Nfl 2011

[R_of_G]

Now that we know there will be an NFL 2011 season, it's time for an NFL 2011 thread.

What's going on with your team in this unprecedented free agency period?

The Jets have some big decisions to make in free agency. WRs Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith as well as CB Antonio Cromartie are all free agents. I'd focus on Holmes, though the Redskins will likely throw a lot of money his way. Edwards is good but not irreplaceable. Smith, as many of you have heard me say for years now, is the best offensive player the Jets have though the OC has yet to figure out how to properly use him. Truth be told, I'd give up all of them to sign Nnamdi Asomugha to pair with Darrelle Revis. There are other options available at WR and the Jets offense is not predicated on passing anyway, so why not put the two premier cover corners on the same defense? I don't see it happening, but some reports say Nnamdi wants to come to the Jets if the money is right.

The Bucs have the most room under the cap. I'd like to see some of it go to re-signing OL Davin Joseph. The rest can be invested in putting some veteran pieces into the defense. With all the room under the cap, I'd not be surprised to see the Bucs get in on the Asomugha sweepstakes as well.

Will have to see how the rest of this "lightning round pre-season" plays out before I can make any predictions on how my teams will do, but this should be an interesting season all around.

 

[Beerman]

I believe the Saints might have the most free agents this season so some big names on our team will be saying bye-bye. Can't sign them all. There's not much time and the agents may actually earn some of the mega bucks they get. Going to be an exciting week, that's for sure.
Let's play some ball!

 

[Eric]

To be honest, things are moving more slowly than I thought they would. I figured we'd have at least one trade done by now, but instead all that's happened is some crappy players (Tavaris Jackson, Quentin Mikell, etc.) have agreed to terms with new teams.

I think I'm most intrigued by what happens with the QBs in free agency. I hope Kolb gets dealt to Arizona. I want to see him get a legit chance somewhere.

 

[R_of_G]

To be honest, things are moving more slowly than I thought they would. I figured we'd have at least one trade done by now, but instead all that's happened is some crappy players (Tavaris Jackson, Quentin Mikell, etc.) have agreed to terms with new teams.

I think I'm most intrigued by what happens with the QBs in free agency. I hope Kolb gets dealt to Arizona. I want to see him get a legit chance somewhere.

It's only been 24 hours since free agency opened.

Hasselbeck signed with the Titans this morning. McNabb's been officially traded to the Vikings.
Seems fast enough for me with the established QBs. Kolb will likely be dealt soon enough.

Interested to see if Orton goes anywhere with the Broncos allegedly putting all their eggs in Tebow's basket.

 

[Eric]

It's only been 24 hours since free agency opened.

I realize that, but with the widespread tampering that goes on, I figured there were already a number of teams that were ready to execute as soon as the lockout was released.

Hasselbeck signed with the Titans this morning. McNabb's been officially traded to the Vikings.

Huh. I didn't realize that. That certainly gets things rolling. How much is McNabb willing to play for in Minnesota?

 

[R_of_G]

How much is McNabb willing to play for in Minnesota?

If it's his only opportunity to start for an NFL team this year I'd suspect he'll be reasonable given that he's already a very wealthy man.

I think a lot of teams are missing the boat on Vince Young.

I know he's a little questionable off the field, but a lot of that could be maturity issues and perhaps losing his first job will help him make the changes to his attitude he needs to succeed.

There is no questioning what Vince Young has done on the football field. No offense to Kolb, who I feel has a chance to be quite good, but he's proven very little while Young is a proven winner in the NFL (30-17) . Certainly he deserves a shot to start before Tarvaris Jackson.

 

[marnold]

I'd just like to see the Lions return to respectability. And for them to sign at least one good CB and LB. And if Backus' pectoral injury is really bad, they'll need someone to cover Stafford's blind side.

 

[Eric]

If it's his only opportunity to start for an NFL team this year I'd suspect he'll be reasonable given that he's already a very wealthy man.

We'll see. McNabb is very prideful and kind of immature when it comes to business, and his agent has kind of proven to be similar in the past. I hope McNabb wakes up and realizes this is his best chance to start this year.

Also, since when does accrued earnings have anything to do with taking less money? oke

I think a lot of teams are missing the boat on Vince Young.

I know he's a little questionable off the field, but a lot of that could be maturity issues and perhaps losing his first job will help him make the changes to his attitude he needs to succeed.

There is no questioning what Vince Young has done on the football field. No offense to Kolb, who I feel has a chance to be quite good, but he's proven very little while Young is a proven winner in the NFL (30-17) . Certainly he deserves a shot to start before Tarvaris Jackson.

Perhaps. I think that from the outside it's fairly easy to minimize maturity issues, but they can wreck an organization in a hurry. Think about any job you've ever had when you got along with your colleagues. Now think of the worst person with whom you've ever worked. Imagine combining the two situations. Would you willingly combine the two if you didn't have to?

I don't know. I'm just trying to understand what teams might be thinking when it comes to VY.

