The Running Game: Sister Sites

See that "Next Blog" link at the top? Yeah, I never really noticed it either, until tonight, when I clicked it once, then clicked it again and found this: http://qbsupport.blogspot.com/

Another blogger making numbers for things about the football.

I clicked some more and didn't find any similar blogs. Then I went back to my blog and clicked again and found this: http://sportsbetcappers.blogspot.com/

Sports!

More clicks and nothing about sports. So back home and click, oh, Canadian Football. No. Basketball, then this site from a sad, sad Raider fan: http://alswingman.blogspot.com/

Then a less sad Raider fan: http://www.thefadedraider.com/ Next, we have Football Fan Fiction: http://unitedstatesfootballleague.blogspot.com/ A rarely updated podcast from a Polish guy: http://polishguypodcast.blogspot.com/

And finally, NFL Buddha: http://nflbuddha.blogspot.com/

The Running Game: Free Agency Grades and Power Ranks

The Free Agency Grades and Power Rankings are in, so two of five columns for the Offseason portion of my Season Open Points spreadsheet have been filled in. I've got to wait until late April to finish up Free Agency, then early May for the Draft. Fortunately, for me, I have more than enough to distract me during the month of April, which will include my first ever trip to Asia.

There have been some interesting changes so far, including Demarco Murray heading to, of all places, Tennessee. Cousins and Bradford are staying put, and rumor has it that, if the 49ers can't keep him, Kaepernick could head to Denver. The reason for that is the biggest news of all: the Texans poached former Denver backup and NFL Quarterback Beauty Pageant 2015 First Runner Up Brock Osweiler!

The Broncos reportedly offered him up to $16 million per season for a new contract, but Houston edged them out with a $72 million, four year deal. Not everyone is excited about this move, with the most amusing assessment being, "The Houston Texans are run like someone wanted to dare themselves to win with a poorly constructed roster in Madden just for the hell of it." The commentariat at NFL Memes were also downers, noting that he could be overrated and his 6'7" frame is going to slow down fast. Whatever, though, I don't care, and I don't agree. The NFL's dreamiest QB will be playing in Houston, just a train ride and some requests to use friends' and colleagues' season tickets away from yours truly.

The Running Game: Trading Time

The Ides of March brings the 8-hours when NFL teams can submit things. Sooner or later, I can start adding Free Agency rankings to my spreadsheet.

"March 15: The 2016 league year and free agency period begin at 4 p.m. ET.

"The first day of the 2016 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 15. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4 p.m. ET and 11:59:59 p.m. ET on March 15.

"Trading period for 2016 begins at 4 p.m. ET, after expiration of all 2015 contracts."

The Running Game: Free Agency Negotiation Time

Thanks to an article on nj.com, I am fully aware of the NFL Offseason schedule.

"March 7: Beginning at 12 noon, New York time, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2015 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 15. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 15."