Nfl 2011

[Eric]

If the Eagles sign Farve I am going to simultaneously laugh and throw up.

Yeah, I'm never quite sure how much of the talk is just sports-radio bluster and uneducated/excitable callers, and how much is actually based in reality. It's probably somewhere in between the two, as with most things in life.

 

[R_of_G]

Found this link to be interesting: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6808224/ranking-top-organizations-nfl-based-25-talent Not sure if you can see if because it's an Insider thing. Anyway, they rank the clubs with the best under-25 talent. They rank the Lions fifth. The Bucs are first. The very-young Packers are 7th. R of G's Jets are dead last. That's not saying they're bad, just that they don't have a ton of youth beyond Sanchez. That was the problem with my Lions five years ago. They were very old AND they were bad.

This is why the Jets pursue free agents as aggressively as they do the last few years because they know the window is very small for them with their current core of talent. That said, they have had some very good drafts the last few years, Gholston not withstanding. I'm more worried about their present than their future.

The Bucs are on the brink of breaking out in a big way. They need a few pieces on defense still and more consistent play from the O-Line, but they have a solid core of excellent young talent. I said then and I'll say now that while I'm happy with Sanchez and Stafford can be great if healthy, I think Josh Freeman will eventually prove to be the best QB in that draft and it's been fun watching him develop here in Tampa.

 

[piebaldpython]

I saw blurb on ESPN that Vince Young may sign with the Iggles. We're sort of the Raiders East.....taking and signing malcontents and misfits.

 

[R_of_G]

I saw blurb on ESPN that Vince Young may sign with the Iggles. We're sort of the Raiders East.....taking and signing malcontents and misfits.

Taking a misfit QB seemed to work out pretty well for the Eagles last season.

If you can get Vince Young at a bargain basement price as a backup, I say jump on that chance. What he can do on the field is hard to ignore. Arizona just gave Kolb a guaranteed $20+ million and he's started all of what, seven NFL games? Whatever you get Young for is a massive bargain. Even if the Eagles never need to use him, he may be attractive to another team at some point and they can then get value for him in a trade.

So Reggie Bush is going to the Fins. I wish both the very best. When Bush is in the backfield, you never really know what he's going to do but sadly, for the Saints, except for 1 year, he never came close to earning his pay. And, he ain't gonna get 25 touches with the backfield the Saints have. Miami seems to have plans to make the backfield work around him. I sincerely hope it does.

The problem, as I saw it, was that the Saints expected (at least initially) for Bush to be something he's not, an every down NFL back. I can't imagine they drafted him second overall to be a third down change-up guy. If the Dolphins think Bush is a 25+ carry per game every down back then I look forward to playing them twice a year to prove how wrong they are.

I'm saddened that he's going to Miami, primarily because I hate the f'n Dolphins, but more because I thought he'd have been a very good fit in Tampa. He'd be an excellent change of pace back from the bruising LeGarrette Blount and give Freeman another pass option on short yardage situations.

I'm actually quite annoyed at how inactive the Bucs are in this free-agency period given they have the most room under the cap, including $50 million they are mandated to spend this season by the new CBA rules.

The last back they got from the Saints was a bust......Ricky Williams.

For you guys, for sure. For the Dolphins, I'd say it was a pretty good pickup on their part as he had some amazing years for them, particularly after his absence over the drug policy violations. He was never going to live up to being worth an entire draft worth of picks, but that was a pretty unfair expectation for Ditka and Saints' fans to put on the guy.

 

[Eric]

So I hear Orton is going to Miami now. That will be interesting: Bush, Orton, Marshall, etc. I wonder how they'll fare.

Also, I hear Darren Sproles signed with New Orleans, so they probably won't even miss a beat without Bush.

 

[R_of_G]

So I hear Orton is going to Miami now. That will be interesting: Bush, Orton, Marshall, etc. I wonder how they'll fare.

