The NFL Offseason/Pre-Draft Thread

[2GOLD 0]

They key isn't just the 40, it's the shuttle run.

If you have a average or poor showing in the 40, you need a great showing in the shuttle run to convince the scouts you have speed.

 

4.59 isn't bad but it isn't good. If he has an above average to great shuttle time then Williams is fine.

 

If not, his size and hands will help him remain in the Top 10.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Patriots release LB Phifer

February 28, 2005

 

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) - Veteran linebacker Roman Phifer, a member of three Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots, was released on Monday.

 

Phifer alternated at inside linebacker with Ted Johnson this past season and recorded 51 tackles.

 

But Phifer, who turns 37 on March 5, is the Patriots' oldest defensive player.

 

Phifer spent his first eight years with the Los Angeles-St. Louis Rams and two with the New York Jets before signing with the Patriots in 2001.

 

He played the first two years in New England at right outside linebacker, but moved inside in a 3-4 alignment in 2003. In his four seasons with the Patriots, Phifer totaled 385 tackles, ranking second on the team to Tedy Bruschi (403).

 

A second-round pick of the Rams in 1991, Phifer recorded 1,297 tackles, 29 sacks and 11 interceptions in 211 games.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

I was hoping he would retire so the Pats could completely take him off the books.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

some stuff from Rotoworld.com

 

The Patriots declined an option on Troy Brown's contract, making him a free agent.

We have no further information, but we do suspect the Patriots will make an aggressive bid to retain Brown. His cap number was just unmanageable and the two sides could not reach a deal before tomorrow's deadline.

 

Browns traded Gerard Warren to the Broncos for a 2005 fourth-round draft pick.

A good gamble by the Broncos, who needed cheap defensive line help. It's interesting that Cleveland supposedly traded Warren because he doesn't fit the 3-4 defense. That's what Denver plans on running.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Warren certainly has the size and strength to play nose in the 3-4. I was pissed when Green Bay missed out on a chance to take him AND Corey Simon both in the same draft.

[2GOLD 0]

If the Pats don't bring back Troy Brown then their GM can kiss my ass. If the Pats want to cut the man who has been the word "TEAM" since the start and then don't bring him back, they have pissed me off.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

He'll most likely be brought back but if they had picked up his option he would have cost over $5mill against the cap.

[2GOLD 0]

He'll most likely be brought back but if they had picked up his option he would have cost over $5mill against the cap.

 

Well, they better find a way to get him that money anyway cause if anyone deserves that money it is Troy Brown.

 

Played two positions, got paid for one.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

"Give Clarett a break"

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I think Mike Williams might fall low enough that the Ravens wouldnt have to trade up to get him..maybe.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Packers release G Mike Wahle

March 1, 2005

 

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN (TICKER) -- The Green Bay Packers will have a new-look offensive line next season after releasing offensive lineman Mike Wahle and Grey Ruegamer on Tuesday.

 

Wahle, the Packers' starter at left guard the last four seasons, was a key component in one the the NFL's best offensive lines this past season. Behind the blocking of Wahle and company, Green Bay established franchise records in net yards (6,357) and net passing yards (4,449) while allowing a franchise-low 14 sacks.

 

Ruegamer started at center in 11 of the final 13 games last season, including the playoff loss to Minnesota. He played in 30 games the past two seasons as the top backup to the interior of the offensive line.

 

In other moves, the Packers re-signed wide receiver-kick returner Antonio Chatman and defensive end R-Kal Truluck to one-year contracts.

I'm sad to see Mike Wahle go, since this was a guy who worked his way up during the Holmgren years and established himself as a guard on one of the NFL's top lines. He took a while to get acclimated to the position and for a while I thought him to be the "weak spot" on the Pack's o-line, and for all intents and purposes he was but would still make a great addition to any team looking for a quick fix at starting LG. Good to see that they're going to try to retain Rivera, though. The article is slightly misleading as Ruegamer wasn't a starter until Pro Bowler Mike Flanagan had season-ending surgery and was mostly ineffective against teams with overpowering defensive lines, but was able to gel nicely with the other guys to maintain their consistency at least.

