2006 NFL Off-Season

[2GOLD 0]

Pats cut McGinest due to the $8.3mill cap hit he would be. Hopefully they bring him back at a reduced price.

 

former Jets C Kevin Mawae wants to play for the Patriots. Its in the Boston Herald. Pats don't need him since they have Dan Koppen, unless of course Mawae is willing to move to the gurd position.

 

I'm sure Big Willie will be back and they'll probably give him a bonus like they did with Brown when they re-signed him. I cannot see them letting Willie walk when he's one of the last linebackers left who isn't moving at dramatically reduced speed.

 

I can see Mawae moving to guard. The Patriots can never have enough linemen with the way they get beat up.

[nl5xsk1 0]

My bet is that both Willie & D.Givens end up going to the Browns. Crennel would LOVE to have 55 to anchor his D, and the Browns are way under the Cap. Both players will be signed to contracts that outweigh what their current worth would actually indicate.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

McGinnest going to the Browns makes alot of sense, but I hope Philly gives him a offer.

[the pinjockey 0]

McGinnest in Philly doesn't make much sense, given that he has been a 3-4 pass rusher for a while now.

 

I will reiterate my desire for David Givens though.

 

I like what they did in getting Shawn Barber for, essentially, the veteran minimum. If he has anything left that have a nice athletic LB (see: first Eagles stint), if he doesn't have anything left no harm no foul.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

McGinnest in Philly doesn't make much sense, given that he has been a 3-4 pass rusher for a while now.

 

I will reiterate my desire for David Givens though.

 

I like what they did in getting Shawn Barber for, essentially, the veteran minimum. If he has anything left that have a nice athletic LB (see: first Eagles stint), if he doesn't have anything left no harm no foul.

 

He can play DE on the opposite side of Kearse.

[the pinjockey 0]

I can't see bringing him in to be a 4-3 end at this point in his career. If they go after a DE, I wouldn't have a problem with Aaron Kampman. He would be a nice compliment to the pure pass rusher in Trent Cole. Those two could turn that second DE slot into a positive as opposed to the joke it has been the last couple years.

 

Looking at this post apparently I have become a Yankees fan. I see a hole and want to spend big money on it, my wish list so far:

Bentley

Givens

Kampman

Witherspoon

Mawae (move Bentley to guard, a Bentley-Mawae-Andrews middle of the line would be sick)

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

I can't see bringing him in to be a 4-3 end at this point in his career. If they go after a DE, I wouldn't have a problem with Aaron Kampman. He would be a nice compliment to the pure pass rusher in Trent Cole. Those two could turn that second DE slot into a positive as opposed to the joke it has been the last couple years.

 

Looking at this post apparently I have become a Yankees fan. I see a hole and want to spend big money on it, my wish list so far:

Bentley

Givens

Kampman

Witherspoon

Mawae (move Bentley to guard, a Bentley-Mawae-Andrews middle of the line would be sick)

 

Spending money on Mawae would be a waste, because Jamal Jackson has impressed me alot is alot young then Mawae.

 

From what I'm hearing Bentley is moving to guard regardless.

 

If Buffalo releases him, I would like to see Eric Moulds come to the Eagles, on a short term contract. Because he still got some good football in him, and looks to be in great shape. He would be a good #1 option, letting Reggie Brown have some open looks. David Givens is an average WR at best, we got enough of those, so I do

 

Witherspoon would be nice, but I'd like it if they draft LB instead. Ernie Sims IMO is in the makings of being the next Derrick Brooks.

[Guest Arnold_OldSchool]

Javon Walker has told the Packers he has no interest playing for them again:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2361969

 

Daunte Culpepper's misery in Minnesota has company in, of all places, Green Bay.

 

While the Packers await a decision from quarterback Brett Favre about whether he intends to retire or return, wide receiver Javon Walker, who is rehabilitating the right knee he injured in last year's season opener and yet whose relationship with the organization remains fractured following the team's refusal last summer to renegotiate his contract and Favre's public criticism of Walker's holdout threat, told ESPN.com on Thursday that he has already informed the Packers of his desire to play elsewhere.

 

 

Walker said he's expressed his feelings to new Packers coach Mike McCarthy, while his agent, CSMG Sports' Kennard McGuire, has asked general manager Ted Thompson, as did former Walker agent Drew Rosenhaus, to deal Walker or allow them to pursue a trade. Thompson on Wednesday denied the requests.

 

 

"I just don't feel like this is the best place for me to be right now," said Walker, 27, preparing to enter his sixth pro season. "I really have no interest in being in a Green Bay Packers uniform or playing for Green Bay again."

