Nfl 2012

[marnold]

Figured I might as well make one big thread. Might as well kick it off with the big news that the Lions locked up Megatron for 8 years (the last year of his rookie deal was ripped up), $132 million with $60 million guaranteed. Been a while since the Lions have had a player that can put the fear of God in a defense like he has. Plus he doesn't run his mouth all of the time and he is known as one of the hardest workers on the team. I know I love it when teams put him in single coverage on Madden

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7685419/calvin-johnson-signs-7-year-extension-detroit-lions

 

[NWBasser]

Whoa, that's a heap of dough!

There's really not much to report about my Seahawks. They seem to be trying to catch a decent QB these days. I think they need more bait though.

 

[R_of_G]

Apparently someone reminded the Glazers that the cap floor has to be met within the next two years. Last year they did nothing in free agency. This year they nabbed Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright within 24 hours and still have some money to spend.

Marnold, tell me more about Eric Wright. I haven't seen enough Lions' games to know much about him. I know the Bucs desperately need a starter at CB to replace Ronde Barber (who is one of my favorite all-time Bucs but just doesn't have it anymore).

The Jets, on the other hand, have done nothing except piss away $2.5 million on Wayne Hunter, the worst offensive tackle in the NFL. He should have been cut last year, or at the very least, let go after his contract expired. Instead, they signed him to an even bigger two year deal. Jets' fans are not happy. Stuck with Sanchez and still big holes in the offensive line. Watch how Rex and Tannenbaum draft guys they don't need instead. That team is doomed for mediocrity until Tannenbaum is gone.

 

[marnold]

Eric Wright was serviceable. I wouldn't have minded having him back, but I'm not losing sleep over his departure.

 

[R_of_G]

Eric Wright was serviceable. I wouldn't have minded having him back, but I'm not losing sleep over his departure.

Ok, so good enough to make the team and contribute but probably not enough to make me not still want them to draft Claiborne, the corner from LSU. Thanks for the info.

 

[marnold]

Ok, so good enough to make the team and contribute but probably not enough to make me not still want them to draft Claiborne, the corner from LSU. Thanks for the info.

I think that's a fair assessment.

 

[R_of_G]

I know Seattle is desperate for a QB, but $23 mil (10 mil guaranteed) for three years of Matt Flynn seems to be a contract even Kevin Kolb should find amusing. His own former offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin didn't seem to talk his new team in Miami into shelling out that kind of cash for Flynn and he's seen him play/practice day in and day out.

 

[marnold]

I know Seattle is desperate for a QB, but $23 mil (10 mil guaranteed) for three years of Matt Flynn seems to be a contract even Kevin Kolb should find amusing. His own former offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin didn't seem to talk his new team in Miami into shelling out that kind of cash for Flynn and he's seen him play/practice day in and day out.

There were rumblings around here that the Packers might franchise him to get something for him in a trade. I thought they'd be stuck with a very expensive backup and then not be able to afford to re-sign Matthews or Jennings.

That deal is not a killer. I can see him being an improvement over Jackson. Given their options, I think it was a pretty good deal.

I was glad to see the Lions re-signed Hill and Backus. Backus has been a bit of a whipping boy in the Detroit, but he hasn't missed a game in his career and the deal was decent. Hill performed very well when Stafford was injured in the past. Hope they don't need him.

 

[NWBasser]

I know Seattle is desperate for a QB, but $23 mil (10 mil guaranteed) for three years of Matt Flynn seems to be a contract even Kevin Kolb should find amusing. His own former offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin didn't seem to talk his new team in Miami into shelling out that kind of cash for Flynn and he's seen him play/practice day in and day out.

On the opposite extremes, Seattle historically acquired Hasselbeck and Rick Mirer in our QB dealings. Hasselbeck was the best QB the team has had and Mirer was a very expensive disaster.

Where do you see Flynn between these?

I have no clue about him.

 

[marnold]

Where do you see Flynn between these?

I have no clue about him.

Nor do most people. That's why he didn't get a particularly long-term contract. The Lions made him look like a world-beater last year, but the sample size is very small.

 

[Eric]

Where do you see Flynn between these?

I have no clue about him.

Somebody compared him to Steve Bono. I don't really remember much about him other than the name. I feel like maybe he played for the Browns at one point?

Flynn could turn out to be pretty much anything: Mark Brunell, Matt Cassell, Kevin Kolb, Rob Johnson/Doug Flutie, etc. It's so hard to tell how someone will be in a new situation (i.e. with new coaches/offense/offensive line/tail back/receivers) when they're The Guy and defenses have a chance to analyze their game. I hope he turns out to be a really good QB, because you guys have needed one for a long time.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

http://content.usatoday.com/communi...03/espn-peyton-manning-picks-denver-broncos/1

Manning to Denver? I guess Tebow-mania, at least in Denver, is over. I have heard rumblings that Elway's beg ego didn't like having Tebow around. Just rumblings though.

