The official off season NFL thread

[Ripper 0]

So wait...TO was suppose to do more than any athelete does? He pays his agent to handle these things. Its like trying to blame a client for not researching a law that would help them in a case. THEY PAY THEIR LAWYER FOR THAT.

 

In no way was it his fault that the papers didn't get filed, so he has every right to want to be able to get to free agency which he has earned by playing hard and being in the league for enough years to reach this point.

No, the agent is the one that's most to blame, but one would think that TO would have asked him every day "why the fuck haven't you submitted the request?". There's absolutely no reason to wait until the last minute, and if I was TO I'd have been on his ass 2 weeks BEFORE the first date that I could opt out and tell him to file immediately. Then, the first day that I could have been freed, I'd have asked him if he did it. And again the next day, and the next day, etc.

 

The agent fucked up, but TO was an enabler that allowed him the breathing room to fuck up.

What I am saying is that is the equivilant of the police cheif calling all the police officers to make sure that they put bullets in their gun. It is the equivilant of you you waking up during a surgury to make sure that the doctor is using the correct instrument.

 

The agent(and in my examples doctor and cop) are paid to do a job, and when they are hired it is a resonable assumption that they MIGHT do it. Why would TO call everyday, or everyweek to check and see if his agent did a common sense thing. Hindsight is 20/20 and you all are acting like what happen was at all foreseeable. TO's job was to hire a professional to handle his contract negortiations. He paid the man. He told him his wishes. Not only is it out of his hands then, it is laughable to assume that anyone would constantly be calling to see if they did their job.

 

Everyone keeps saying that TO bitched and whined, but what are you all suggesting he did? "Okay, I have earned the right to get into free agency and go to a team I would like, but thanks to a long line of bullshit and date changes I got traded to a team I don't want to play for at a pay rate that is lower than my worth....YAY!" Really...are you just saying he should have took it up the ass and played his final 3 years on a contract that wasn't going to earn him the money he could've easily gotten? Thats bullshit. Like him or not, he has played hard, taken hits and injuries and lasted while putting up enough numbers to warrent him a chance to make more and it gets taken from him because of a technicality and people are whining because he fought it.

 

Bullshit.

[the pinjockey 0]

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that the agent did not get the paper work in. February 24th was the deadline for team's to franchise a player. As long as TO was still under contract on Feb. 24th I would imagine the 49ers could not franchise him. So why get the paperwork in early and even face the remotest chance that he would get franchised if you have until March?

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

It certainly was the agents fault, but I also blame TO because he couldn't figure that out and instead said it was the league's fault. Whether he got on the Eagles or not, TO should still be smart enough to fire that bum.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Looks like the Galloway/Keyshawn deal has finally gone through.

 

Source

[2GOLD 0]

Ok, these sports reporters have got to make up their minds.

 

They have Dallas winning 11 to 12 games with Keyshawn

They have Philly winning 11 to 12 games with TO

They have Washington winning 11 to 12 games with Gibbs.

 

That math DOESN'T add up at all. One of them has to be lackluster.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Philly 10

Dallas 8

Skins 6

 

ta da

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Philly 10-6

Dallas 8-8

Washington 5-11

New York 11-5

 

Not only do none of the three win the Super Bowl, I don't think they will take the division either. New York is a lot better than they showed last year, and should rebound in a big way this year. Philly is past their peak (2002), even with Kearse & Owens. Dallas is going nowhere fast unless Parcells makes a big upgrade at QB. Washington got Gibbs, but nothing else. Portis needs Denver more than they need Portis. He has talent, but he's no Tomlinson or Ahman Green.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I don't think New York can go 11-5 with a brand spanking new coach. Too many young players on that team and not enough chemistry to do something like what the Bucs did in `02. And that was also Jon Gruden and years and years of the defense doing their job the best they could. How much better are the Giants than that record, anyways? Pfft.

 

 

Overall, this offseason has confused the living fuck out of me. Seems like everything's been shuffled around, except in the NFC North (which of course I have to keep a close eye on for my Packers), where the only interesting moves have been the Bears getting a new coach, the Vikings signing um...that guy. And Detroit probably did something too, but I know the Pack fired their defensive coordinator which I thought was weird, it should have been the OTHER way around.. Donatell was doing just fine with his crazy blitz schemes, it was the offense's inability to score points that pissed me the fuck off... Shouldn't Favre have had a field day against the practically non-existent Eagles secondary? Well fuck it. I predicted from the outset of the playoffs the Patriots were going to go all the way, and the Panthers had me scratching my head a bit, but I knew the Pats were gonna come through in the end anyways.

 

Can anyone give a quick overview of what's happened so far this offseason? You could probably tell I'm a bit behind in my NFL news.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

No way in hell the Giants win 11 games.

 

Sapp is about to sign with Cincy for 4 years/$16 million.

