The 2009 NFL Offseason

[JaMarcus Russell's #1 Caucasian Fan 0]

Gibril Wilson has been released.

 

As for cap flexibility, it's probably a good thing we don't have it. Look at last offseason.

 

 

Don't forget Ronald Curry and Kalimba Edwards as well. Wilson hurts the most, but he had problems with covering TE (and the AFC West has two of the best TEs), and was way overpaid for just having an okay season. I expect Tyvon Branch to win his spot, or maybe a late round draft pick up. Wilson wanted out last year, so he got his wish.

 

Curry was fucking terrible last season, and Edwards, for a pass rush specialist, got ZERO sacks during the second half of the season. Hopefully, the Raiders are making a move for a mid priced free agent defensive or offensive tackle with the money cleared. I expect Kwame Harris and Michael Huff to be gone anyday now. Compared to last offseason, this offseason is gangbusters trimming out some of the fat and useless players. Hopefully this continues to the draft.

[Sideburnious 0]

Wasn't Huff already dropped? Who do the Raiders have at safety now? They went from having a great defence on paper (but unfortunatly not in preformance) to dropping both safetys and a defensive end (and probably more i'm forgetting).

 

 

On the CB front the Eagles resigned Hanson in a 5-year deal. Not going to tear the world apart but he's a decent nickle who's young and learning. With Lito more than likely gone I'm glad he was secured.

[JaMarcus Russell's #1 Caucasian Fan 0]

He's supposed to be dropped, but who knows. Tyvon Branch is now expected to take Wilson's spot, who did well in relief, but got dinged up a bit.

 

Cutting these guys hurts their depth, but the Raiders look like their on a big time youth movement anyways Raider Youth Movement.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Marvin Harrison will likely be released: http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/18/harrisons-...-days-are-done/

 

Sadness.

 

 

[tonyjaymzretro 0]

I'm not a fan but I am very interested in what the Lions do this offseason.

 

I read on espn.com about a Derek Anderson to the Lions trade, and I think that'd be a smart move, trading a 2nd round draft pick for DA, then using the first round for an OT and LB or CB.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Hmmm, Marvin does come from Philly... But I'd rather have TJ then an injury prone Marvin.

[tonyjaymzretro 0]

Are you suggesting a TJ, Desean Jackson, and Kevin Curtis WR triad? Because that would actually be pretty good, especially since Curtis belongs in the slot.

 

Hell, I'd say if the Eagles can do it, get Harrison. He may not be as good as he was, but he still as good hands, and again, would enable Jackson and Curtis to play to their strengths.

 

The Eagles really need a heavy hitting RB

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

The Eagles really need a heavy hitting RB

 

They still can sign Taylor, or McAllister... They also have two 1st round draft picks where they can use 1 on a runningback. Eagles are in great position this off season.

[YourKock'sReallyGreat 0]

Raiders are about to release Javon Walker and take 3.3 million hit.

[the pinjockey 0]

Given what we have learned recently about Harrison, him being in Philly full time seems like a bad idea. Besides the fact he is done.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Given what we have learned recently about Harrison, him being in Philly full time seems like a bad idea. Besides the fact he is done.

 

Heh...

 

Regardless, if we can't get TJ or Boldin, at the very least it wouldn't hurt to take on Marvin. He might not have looked good the last 2 seasons, but he's one of the best WR's of our time and he should get another shot.

[Damaramu 0]

Does Samuel return to Philly this year? He wasn't a one year deal like Stallworth was he?

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Does Samuel return to Philly this year? He wasn't a one year deal like Stallworth was he?

 

What are you talking about... He signed a long term deal which was one of the bigger free agent signings last year.

 

Asaunte wasn't going to accept a "1 year" deal, he was the most sought after free agent.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

If he doesn't retire, I expect Marvin Harrison to go on the Jerry Rice farewell tour for the next 3 seasons, specifically to teams with no depth at WR and a little money to fudge on an aging veteran that can still go about 70% of his best. Seattle, maybe? Kansas City?

 

If Philadelphia really wants to rectify their WR situation, they should do it in a deep draft at WR, like this one. There are a good 7-8 first day talents this year.

