The NFL Offseason/Pre-Draft Thread

[fazzle 0]

In a SHOCKING move, the Bills unveiled their new third uniforms today....and they're NOT ugly as hell! No, instead they're throwback unis.

 

 

 

 

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go order a Lee Evans throwback, so it can definitely get here in time for the season opener!

[Guest]

Are they wearing those all season? If they aren't, they should.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

They're fun and all, but what is with the obsession with throwbacks the last few years?

[Brett Favre 0]

Wasn't it a few years ago MLB using throw-forwards? I don't remember if it was that or throwbacks.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

A couple of years back, i think Seattle had a "turn ahead the clock day" in response to the numerous "turn back the clock" days going on then, but I think that was still before the explosion of them into the mainstream and other sports (Every time I watch Sportscenter, at least 1 NBA team is wearing them)

[Brett Favre 0]

Yeah I remember Seattle specifically, and I think the Padres too, not too sure, with big ass logos on their jerseys. Throwbacks are the "it" wear right now.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Bumping this because Fraud-Ex found a job...

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-c...ov=ap&type=lgns

 

Chiefs sign WR Freddie Mitchell

 

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer

June 18, 2005

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Chiefs signed free-agent wide receiver Freddie Mitchell Saturday, a month after the Eagles released the troublesome player.

 

Mitchell was at Chiefs minicamp in street clothes but will begin practicing Sunday, coach Dick Vermeil said.

 

``We're very happy to have him here and I think he's happy to be here,'' Vermeil said. ``He's in a good frame of mind and his attitude is very good.''

 

Mitchell, who played in 63 games in four seasons at Philadelphia, fell into disfavor with Eagles coaches and teammates after making a series of controversial and inflammatory statements.

 

He insulted the Patriots secondary before the Super Bowl, and also called out New England coach Bill Belichick. He also criticized his teammates for not backing him and blasted quarterback Donovan McNabb for not throwing to him more.

 

``The plays are going to be there for me to make,'' Mitchell said after the Chiefs went through a two-hour workout in front of about 15,000 fans. ``I just want to help the team win and hopefully be utilized catching the ball. So it's going to be good. I'm happy to be here.''

 

Mitchell, picked in the first round out of UCLA in 2001, also labeled himself with a seemingly endless list of self-promoting nicknames like ``The People's Champ,'' ``FredEx,'' and ``First-Down Freddie.'' But he hardly produced, catching 90 passes for 1,263 yards and five touchdowns in his career.

 

The move comes a day after free-agent receiver Az-Zahir Hakim changed his mind and decided against signing with the Chiefs.

 

The funny thing is that the Chiefs play both the Eagles and the Pats this upcoming year....

[MrRant 0]

Shaun isn't willing to sign the tender...

 

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander wants a long-term deal and won't sign any tender offer, even if it means missing part of the regular season, The Seattle Times reported.

 

Alexander said signing the team's $6.32 million franchise tender is "out of the question." When asked by the paper if it will come down to not playing without a long-term deal, he replied, "Pretty much, yeah."

 

"I'm pretty strong about my principles," the Pro Bowl running back told the paper Sunday. "We're all under the same understanding. It's not like a bitter thing. I've told them that I love playing for Seattle. To me, it's not about money, it's just about a principle."

 

The Seahawks gave Alexander the franchise tag this offseason, denying the running back of becoming a free agent. But as far as Alexander is concerned, this could have been avoided.

 

"I told them three years ago that I love playing here and let's do something now. Let's meet," Alexander told The Times. "It was just me and Mike [Holmgren]. There were no agents involved. I said, 'You know what? My wife's here. My family's here. I want to be here until I retire. It's really funny because back then I would have worked for peanuts.

 

"Two Pro Bowls and 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns later, now it's time to talk? And I'm like, 'Why would you do this?' So now it's just one of those things where I say, 'Let's do what's right.' I'm not trying to be evil or greedy or anything, let's just do what's right."

