5 Questions

Mike Odom answers Mike Whitney

Where does Ricky Williams end up next year?
Before Ronnie Brown's injury, I would have thought he was perhaps going to be a cap casualty. But I can not see Miami going into next season with Ronnie Brown coming back from a foot injury and no insurance policy. Ricky knows the Wildcat offense and this team is very reliant on the run, so they need consistency. At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if he retired a Dolphin.

What does New Orleans do about their running game next year?
Pierre Thomas will be the feature back next year. He is a restricted free agent, and New Orleans will likely offer him the highest tender possible. The real question here is who shares the load. Mike Bell is a free agent. Reggie Bush carries a 13.5 million dollar cap figure in 2010. The sleeper here is Lynell Hamilton, who the team likes. He will not be an RFA until 2011. Bell and Bush would both be wise to find a way to stay in New Orleans, as it is an ideal fit for both players. I predict one will depart for one reason or another and Hamilton will see an increased role in the offense.

Is Kevin Boss the future at Tight End for New York, or do they miss what they had in Shockey and could have had in Shiancoe?
A complex answer. Is he the future? No, but he is a part of the future. I think the Giants will likely stick with a platoon of Boss and Travis Beckum, at least through 2010. Eli Manning seems to trust Boss more than he ever trusted Shockey. The Giants aren't big spenders in free agency, and I doubt they would squash the potential of Boss and Beckum by signing an Owen Daniels or Tony Scheffler.

Does a Vincent Jackson get away from the Chargers with all their other contracts to address?
I am not sure how they are going to do it, but some how, some way, they will retain V-Jax's services. A.J. Smith has long looked for a big play receiver, and he finally found one. The NFL is becoming a passing league, and Philip Rivers will likely want a talented tandem of receivers in Jackson and Antonio Gates over a dominant running game. LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, and Shawne Merriman may all be gone by 2010, but Jackson will still be catching passes in San Diego.

Does Brett Favre come back for another season?
Tough question. I was pondering this just the other day. This is an absolute toss up. While part of me says Favre would likely retire if he wins the Super Bowl, I do not think that is why he came back. He may just truely love playing the game, or at least being in the national spotlight. My answer is, barring an injury, yes. Brett Favre will return for 2010.