 

 

Citing recent contract squabbles with running back Ahman Green, tight end Bubba Franks, defensive lineman Grady Jackson and cornerback Mike McKenzie, as well as his own, Walker added, "I just don't like the way the organization runs itself. They want players to come up there and play hard and work hard, but when it comes time to be compensated, it's like, 'We forgot what you've done.'"

 

 

The source of Walker's bitterness is the team's refusal even to discuss his contract, which at the time had two years remaining, the penultimate year of which paid him $515,000 the season after he made the Pro Bowl by catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. But Walker says that at this point, money is not the issue.

 

 

Favre offended Walker when he spoke out against the receiver in his contract dispute, saying he should come to training camp and not hold out. (Walker heeded the advice.) Walker believes Favre's comments made living and working in Wisconsin difficult; Walker tells of one instance when he was in a hotel and an employee announced his presence on an Internet message board for "anyone who had something to say to Javon Walker." It also angered Walker that the team allowed its iconic quarterback to interfere publicly in a teammate's business with management. He held his tongue all year.

 

 

"There's an unwritten rule that players stick together," said Walker, still biting his tongue on Favre for the most part.

 

 

While Walker is quite adamant about not sticking around in Green Bay for the final year of his contract -- whether Favre returns or not -- he promises not to be a disruption next season, because he doesn't plan to show up at all for training camp.

 

 

"If I had to go back there, I'd retire," he said. "I don't have to play."

 

 

The rift is so deep and his animosity toward Favre so great that, Walker said, he is even willing if necessary to repay the Packers the prorated portion of his signing bonus, which amounts to around $850,000.

 

 

"Why should I risk another year of getting beat up playing for a team that I don't want to play for? That's stupid," Walker said.

 

 

Walker, who underwent surgery Oct. 7 in Houston, says his rehab at Florida State (his alma mater) is going as planned. He's sprinting and should be ready to go by training camp -- for some other team, he hopes.

 

 

"I love the game," Walker said. "But I'm not going to risk what I went through this year, tearing an ACL and taking pain pills. If I'm going to go out and take hits, it's going to be for a team that I love playing for."

 

 

Walker said he told McCarthy, "It's nothing against you or your staff, but it's unfair to you to have a player in your organization that doesn't want to be there."

 

 

"I'm not going to grandstand," Walker said. "I just want the Packers to give me peace of mind."

 

 

Reached in his office, McCarthy declined comment.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Wide receivers make me want football to reconsider allowing the forward pass.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Wide receivers make me want football to reconsider allowing the forward pass.

 

Nah. Just let defenders get their shots on them constantly like they used to. Damn rule changes.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I say let him bitch and retire. He had ONE good season, and apparently he's still only frustrated that he's not getting compensated over that. That's bullshit.

 

Of course, the biggest problem with all this is that the Packers are stuck once again looking for a big-time player at the receiver position, especially considering what happened last year with having Donald Driver and pretty much noone else.. and that Favre is more than likely retiring.

 

Citing recent contract squabbles with running back Ahman Green, tight end Bubba Franks, defensive lineman Grady Jackson and cornerback Mike McKenzie, as well as his own, Walker added, "I just don't like the way the organization runs itself. They want players to come up there and play hard and work hard, but when it comes time to be compensated, it's like, 'We forgot what you've done.'"

 

Ahman Green hasn't had a 100-yard game dating back to the middle of the 2004 season, and is just coming off injury.. and was still re-signed for one year to be given a chance to prove himself. Bubba Franks was re-signed to a huge contract last year, Grady Jackson is fat, old, and useless by now, and McKenzie demanded a huge raise out of nowhere with 2-3 years left on his contract. It's not so much the team, it's the players and the Packers' shitty cap situation at the time didn't give them a chance (especially last offseason) to give all these players raises.

 

Of course, it just seems more and more like all these guys want is a raise so they no longer have to play hard, or if they get injured like Walker did last year, that they'll be compensated handsomely for not playing. Fuck that noise.

 

Wide receivers make me want football to reconsider allowing the forward pass.

Good one, Czech.

[Brett Favre 0]

Good for Walker. Favre thinks hes hot shit (well he was), and should mind his own business. Never should have said a word on Walker's contract issues.

[Brett Favre 0]

The Jets are about to trade a 5th rounder and a concitional 2007 pick for Patrick Ramsey.

 

The Giants signed Sam Madison.

[Guest El Satanico]

For all the Patriot fans...

 

How much does McGinest have left in his tank? Can he still be a starter?