[Guest Deadbolt]

yeah i heard after the season was over they were more than likely going to release Wahle which sucks. i don't like Chatman at all i don't think hes improving enough to stay. he needs alot of work imo to be the #4 guy or whichever he is

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I think Mike Williams might fall low enough that the Ravens wouldnt have to trade up to get him..maybe.

Supposedly Tice asked Williams if he's up for replacing Randy Moss. I don't see the Vikings passing up on Williams unless Edwards is still available. Running a 4.5 40 isn't too bad considering Williams was out of football for a year.

[Guest Vitamin X]

yeah i heard after the season was over they were more than likely going to release Wahle which sucks. i don't like Chatman at all i don't think hes improving enough to stay. he needs alot of work imo to be the #4 guy or whichever he is

Chatman is a WR, Wahle is a lineman... two completely different positions..

 

Also, I don't know what Antonio Chatman you were watching last season, this kid came basically out of nowhere and established himself as a better slot receiver than Ferguson has done since ol' Fergie was drafted to be a premier possession receiver to compliment Freeman, then Driver, and now with Walker playing himself to the league's elite last year, has kind of made me think twice about why this kid has been given so many chances.

 

As long as the offensive line has Rivera, Clifton, and Flanagan they'll be fine and still be among the best.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

yeah i heard after the season was over they were more than likely going to release Wahle which sucks. i don't like Chatman at all i don't think hes improving enough to stay. he needs alot of work imo to be the #4 guy or whichever he is

Chatman is a WR, Wahle is a lineman... two completely different positions..

 

Also, I don't know what Antonio Chatman you were watching last season, this kid came basically out of nowhere and established himself as a better slot receiver than Ferguson has done since ol' Fergie was drafted to be a premier possession receiver to compliment Freeman, then Driver, and now with Walker playing himself to the league's elite last year, has kind of made me think twice about why this kid has been given so many chances.

 

As long as the offensive line has Rivera, Clifton, and Flanagan they'll be fine and still be among the best.

Deadbolt is right though, Chatman does suck as a LG, since he never played it.

[Guest Arnold_OldSchool]

R-Kal Truluck --- Why resign a 31 year old useless pass rusher?

[Guest Vitamin X]

It was the lowest tendered offer, and he did well in relief duty last season.

 

You wanna talk about overpaid useless pass rushers...

"I can't even see what's in front of me!"

[Precious Roy 0]

If the Pats don't bring back Troy Brown then their GM can kiss my ass. If the Pats want to cut the man who has been the word "TEAM" since the start and then don't bring him back, they have pissed me off.

word

[Crimson Platypus 0]

From Draftsharks.com (my fantasy newsletter provider) here are some combine notes:

 

QB Aaron Rodgers (California) is the possible first overall choice in this

draft, and he boldly promised he would run the 40 at 4.8 -- a very frisky time

for a QB. Rodgers was unofficially timed at 4.80 and 4.71 and lived up to his

word.  Neither Rodgers nor Utah’s Alex Smith (4.90) threw at the combines,

preferring to wait for their Pro Day workouts. Both are still projected as

consensus top-3 picks; either guy going to San Francisco, Miami, or Cleveland.

 

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Harvard) got every single question right on the Wonderlic

test. That ties him with Pat McInally (Bengals punter from the 70’s) as the only

two people who scored a perfect 50. Fitzpatrick is ranked somewhere around the

8th or 9th best QB prospect coming out -- but this IQ stuff might bump him up a

few spots.

 

QB David Greene (Georgia) did not participate, saving his arm for a personal

on-campus workout next month. He set numerous SEC passing records (11,528 yards

& 72 TD passes) but has a lot of doubters on lack of arm strength. Many scouts

believe Greene has slipped to 6th among QB prospects – behind Aaron Rodgers

(Cal), Alex Smith (Utah), Charlie Frye (Akron), Jason Campbell (Auburn), and

Kyle Orton (Purdue).

 

QB Matt Jones (Arkansas) blew away everybody with a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash on

Sunday. It is believed to be the fastest time ever run by a quarterback at the

Combine. Matt’s 6’6” and 237 lbs. and might actually get drafted higher as a TE

instead of a QB. Either way, he made himself some money with that run.

 

QB Adrian McPherson (Florida State) ran a nice 4.72 for a QB but injured his

left quadriceps. Adrian was the guy who was booted off the Seminoles squad two

years ago for gambling on college football games. He’s the only high school

player in Florida history to earn the prestigious Mr. Football and Mr.

