Not sure about where you live, but in my part of the country, it’s awfully dreary outside, with non-stop rain, thunder and lightening. What better way to brighten the day than this? (okay so this may be a personal post, much needed!).

Jets QB Mark Sanchez is on September’s cover of GQ magazine, which hits stands Aug. 23. In the edition, he talks about what he looks for in a lady (“I can’t help but want somebody that’s, I don’t know, athletic. Somebody who can handle all this, you know, you can help me handle all this – because I’m still learning”) and his celebrity crush (Hint: She played on “Friends”).

The best part about the article, though, is looking at his pics. I must admit, Mark sure looks good in that gang green.

Redskins QB Rex Grossman doesn’t think the Redskins are as bad as folks think. In fact, he thinks they are pretty good. Enough to win the NFC East this season.

No, I’m not lying and yes you read that correctly. Grossman did an interview with CSNWashington.com and told a reporter his bold prediction.

“We’re fine being the sleepers right now. We’re just waiting in the wings ready to take over the NFC East.  Nobody’s talking about us, it’s right where we wanna be.  You look at us from top to bottom out here, there’s a bunch of great players.   And we don’t need people saying we’re the best right now.  But when it’s all said and done, I really feel like this team’s gonna win the [NFC] East.”

Wait for it……. wait for it………..

In today’s NFL, it’s hard to write any team off, especially with the lockout hendering teams from gelling early. But the Redskins haven’t done much to make people think they are going to top the Giants, Cowboys and especially the Eagles, who signed every free agent and my momma the past 2 weeks.

Anything can happen in the NFL, but I wouldn’t bet $5 on that prediction (I don’t like giving money away). This tweet from @fauxjohnmadden pretty much says exactly what many probably think regarding Sexy Rexy’s thoughts:

Deion Sanders is coming off an amazing high after just being inducted to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Now he’s come out with a new song, “Hall Of Fame Swag” feat. Snoop Dogg. Of course, I immediately thought of, “Must Be The Money”, but Snoop being on the track makes this an upgrade in itself.

Overall, Primetime still needs to stick to football and commentating-he’s no artist- but the beat is hot and the star power makes it club worthy (if Soulja Boy can be a big hit, why can’t Prime?).

Go ahead, Prime!

I absolutely LOVE the Hall Of Fame ceremony. Not just because we get to see our favorite player get inducted to football’s highest honor, but because oft times we get to hear how our favorite players became who they are today.

Shannon Sharpe and Deion Sanders did not let anyone down yesterday. Both gave excellent speeches that gave us a history lesson of how they became the great players that we saw honored last night.

While all of the speech’s were good last night, Sharpe and Sanders stood out because they decided to tell captivating stories that you wished could go on a little longer. If you missed it last night, please take some time to check them out… and make sure you have tissue by your computer… you’re gonna need it.

Deion Sanders 2011 Hall of Fame Speech by BlackSportsOnline

So I’m minding my own business in social media land, and I came across this pic via The Denver Post. Broncos Superfan (more like SuperSTAN) Joey Bouchard had this Elway tattoo done on his leg.

The masterpiece took over 85 hours in a 5 year span to complete, but he finally got it done. Bouchard said he’s going to get Elway’s Super Bowl rings added to his body next……

Remember when I though the Brett Keisel’s tattoo was a bit weird? Yeah… this one takes the cake! But if he likes it, I love it!

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is probably one of the most serious head coaches in the NFL. Every now and then, Ol’ Hoodie decides to tell a joke which can be pretty hard to tell if he’s being facetious or not. This time, tho… reporters got the joke- or at least, I think it that’s what it was.

After practice this past weekend, the question was asked about newly acquired WR Chad Ochocinco, who is a big hit on Twitter and Facebook. Chad has been uncharacteristically quiet since being traded up north, leaving folks to ask about his social whereabouts.

Belichick’s answer was typical… very dry and borderline serious. But it was a joke under his standards. Hey coach, I don’t Myface or YearBook either, but I shole do love me some Twitter. Chad does, too, so don’t keep him away for too long.

Between free agency and training camp, the NFL has been non-stop since the lockout was lifted. That’s a GREAT thing when you’re an avid football fan, like myself. That’s a bad thing when you’re a football blogger who is fighting a MEAN summer cold. But I can’t let the day go by without a recap and my thoughts on the top stories of the weekend.

News Story: The Eagles have been BUSY the past few days. In a surprising twist, Philly landed the hottest free agent in the market in CB Nnamdi Asomugha. In addition to that, they traded for CB Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie, signed Vince Young to a 1-year deal and DL Cullen Jenkins to a multi-year deal

My thoughts: The Eagles mean BUSINESS this time. I truly believe this is a desperation free agency for them, of sorts. The Eagles should have about 2 Super Bowls at this point, and with the Phillies and Flyers having major success, they were slowly becoming the 3rd fan fave in their town. These moves bring them back to the top and gives them a better chance and finally bringing home a Lombardi trophy. Sometimes desperation is good, because desperate measures can bring better results. We’ll find out starting Sept. 11th.

News Story: The Jets allegedly had comedian Adam Sandler call Asomugha to try and lure him to the Big Apple. Yeah, you read that right… Adam Sandler!

My Take: LMFAOOOOOO!

News Story: Speaking of the Jets, they inked a deal with WR Plaxico Burress for one year, and agreed to terms with Antonio Cromartie with a 4-year deal.

My Take: Plax back in NY could be a good thing. I think he fits in well with the team. How he will do on the field, is hard to say. Jamal Lewis and Michael Vick both had slow seasons when coming from incarceration, so it will be interesting to see how Plax responds. The deal was low risk, so it works great for both sides.