I hope ends up being a QB that can use some of the strengths the team has to open up the offense some. It seemed at the end of last year that if they could not get Marshawn sprung open, they could not get much else going. A lot of that seemed to be the line getting pushed around, but if the Seahawks could get a QB that could make some things happen out of the pocket, maybe that would help open up the running game some too, which in turn could give the QB some room to operate\. I doubt the team can afford to go out and buy a big front line though. I hope they didn't pay too much for Flynn. It seems to me some strength in the line combined with a decent, mobile, not too expensive QB would be better than shelling out too much for a "saviour" QB.

Maybe Flynn will be all right. John McGrath, a long time commentator who has seen a lot writes some interesting thoughts in this piece and talks about the type of offense I was envisioning when I was writing the above before I read it.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/19/2073156/flynn-the-cure-to-a-spring-lull.html

 

[NWBasser]

Upon further reading, it seems Flynn was picked up on the cheap which leads to not much downside risk and if he pans out then a lot of upside potential.

The biggest relief is that Lynch is back and hopefully the addition of Flynn with give the team a 1, 2 punch of run or pass.

 

[NWBasser]

http://content.usatoday.com/communi...03/espn-peyton-manning-picks-denver-broncos/1

Manning to Denver? I guess Tebow-mania, at least in Denver, is over. I have heard rumblings that Elway's beg ego didn't like having Tebow around. Just rumblings though.

I hope ends up being a QB that can use some of the strengths the team has to open up the offense some. It seemed at the end of last year that if they could not get Marshawn sprung open, they could not get much else going. A lot of that seemed to be the line getting pushed around, but if the Seahawks could get a QB that could make some things happen out of the pocket, maybe that would help open up the running game some too, which in turn could give the QB some room to operate\. I doubt the team can afford to go out and buy a big front line though. I hope they didn't pay too much for Flynn. It seems to me some strength in the line combined with a decent, mobile, not too expensive QB would be better than shelling out too much for a "saviour" QB.

Maybe Flynn will be all right. John McGrath, a long time commentator who has seen a lot writes some interesting thoughts in this piece and talks about the type of offense I was envisioning when I was writing the above before I read it.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/19/2073156/flynn-the-cure-to-a-spring-lull.html

Thanks Steve, that's a pretty good article.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I was thinking as I was writing the above of the days that Seattle had a very good running back in Curt Warner



a solid fullback that could catch in John L. Williams, a long threat, Largent and his routes, and solid tight ends that could also block, and take a hit whilst bringing in a first down catch over the middle.

Dave Krieg, though having good efficiency numbers, was the weak link, and tended to turn the ball over. But anyway, an offense like that with a little better QB would be what I would like to see.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I can't help it. Here is some John L. in one of those sappy NFL films I guess relevant to 2012 in that I would love to see some of this diverse offense again.

 

[NWBasser]

Aw jeez Steve, now I'm getting all nostalgic.

Warner, Largent, Williams, Porter, and Chuck Knox, what memories!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Don't forget local hero from Gig Harbor, Paul Skansi, who took those routes over the middle on third down time and time again, took the hit in the air, and held on to the ball.

Ok, enough nostalgia. I want to see this F'n new guy, Marshawn, Robinson who knows how to block, and whatever longer threat receivers that stay healthy, and bring some of that magic back!

 

[R_of_G]

http://content.usatoday.com/communi...03/espn-peyton-manning-picks-denver-broncos/1

Manning to Denver? I guess Tebow-mania, at least in Denver, is over. I have heard rumblings that Elway's beg ego didn't like having Tebow around. Just rumblings though.

I'd love to know who's reporting those rumblings and on what they could possibly be based? In what way would Tebow do damage to Elway's ego? He's not now, nor will he ever likely be 1/100th of the QB Elway was.

I could see Elway's sense of incredulity challenged by the Tebow-mania phenomenon, I know mine sure was. It must have been difficult for Elway to be challenged by his team's fanbase regarding his ability to evaluate a position he played better than 98% of the people that have ever played it in the NFL. If the word is that the Broncos are looking to unload Tebow if they sign Manning, it seems Elway doesn't even think 2-3 years of learning under Manning would benefit Tebow enough to keep him around.

Quite frankly, other than Jacksonville who can use the "local hero" angle to sell tickets, I cannot think of another franchise in the league that would take Tebow to be a starting NFL QB.

As for Flynn, as Marnold and Eric noted, there's no way to know what he might or might not be. And yeah, it might not be the biggest contract in the world, but $10 million guaranteed still seems ridiculous for a guy with virtually no NFL experience.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Jayson, in retrospect, I shouldn't have even repeated that remark. It was simply the opinion of a guitar player who lives in or near Denver, that I read on another internet forum. I have no idea where he got his info or how he formed his opinion. (see footnote 1 below for my opinion of Mr. Elway) No one that I am aware of was actually reporting rumblings.

Re: your other point on Flynn, I was trying to say I have similar concerns. I want to see investment in a stronger front line in addition to a QB. As I was writing, I realized the deal had been inked, so I hope it works out. The Seattle area press seemed to think it was a decent deal. I just hope we get something near what I was envisioning. the article I linked did say the front line had been revamped, but no details were put into that article. I don't know the details at this point. So, I hope it works out, but remain concerned about the money.