 

[R_of_G]

I follow NY Daily News Jets' beat writer Manish Mehta on Twitter.
He's reporting the Jets have re-signed Santonio Homes to a five year deal.
Now that that's settled, let's get Nnamdi in green.

 

[Eric]

And if Backus' pectoral injury is really bad, they'll need someone to cover Stafford's blind side.

What's your impression of Stafford at this point? Injury-prone, victim of a crappy offensive line, or just really really unlucky?

 

[R_of_G]

Also, since when does accrued earnings have anything to do with taking less money? oke

Yeah, that part was a bit more what I'd do if I were in McNabb's situation. Minnesota is not a bad situation for a QB to be in. They've got one of the top RBs in the league. If they can re-sign Sydney Rice they've got a good deep threat for McNabb to hit. Shiancoe is a solid pass-catching TE. He won't be expected to be the franchise QB for the next however long he's got left. It's just come in and play solid while they teach Christian Ponder the offense.

Perhaps. I think that from the outside it's fairly easy to minimize maturity issues, but they can wreck an organization in a hurry. Think about any job you've ever had when you got along with your colleagues. Now think of the worst person with whom you've ever worked. Imagine combining the two situations. Would you willingly combine the two if you didn't have to?

I don't know. I'm just trying to understand what teams might be thinking when it comes to VY.

No doubt. I'd be wary of signing Young as well until I saw some evidence that he's learned from what he did wrong in Tennessee. The longer he waits in free agency, the more it may get through to him that he needs to make the most out of whatever opportunity he gets. I just think if he can keep his head together off the field than he can have a lot of success on the field with his skill set.

 

[R_of_G]

How much is McNabb willing to play for in Minnesota?

Re-visiting this one it occurs to me that it nay be a moot point. McNabb wasn't a free agent. He was traded to Minnesota so he's still under contract. Conceivably he could hold out for more money, but at coming off of his worst season ever, I think he plays the year for whatever he agreed to take from Washington and sees what happens.

 

[marnold]

What's your impression of Stafford at this point? Injury-prone, victim of a crappy offensive line, or just really really unlucky?

Injury-prone: it sure seems that way in the pros, but he was basically injury-free in college and high school, as I understand it

Crappy line: the Lions' line certainly isn't the best, but on several of the plays he got injured, the play had gone long beyond where you can reasonably expect linemen to hold their blocks. One time it got them a TD (see the Browns game). The other times he just got hurt. In the Chicago game Backus (I think it was) got beaten cleanly by Peppers, but he's certainly not the first o-lineman to have that happen to him.

Unlucky: this is what I'm hoping right now. None of the injuries that he has had should permanently affect him. Hopefully the upper-body work he did this off-season will help. I'm hoping that it's basically Phil Sims Mk II with him.

 

[Eric]

I'm hoping that it's basically Phil Sims Mk II with him.

I had to look up that one. Guess I'm too young to have known about him earlier in his career.

 

[marnold]

Forgot that it should be "Simms" though. I guess when I hear that name my first thought is "Billy."

 

[R_of_G]

If one believes the Eagles' merchandise website, the Kolb to Arizona for Rodgers-Cromartie is done, or the Eagles have an interesting way of handling their online store.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/27/eagles-website-offers-rodgers-cromartie-jerseys/

 

[Eric]

Forgot that it should be "Simms" though. I guess when I hear that name my first thought is "Billy."

Or "Ernie!"

 

[Commodore 64]

DelHomme just got the axe. Now we just need to cut another 31 players to start completely over (again).

 

[Eric]

DelHomme just got the axe. Now we just need to cut another 31 players to start completely over (again).

Well...admittedly, they're in kind of a tight spot this year with the late start that the new head coach is getting with the team. I suppose you never know though.

 

[R_of_G]

DelHomme just got the axe. Now we just need to cut another 31 players to start completely over (again).

I'd keep McCoy at the very least.

For what it's worth, the Browns have the chance to be the better Ohio team this year. I don't see the Bengals doing much with a rookie QB (though I think eventually Dalton will be good).

Interesting moves in the AFC East last night/this morning with Haynesworth going to New England and Reggie Bush to Miami. If anyone can get Haynesworth to play it's Bellichick so we'll see how that turns out.

 

[Eric]

For what it's worth, the Browns have the chance to be the better Ohio team this year. I don't see the Bengals doing much with a rookie QB (though I think eventually Dalton will be good).

I heard the Bengals were looking to sign some vet QB. I can't remember the name, but I know there was a name out there other than Dalton/Palmer.

EDIT: It's Bruce Gradkowski. He won't set the world on fire, but hopefully they play him for a while until Dalton gets his feet under him. It seems like you have to be really really great to be thrown into the fire immediately and not flounder or have it affect your confidence as a rookie QB. I used to like the approach of throwing QBs into the mix, but now I think it can really hamper them.

