With training camp right around the corner, we are actually going to be able to start focusing on REAL NFL news. Gone will be the days of future power rankings followed with a blurb of another football player getting arrested.
Players will be released, camp battles will heat up and before you know it; preseason games will be played.
As we prepare for the start of July, there are a few different things catching the attention of the Internet world. Let's take a look at a couple of these. We will also refrain from reporting on the Aaron Hernandez situation, as that news can be found with a quick Google search or by actually crawling out from under a rock.
30 years ago yesterday, former Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney passed away at the young age of 24. The ultra-talented running back was sitting in a park in the hot summer sun of Louisiana. Watching three kids run into a nearby lake; Delaney saw that the children noticed that they failed to come back up for air. Despite the fact that he didn't know how to swim, Delaney ran into the lake to save the children.
As sad as it may be, Delaney drowned to death in persuit of altruism. Two of the children he was attempting to save also passed away.
At a time when all we hear is a continuing cycle of arrests and bad news surrounding NFL players, it's important to remember the history of the league and what some have done before. How exactly ex players may have acted the part of a hero without asking for anything in return.
In this, Delaney is someone children should look up to. He can act as a role model for all of us.
Check out this short 22-minute documentary focusing on a man that was taken way too early from us 30 years ago this weekend.
On the other side of the ledger, Indianapolis Colts safety Joe Lefeged was arrested on gun charges in D.C. yesterday. He faces charges of carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and ammo. Indianapolis released a statement immediately following the arrest:
We are aware of the reports regarding Joe Lefeged in Washington, D.C. At this time, we will have no further comment on the pending matter until we gain more information.
That statement was more of a generic release that we see from teams around the league in similar situations.
San Francisco 49ers' rookie running back Marcus Lattimore is feeling near 100 percent, but acknowledged on Saturday that he won't take part in training camp starting next month. This is yet another indication that San Francisco plans to take it slow with the fourth-round pick, who is rehabbing from a second torn ACL in three years.
San Francisco possesses the depth in Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Anthony Dixon to take it slow with Lattimore. If he were healthy, there is little doubt that Lattimore would have been the first running back selected in April. Taking it easy with him seems to make the most sense.
On that note, ESPN continued its future power rankings by focusing on individual positions and where specific players will rank as it relates to fantasy output in 2016.
Once again, the NFC West comes out on top. Lattimore is ranked No. 4 among running backs on that list, while Seattle Seahawks' rookie second-round pick Christine Michael is ranked fifth.
They sit behind only Trent Richardson, LeSean McCoy and Doug Martin. That's some mighty fine company they keep.
It appears that Ted Ginn Jr is priming for a bigger role with his new team, the Carolina Panthers, this upcoming season. Ginn, a former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, has caught a total of 33 passes over the past three seasons, all with San Francisco. With little depth behind Steve Smith, there might be something to this. That being said, Ginn's production at wide receiver seemed to cap out in 2008 when he caught 58 passes for Miami. It remains to be seen if he can even come close to producing at that same level in 2013. I wouldn't bet on it.
Fullback Vonta Leach is still looking for a new team after the Baltimore Ravens released him earlier this month. The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins have been the two teams most linked to him in recent weeks. Some have even concluded that it would be an upset of Leach didn't sign with the Dolphins.
Just imagine how much he'd help out Lamar Miller's fantasy value. Leach has ranked in the top three of the NFL in run blocking from the fullback position in each of the last four seasons, ranking first overall twice during that span.
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who seemed ready to sign with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month, may end up retiring if he doesn't get a decent offer. Atlanta and Seymour appear ready to bring up the subject again in July. If Seymour is serious about retirement, he'd be leaving the NFL with a lot still left in the tank.
Then again, this could be just a ploy for him not to have to take part in the early days of training camp. We have seen this with veterans in the past.