That’s right, the impending return of the NFL season means it’s time to get the gang together for the annual fantasy draft.  We had ours Sunday night, and here’s the lineup I’m sporting this season in our 14-team league…

Starters
QB – Matt Schaub, HOU
RB – Jonathan Stewart, CAR
RB – Brandon Jacobs, NYG
WR – Andre Johnson, HOU
WR – Percy Harvin, MIN
RB/WR – Mike Wallace, PIT
TE – Greg Olsen, CHI
K – Garrett Hartley, NO
D – Carolina

Bench
WR – Mohamed Massaquoi, CLE
WR – Roy Williams, DAL
RB – Kevin Smith, DET
QB – Jason Campbell, OAK
RB – Correll Buckhalter, DEN
TE – Jeff King, CAR
WR – Brandon LaFell, CAR

Early analysis – I’m thin at running back but really like my crop of receivers.  A preseason trade for another back isn’t out of the question, but as it is I like my chances as long as Houston’s passing game keeps up the #1 form it had last year.  What about you?  Who are you looking at as a fantasy stud this year?  Who’s going to be a bust?  Let me know in the comments about your outlook for this year.

Last week, San Fransisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee announced his retirement from the NFL.  A football player retiring is usually unremarkable, unless the player is a superstar or Brett Favre takes his retirement total into double digits.  What makes Coffee remarkable is that he’s only 23 years old and was expected to be a key contributor to the 49ers backfield this season.  Why would a perfectly healthy second-year running back hang up the cleats during camp?  For Coffee, it was the realization that God didn’t want him on the football field, but rather had other plans for his life.  Recently, a radio station interviewed him about his decision, and it’s clear to see the great passion this man has for Christ, willing to give up a career people all across America dream of because his conscience wouldn’t allow him to continue.  An excerpt…

“When I was in the league, my heart was always in turmoil. And when my heart is in turmoil, I can’t account for anyone else. I can’t do what I want to do as far as spreading the gospel and ministry if my heart is not in peace. I really felt like for me to do what I need to do and for me to answer my calling, I needed to be outside of football. If you’re not at peace yourself, it’s hard to minister to others.”

Head on over and read the rest.  May God bless this guy in his faith and give him guidance for his future.

Then check out these pictures I snapped Sunday at Carolina Panthers training camp in Spartanburg, SC…

Panthers quarterbacks Matt Moore (#3) and Jimmy Clausen (#2) hit their receivers during drills.

Injured wide receiver Steve Smith heads out onto the field to watch his teammates practice.

Rookie WR Armanti Edwards (#10) from Appalachian State hauls in a reception.

Defensive end Tyler Brayton (#96) rushes the edge during drills with the rest of the D-line.

All-pro running back DeAngelo Williams (#34) prepares for a drill.

I’m no Cowboys fan, but it’s impossible to tour the brand-new Cowboys Stadium and not be impressed with the football palace Jerry Jones has built in Texas.  My father-in-law, my wife’s uncle and I took the VIP stadium tour last night before taking in a Rangers baseball game, and what a blast it was.  Here are a few pictures.

You can find out by answering this simple question…

The Super Bowl is in the books (congrats, Saints).  Does that mean…

a) Football season is over.
b) Only 2 months until draft day.