 

If I were in charge there, I'd be all over TE Brandon Pettigrew out of Oklahoma State at #21. Take one of the many gigantic first round linemen at 28.

[Damaramu 0]

Does Samuel return to Philly this year? He wasn't a one year deal like Stallworth was he?

 

What are you talking about... He signed a long term deal which was one of the bigger free agent signings last year.

 

Asaunte wasn't going to accept a "1 year" deal, he was the most sought after free agent.

 

That's what I was checking on. Thank you.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

The Official Gene Silverman 2009 NFL Mock Draft

 

1 Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia: No way they take anyone else here. QB is the team's biggest need, there isn't anyone good enough to trade for, Millen's gone so they're not taking Crabtree, and it's the deepest draft at OT that I've ever seen. Plus, there are more than enough defensive stars in free agency this offseason they can make a play for later.

 

2 St. Louis Rams- Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia: The surest bet at OT makes this an intelligent and secure decision.

 

3 Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: I can see the Chiefs going in many directions here, but with an offense that young, why not take the best defensive prospect on the board?

 

4 Seattle Seahawks- The Seahawks run to the podium, draft Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech, and then jump up and down with glee.

 

5 Cleveland Browns- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State: Easy pick, here. Their secondary is just the pits, Jenkins is the best CB on the board by miles, and he's a hometown product.

 

6 Cincinnati Bengals- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor: This guy is a tremendous physical specimen, and with Palmer as injury prone as he is, and as many sacks as this shitty line gave up last season, they have to address that.

 

7 Oakland Raiders- Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri: They just cut Javon Walker, and Al Davis is apparently now obsessed with FAST players.

 

8 Jacksonville Jaguars- Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss: With a bowling ball RB like they've got, they'll grab up a big friggin' ox of a run blocker. Added protection for Garrard, who had a rough go last season, couldn't hurt.

 

9 Green Bay Packers- BJ Raji, NT, Boston College: They're going to a 3-4 and don't have a true NT on the roster that I'm aware of. Plus, their defense folded like a cheap tent late in the game last year, and they need all the inside push they can get.

 

10 San Francisco 49ers- Mark Sanchez, QB, USC: This might seem nuts, but there's nowhere else to put this guy that makes any sense at all, and despite any optimism about Shaun Hill, the Niners sure as hell don't have a franchise QB. Sanchez had a terrific season last year, and is valuable at the bottom of the top ten. Most mocks I've seen have him going to Kansas City, which with Thigpen, strikes me as odd.

 

11 Buffalo Bills- Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: I think the Bills will have enough sense to go for the best defensive playmaker on the board here.

 

12 Denver Broncos- Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State: They fuckin' ran out of RBs last season. Wells is a NFL Starter talent immediately and the best RB on the board. This is probably the most obvious Need+Available player combination on my list. 3/1-Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State.

 

13 Washington Redskins- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: Not really to close to the Skins situation, but I don't see a guy this big and talented slipping much further, even if there are some character issues.

 

14 New Orleans Saints- Brian Cushing, LB, USC: They're ship-shape on offense, so they'll go for an aggressive outside linebacker.

 

15 Houston Texans- Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State: This team has been loudly building an army of Peytonkillers for several seasons. 3/1 Eben Britton, OT, Arizona.

 

16 San Diego Chargers- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU: Not much depth to their line that I'm aware of. Another guy too talented to slip very far.

 

17 New York Jets- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia: Their QB situation is dire, so I expect them to go for a full-force running attack next season to limit their pass attempts. Moreno and Jones would be a very nice committee in a division without a really staunch run D.

 

18 Chicago Bears- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech: I pee my pants! A pass rusher! Bears had less than 30 sacks last season, which is fucking shameful, and made their crappy secondary look even worse than it is.

 

19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois: There are a lot of fast receivers in the NFC South. I don't know this team well enough to see if they have a real pressing need other than RB. This move will also really piss off Detroit, who will want him bad. 3/1 Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State.

 

20 Detroit Lions (from Dallas)- They get pissed because Davis is gone and take Larry English, DE/OLB, N. Illinois. They need everything. 3/1 Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois.

 

21 Philadelphia Eagles- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State: Fantastic physical specimen and a good answer to any blocking issues and another receiving threat.