 

that is all.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Redskins might win 8 games, but thats about it, even with Gibbs, Portis and Brunell.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Give the Skins until next season... This season may not be it, but I think they'll be a huge improvement over the Spurrier ballclub.

[razazteca 0]

Philly 10-6

Dallas 8-8

Washington 5-11

New York 11-5

 

Not only do none of the three win the Super Bowl, I don't think they will take the division either. New York is a lot better than they showed last year, and should rebound in a big way this year. Philly is past their peak (2002), even with Kearse & Owens. Dallas is going nowhere fast unless Parcells makes a big upgrade at QB. Washington got Gibbs, but nothing else. Portis needs Denver more than they need Portis. He has talent, but he's no Tomlinson or Ahman Green.

For whatever reason Jerry Jones prefer to have a baseball player as the QB. Chad Hutchinson did nothing and it looks like he will get someone to play catch with now that Drew Henson is a Cowboy. I don't understand the hype for Henson, big deal he played for Michigan, that does not mean anything to me...........Brian Griese was a starter at Michigan also and look at his NFL career.

 

The Cowboys needs to get a QB that is accurate, I think somebody like Jay Fielder would fit perfectly into the system.

[Guest Vitamin X]

For whatever reason Jerry Jones prefer to have a baseball player as the QB. Chad Hutchinson did nothing and it looks like he will get someone to play catch with now that Drew Henson is a Cowboy. I don't understand the hype for Henson, big deal he played for Michigan, that does not mean anything to me...........Brian Griese was a starter at Michigan also and look at his NFL career.

The last Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady played at Michigan. As a matter of fact, Henson was Brady's successor, and not only all that but Henson played MUCH better than Brady at Michigan from what I hear. So imagine how good of a pro Henson could turn out.

 

 

My gripe with the whole situation is that the Cowboys REALLY don't need a quarterback, since Quincy Carter has been playing just fine. It's that kind of attitude of constantly changing quarterbacks instead of sticking with one guy and letting him build his confidence that has fucked teams up in the past (perfect example has been the Bengals and their quarterback carousel of the 90's)

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Ravens play the Eagles in the 2nd game of the preseason in Philly on a nationally televised Friday Night game on CBS.

 

Odds of T.O. not playing = pretty good.

 

Ravens also play the Falcons in week one of the preseason on ESPN, Detroit week 3 and the Giants week 4 (highlight will be Fassel meeting his old team).

[Guest MikeSC]

For whatever reason Jerry Jones prefer to have a baseball player as the QB.  Chad Hutchinson did nothing and it looks like he will get someone to play catch with now that Drew Henson is a Cowboy.  I don't understand the hype for Henson, big deal he played for Michigan, that does not mean anything to me...........Brian Griese was a starter at Michigan also and look at his NFL career.

The last Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady played at Michigan. As a matter of fact, Henson was Brady's successor, and not only all that but Henson played MUCH better than Brady at Michigan from what I hear. So imagine how good of a pro Henson could turn out.

 

 

My gripe with the whole situation is that the Cowboys REALLY don't need a quarterback, since Quincy Carter has been playing just fine. It's that kind of attitude of constantly changing quarterbacks instead of sticking with one guy and letting him build his confidence that has fucked teams up in the past (perfect example has been the Bengals and their quarterback carousel of the 90's)

You won't win with Carter as QB. I saw enough of him at UGA to recognize that. Why Dallas picked him at all is a question.

-=Mike

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Broncos sign Lynch, Elliss

 

If everyone is healthy, the Broncos D could be pretty scary.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Broncos sign Lynch, Elliss

 

If everyone is healthy, the Broncos D could be pretty scary.

Unfortunately their offense will only let out a faint whimper of a pussy fart.

[C Dubya 04 0]

I heard Sapp went to the Raiders. Anyone know the terms of the deal?

 

And, whoever thinks the Giants are going to be good is on crack. Their big offensive line pickups were rejects from Tampa that they've been trying to get rid of for 3 years. So, the Giants still have no O-line, a quarterback who is going to personally cost them 4 or 5 games by playing ineptly and a running back who can't get the ball near the goal line because everyone is afraid he'll fumble it away.

[sfaJack 0]

The last Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady played at Michigan. As a matter of fact, Henson was Brady's successor, and not only all that but Henson played MUCH better than Brady at Michigan from what I hear. So imagine how good of a pro Henson could turn out.

Henson played 8 games at Michigan. How the hell can anyone say what kind of pro prospect someone is going to be after 8 games?

 

My gripe with the whole situation is that the Cowboys REALLY don't need a quarterback, since Quincy Carter has been playing just fine. It's that kind of attitude of constantly changing quarterbacks instead of sticking with one guy and letting him build his confidence that has fucked teams up in the past (perfect example has been the Bengals and their quarterback carousel of the 90's)

Are you mad? Carter isn't good at all. Did you watch him the last half of this past season? He was awful. 17 TD's versus 21 INT's and you say he's been playing "just fine." Crikey.

