read a report by Wilson in a while but have always enjoyed his work. He states Lynch has filed an appeal, and the importance is obvious. An appeal could mean an overturning of his suspension or at least a reduction of how many games he’ll miss. This helps fantasy owners but also hurts eventual owners of Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes.

Lynch is saying the right things, but whether commissioner Roger Goodell will agree is the real question. Lynch has had two issues with the law over the past year, and that’s what got him the three-game suspension.

Last year Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall had his three-game suspension decreased to one, and he’s a worse offender than Lynch. Marshall, since February, has been arrested four times. Stay tuned on this one, but the fantasy ramifications are obvious.

Peter King column on Jon Gruden’s move to Monday Night Football: “MMQB Mail: Gruden’s move upsets NFL Network…”

Finally, King reports the NFL Network’s Steve Bornstein is furious that Gruden bailed on them and signed with ESPN. I’m not sure what Gruden’s salary is, but I’ve been told more than once in the past that neither the NFL nor the NFL Network pays much in relation to talent.

Their philosophy is that this is the NFL: We have thousands lined up to take your job. I believe that, and it’s not a bad a philosophy if it keeps good talent around at a fair price.

However, I have issues when an organization believes lowball offers and low pay are part of standard operating procedure. I’ve always believed the NFL has fallen under that umbrella.

Maybe that’s why I’ve never thought of or considered working for a sports organization such as the NFL, MLB, NHL or NBA. I’m not sure this was the case, but we can probably assume the larger viewing audience for ESPN, the name ESPN and, finally, the paycheck were the difference makers.

Peter King on former NFL Network reporter Adam Schefter: “… there are two people who should have been NFL Network stars this fall…”

On a side note, King talks about Schefter and alludes to how he could have been a star at the NFL Network. I agree with that but disagree with the assumption that Schefter’s a quality insider. I’ve been told he’s not all that, and though it was speculative, it appeared as if the NFL helped him break stories.

After a dozen years in the industry I know who the insiders (established and up-and-coming) are, and before his hiring by the NFL Network, Schefter was not one of them. ESPN wins with Gruden but loses with Schefter as they have enough insider talent.

Enjoy the final day of Memorial Day weekend, and as I always say, if you’re looking for breaking news updates that get to you faster than e-mail, follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/wdelpilar.