Basketball honors in the same year. Last year he played for the Indiana

Firebirds of the Arena Football League.

 

RB Maurice Clarett (Ohio State) had a chance to resurrect himself but flopped

around in the 4.75 range.  Clarett might have dropped to the 6th or 7th round

when scouts add this debacle to the off-field problems.  One club had his

fastest time at 4.78, while others actually clocked him at 4.90. Of course, guys

like Rudi Johnson and Priest Holmes couldn’t break 4.70 at their combines and

they turned out to be pretty good players.

 

RB Cedric Benson (Texas) did not participate at the Combine, preferring to save

himself for his Pro Day at Texas. Some said it was a terrible decision, but he

can erase all doubts by consistently running under 4.5 on the campus track.

 

RB J.J. Arrington (California) is the big sleeper among RBs according to many

experts. He ran a blazing 4.41 and might have jumped into the 2nd round. J.J.’s

barely 5’9” but is powerfully built and cat-quick. He led the NCAA in rushing

with 1,845 yards. Some believe Arrington will be the 4th back taken after the

“Big Three” – Auburn RBs Ronnie Brown and "Cadillac" Williams, & Texas' Cedric

Benson.

 

RB Ronnie Brown (Auburn) clocked in as low as 4.33 on three stopwatches and was

the story of the combine. His teammate, RB Cadillac Williams, ran an official

4.50 (though NFL.com’s Gil Brandt had him at a terrific 4.43) and just lost the

spotlight to Brown for the first time. And Brown was only expected to run in the

4.6’s so his stock has really exploded.  “Ronnie Brown can fly,” said Cardinals

HC Dennis Green. It’s possible that both Brown and Williams are taken in the top

6 or 7 picks -- before Cedric Benson.

 

RB Darren Sproles (Kansas State) fired off a laser at 4.38 and 4.39, then ESPN

reported Sproles was so quick out of the blocks that he had to start over

because scouts couldn't hit the stopwatch fast enough.  Sproles rushed for over

3,300 yards in the last two years (3rd most in the NCAA) and has a sinister

cutback “hop” that reminds us of Barry Sanders. But Sproles stands at only 5’7”

and might fall to the 3rd or 4th round.

 

WR Mike Williams (USC) said to “bet the farm” on a sub 4.45 time, then went out

and ran a pair of 4.59’s. Still, most scouts admired his overall workout, and

his huge frame (6’4” ½, 229 lbs) and glue-dripping hands will assure Williams of

a first-round selection.

 

WR Braylon Edwards (Michigan) did not run. He was the only one out of 20 WRs

invited not to participate.  It won’t affect his blue-chip status unless he

stumbles at his Pro Day workout.

 

WR Taylor Stubblefield (Purdue) was not invited to the NFL Combine. He is the

NCAA's all-time receptions leader with 325 catches. Go figure.

 

WR Troy Williamson (South Carolina) ripped off a 4.38 and got himself positioned

up near the first round. At 6-1, 200 pounds, he’s got the entire package. The

only reason he didn’t have the stats at South Carolina (43 catches last year) is

because their QBs were terrible.  SI.com projects Williamson as the 14th overall

pick (Carolina).

 

WR Roscoe Parrish (Miami) ran a nifty 4.43 but he was the lightest receiver at

the combine at 168 lbs.

 

WR Mark Clayton (Oklahoma) also ran a 4.43 and might have jumped into the 1st

round. Chiefs scout John Bonaventura said Clayton was “the most consistent guy

in the drills as far as being near the top.”

 

WR Jerome Mathis (Hampton) ran like a scalded dog at 4.32. Gil Brandt and

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells clocked Mathis at an incredible 4.25, which would be

one of the fastest combine 40’s ever, up there with Deion Sanders and Joey

Galloway. A small college All-American, Mathis may have jumped up into the

mid-2nd round with that run.

 

WR Courtney Roby (Indiana) ran a 4.36 and trailed only Mathis among wideouts.

 

TE Heath Miller (Virginia) did not run at the combine but it won’t affect his

first-round status.

 

TE Jerome Collins (Notre Dame) ran the fastest 40 among tight ends at 4.65.