[Robert 0]

Javon Walker is as bad as this comes off as, is a dime-a-dozen wide receiver. He really doesn't have any sort of ability that sticks out. He isn't like a Randy Moss or a TO where they are very fast for being the size of a tight end. He really isn't much of a burner like Steve Smith who is probably one of the fastest WR's out there. He really isn't an all purpose player like Hines Ward (blocking, running, catching, and passing) or Marvin Harrison where he somehow gets open even with a double team. He really doesn't stick out as a top tier receiver in the league. Since his contract ends after the 2006-2007 season, let him threaten retirement or retire. He suffured a major injury and he was 27 in 2005, and turns 28 on October 14th. He would have been gone most of 2005-2006 season, and 2006-2007, and who would throw big money at a guy who's been gone for the game for nearly two years, and had a major injury. Not a good investment at all considering some of the issues that he has. He had that nasty hold-out, and also got into a fight with a fellow teamate at training camp. He could get a decent salary because he was a "Pro Bowler" which really isn't such a big thing anymore. Really, we could trade him for either a 1st rounder next year, or a high second rounder this year. We could also use him to get a player for a need positon. Overall, Driver had a good year last year and were planing on keeping Gardner next year. Hopefully we can cut Turd Ferguson after the year.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

I bet you my Eagles would love to take him.

[2GOLD 0]

For all the Patriot fans...

 

How much does McGinest have left in his tank? Can he still be a starter?

 

As a blitzing linebacker, yeah he does. At DE? No, he doesn't have any left in the tank.

It just depends on the scheme and when you use him. Really I think only the Patriots and Browns make sense at this stage in his career.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Javon Walker is as bad as this comes off as, is a dime-a-dozen wide receiver. He really doesn't have any sort of ability that sticks out. He isn't like a Randy Moss or a TO where they are very fast for being the size of a tight end. He really isn't much of a burner like Steve Smith who is probably one of the fastest WR's out there. He really isn't an all purpose player like Hines Ward (blocking, running, catching, and passing) or Marvin Harrison where he somehow gets open even with a double team. He really doesn't stick out as a top tier receiver in the league. Since his contract ends after the 2006-2007 season, let him threaten retirement or retire. He suffured a major injury and he was 27 in 2005, and turns 28 on October 14th. He would have been gone most of 2005-2006 season, and 2006-2007, and who would throw big money at a guy who's been gone for the game for nearly two years, and had a major injury. Not a good investment at all considering some of the issues that he has. He had that nasty hold-out, and also got into a fight with a fellow teamate at training camp. He could get a decent salary because he was a "Pro Bowler" which really isn't such a big thing anymore. Really, we could trade him for either a 1st rounder next year, or a high second rounder this year. We could also use him to get a player for a need positon. Overall, Driver had a good year last year and were planing on keeping Gardner next year. Hopefully we can cut Turd Ferguson after the year.

 

You mean they don't plan on cutting Fergie? Fuck.

 

I don't know about cutting him though, the Packers DO really need a big play receiver, quick. And a high second rounder? We've got already got the 5th pick of the 2nd round, if anything, they should try to get a low first-rounder. Hell if the Eagles would love to have him, let them. Any team that picks in time for the Packers to eye a WR like possibly Chad Jackson would be nice.

[the pinjockey 0]

LeCharles Bentley signed with Cleveland. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2364025

 

The shit is about to hit the fan in Philly. There are two lines of thought going around right now.

1.) Bentley backed out of a deal with Philly, which the FO will still be blamed for since they should have "doubled Clevelands offer immediately, god the FO is sooooo cheap"

 

2.) The media was blowing most of the smoke, which in that case they absolutely BURIED the Eagles FO by pumping everyone up for Bentley, when he wasn't even a name being thrown around a month ago.

 

If it was option 1 and they wanted interior line help, they HAVE to go get Hutchinson for whatever it takes now. With their cap situation they could find a way to make his contract a poison pill for Seattle. If it was option 2, hopefully they make a big signing at a different position pretty quickly or else it is going to be a nightmare.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Mark Eckel originally reported this, now he can move on to his annual "Sign Kevin Johnson" crusade...

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Or the Eagles can try to trade up and get D'Brickshaw Ferugeson, or with the draft pick we have right now, we can draft Winston Justice who I think is gonna be a great OT. He has great athleticism, and IMO has what it take's to make it to the next level, hell he made huge key blocks for the like's of Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart and was a key part of the success of USC.

 

I'm very dissapointed we didn't get Bentley though, he seemed like a great fit. But there are alot of OLine players we can get for a great price, who are sleepers IMO(Kevin Barry, Trey Teague, Kyle Kosier), so I'd rather them do that, than go give Steve Hutchinson a LARGE price.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Also looks like Brees is gonna go to the Saints, I guess it's safe to say that Matt Leinart wont be drafted by them, and will likely get drafted by the Titans to reunite with his former USC coach Norm Chow.

[the pinjockey 0]

Due to the fact I am fan of Todd Herremens, I don't see OT as an issue. I think he will be, at worst, a good OT this season. The issue I have with the middle of the line is that Hicks blows as a guard and that is the weak spot of the line. Jamaal Jackson I have questions, but put Hutch and Andrews next to him and most of those issues clear up. That is why I would be willing to pump huge money into that weak spot.

