Richard Mackson-US PRESSWIRE

I don’t get NFL Network. Thanks to being in that most perfect storm of Time Warner’s Adelphia acquisition and the on-going feud with the league I only see NFL Network at the gym and sports bars. However after today I’m glad that I don’t get the league’s propaganda station at home.

Normally NFL Films is among the most professional, creative and respectful producers of programming. But after today that too is something I’m changing my stance on.

As I said, I don’t get NFL Network so I’m basing this on USA Today’s report of the new NFL Films program that ranks the top 10 Heisman winners to play pro ball.

Now you can dispute the rankings. That’s natural and expected anytime there’s a top 10 of any kind. What you can’t argue against is a Hall of Fame career. Unless, of course, you’re so willing to attract attention that you’ll overlook football greatness for the ratings bonanza of Tebowmania.

On the NFL Films list they’ve got Timmy Tebow, the current backup to Mark Sanchez, ranked 7^th ahead of Canton members Marcus Allen and Earl Campbell.

But it doesn’t stop there. Cam Newton, he of one year in the game, is ranked 10^th leaving a man like Tim Brown completely off the list. Not to mention a former Heisman winner who just so happened to win two Super Bowls…some guy named Jim Plunkett.

Now I fully realize this is just for entertainment and means absolutely nothing. Problem is NFL Films has always taken the mature approach to sports programming. Just the name alone says it all. Shooting sports programming on film in this day and age is unheard of yet it speaks to their continued dedication to preserving the art.

All that being said, to rank both Tebow and Newton ahead of anybody that has accomplished as much as Allen, Campbell and Brown is just insulting. Tebow’s got one playoff win, I’m pretty sure Allen’s record setting Super Bowl performance trumps that not to mention his HOF credentials. Newton had one record setting rookie season. Brown had one record setting career. If Tebow is on this list cause he’s a “winner” then kiss Plunkett’s rings and tell me how they taste.

What am I missing?

In the big picture it means nothing. But what it does illustrate is just how far standards have fallen. Once upon a time a list like this would have come from some deranged fan that would have been belittled on local sports talk radio. Now, it’s a primetime program made by people who know better yet see only ratings. Look, they’ve got me talking about it and I won’t even see the program. I’ll also never subscribe to NFL Network as well. So if their goal was to gain new consumers they’ve failed with at least one person.

Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Of the many free agents to exit the East Bay this offseason few will elicit as many reactions as Chaz Schilens. Schilens was everything and nothing to the Raiders. A diamond in the rough that flashed all the potential of an All-Pro yet had the production only a practice squad lifer would envy. Injuries robbed Schilens of the chance to showcase his skills. Emerging young talents like Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford made him expendable.

Chaz has now taken his talent to the Big Apple where his greatest miracle will be trying to produce as a wide receiver with Mark Sanchez taking the time to occasionally complete pass between photo shoots. Best of luck with that, Chaz.

The Raiders have moved on. Such is the nature of pro football. Reggie McKenzie has no desire to continue the projects of Al Davis. However every team needs some type of prospective talent to mold. Without that talent evaluators would only have to scan NFL draft websites instead of actually doing their jobs.

One man that McKenzie has kept around as a pet project of sorts is Eddie McGee. The quarterback turned receiver flashed enough potential to earn a spot on the practice squad last season. Whatever it was the former coaching regime saw in McGee must have meant something to the current one.

Currently McGee still has roster spot. He was recently seen in the now infamous pic Tweeted by Darrius Heyward-Bey in which McGee stands next one Terrell Owens. That post-workout pic made some minor headlines this week because of unemployed diva amid the Raider receiving corps.

What got little to no play at all was Carson Palmer, who has been working out with many of his receivers including McGee, comparing the project pass catcher to Chaz Schilens.

To be sure McGee has a long way to go until the Schilens comparisons can begin. First and foremost McGee will have to make the active roster and actually catch a few balls in an NFL game. Practice squad heroics mean about as much as high school accomplishments in the NFL.

As far as similarities go, both Schilens and McGee are built the same way. McGee measures out at 6’3” and has good speed for a big receiver. During his pro day back at the University of Illinois McGee ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, somewhat similar to what Schilens clocked for San Diego State.

Beyond that we haven’t seen enough of McGee aside from limited snaps last preseason. We don’t know if he is anything close to being as good a route runner as Schilens or if he attacks the ball in the air. But I’ll take Palmer’s evaluation at face value.

No matter McGee’s potential he’s got a tough road to climb in order to get into the mix in Oakland. Schilens was already established as a legit contributor and even he was pretty much an afterthought despite being healthy last season.

With Schilens out of the picture McGee has a clear path to the active roster. Unless another Derek Hagan type shows up in camp and impresses enough to get a contract. Such is life in the NFL for an undrafted talent like McGee. Chances are few and far between so all this could be for not if we never see him in a regular season competition.

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Reggie McKenzie’s abolishment of the scholarship program in Oakland meant Raider Nation was never going to see Chaz Schilens reach his full potential in silver and black. Chances are that won’t happen in New York either. Not unless Schilens can actually stay healthy but more likely because Mark Sanchez will be his quarterback.

Schilens will be taking his potential to the New York Jets where he’ll be reunited with Sanjay Lal. It would be hard to imagine Lal didn’t sell Rex Ryan and the Jets brass on all Schilens has to offer. Lal has gotten a great look at Schilens as his position coach in Oakland the last few years. But given the way Sanchez continuously underwhelms it’s hard to imagine Schilens being the reason way one of Ryan’s guarantees actually comes to fruition.

No matter what he has or hasn’t done in his career it says something that Schilens has stuck in the NFL. Most 7^th round picks are luck to get a year or two on the practice squad. With great size, blazing speed, an attacking mentality and some nice route running the former Aztec has done well for himself.

I wish Schilens nothing but the best and hope he makes sure to check the IDs of any chicks Sanchez brings around for a double date.