 

C Richie Incognito (Nebraska) ran a 4.90 -- best among offensive linemen -- and

was also 5th among O-linemen with 29 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press.

But he suffered a strained MCL in his right knee and had to leave early. Richie

was booted off the Nebraska squad for an off-field incident.

 

T Alex Barron (Florida State) chose to wait for his Pro Day in two weeks. Some

scouts believe he’ll go as high as the 6th overall pick (Tennessee Titans).

 

G Bryan Young (BYU) did 44 reps of 225 lbs, tops among all players at the

combine. To put his strength in perspective, Cowboys DT La’Roi Glover won the

NFL Strongest Man competition in Honolulu with only 32 reps.

 

DE Marcus Spears (LSU) did not participate in the combine. He just had

arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair damage that he suffered in his

pre-combine workouts. ESPN reported his knee should be fine and no medical "red

flags" have been raised.

 

DE Erasus James (Wisconsin) ran a frisky 4.78 -– then had a superb broad jump of

10 feet, 2 inches. He’s a sure first-rounder (6’4”, 268) and Mel Kiper projected

James to Dallas with the 11th overall pick.

 

LB Channing Crowder (Florida) was advised by his agent not to run because of a

sore knee.

 

LB Robert McCune (Louisville) surprised a lot of coaches with a 4.50.

 

LB Demarcus Ware (Troy State) was the best athlete on the Troy St. roster

(6’4”/245 lbs) and “did everything well” at the combine, according to NFL

Network. 

 

S Terry Holley (Rice) bench-pressed 225 pounds 24 times, tops among DBs. He got

a lot of sleeper buzz after his workouts.

 

S Thomas Davis (Georgia) has great size (6’1”, 231) and his 4.52 time in the 40

did nothing to hurt him. SI.com says the Chiefs are interested with their 15th

overall pick.

 

CB Brandon Browner (Oregon State) measured in at 6-feet-3¾ and 221 lbs.,

prompting many to wonder if he should play safety in the NFL. Some scouts

project Browner to go as high as 17th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.

 

DB Marlon Jackson (Michigan) played both safety and corner in college and led

all DBs at the combine with 23 reps of 225 lbs. The Packers are rumored to be

interested with their 24th overall pick.

[Guest Arnold_OldSchool]

DE Erasus James (Wisconsin) ran a frisky 4.78 -– then had a superb broad jump of

10 feet, 2 inches. He’s a sure first-rounder (6’4”, 268) and Mel Kiper projected

James to Dallas with the 11th overall pick.

 

 

 

Dallas drafted a WI O lineman last year or the year before, right? ____ Johnson?

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Derrick Mason has signed with the Ravens. Major upgrade for them.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

Credit Rotoworld

 

ESPN's John Clayton reports the Lions have reached an agreement with Denver safety Kennoy Kennedy.

 

ESPN's John Clayton reports the Saints may cut Tebucky Jones to free up cap space.

 

The Cowboys have reached an agreement with Jets NT Jason Ferguson

 

Patriots placed the middle tender ($1.43 million) on restricted free agents tackle Tom Ashworth, guard Stephen Neal, and defensive end Jarvis Green.

 

The Patriots placed the middle tender ($1.43) on restricted free agent David Givens

 

Redskins re-signed tackle Chris Samuels a seven-year contract worth $46 million, with a $15.75 million signing bonus.

Only the Redskins would give someone who hasn't made the Pro Bowl in two years a team-record signing bonus. The move will actually save Washington $3-5 million against the cap this season. Orlando Pace's market just went through the roof.

 

Rams signed LB Dexter Coakley to a five-year, $14.5 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Let the reocrd show that Coakley got cut from the Cowboys so that he couldn't recieve a roster bonus. I read that they wanted to resign him, but I would have went somewhere else too. Fuck that shit. I'm really starting to dislike the NFL's salary system. It may have been dramatic, but I can see where Warren Sapp was coming from now.

[Sass 0]

Interesting article about the Raiders salary cap:

 

In the world of salary-cap economics, it is cheaper for the Oakland Raiders to keep Rich Gannon than to let him go.

Gannon, according to an NFL source, agreed to reduce his base salary from $8million to $765,000, as the Raiders began whittling away at their salary-cap overage.