As for Cromartie, this was the right choice by NY all along. Asomugha was an upgrade, but an unnecessary one. Because the way I remembered it, poor tackling from the front 7 was the reason why the Jets didn’t advance from the AFC Championship Game last year.

News Story: Peyton Manning re-signs with the Colts on a 5-year, $90 million deal. The deal allegedly was undervalued for Manning’s resume, yet the cap-friendly deal helped the team re-sign Joseph Addai

My Take: I’d be a liar and a hater if I said I didn’t like Manning. Another classy move to show he’s a stand up guy. Very rarely do you see a man of his football caliber try and make a move for the betterment of the entire team. Kudos to him.

News Story: In more serious news, Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall told the media yesterday that he’s been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, which has been known to stem from things such as unstable personal relationships, a negative self-image and a fear of failure. Marshall said no one has ever helped him since being in the NFL, and that he’s paid about $60K for treatment.

My Take: This is a HUGE step in the right direction for Marshall. Mental illness is very real, and a lot of times left untreated (particularly in the Black community). Marshall says he wants to lobby Congress for funding of the illness and I’m with him 110%. Too many times people leave their sickness unattended and allow it to consume them. I hope Marshall gets the help he needs.

The NFL has WAY too much going on right now, due to the long lockout. While teams are starting training camps as I type this, they are also cutting and adding new players to their rosters. It’s a madhouse in the NFL right now, with big names being shifted around to their new homes.

I could break down EVERY transaction done in the last few days, but that would take up too much time. Instead, I’ll break down for you the biggest names that have made moves (or stayed put), since free agency started.

Patriots acquire WR Chad Ochocinco from Bengals for 2012, 2013 late-round picks, also acquire DE/DT Albert Haynesworth from Redskins for 2013 5th-rounder – Biggest acquisitions to date. NE always has something up their sleeve.

Eagles sign QB Vince Young (1 year)

Dolphins acquire RB Reggie Bush from Saints for late-round pick

Cardinals acquire QB Kevin Kolb from Eagles for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and 2nd-round pick

Texans sign CB Johnathan Joseph (5 years, $48.75 million; $23.5 million guaranteed)

Panthers acquire TE Greg Olsen from Bears for 3rd-round pick- Not feeling this move here

Bears sign WR Roy Williams (Cowboys)

Saints sign RB Darren Sproles (4 years, $14 million)

Texans sign SS Danieal Manning (4 years, $20 million; $9 million guaranteed)

Seahawks sign WR Sidney Rice (5 years, $41 million; $18 million guaranteed)

Redskins sign CB Josh Wilson (3 years, $13.5 million; $6 million guaranteed)

Vikings acquire QB Donovan McNabb from Redskins for 2012 6th-rounder, 2013 conditional 6th-rounder

Panthers re-sign RB DeAngelo Williams (5 years, $43 million; $21 million guaranteed)

Chargers re-sign S Eric Weddle (5 years, $40 million; $19 million guaranteed)

Jets re-sign WR Santonio Holmes (5 years, $50 million; $24 million guaranteed)

Titans sign QB Matt Hasselbeck (3 years, $21 million)

Cowboys re-sign OT Doug Free (4 years, $32 million; $17 million guaranteed)

Steelers re-sign CB Ike Taylor (4 years)

Jaguars sign LB Paul Posluszny (6 years, $42 million)

49ers re-signed QB Alex Smith (1 year, $5 million), release CB Nate Clements

Ravens re-sign OT/G Marshal Yanda (5 years, $32 million), release WR Derrick Mason, TE Todd Heap, RB Willis McGahee and NT Kelly Gregg

Seahawks sign QB Tarvaris Jackson (2 years, $8 million)

Source

In classy form, the NFLPA have released a video thanking us, the fans, for our patience and loyalty during the tough times of the NFL lockout.

Players involved in the video include Cowboys TE Jason Witten, Colts LB Gary Brackett and free agent LB Takeo Spikes. With a lot of fans still not receptive to football, post-lockout (the whole millionaires vs billionaires debate), this is a good way to try and smooth everything over and move on.

All is forgiven by me. I love the sport too much to stay mad long, anyway. I’m just glad football is back.

Welcome back, football. We’ve complained, argued and have been completely frustrated with you. But that doesn’t mean we gave up our love for you. The love is in fact still there.

While everyone is high 5ing the NFL’s return, the downside of football is the business side of it. Not long after the lockout was lifted, teams already started making plans. While cuts aren’t official until Thursday and free agency to start thereafter, teams are already starting to inform their players they will be cut.

The Ravens made surprising announcements yesterday, citing that they have informed RB Willis McGahee, NT Kelly Gregg, TE Todd Heap and WR Derrick Mason that they would be cut. All 4 players are in the 30 and over club.  Heap, McGahee and Mason all had over $4 million owed to them in 2011 before being cut.

There is speculation that the Ravens will attempt to bring back Mason, Heap and Gregg, but some believe they are clearing cap space for something bigger and better via free agency. We shall see what happens.

According to Josina Anderson’s Twitter, The Broncos have informed RB Correll Buckhalter that they would be releasing him, though they expect to bring him back for a lesser deal. One player not expected to come back? Kyle Orton, who Denver would like to unload ASAP. Tebow Time is officially on the clock once Orton finds a new home.

The Eagles have lifted the transition tag on K David Akers, making him a free agent. Akers has been with the Eagles since 1999 and one of the most reliable kickers in Eagles history. The Eagles are preparing to unload QB Kevin Kolb, due to the resurgence of Michael Vick.

Day One of the lockout lifted, and we have yet to begin to see the half. Teams dealing with cap issues include the Cowboys and Steelers. With free agency ready to get rolling and undrafted free agents finding out who their new homes are with, this looks to be an interesting week. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.