 

I'd hoped the Cowboys would avoid Henson altogether, since he has "Chad Hutchinson Version 2.0" written all over him. However, the money they gave him isn't overwhelming, and only had to give up a third round pick next year for him, so I guess it's worth a shot. Certainly no worse than what they have now at QB, for sure.

[Guest Vitamin X]

The last Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady played at Michigan. As a matter of fact, Henson was Brady's successor, and not only all that but Henson played MUCH better than Brady at Michigan from what I hear. So imagine how good of a pro Henson could turn out.

Henson played 8 games at Michigan. How the hell can anyone say what kind of pro prospect someone is going to be after 8 games?

 

My gripe with the whole situation is that the Cowboys REALLY don't need a quarterback, since Quincy Carter has been playing just fine. It's that kind of attitude of constantly changing quarterbacks instead of sticking with one guy and letting him build his confidence that has fucked teams up in the past (perfect example has been the Bengals and their quarterback carousel of the 90's)

Are you mad? Carter isn't good at all. Did you watch him the last half of this past season? He was awful. 17 TD's versus 21 INT's and you say he's been playing "just fine." Crikey.

 

I'd hoped the Cowboys would avoid Henson altogether, since he has "Chad Hutchinson Version 2.0" written all over him. However, the money they gave him isn't overwhelming, and only had to give up a third round pick next year for him, so I guess it's worth a shot. Certainly no worse than what they have now at QB, for sure.

I believe most of the reason why these QB's never break-out is because they're not being given votes of confidence like QB's have been given in the past. Don't look at the statistics, STATS LIE. Look at the intangibles... the offense had accepted Carter as a leader, Parcells had confidence in Carter, and Carter may have thrown a few picks, but he helped the Cowboys come back when the game was on the line. At times, anyways. Why does every team feel they need to have a fuckin SUPERSTAR at quarterback when they should play to their strengths (in the Cowboys' case, defense...and defense-oriented teams spend their money on keeping their defensive players and stick with solid players on offense...The Bucs and Ravens won using that strategy didn't they?)

 

I think the Cowboys should stick with trying to acquire Corey Dillion.

[Ripper 0]

Considering that the entire reciever corp would take plays off in the second half of the season, Carter had a pretty good year.

[C Dubya 04 0]

Carter's numbers in the first half of the season were identical to the prior year when everyone said he was horrible. He's not going to be a great quarterback, he might end up being okay but that's about it. The Cowboys pretty much got shut out everytime they played a good defense last year.

[C Dubya 04 0]

Oh, and I think that today is the deadline to sign restricted free agents away from teams. I know that Buckhalter is still on the list. He's a guy that I would spend a 4th round draft pick to get.

 

Are there any other good restricted free agents left?

[sfaJack 0]

I believe most of the reason why these QB's never break-out is because they're not being given votes of confidence like QB's have been given in the past. Don't look at the statistics, STATS LIE. Look at the intangibles... the offense had accepted Carter as a leader, Parcells had confidence in Carter, and Carter may have thrown a few picks, but he helped the Cowboys come back when the game was on the line. At times, anyways. Why does every team feel they need to have a fuckin SUPERSTAR at quarterback when they should play to their strengths (in the Cowboys' case, defense...and defense-oriented teams spend their money on keeping their defensive players and stick with solid players on offense...The Bucs and Ravens won using that strategy didn't they?)

 

I think the Cowboys should stick with trying to acquire Corey Dillion.

How many wins did Carter lead the 'Boys to with the game on the line? He made several bad decisions down the stretch, and looked totally lost against Carolina in the playoffs.

 

And what makes you think Parcells had a lot of confidence in Carter? His other option was Chad Hutchinson, whom he hates (and who sucks). Who else was there? Just because Carter was playing doesn't mean Parcells was that happy about it - it could just mean that Carter was the cream of a sorry crop.

 

Dillon would help, if he behaves himself, not only from actually giving the Cowboys a bona fide running game, but would also help to take some of the pressure off of Carter, thus (theoretically) improving his performance. You don't need a superstar QB to win a Super Bowl, I agree; there hasn't been a team WITH a superstar QB win it since Denver's last SB-winning team (Kurt Warner's apparent flash-in-the-pan success makes him a questionable "superstar") five years ago.

 

I'd still be very, very surprised if the Cowboys ever win a Super Bowl with Carter running the show, however. His accuracy isn't all that great, and he doesn't read defenses very well. He has the physical tools to play at the NFL level (arm strength, foot speed, etc.), but I'm not sure he gets it mentally. They definitely fucked up by drafting him in the second round; nobody had him ranked that high, and they probably still could have got in the fifth round. He hasn't lived up to being drafted that high, that's for sure.