Also, I hear Darren Sproles signed with New Orleans, so they probably won't even miss a beat without Bush.

Orton is definitely a huge upgrade from Chad Henne. As a Jets fan I want the Dolphins to improve. I want my team to earn their victories in tough-fought contests. The better the division is, the better the winner will have to play to emerge from the division.

Sproles is a good signing for the Saints. He should fill Bush's role nicely.

 

[marnold]

OK, The Hoodie has lost it. Signing Ochocinco? Really? After getting Haynesworth who only likes 4-3s for a predominately 3-4? What's next? Jeff George? Art Schlichter?

 

[Eric]

OK, The Hoodie has lost it. Signing Ochocinco? Really? After getting Haynesworth who only likes 4-3s for a predominately 3-4? What's next? Jeff George? Art Schlichter?

I heard he's bringing in Steve DeBerg for a shot at the backup QB spot.

 

[R_of_G]

ESPN's John Clayton is now reporting that the Dolphins signed former Carolina QB Matt Moore and are no longer pursuing a trade with Denver for Kyle Orton. I can't imagine Moore gives them that much more than Chad Henne does, but nobody has ever accused the Dolphins' front office of being geniuses.

I suppose that means Orton now has to compete with Tebow for the job in Denver. I can't imagine Orton doesn't win that contest on the field, but sometimes with a high-profile first round pick like Tebow, there's more to it than what they do in training camp because you know, Tebow has all those "intangibles" though nobody ever seems willing to pinpoint what they are.

 

[Beerman]

So I hear Orton is going to Miami now. That will be interesting: Bush, Orton, Marshall, etc. I wonder how they'll fare.

Also, I hear Darren Sproles signed with New Orleans, so they probably won't even miss a beat without Bush.

Most liked Bush but agree, he wasn't worth what he was being paid here and many are very pleased with Sproles signing.
There was a huge crowd waiting in line at 5 a.m. this morning for the morning practice!

 

[R_of_G]

Not sure what to make of the Patriots signings.

I can see Chad having a good season.

He's flashy and obnoxious off the field but doesn't get in trouble. His threats of holdouts in the past could very well be mitigated by the fact that it was the Bengals with an owner that pretty much every player they've ever had says is trouble to deal with. Note that despite threatening to hold out and asking publicly for a trade, Chad never missed any games as a result. He may have immaturely demanded his own way, but when he didn't get it he did what was best for the team and went out and played the game.

He won't get the most targets of New England WRs because he's no longer willing to go across the middle and get hit but he could be a dangerous deep threat still with Brady at QB.

Haynesworth I just don't know. As Marnold pointed out, Albert has shown an unwillingness to learn to fit into a 3-4. Either Belichick believes he can turn anyone around or they'll only use him on 4-3 packages alongside Wilfork so Haynesworth can be between the guard and the center where he likes to be. I'd never take the guy. If you're going to be a DT on my team, you'd better be more than happy to stop the run and the pass, not just rush QBs.

 

[Eric]

Haynesworth I just don't know. As Marnold pointed out, Albert has shown an unwillingness to learn to fit into a 3-4. Either Belichick believes he can turn anyone around or they'll only use him on 4-3 packages alongside Wilfork so Haynesworth can be between the guard and the center where he likes to be. I'd never take the guy. If you're going to be a DT on my team, you'd better be more than happy to stop the run and the pass, not just rush QBs.

Eh, you never know. People like to say that the Pats run this or that defense, but aren't they all over the place with their formations and coverages and what not? I figure it's low-risk. My main concern would be that he might be kind of annoying to have around if he's going to pout. The same goes for all of the talented malcontents that get signed. If you don't keep a close watch on how many you have at any one time, they can start dividing the locker room, causing distractions, and preventing cohesiveness.

IMO, that's the biggest thing. Most of these burnout guys like Fat Albert and VY come pretty cheap, both in terms of draft picks to get them and salary, so any productivity you get from them is gravy. I would just be afraid of them screwing up the team dynamic.

