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Jordan, McAllister ready to carry the load

(July 11, 2005) -- A closer look at some of the good and bad ideas floating around during the offseason:

GOOD IDEA
The Oakland Raiders establishing an effective rushing attack with LaMont Jordan: Although the acquisition of Randy Moss has dominated headlines and created the promise of a consistent big-play passing attack, the Raiders will have a much better chance to succeed with offensive balance. And Jordan's presence should go a long way to help achieve that. In the past four seasons as a backup with the New York Jets, Jordan has averaged an amazing 4.9 yards per carry. As a starter, he should be highly effective, even if he isn't working behind the best of offensive lines. Jordan is built for a workhorse role and he and his blockers will benefit from defenses being stretched by the ultra-dangerous receiving duo of Moss and Jerry Porter, and the powerful throwing arm of Kerry Collins.

New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister being open to all of the advice and instruction he can get from new Saints running backs coach Johnny Roland: McAllister must rebound from a disappointing 2004 season, and the biggest step he can take in that direction is to listen and learn from one of the better and more experienced running back coaches in the league. He needs to come into training camp physically and mentally ready to regain the explosive form he displayed in 2002 and 2003. Although it is true that McAllister was bothered for much of last season by an ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2, he also allowed himself to enter a funk that kept him from realizing the full extent of his considerable rushing and receiving skills. Roland can get him on the right track from Day 1 and keep him there, provided McAllister allows him to do so.
BAD IDEA
The Buffalo Bills holding the line on a third-round draft pick as trade compensation for running back Travis Henry: Bills general manager Tom Donahoe told the Florida Times-Union that that was his minimum price, a reduction from an earlier demand for a second-rounder. It makes perfect sense for Donahoe to seek the best deal he can for a former featured back that joined the Bills as a first-round choice in 2001. However, to whatever market might exist for Henry's services, he still is perceived as an unhappy starter-turned-backup that the Bills are simply trying to unload before he creates an unnecessary distraction as a holdout or becomes a locker-room cancer by telling anyone with a microphone or notepad how much he wants out of Buffalo. Henry could very well prove to be a major help to a team, such as Jacksonville, with concerns about the health of its starting running back. But when one club is looking at relieving another club of a headache, it is going to want nothing less than a bargain. The Bills are better off turning the page on Henry as soon as possible, and putting all of their focus on an offense that features his replacement, Willis McGahee, and new starting quarterback J.P. Losman.

New England Patriots defensive tackle Richard Seymour staging a prolonged holdout for a pay raise: This is an exceptionally bad idea because the Patriots are not going to respond favorably. They never do in these situations. When it comes to adhering to a strict salary-cap structure, they make no exceptions. And when anyone wishes to challenge such a rigid approach, all they have to do is point to those three Vince Lombardi Trophies they have collected in the last four years.