Justin Barracosa

So apparently BB is getting his jiu-jitsu up to par, or so he says, personally i don’t buy it. Don’t get me wrong, i’ve rolled with some large bjj black belts that can move like cats, Danny Maroni comes to mind at what i’d guess is a good 280.  But Butterbean just doesn’t appear physically capable of movement on the ground as we’ve witness him toppled, and unable to even get back up without rolling onto his tummy.

Apparently he’s training with american top team now, so who knows. He wants a shot at kimbo, which would make for a great boxing match IMO.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UxPp4hrzKxQ&feature=related

Seems like a sweet matchup…thoughts?

Tim Anderson

A wild day in Buffalo has just gotten a bit crazier!  The Bills recently announced that they have released defensive tackle Larry Tripplett. 

This is a shocking transaction, and it leads me to believe the Bills are on the verge of a potentially big signing at this position.  As I reported earlier today, the Bills were expected to meet with Marcus Stroud, who is currently under contract with the Jaguars.  However, it is speculated that he is hoping to be traded, and perhaps the Bills are creating cap, and roster space for him to come aboard.  I’ll keep you updated of course.

On another front, NFL.com is reporting that Buffalo also has plans to meet with tight end Ben Troupe this weekend.

Frank Mazzola

The New York Jets have signed DT Kris Jenkins to a 5 year deal reportedly worth $35 million dollars.  The team sent a third and a fifth round draft pick to Carolina in exchange for the 3 time Pro Bowler.

Jenkins is expected to play Nose Tackle in Eric Mangini’s 3-4 defense, a role that he may excel in.  Though Jenkins hasn’t been the force recently that he was earlier in his career, he is larger than incumbent (and likely to be traded soon) Dewayne Robertson and has experience playing in an aggressive defense.  I wouldn’t predict that his sack totals will rise, but I do believe he is an effective upgrade who can help the Jets fortify their porous Run Defense.

There are also substantial rumors that the Jets are on the verge of signing 7 time Pro Bowl G Alan Faneca away from the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Though other teams are in the hunt, New York is reportedly the front-runner.

Faneca would represent a huge upgrade over what the Jets have now and, more importantly, would provide veteran leadership, something the team has desperately lacked.  He would bring stability to what has been a glaring weak spot for Gang Green.

 Should the Faneca signing happen, fans will likely debate the merits of bestowing upon him a huge contract versus the notion that the departed Pete Kendall could have been had for a relative song ( and might have been just as effective).  While they’re not wrong to speculate on such matters, it’s a moot point.  Kendall has as much chance of ever playing for Jets again as I do.  

Regardless of how you feel about the way his situation was handled, we should all be moving on at this point.