 

[marnold]

John Clayton was saying on the Twitters that it sounds like the Lions have a good chance of signing Johnathan Joseph. Apparently he's waiting to see where Asomugha will set the market. I'd feel a lot more confident if they could sign him.

From what the Detroit Free Press was saying, it sounds like rookies will be signing quickly because if they don't by Friday, they'll be fined $30K/day. I assume that's a part of the new CBA. It must be a mad house in those front offices now.

The Haynesworth trade will show that either old Bill still has it or he's officially lost it.

 

[R_of_G]

I heard the Bengals were looking to sign some vet QB. I can't remember the name, but I know there was a name out there other than Dalton/Palmer.

EDIT: It's Bruce Gradkowski. He won't set the world on fire, but hopefully they play him for a while until Dalton gets his feet under him. It seems like you have to be really really great to be thrown into the fire immediately and not flounder or have it affect your confidence as a rookie QB. I used to like the approach of throwing QBs into the mix, but now I think it can really hamper them.

I had a chance to see Gradkowski play here with the Bucs for a couple of seasons. He's a competent NFL QB who can run an offense and make minimal mistakes, certainly someone that should be able to hold down the fort until Dalton learns the offense and adjusts to the speed of the NFL game. A good pickup for the Bengals. I think they could pick up a lot more if they'd get off their high-horse and trade Carson Palmer but that's another story.

John Clayton was saying on the Twitters that it sounds like the Lions have a good chance of signing Johnathan Joseph. Apparently he's waiting to see where Asomugha will set the market. I'd feel a lot more confident if they could sign him.

That'd be a great pickup for the Lions. Everyone assumes that if the Jets don't land Asomugha that they'll just re-sign Cromartie, but I'm hoping that if Nnamdi decides to go elsewhere that the Jets make a run at Joseph before Cromartie. Cromartie makes a lot of highlight reel plays but he gives up just as many. Joseph is more consistent if less flashy.

 

[marnold]

I just want to see the Lions d-line destroy a few worlds. The thought of them playing the Vikings twice with either a rookie QB or an immobile McNabb is almost too delicious for words.

I'm trying hard not to get my hopes up. I know that injuries happen. If they "happen" to one of the big three (Stafford, Johnson, or Suh) the season officially gets ugly. What I would really like to see this year is that the last game of the season at Lambeau would really matter and that the Lions would finally win there.

 

[Eric]

I just want to see the Lions d-line destroy a few worlds. The thought of them playing the Vikings twice with either a rookie QB or an immobile McNabb is almost too delicious for words.

How's their o-line? I know it's incredibly unsexy, but I think that coaching and play from the lines is usually pretty important. Without that, it's tough to get the most out of the skill positions. I know there are exceptions, but it holds true more often than not IMO. I don't know much about the Motor City Kitties, so I'm curious how you'd rate their offensive line.

 

[R_of_G]

Eric, question for you about the Eagles.

Assuming that Kolb does get dealt, what are they looking at as far as the backup QB situation?

Vick's style of play is his greatest asset but also the thing which raises his probability for injury higher than other QBs. I wonder if the Eagles will be looking for a competent veteran to back him up should he go down again for a few games like last season. Not sure who that would be right now, probably something that will need to pan out as camps begin and guys get cut.

 

[Eric]

Eric, question for you about the Eagles.

Assuming that Kolb does get dealt, what are they looking at as far as the backup QB situation?

Vick's style of play is his greatest asset but also the thing which raises his probability for injury higher than other QBs. I wonder if the Eagles will be looking for a competent veteran to back him up should he go down again for a few games like last season. Not sure who that would be right now, probably something that will need to pan out as camps begin and guys get cut.

Well, the talk around here right now seems to center on Brett Favre as the backup. Take that however you would like. Some people are saying Vince Young, but I'd be surprised to see him end up here.

Honestly, I'm not sure how the backup situation will end up. If it's Mike Kafka, so be it, but that's really risky. I have to assume they'll end up with some vet familiar with the WCO eventually.

 

[R_of_G]

As a serious contender, I can't imagine the Eagles will actually move on Favre unless it's during the season and Vick gets hurt and Favre is still out there throwing passes high school kids in Mississippi. To take him now as a backup only brings a whole bunch of unnecessary media attention I doubt Reid wants in his locker room.

 

[Beerman]

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

 

[marnold]

How's their o-line? I know it's incredibly unsexy, but I think that coaching and play from the lines is usually pretty important. Without that, it's tough to get the most out of the skill positions. I know there are exceptions, but it holds true more often than not IMO. I don't know much about the Motor City Kitties, so I'm curious how you'd rate their offensive line.

There's a lot of question marks with Backus being hurt and Cherilus coming off surgery. Raiola is a good center and firey leader. Their TEs are very good. The biggest thing that will help the line, I think, is to make defenses think a bit. The Best/Leshoure combo in the backfield will help, if Best can keep his toes healthy. Hopefully they can be a good thunder/lightning combo. If d-lines can pin their ears back and come after Stafford, it will be a long season.

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.

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