As you have pointed out in other posts, the rules have changed to protect the QB's as teams seem to invest so much money in them. Maybe that is why the pundits think this contract is not such a bad deal. Ok, I will cease reminiscing about old Seahawks years in this thread, and post only on current 2012 stuff from now on.










1. Now as you know, I am a long time PNW sports fan, was born into be in a UW Husky fan, and was there to watch the Seahawks since they started in '77, the same year as Tampa Bay. I say the following in the context of a good natured sports fan. I really don't like John Elway much. How could I? He was a Stanford QB when I was finishing high school and starting college, and went on to head up the Broncos, one of the Seahawk's traditional AFC rivals. My favorite time I remember seeing John play was in 1981 when Stanford traveled up to Husky Stadium to play. We Husky fans decided he was big headed, and vastly enjoyed seeing him ground repeatedly into the turf that game, which UW won. P.S. This game was also reportedly the birth or rebirth of "The Wave" when fans rise and sit in a wave-like procession around the stadium. I know it was the first time I saw it.

"The Huskies, Wave can trace its origin back to Husky Stadium. It was October 31, 1981 when former cheerleader Rob Weller (the same Rob Weller who once co-hosted Entertainment Tonight) was back on the sidelines and instructed the Washington crowd to start in one section and make a human wave that rolled around Husky Stadium. The original Wave saw Husky fans remain standing until a full circle was completed in the stadium. Weller’s original idea - working with former Husky Band Director Bill Bissell - was to have the crowd stand rapidly from the lowest seats to the highest. But they could not effectively coordinate the attempts. The Wave is believed to have started in the third quarter as the Huskies reeled off 28 points in route to a 42-31 win over the John Elway led Stanford team."

 

[Eric]

I see that we're back to being brow-beaten if we don't all adopt one opinion. I was hoping this thread would be different than last year's.

Here's to next season, guys. :beer:

 

[R_of_G]

I see that we're back to being brow-beaten if we don't all adopt one opinion. I was hoping this thread would be different than last year's.

Here's to next season, guys. :beer:

I'm going to go ahead and assume that was in reference to my comment.

I'm not sure what your definition of brow-beating is, but I have no concern whether or not anyone adopts my opinion. Like anyone else here, I simply chose to share it. Nothing I said is out of line, or out of context, so quite frankly, what's the damn problem?

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Hey Eric! I hope you don't think I was being over the top. I am admittedly a biased "home team" fan and have my prejudices. But I sure don't feel brow beaten either in this thread. I actually really enjoy sharing and discussing opinions with R_of_G, even when, or maybe especially when, we disagree. Same goes for anyone else here. In this case, I felt in retrospect that I shouldn't have repeated some other internet guy's speculative opinion regarding Denver's choices. I still think Elway has a big ego. Great QB that he was, he will never be my favorite. If there is something else that is a concern, please let me know. Otherwise, I hope we can carry on with an interesting discussion. (1) BTW, thanks for your info on Flynn! Though I have my reservations, I hope you are right that he turns out to have been a good, long term pick.










(1) (well, my Seahawk reminiscences may not be all that interesting to everyone, but I plan to carry on and look forward from here. )

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Ok, I know nothing about this Megatron who landed such a huge contract. What can someone tell me about him? also, what is going on with anyone else's teams? Any news on the 'Niners?

 

[NWBasser]

..well, my Seahawk reminiscences may not be all that interesting to everyone, but I plan to carry on and look forward from here. )

Aw, I love those reminiscences!:socool

That brought back a flood of great memories.

 

[NWBasser]

Any news on the 'Niners?

Probably the biggest news is that Manning isn't leading a team in the NFC West against the 'Hawks.

Sort of welcome news around here.

 

[NWBasser]

I'm going to go ahead and assume that was in reference to my comment.

I'm not sure what your definition of brow-beating is, but I have no concern whether or not anyone adopts my opinion. Like anyone else here, I simply chose to share it. Nothing I said is out of line, or out of context, so quite frankly, what's the damn problem?

I thought it was a pretty good analysis of the Elway/Tebow relationship. I had no sense of "browbeating" in it.

I'll give a sigh of relief that the Seahawks didn't go after Tebow. Granted, I didn't see him play very many games last season, what I did see was consistent with your analysis of him as a QB.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Probably the biggest news is that Manning isn't leading a team in the NFC West against the 'Hawks.

Sort of welcome news around here.

Yes, that is welcome news.

 

[R_of_G]

Ok, I know nothing about this Megatron who landed such a huge contract. What can someone tell me about him?

Megatron is the nickname for Calvin Johnson, WR for the Lions who is considered the top receiver in the NFL right now. He's a monster athlete that can catch pretty much anything. Well worth whatever the Lions paid him. He and Stafford are a combo that can put points on the board in a hurry.

 

[marnold]

He and Stafford are a combo that can put points on the board in a hurry.

You cannot even begin to know how much joy fills my heart when I read that. Of course, I can temper it with the knowledge that it took four high first round picks before they got ONE receiver, but he sure is a doozy.