 

Due to NFL rules, the two sides cannot begin negotiating a again until July 15. Until that time, all Alexander can do is wait.

 

"I honestly believe that they're going to make a great deal for me," Alexander told the paper. "I'm going to end up signing and it's going to be no big deal. [but] I'm not naive to think that you can make a deal like that overnight."

[The Czech Republic 0]

Go Chiefs. I love Freddie Mitchell. As a fellow person who talks shit without being able to deliver, I wholeheartedly endorse him and wish him the best.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I want to kill Drew Rosenhaus.

Grady Jackson could hold out over contract

 

July 6, 2005

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Nose tackle Grady Jackson could hold out or seek a trade if the Green Bay Packers don't improve his contract, his new agent said Wednesday.

 

The 340-pound Jackson has a year left on a two-year, $2.31 million deal. Drew Rosenhaus said the 32-year-old Jackson is a ``premier player'' on the Packers defense and should be paid that way.

 

``He's obviously underpaid for his position and level of contribution,'' he said.

 

Rosenhaus said he talked to Packers executives Tuesday, and they indicated they wanted Jackson to play out his contract and would evaluate him after the season ends.

 

``We may need to look at a trade or potentially a holdout until the team changes their position,'' Rosenhaus said.

 

Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb referred questions to general manager Ted Thompson, but said Thompson was on vacation Wednesday.

 

Jackson has had arthroscopic knee surgery each of the last two offseasons. Last season, he dislocated a kneecap in the opening game and missed more than a month before returning to action. He finished with 23 tackles and one sack.

 

Jackson was previously represented by James ``Bus'' Cook, who is also the agent for Packers quarterback Brett Favre.

 

Rosenhaus also represents wide receiver Javon Walker, who didn't attend the team's minicamps this spring, and running back Najeh Davenport. Training camp begins July 29.

 

Honestly, it's almost as if this guy has it out for the Packers. Walker was the breakout player on offense, and Jackson was/is the key to the Packers' Run D. How the hell is it that every single damn player who goes and switches to this guy ends up demanding a new contract and threatening to hold out? This is ri-goddamn-diculous.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

He's just doing his job really. He's a slimy dirtbag, but it's pretty much his job to get his clients more money.

 

 

I really don't understand why Seattle is dragging their feet with Shaun Alexander?? He has only been the most consistent running back in the NFL the past 4 or 5 years (roughly 15 TDs, 1400ish yards per year I think without checking). It just makes sense to lock him up.

[Guest Vitamin X]

He's just doing his job really. He's a slimy dirtbag, but it's pretty much his job to get his clients more money.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The problem is, is that he's going about doing his contracts the whole wrong way and on top of it all, he's not necessarily getting his clients more money. Who the fuck is willing to pay up for a 32 year old defensive tackle, no matter how good he's been in the past? And as long as Javon Walker is under contract to the Packers, he's obligated to come to work to get paid.. and the Packers have made it clear they have no intention of reworking a contract that they just can't do under the current rules.

 

With Rosenhaus, it seems like his ONLY solution to every problem is to cough up a shitload of money or hold out. Hundreds of contracts get reworked in every sport every year without having to hold out.

 

If I were Ted Thompson, I'd do whatever I could to trade both of them and one of the extra QB's for immediate defensive help.

[snuffbox 0]

Im 100% certain that Grady Jackson will miss at least a few games this year. Fuck him.

[Guest Vitamin X]

And people are STILL praising the Aaron Rodgers pick?

 

I said they needed help on the defensive line, if they were unable to trade up and grab Thomas Davis. But noooooo...

[MrRant 0]

Seahawks Reportedly Interested in Travis Henry? - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seah...326_hawk13.html

 

Edit: Fixed Link

[Guest Vitamin X]

Insurance for Shaun Alexander? Hmm..

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Yes.

 

Someone please take Travis Henry already.

[Gert T 0]

Good to see that Pac Man Jones, is keeping up the high image of the NFL during the off-season.