 

[R_of_G]

The way ESPN's Adam Schefter is handling the Asomugha dealings is beginning to irritate me to no end.

Allegedly now the Jets and Cowboys are fighting it out for Nnamdi's services but Schefter says a third "mystery team" is seriously involved. He continues to say that and look sideways at the cameras. That's not journalism, that's sensationalism. If he knows who the other team is he needs to either say so or not report on it at all.

This is yet another example of the problem with ESPN. The on-air talent has convinced itself that it's part of the world of sports as something more than just a media outlet. These guys think they're the story. All the glad-handing about how Schefter hasn't slept since Tuesday following all these moves is lovely but this is becoming a bigger joke than the way they cover Favre's every last bowel movement.

Sadly, I think they're making Asomugha look like LeBron James. The guy isn't holding out to make a big splashy announcement to Jim Gray on national television (though I'd love to hear him say he's taking his talents to East Rutherford) but ESPN is making him look like a diva who can't make up his mind. He's had two days, give him a break.

Here's an idea for you ESPN, how about you stop reporting on the story until there's a story? At some point, Nnamdi will agree to a deal with a team and either that team or his agent will make an official announcement. Until then, Adam Schefter is nothing more than the annoying kid in school who wants to share every rumor he's heard whether they're true or not just to see how people will react.

Rant over.

 

[Eric]

The way ESPN's Adam Schefter is handling the Asomugha dealings is beginning to irritate me to no end.

Allegedly now the Jets and Cowboys are fighting it out for Nnamdi's services but Schefter says a third "mystery team" is seriously involved. He continues to say that and look sideways at the cameras. That's not journalism, that's sensationalism. If he knows who the other team is he needs to either say so or not report on it at all.

This is yet another example of the problem with ESPN. The on-air talent has convinced itself that it's part of the world of sports as something more than just a media outlet. These guys think they're the story. All the glad-handing about how Schefter hasn't slept since Tuesday following all these moves is lovely but this is becoming a bigger joke than the way they cover Favre's every last bowel movement.

Sadly, I think they're making Asomugha look like LeBron James. The guy isn't holding out to make a big splashy announcement to Jim Gray on national television (though I'd love to hear him say he's taking his talents to East Rutherford) but ESPN is making him look like a diva who can't make up his mind. He's had two days, give him a break.

Here's an idea for you ESPN, how about you stop reporting on the story until there's a story? At some point, Nnamdi will agree to a deal with a team and either that team or his agent will make an official announcement. Until then, Adam Schefter is nothing more than the annoying kid in school who wants to share every rumor he's heard whether they're true or not just to see how people will react.

Rant over.

I hadn't really articulated it that way or given it much thought up to now, but I think you're pretty accurate in your assertions on ESPN.

 

[R_of_G]

I think it's something I've observed previously, particularly with regard to the way they covered LeBron's free agency and Favre's many "will he/won't he" offseasons but I tended to shrug it off as mildly annoying. This time around I'm paying more attention because one of my teams is at the center of it so perhaps my objectivity is a bit cloudy, but still.

 

[R_of_G]

Well Eagles fans, it looks like the "mystery team" courting Nnamdi was you.
Congratulations. Cannot wait to play you in December.

 

[Eric]

Well Eagles fans, it looks like the "mystery team" courting Nnamdi was you.
Congratulations. Cannot wait to play you in December.

Huh? That makes no sense to me. The Eagles now have 3 high-end cornerbacks. Are they going to move Asante or something??

Strange.

 

[Eric]

It looks like the Bucs have made a big entry into the free-agent market: punter Michael Koenen signed to a 6-year, $19.5 million deal. That's a ton of money for a decent punter.

