National Football League

Perfect matches for Young, 11 others

Published Feb. 18, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

You are a bit tired reading about millionaires fighting billionaires. I am as well.

So let’s look into the crystal ball, Schein 9 style, on nine big moves that will happen when we get a new CBA.

1. The Cardinals will make a splash at quarterback with Donovan McNabb

Arizona wasted a season last year by not having a legit plan when Kurt Warner retired. Matt Leinart, drafted by Dennis Green and not Ken Whisenhunt, was never the answer and everyone around the Cards knew that. His care-free attitude rubbed everyone the wrong way. And he couldn’t play. I never had a problem cutting Leinart. In fact, I called for it. But it was the signing of Derek Anderson that was goofy and irresponsible. Anderson is a bad player and never had a chance. The smart play was signing Marc Bulger.

Arizona has smart people running the organization and a coach in Whisenhunt who detests losing. Here are the names to remember; Kevin Kolb, Kyle Orton and Donovan McNabb. And I predict that when McNabb gets cut by the Skins, because you won’t have to give up anything to get him, he becomes the next quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. McNabb will resurrect his career and the Cardinals will become contenders again. He spends his off-season in Arizona. Forget about what you read about McNabb’s work habits. He is a winner and a leader. He will have much better receivers and running backs in the desert than he did in the nation’s capital. McNabb is the perfect next quarterback of the Cardinals.

2. Vince Young quarterbacks the Vikings

Remember why the Vikes fell in love with Brett Favre in the first place. Zygi Wilf craves the big name. Wilf wants – and needs – a new stadium in the worst way. And VY now has connections to the Vikes staff with former Titans assistant Craig Johnson joining Leslie Frazier. And while I am not a believer in Young’s leadership, he is at least starting to reach out to respected former quarterbacks for advice. And let’s be honest, Joe Webb is not the answer. The Tarvaris Jackson ship has sailed. It actually makes sense.

3. The Jets will bring back both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards

There were some reports this week that the Jets valued Holmes and Edwards ahead of Antonio Cromartie when they ranked their free agents. While that should not be interpreted as the Jets wanting to let Cromartie go, Mike Tannenbaum knows that Mark Sanchez made progress this past year. And more than ever, the NFL is a passing league.

The Jets love Holmes’ hands and ability to perform in the clutch, lovingly known as “Tone Time” in New York. And Edwards could find a somewhat chilly reception on the open market with his DUI last year. The best bet is to take a one-year deal with the Jets, keep playing great, and keep his nose clean.

4. Haloti Ngata gets one of the biggest contracts in football

John Harbaugh told the local media in Baltimore that franchising Ngata was a smart play, not wanting to insult the defensive tackle with a lowball offer during this current state of uncertainty. Ngata is one of the most dominant defensive players in the game. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are both getting up in age. Ngata is rightly the new face of the Baltimore defense. They will treat him like it and ensure that he is a Raven for life.

5. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens will be unemployed.

Whenever the CBA gets done, no team will call these cats. They have proven to be cancers in the locker room. And frankly, Moss is shot as a player. Did you notice how much better Carson Palmer played in the upset of San Diego when T.O. could not suit up? That tells you all you need to know.

6. Either Carson Palmer or Chad Ochocinco leaves the Bengals

Finally, this will happen! The Carson Palmer-Jay Gruden marriage is not a good one. Palmer, simply put, is not a fit in the offense the new offensive coordinator wants to run. Gruden has a work ethic akin to his brother Jon. And if Palmer doesn’t want to be there putting in the time, especially with his major decline in play, he will go if we get a labor agreement in time for the Bengals to find his replacement.

And there is no way Palmer will deal with Ochocinco’s act again if he stays. You can take that to the bank.

7. The Giants will cut Brandon Jacobs

This is a bit of a wild card with Ahmad Bradshaw a free agent, who I am not totally convinced the Giants see as a true No. 1 back with his omnipresent fumbling issues. But he is a really good player who played hurt down the stretch last year.

Bradshaw needs a new running mate. Jerry Reese made a big mistake by giving Jacobs a long-term deal a few years ago when he was scheduled to be a free agent. Jacobs talks too much and is too much of a distraction for a runner with a reduced role. I think Bradshaw re-ups with the Giants and they bring in another runner to work in tandem with him.

8. Alex Smith is the starting quarterback for the Niners

With a lockout looming, it is no surprise to see Smith working with new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Smith has been through everything in San Fran. And in a normal off-season would’ve hit free agency on March 4 and likely would’ve considered a fresh start.

But the ambiguity of the labor situation and lack of true depth and talent on the Niners roster at quarterback has helped shape this relationship. Harbaugh knows that Smith has talent. While he will never live up to the hype of being a top overall draft pick, Smith’s growth has been stunted by constant turnover at offensive coordinator and the clueless actions of Mike Singletary. Smith is actually a good fit in Harbaugh’s system and the Niners could make the playoffs in 2011 with this quarterback/coach combo. Seriously.

9. Nnamdi Asomugha takes less money to win

Raiders fans should not get excited that Rod Woodson is now coaching the Oakland defensive backs. I believe Asomugha is done with the drama in Oakland, despite the Raiders taking a step forward last year by sweeping their division foes. Do not overlook the relationship Asomugha has with Charles Woodson, who will now have his individual accomplishments properly recognized now that he has a championship ring. Asomugha could change the fates for the Chargers, Jets, Cowboys, Giants, Falcons or Texans, to name a few, if he believes he is the difference maker. And he would be.