Talking Maryland basketball, ACC and the national scene with Greg Schimmel, sports columnist for The Diamondback, the University of Maryland student newspaper

FFToolbox.com, one of the leaders in fantasy football coverage, continues to expand our sports coverage beyond the pigskin perspective with a foray into college hoops heaven, better known as the NCAA Tournament. Led by our point guard Ben Standig, we will pose our "Starting Five" questions to a series of sports writers, contributors and fans across the country, assisting our readers as they gear up for the madness of March. The segment will provide an overview of the upcoming NCAA Tournament, from the power conference and mid-major perspective, including teams in both camps hoping that their major post-season bubble will not burst.

First off Greg, let me thank you for your time and effort in helping FFToolbox.com with our college basketball post-season coverage. Ok, time for tip off...

1) This time of year, we always hear the chattering class arguing over which type of team should get those precious final at-large berths; a power conference team like Maryland or a mid-major school like Creighton or St. Mary's. What is your take on this bar room type argument and if, as some on the worldwide leader have suggested, the NCAA should do away with automatic bids?

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Day one evening roundup: Broncos have a new backfield, Kerry Collins stays put and T.J. Houshmandzadeh starts his tour...

The Broncos are giving the Redskins a run for their money in terms of free agency action on day one, though they are going with the volume approach, signing a wide receiver, safety, center/long snapper and two running backs. In addition, they are rumored to be adding or in the discussion to obtain a couple of high profile defenders, Eagles safety Brian Dawkins and Ravens LB Ray Lewis.

From a fantasy perspective, the Broncos backfield looks to be as maddening ever with former Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter and former Cardinals RB J.J. Arrington joining fullback Peyton Hillis. Look for Buckhalter to receiver the bulk of the carries on the early downs with Arrington to stay in his familiar passing down role and Hillis to take the short yardage touches. Ryan Torian also remains on the roster. In other words, this RBBC will negate any of them from being viewed as anything more than a flex or bye week option come draft time..

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Before breaking down Kellen Winslow to the Bucs, changes in the Ravens defense and a new home for Freddie T...

Hearing that Redskins owner Dan Snyder once again majorly opened up his checkbook at the start of NFL free agency, after showing some fiscal restraint last season, is like hearing that story about the domesticated chimpanzee attacking someone; try as you might to change them, eventually nature runs its course.

For the vast majority of the past decade, the Redskins have thrown money around to sign players like an addict needing a quick fix. With apologies to Fleetwood Mac, the Dan Snyder era has rarely thought about tomorrow when a major signing today will do the trick, no matter the long-term ramifications or the media and fan scorn likely to follow. After mostly staying out of the free agent pool last season (due in large part to previous mismanagement of high priced acquisitions), the team could not wait to dive into the deep end and start splashing the Benjamin's all around.

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