 

Considering that the entire reciever corp would take plays off in the second half of the season, Carter had a pretty good year.

Don't get me started on the receivers. That's a whole other issue, however. Good riddance to Galloway.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I'd still be very, very surprised if the Cowboys ever win a Super Bowl with Carter running the show, however. His accuracy isn't all that great, and he doesn't read defenses very well. He has the physical tools to play at the NFL level (arm strength, foot speed, etc.), but I'm not sure he gets it mentally. They definitely fucked up by drafting him in the second round; nobody had him ranked that high, and they probably still could have got in the fifth round. He hasn't lived up to being drafted that high, that's for sure.

When Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson are Super Bowl winning quarterbacks in this whacked out NFL...and Jake fucking Delhomme for that matter (he may not have won but he got there)... I wouldn't care about who was under center.

 

Then again I'm a Packers fan so when it comes to having a good QB, I'm a tad spoiled.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson & Jake Delhomme are much better than Carter.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Johnson, maybe.

 

Being on a winning team sure does make you look good, though... unless you're Quincy Carter.

[MrRant 0]

Celebrations May Draw Penalties in NFL   

Wed Mar 24, 6:21 PM ET 

 

By DAVE GOLDBERG, AP Football Writer

 

NEW YORK - The NFL discovered last season that fines did not necessarily stop its millionaire players from flamboyant celebrations.

 

So the league is planning to make any such demonstration an automatic 15-yard penalty.

 

The new penalty policy has been recommended unanimously by the league's competition committee and is likely to receive approval from the owners when they begin their annual spring meeting Sunday in Palm Beach, Fla.

 

"Don't call us the no fun league," Atlanta general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's competition committee, said Wednesday during a conference call.

 

"This has nothing to do with the Lambeau leap, the spike, the sack dance or throwing the ball over the goal post. But the demonstrations are becoming more sophisticated and more pre-planned than they've ever been. That's why we focused on a penalty instead of just a fine."

 

As it has been for nearly 20 years, the longest discussions at the meetings will be over instant replay. The committee has recommended that it be installed permanently for the first time — it has been put in from year-to-year until 2001, when it was extended to three years.

 

But the most interesting sign of the times is that the NFL now considers penalties more effective than fines in curbing demonstrations. There were 46 fines for demonstrations last season compared to 18 in 2002, indicating to McKay and the committee that fines were not a deterrent.

 

The new penalties would be added to those for taunting.

 

After Terrell Owens celebrated a score by pulling a pen from his sock and signing a football in 2002, commissioner Paul Tagliabue made it clear such future demonstrations would be penalized. And the officials did call a penalty last season when Joe Horn made a call on a cell phone after scoring a touchdown.

 

But the recommendation would add the demonstration penalty to the rule book. McKay said it was prompted in part by letters from the NCAA (news - web sites) and national high school associations worried that the conduct of NFL players set bad examples.

 

As for replay, it was first instituted in 1986, voted out in 1992, then brought back in 1999 in its current form — with the coaches' challenge system.

 

The new proposal would make it permanent — instead of needing 24 of the 32 teams to approve it each year, it would require 24 votes to vote it out. The competition committee also is recommending that any coach who gets two successful challenges in a game get one more.

 

"We think it's ready to go in permanently," McKay said of replay. "We've been voting on it for 20 years now. This way we won't have to vote on it anymore."

 

Among the other items to be discussed at the meetings will be expanding the playoffs to 14 teams and allowing both teams to get a possession in overtime.

 

The committee voted against both — McKay noted that the number of overtime games decided on the first possession had declined from 36 percent in 2002 to 23 percent in 2004. He also noted that adding two more teams to the playoffs would give the No. 1 team an unfair advantage by getting the only bye.

 

"We feel like the current system has worked extremely well," McKay said.

 

The committee also decided not to expand the rule that limits assistant coaches on playoff teams to interview for head coaching jobs during bye weeks. It did recommend, however, that the same rule apply to top executives, who in the past could change jobs at any time.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Likes:

 

-Both teams getting at least one possession in overtime

-Making instant replay permanent

 

Dislikes:

 

-Expanding the playoff field to 14 teams..That's almost half the NFL. I thought it was cool to see winning teams who didn't make the playoffs, that means you had to be either very good or very lucky (as in my Pack's case) to get in.

-The No Fun League bullshit. Let them showboat, let them have fun. I think it's only really unsportsmanlike if they are blowing them out and they then taunt them.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

So, it hasn't been mentioned here, but the Rams have signed Chris Chandler. Pretty odd move, since they already have Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger. Odds are that Warner gets traded or released.

 

I think Warner can still start, as long as he doesn't get concussed on the first play. A team like Arizona would be a good fit. He can help groom whoever they think is their long term QB (McNown?), and Warner throwing to Fitz/Boldin could work out very well.