[KingPK 0]

Although most people thought it was inevitable, the Patriots officially announced that Tedy Bruschi is sitting out the '05 season to recover from his stroke. He's got three rings, so his health should come first. He will be sorely missed on the Pats D though.

[Robert 0]

Glad for Teddy. Probably my favorite linebacker in the NFL, I hope he has a big year when he comes back.

 

Ok, I have an article for every Packer fan that will send them to Miami with a sniper rifle:

 

From JS Online:

 

Rosenhaus says Walker won't report to camp

Posted: July 20, 2005

 

Unless things change in the next few days, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker will continue his holdout when training camp begins next week.

 

That's according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, who said as much in an interview for HBO's Real Sports taped last Friday and scheduled to be aired next Tuesday at 9 p.m. on HBO.

 

Here's the exchange between reporter Bernie Goldberg and Rosenhaus:

 

Rosenhaus: "The news on Javon Walker is that we are, right now, we have already decided he is not going to go to training camp."

 

Goldberg: "Hold on. That is news."

 

Rosenhaus: "That is news. I've not said that before. But Javon and I spoke today. And we've made the decision that we're not going to report to training camp. And I can't say when we will report, or if, or when, but he will not be at camp."

 

Goldberg: "Because?"

 

Rosenhaus: "Because the teams refuse to negotiate with us. And he's making about half a million dollars, and he's one of the premier players in the league. I can't let this player go out on the field and jeopardize his career for that kind of money. I just can't fathom it."

 

The transcript of the interview was e-mailed by HBO this morning to Journal Sentinel SportsDay columnist Bob Wolfley.

 

Veterans are scheduled to report to training camp next Wednesday and begin practice next Friday.

 

Walker, who has two years remaining on the five-year deal he signed as a rookie in 2001, is scheduled to make a base salary of $515,000 this season. Last year he made the Pro Bowl for the first time, leading the Packers with 89 receptions for 1,328 yards and 12 touchdowns.

 

Walker already has missed the team's mandatory minicamp this off-season.

[snuffbox 0]

Fuck Walker.

[Guest]

Why should Walker only be getting paid half a million dollars? I don't blame him at all.

[snuffbox 0]

Why should Walker only be getting paid half a million dollars?  I don't blame him at all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

He signed the contract.

[the pinjockey 0]

The reason he is only making 515 grand this year is because more than half of his rookie contract was in bonus money. 4.3 million of his 7.4 million deal was tied up into bonuses in those first two years.

 

Rosenhaus: "I can't let my client go onto the field for only half a million."

 

Packers GM: "Well can we get a refund for letting him walk on the field his rookie year for 3.5 million?"

 

In NFL contracts, it is deceiving to bring up one year's base salary and cry woe is me off that.

 

Besides that, I wasn't aware that one year was worth opening the vaults to someone. Prove that you are an elite WR and not a one year wonder, then talk new contract.

 

I am very worried, however, that the GB front office caves and ruins what the Eagles are doing by not renegotiating with Rosenhaus.

[snuffbox 0]

Ill be surprised if the new GB front office caves in. Walker is less important to the Packer offense that TO for the Eagles. Favre can throw the ball anywhere (more often than not), all GB needs is guys decent enough to catch...and Driver, Ferguson, etc can do that.

[Guest]

I didn't say he was worth a huge contract, but I do believe that he should be playing for something more than 500 grand.

[Robert 0]

Well, if you look at everything that Rosentrash said on HBO, he never mentioned the huge bonus that he's getting. Rosenhaus is painting Javon out to be the victim, when he has a 4.3 million dollar bonus. Walker is lucky to get a bonus, Ray Nitschke got around 50,000 if I remember (read Mean On Sunday) used 25 on a Buick, and the other to get to Green Bay. You winded about your deal, you were traded. Jim Ringo (Packer during the Lombardi Era) got a agent and Vince just hated them. He demanded more money, and he was traded to Philedalphia right on the spot. He traded away an NFL HOF center, because they didn't take that crap. Unless Walker grows a brain and get's to camp, he'll get injured when he does play. Let's see a team take him.