 

Gannon, 39, had the club's highest salary-cap number at $9,928,575, including his original prorated signing bonus. He lowered his cap number to

 

$2,693,575 — allowing the Raiders instantly to save

 

$7,235,000 under the cap.

 

By reducing Gannon's salary, the Raiders save more money against the cap than if he were released. Cutting Gannon would have netted a savings of $5,471,430 against the cap, taking into account a bonus acceleration of $4,357,145.

 

The Raiders must accommodate a new multimillion contract for Jerry Porter, a $10.5million franchise free-agent tender for Charles Woodson as well as assuming a $7.25million salary once the trade for Randy Moss becomes official   Wednesday.

 

With the Raiders between $10million and $15million over the $85.5million salary cap, the task of getting under it by Wednesday will keep the bean counters busy but is not insurmountable with the restructuring of a handful of contracts plus the release of players with bloated salaries.

 

Left tackle Barry Sims, sources said, already has reworked his contract, though terms were not available. Sims carried a $5,147,736 cap number and a $3.1million salary.

 

Others candidates for reworked deals or outright release include defensive tackle John Parrella ($5,141,666 cap number, $3million salary), defensive tackle Warren Sapp ($4,450,000 cap number, $2million salary), defensivetackle Ted Washington ($3.5million cap number, $2million salary), guard Ron Stone ($3.1million cap number, $2.2million salary), guard Frank Middleton ($3million cap number, $2million salary), safety Ray Buchanan ($2,620,000 cap number), $1million salary) and cornerback Denard Walker ($2.5million cap number, $1million   salary).

 

Although it's widely believed Gannon will retire after suffering a broken vertebra last season, the quarterback told the St. Paul Pioneer Press he is not giving up on playing again.

 

"I had a serious injury," Gannon said. "Whether I can play or not, I don't know. I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to play with Randy Moss. By no means am I calling it quits. But I want to do the right thing for myself and my family and the organization. So hopefully   it'll all work out."

 

If Gannon is waived after June 1, his accelerated bonus money will be pushed to the 2006 cap.

 

They don't appear to be in much trouble. Yesterday, I think it was MSN that reported this, Ray Buchanan, Frank Middleton, and one of the back-up TE's were supposedly cut. That would free up more room. I haven't found any confirmation yet.

[Sass 0]

This is gold:

 

Left tackle Chris Samuels became another of the Redskins' long-term building blocks on Wednesday morning. The Redskins have reached a multi-year contract extension with the 6-5, 300-pound offensive lineman, the team announced.

 

The seven-year deal was significant for several reasons: not only did it ink Samuels, a two-time Pro Bowler, but it also was was expected to help open up room under the Redskins' salary cap. That would allow the team to re-sign players and free agents.

 

In his five NFL seasons, Samuels has established himself as one of the premiere left tackles in the league. He has missed only four games during his Redskins' career and has started every game in which he has played.

 

Samuels was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2001 and 2002. In 2003, he battled through several injuries and was named a third alternate to the Pro Bowl.

 

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2000 draft, Samuels continues to show leadership on and off the field. Head coach Joe Gibbs has identified Samuels as one of the team's "core Redskins," or players he hopes to build around in the long term.

 

In 2002, Samuels was voted by his teammates and coaches as the Ed Block Courage Award recipient, annually given to a player from each NFL team who exemplifies commitment to overcoming injuries, sportsmanship and courage.

 

A native of Mobile, Ala., Samuels played his college ball at Alabama and as a senior won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best offensive lineman.

 

What a waste of money. Geezush, the Skins are so fucked salary cap wise come '06 and '07. I almost feel pity for the Skins fans here.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

They don't appear to be in much trouble. Yesterday, I think it was MSN that reported this, Ray Buchanan, Frank Middleton, and one of the back-up TE's were supposedly cut. That would free up more room. I haven't found any confirmation yet.

Think I saw that on the ESPN by-line last night while watching NBA Fastbreak.

[therealworldschampion 0]

I heard that the Skins were considering giving Samari Rolle a signing bonus of $15 million with a potential contract....does Snyder realize he's going to be in cap hell next year?

[MrRant 0]

Anthony Simmons looks to be gone.

 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/214160_hawk02.html

[Guest Vitamin X]

The future of the Green Bay Packers sure does look bright!!

[therealworldschampion 0]

Maybe that's why they took Ahmad Carroll last year....