 

[R_of_G]

Koenen is not solely a punter. He's also a kickoff specialist, one that led the league in touchbacks last season with the Falcons. It's still a steep price to pay for a kicking specialist, but in today's game field position is a big factor and I suppose one the Bucs are taking a long hard look at. So, yeah, they overpaid but Koenen is an excellent pick up for the Bucs.

Also happy to see them spending some of their available money keeping Davin Joseph with the Bucs. He's a very important piece of that offensive line and would be difficult to replace.

 

[marnold]

WRT Orton, the report on ESPN Radio was that Orton was outplaying Tebow by a long ways in camp. Matter of fact, they said that Quinn was outplaying Tebow.

 

[Beerman]

It looks like the Bucs have made a big entry into the free-agent market: punter Michael Koenen signed to a 6-year, $19.5 million deal. That's a ton of money for a decent punter.

I think the Bucs were in pretty good shape coming into this season and with the cap money they had to spend, I assume they knew their special teams needed help. But, I agree, you don't see this kind of money for that position. Times, they are a changing!

 

[marnold]

IIRC the salary floor doesn't kick in until 2013.

 

[R_of_G]

WRT Orton, the report on ESPN Radio was that Orton was outplaying Tebow by a long ways in camp. Matter of fact, they said that Quinn was outplaying Tebow.

I don't find this the least bit surprising. Tebow may be a great guy and an incredibly marketable athlete, but I've never seen him as a full-time starting NFL QB.

IIRC the salary floor doesn't kick in until 2013.

This is the second time I've heard this today. I hadn't heard it previously, so I looked it up and it appears you're correct, the salary floor requirements (90% of the cap) do not become effective until 2013.

 

[marnold]

The Lions now have three legit linebackers under 27 with the signing of Tulloch from the Titans, instead of just one--playing out of position. At the very least they are once again an actual NFL franchise. It's been awhile.

 

[R_of_G]

The Lions now have three legit linebackers under 27 with the signing of Tulloch from the Titans, instead of just one--playing out of position. At the very least they are once again an actual NFL franchise. It's been awhile.

The Lions front office is doing a tremendous job of putting together a solid young team. I was going over the Bucs schedule with my dad yesterday and I referred to the Bucs/Lions game as the "2013 NFC Championship Game Preview"

 

[marnold]

The Lions front office is doing a tremendous job of putting together a solid young team. I was going over the Bucs schedule with my dad yesterday and I referred to the Bucs/Lions game as the "2013 NFC Championship Game Preview"

You don't know how wonderful and scary that is to great as a Lions fan. We're not used to that. They re-signed Chris Houston today too.

That Lions-Bucs thing would cause a lot of NFL officials throw up.

 

[R_of_G]

What a shame about Fairley's injury. Hopefully he heals quickly and completely and can be a contributor to the Lions' defense this year.

WR Derrick Mason is visiting the Jets today. Word is that if he passes his physical he'll sign with the team today. That would mean the end of Jerrico Cotchery's run with the Jets. It will be a shame to see him go as he has been a steady possession receiver for several years now, the one consistent factor in the Jets' passing game. I wish him well with whatever team picks him up.

Also, the Jets re-signed S Brodney Pool who proved himself quite valuable in many clutch situations last season. Pool was offered more money from other teams but elected to stay in NY.

 

[marnold]

What a shame about Fairley's injury. Hopefully he heals quickly and completely and can be a contributor to the Lions' defense this year.

When I heard about that I just thought to myself, "And it begins." Evidently I need little reminders like that to show me not to get too excited/interested.

 

[marnold]

Fairley's out 3-4 weeks. Now Mikel Leshoure has blown his Achilles and is out for the year. Titus Young has been hurt, but at least he's still in camp. So much for their top three picks. Leshoure's injury is the most devastating of all.

 

[R_of_G]

I knew the Jets would be unlikely to re-sign Shaun Ellis but losing him to New England is going to come back to haunt us at some point. Ellis may be 34 but he can still get to a QB.