[Guest Vitamin X]

That's exactly what I've been saying. Rosenhaus and Walker don't have even close to any kind of leverage here, same thing with T.O.. For christ's sake, if there was one year left on the contract, then yeah maybe I could understand.. But Walker has two left, and T.O. has SEVEN (T.O.'s case is even more ridiculous since he's one of the highest paid players in the league anyways). I don't think this got mentioned either, but I like the bickering between Favre and Rosenhaus:

 

Walker's holdout threat has drawn the ire of quarterback Brett Favre , who also criticized Rosenhaus for his tactics.

 

Rosenhaus responded by saying Favre should call him to get all the facts.

 

"I don't think he'll answer my calls," Favre said this week while playing in a charity pro-am at the US Bank Championship golf tournament in Milwaukee. "Set me straight on what? I've played 14 straight years. I have not held out one time. He has nothing to say to me."

 

Rosenhaus said Wednesday he has plenty to say to the three-time MVP.

 

"I reached out to Brett. If you take issue with our position, call me," Rosenhaus said. "I'm not allowed to call him. But if he calls me, I'll tell him what our status is. I don't think he knows all the facts. I'd love to fill him in."

 

Favre said Walker is under contract, "and to me that means he should be here."

 

Rosenhaus said he would take Favre's call any time.

 

Full squad practices for the Packers begin on July 29. Veterans are scheduled to report on July 27. The Packers also are facing the possibility of beginning camp without defensive tackle Grady Jackson . Jackson recently hired Rosenhaus and has indicated that he will hold out unless the Packers renegotiate his contract. Jackson is entering the final season of a two-year, $2.3 million extension that he signed in December of 2003.

 

If Walker wants to hold out the whole season, whatever, fuck him. Even when the Pack took him in 2002, I was wondering.. WHY? What about Robert Ferguson and Donald Driver's progress? I was thinking the Packers should have taken someone to rebuild their front seven (Napoleon Harris was available) or a strong safety to finally go with Darren Sharper (2004 NFL Defensive F'n Player of the Year Ed Reed was available). They've still got Ferguson and Driver to be on the other end of Favre's throws, the only cog in the offense that worries me is Bubba Franks, who's also holding out or is generally unhappy with his contract. Then you throw in Grady Jackson who's also holding out, as well as Aaron Rodgers whose agent desperately wants #1 pick money despite the fact he realistically won't even see the field for at least another year or two, and Sherman should be fuckin GRATEFUL that he's no longer the GM.

[Robert 0]

The only reason he's getting 500,000 a year is because it's his rookie deal. Every not drafted in the top 5 usually end up with the deal. The Packers and holding out players have always haunted us. Here's a list of some notables:

 

Jim Ringo ©

John Hadl (QB)

James Lofton (WR)

Lynn Dickey (QB)

Greg Ellis (WR)

Tony Manadrich (LT)

Don Majkowski (QB)

Randy Wright (QB)

Sterling Sharpe (WR)

Dorsey Levens (HB)

Mike McKenzie (CB)

Javon Walker (WR)

Grady Jackson (NT)

 

After Lombardi completely left the team, the Packer's GM's would give into anybody. Wolf dealed with Levens (Who got injured right after he signed a new deal.) and Sharpe (Whose career was ended that year.) Walker wears 84 and so did Sharpe, anybody notice anything similar here?

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Wolf dealed with Levens (Who got injured right after he signed a new deal.) and Sharpe (Whose career was ended that year.) Walker wears 84 and so did Sharpe, anybody notice anything similar here?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Man you just made Rosenhaus' point for him. If Walker plays this year for $515,000 and breaks his neck in game 3 the Packers don't care. They would pay out his contract for this year and dump him. Then he's fucked. If he gets $4million that's just a wee bit better for him in the long run huh?