Offensive LineOh boy will this be tough

"We've now had three months in a row where gasoline priceshave dropped at a double digit monthly pace, which is nothingshort of astonishing," said Doug Porter, deputy chief economistat BMO Capital Markets.A Reuters poll of analysts had yielded a median forecastfor annual inflation of 1.4 percent and a core rate of 2.4percent. The Bank of Canada on Thursday said it expected inflationto soften further this year as the global financial crisisplunges Canada into a recession. In fact, Governor Mark Carney predicted a period ofoutright falling prices in the second and third quarters butsaid that he saw no risk of a deflationary spiral. Prices already fell on an annual basis in some of Canada'sAtlantic provinces in December, Statscan said. The core rate, which guides interest rate decisions, willstay at the low end of the central bank's target range of 1-3percent and both measures will return to 2 percent by the firsthalf of 2011, the bank predicted.

"I think inflation is rapidly disappearing in Canada andthat is consistent with further bank easing at the Marchmeeting," said Derek Holt, economist at Scotia Capital. "Going forward, we can expect the CPI numbers to gonegative for a good portion of 2009. We're in line with theBank of Canada's view that inflation is a dead issue for a longtime yet," he said. The bank cut its key overnight rate by one-half point onTuesday to a 50-year low of 1 percent and Carney said it hadthe flexibility to do more if necessary. Gasoline prices plummeted 26 percent from December 2007,the biggest drop since the gasoline price index was created in1949.

Excluding gasoline prices, the consumer price index rose2.6 percent in the 12 months. Downward pressure on prices also came from car purchasesand leasing, women's clothing and fuel oil and other fuels.However, five of the eight components in the price index rose,with food prices leading with a 7.3 percent increase. (Additional reporting by Scott Anderson and Jennifer Kwan) (Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio). Meaning a strong balanced offense featuring a down the field passing game and the switch to a 3-4 defense.Here it goes: QuarterbacksJason Campbell becomes a free agent after this season and I am going to show him all the money he wants, then slap him in the face with it and then kick him out the door.Now I go out and draft a franchise quarterback. Now I have a four running backs, Clinton Portis is still the main guy, but Anthony Alridge will be the game changing scat back, with Marcus Mason seen in short yard situations.Rock Cartwright will continue to be the special teams captain, but notnecessarily the returner anymore. WideReceiversSantana Moss has provided us with big plays over the year, but he doesn't make my cut. He is a diva and provides no leadership for this team.Now I don'tnecessarily trust Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas as the number one and two receivers, so I look at the free agents and really consider Vincent Jackson with connections to new offensive coordinator John Ramsdell.If Jackson gets resigned by San Diego, or the asking price is too much then I will shift my attention to Kevin Walter, who is the consummateprofessional who would provide great leadership and hands.Antwaan Randle El will stay on the team as the possible slot receiver but will certainly not be the punt returner.

Instead I'm going to look at the draft for a late round pick like Trindon Holiday (LSU) or Brandon Banks (KSU). Tight EndsNo changes needed here really. Chris Cooley is one of the best in the NFL, and Fred Davis is emerging as a valid threat once he learns to protect the ball.Todd Yoder is the third string tight end, and deserves to get re-signed only because Chris Cooley would probably be highly upset if he was let go. Offensive LineOh boy, will this be tough.Stephon Heyer, Mike Williams, D'Anthony Batiste, and Will Montgomery will all be free agents. I will re-sign just Mike Williams and Will Montgomery, so they will join Chris Samuels, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Chad Rinehart, and Edwin Williams.I hope Randy Thomas will call it a career. He is a great professional, but the injury he suffered and his age just don't make him a part of the future. So now I have holes to fill at RT and RG.First I try to acquire two first round picks, preferably both within the first 15 picks one for the franchisequarterback and the other for the offensive line. Then I'd use our second round pick on the next offensive lineman.As far as top prospects go I would look at tackles Russell Okung (OKSU), Trent Williams (OU), Charles Brown (USC), and Ciron Black (LSU).