The Fantasy Football Blog

Don Banks writes that Reggie Bush is hoping to prove he can be an everyday running back at this week's NFL Combine. Here's the link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/02/23/usc/index.html

Peter King starts his NFL Draft coverage in this week's MMQB. This one is about the Houston Texans' decision, which you all know my stance on.

He follows is up with some Vince Young stuff (and much more) in his Tuesday mailbag.

Mel Kiper's mailbag includes the Cowboys' draft plans (Insider required)

Maybe Nick from Antioch, Ill. reads this blog (maybe not), but he asked Mel Kiper my question about the Texans trading down and taking Ferguson in THIS MAILBAG.

Here's that specific question and answer:

Nick: Antioch, IL: Hey mel the question I have for you is why houston will not trade out of the 1st pick and go get themselves Ferguson? It makes perfect sense you have running back, you have a quarterback, but you don't have an offensive line. Thanks mel

Mel Kiper: That's true. That scenario is always out there. Houston's not going to take a QB. They have to start supporting Carr with some players. There might be a guy that they have to have. Who's going to demand to move up that much? If you find someone that's going to give you the picks you want, then do it. Keep in mind Bush is not just a running back. He's a punt returner, slot receiver, running back. He's not a fulltime back. So to say they don't need him because they have other backs, he's not just a back.

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the football Hall of Fame voting room? If so, Peter King has a look inside in this week's Monday Morning Quarterback.

Also- The Houston Texans exercised the option on quarterback David Carr, triggering the last three years of his contract through 2008.

So, this leaves the Texans with one of a few options:

1. They are sold on USC RB Reggie Bush as the No. 1 pick
2. They are going to trade Carr and select a quarterback, either Matt Leinhart of USC or Vince Young of Texas
3. They are going to select someone else, either at No. 1 or by trading down.

Personally, I can't imagine why they wouldn't look at trading down to Tennessee at No. 3 or the New York Jets at No. 4 and then selecting Virginia OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Houston apparently likes Carr under center and the Texans have a decent running game. What they need is a bookend tackle to anchor what has been a terrible offensive line. Ferguson is the best fit there and they should certainly get value from a team looking to add a Reggie Bush.

Keep an eye on the blog as the draft nears. I'll keep posting links and updates as the end of April nears.

SUNDAY, FEB. 5

Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6:30 p.m.

Latest Line: Steelers by 4

Injury Report: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (15-3) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (14-5) — Seahawks: PROBABLE: CB Andre Dyson (quadricep); WR D.J. Hackett (hamstring). Steelers: QUESTIONABLE: DE Travis Kirschke (groin); RB Dan Kreider (knee). PROBABLE: LB James Harrison (ankle).

Thoughts on coverage: Everything over the past two weeks has been Steelers, Steelers, Steelers. They’ve certainly been impressive with road wins against the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 seeded teams in the AFC en route to Sunday’s big game. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger is the young superstar everyone loves aka the new Tom Brady. Running back Jerome Bettis is the feel good older superstar who is back home in what may be his final game. Needless to say, those are two good stories, but you aren’t seeing any about the Seattle Seahawks. This all feeds more and more into complaints of the media’s "East Coast Bias."

Outlook: The teams are pretty similar in that they do virtually everything well. Both offenses can run and pass. Both defenses can pressure the quarterback, stuff the run and make big plays. The Steelers biggest advantage may be that they’ve been near the top of the league for a few years now, always coming close and missing the Super Bowl. The Seahawks biggest advantage is their league MVP, running back Shaun Alexander, who is still the most underappreciated offensive player in the NFL.

I’m taking the Seahawks for two reasons. 1) It seems that any time a team is played up as a virtual gimmee pick for the Super Bowl, it loses. That’s certainly the case here. Aside from Joey Porter’s moronic misreading of Jerramy Stevens’ quotes, how many things in the media have you even heard about the Seahawks. It’s been ridiculous. 2) If Seattle falls behind by 10, its offense has the ability to come from behind. If Pittsburgh is down by 10, I’m not convinced that the Steelers can throw it enough to do so. That’s the lone big advantage either team seems to have over the other, and it’s big enough to decide my pick. Of course, it would be pretty funny for Jerome Bettis to win Super Bowl XL.

The Pick: Seattle, 31-24

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY: 2-0
OVERALL: 8-2