 

Now if D'Brickshaw falls somewhat and you don't have to mortgage a ton of assets to get him then of course, but if they have to trade into the top 5 and end up paying him huge money anyway I would just save the picks and put the money in Hutchinson.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Due to the fact I am fan of Todd Herremens, I don't see OT as an issue. I think he will be, at worst, a good OT this season. The issue I have with the middle of the line is that Hicks blows as a guard and that is the weak spot of the line. Jamaal Jackson I have questions, but put Hutch and Andrews next to him and most of those issues clear up. That is why I would be willing to pump huge money into that weak spot.

 

Now if D'Brickshaw falls somewhat and you don't have to mortgage a ton of assets to get him then of course, but if they have to trade into the top 5 and end up paying him huge money anyway I would just save the picks and put the money in Hutchinson.

 

Jamal Jackson blocked very well for Mike McMahon this year, and was a very good reason why we didn't fall below .500!

[the pinjockey 0]

Jamaal appeared to be a very good run blocker, but I have questions (mostly due to his inexperience) about calling the passing game from center (blitz pickups, line shifts, etc.). Putting Hutch next to him would help out in that giving some more experience there where it isn't all on him to recognize the situations.

 

Plus maybe Hutchinson could remind him when to snap the ball.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I'm very dissapointed we didn't get Bentley though, he seemed like a great fit. But there are alot of OLine players we can get for a great price, who are sleepers IMO(Kevin Barry, Trey Teague, Kyle Kosier), so I'd rather them do that, than go give Steve Hutchinson a LARGE price.

 

Trust me when I tell you that Kevin Barry is absolutely worthless in the passing game. The only thing that guy knows how to do is run block.

 

As for Hutchinson, he might be one of the more coveted free agents out there. I know that at least half of Green Bay's offensive problems came from the lack of a quality guard all year, so considering their cap situation they should make a huge push for Hutch. And obviously Seattle won't want to lose him so easily either, since Alexander isn't as effective without a strong line in front of him.

 

Also looks like Brees is gonna go to the Saints, I guess it's safe to say that Matt Leinart wont be drafted by them, and will likely get drafted by the Titans to reunite with his former USC coach Norm Chow.

I thought they might've been trying more for Vince Young, since his game is similar to McNair's. But it makes sense to go with Leinart, or maybe they're comfortable with Billy Volek and might go for a Reggie Bush instead.

[2GOLD 0]

The thing is, Billy Volek ain't exactly a young man anymore in terms of the NFL. He'll be 30 headed into this season. I've been expecting Matt to end up with the Titans since Chow was hired as the offensive coordinator. And as sad as it may seem, Young's draft stock seems to be dropping faster than I really expected.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Yeah but I think it will benefit Young alot if his draft stock is dropping, because then he can go to a team with Offensive help like Oakland, or Arizona.

[2GOLD 0]

Yeah but I think it will benefit Young alot if his draft stock is dropping, because then he can go to a team with Offensive help like Oakland, or Arizona.

 

I had his stock dropping somewhat, but the way team scouts are acting he's into plummet risk status. I really don't understand it. If he falls to Arizona or Oakland, one of those two teams will be doing the happy dance of joy. Especially if Zona signs Edge with their offensive line having nowhere to go but up (the talent IS there) and that receiving core.

 

Some mocks have Young falling OUT of the top ten and there is no WAY I see that happening. Even if he is a risk (he's a small one with workable things), I cannot see him dropping that far.

[MrRant 0]

I'm very dissapointed we didn't get Bentley though, he seemed like a great fit. But there are alot of OLine players we can get for a great price, who are sleepers IMO(Kevin Barry, Trey Teague, Kyle Kosier), so I'd rather them do that, than go give Steve Hutchinson a LARGE price.

 

Trust me when I tell you that Kevin Barry is absolutely worthless in the passing game. The only thing that guy knows how to do is run block.

 

As for Hutchinson, he might be one of the more coveted free agents out there. I know that at least half of Green Bay's offensive problems came from the lack of a quality guard all year, so considering their cap situation they should make a huge push for Hutch. And obviously Seattle won't want to lose him so easily either, since Alexander isn't as effective without a strong line in front of him.

 

Also looks like Brees is gonna go to the Saints, I guess it's safe to say that Matt Leinart wont be drafted by them, and will likely get drafted by the Titans to reunite with his former USC coach Norm Chow.

I thought they might've been trying more for Vince Young, since his game is similar to McNair's. But it makes sense to go with Leinart, or maybe they're comfortable with Billy Volek and might go for a Reggie Bush instead.

 

Luckily the Seahawks can match. If they decide not to match, then they get 2 first round draft picks from the team that signs him.