 

22 Minnesota Vikings- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida: More speed to complement Berrian's overpriced ass.

 

23 New England Patriots- Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State: These guys are too bright not to slowly reload their aging linebacker corps with physically impressive first round talent.

 

24 Atlanta Falcons- Eben Britton, OT, Arizona: Protect your investment. They're in pretty good shape everywhere, which is stunning. 3/1 Larry English, DE/OLB, N. Illinois

 

25 Miami Dolphins- Ray Maualuga, LB, USC: Their defense softened towards the end of the season, and fell apart in the playoffs (mostly Pennington's fault). I think they go with the high-energy mean fucker. Parcells loves drafting LBs high, too.

 

26 Baltimore Ravens- Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina: Give Flacco something else to throw at.

 

27 Indianapolis Colts- Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss: This is probably wishful thinking that top-tier talent at a need position slips to one of my favorite teams, but here it is anyway.

 

28 Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)- William Beatty, OL, UConn: This guy's stock is growing. I know fuck all about him, but I know Reid likes big-ass linemen, and their tackles are both well into their 30s.

 

29 New York Giants- Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia: I think they'll continue to add strength to strength, and keep their defense fresh and aggressive.

 

30 Tennessee Titans- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland: He's fast, and WR is the only thing they really need.

 

31 Arizona Cardinals- James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State: Defensive ?s outweigh Running Back ?s. There are plenty of solid later-round backs this year.

 

32 Pittsburgh Steelers- Alex Mack, C, Cal: They just won the Superbowl, they need linemen, so I'll just go with popular opinion here.

[naiwf 0]

I could see the Giants taking a run at Harrison to replace Toomer, especially if they don't bring back Burress and can't find a legit # 1 elsewhere.

[Kinetic 0]

I could see that too, and with the Manning connection and all. Also, there's a big name WR about to hit the open market and Philadelphia fans think they should make a run at him? Stop the fucking presses. First time for everything, I guess.

 

Pretty good mock draft, Gene. Although if Tampa ends up re-signing Phillip Buchanon, which it looks like they will, I'd throw my TV through a window if they drafted another DB in the first round. Running back, defensive tackle, and wide receiver would be much more pressing needs.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

No way Wells or Moreno are going to last that long, and they're the only first round RBs.

 

 

[Kinetic 0]

Yeah, and there's so much depth at WR that someone Tampa likes will probably be available when they draft in the second round. Unless one of those two RBs somehow falls to them or there's someone they really like at DT, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Bucs trade out of the first round.

 

Prediction: The team that drafts Beanie Wells is going to wish that they hadn't. I don't think he's going to be any good. Also, Detroit should think long and hard about drafting someone other than Matt Stafford. The guy is far from a sure thing, and the Lions really can't afford to take a chance on a QB who could very well end up being another Joey Harrington.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Just wanted to pitch in about the mock, if the Bears' secondary is so awful (agreed), wouldn't the better move be to get secondary players? Sure, our line sucked last season, but it could be attributed to a bad season, and nothing more. We probably could use a pick on replacing Ogunleye since he'll be getting older, but Alex Brown, Mark Anderson and the others on the roster should in theory step up. DE isn't our #1 overall need. We need QB, RB (since we're gonna run Forte into the ground sooner than later), WR, OL, LB (Urlacher is getting older and ailing like a senior citizen and Hillenmeyer isn't a starting LB), CB, FS (to replace Mike Brown eventually) and SS. That's too many needs to be using the top pick on a DE.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

That's retarded if the Eagles take a TE in the 1st round... Celek is going to be a great TE, and is not a big need right now.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I can see Vontae Davis there, I suppose, but if we're going to talk needs, safety is a bigger concern than Corner. Also, DE looks really top-loaded this year, and I'd hate for them to pass on a guy who can come in and start immediately. That pick will make more sense when I get round 2 (and maybe 3) posted. Those offensive needs; QB (call me insane, but I think we're ok for the time being), WR (No one worth this position), RB (Ditto), and O-Line is crazy deep.

 

Getting to the crux of the Bears defensive problems last year:

 

1. Coaching/Scheme- No adjustments to plays that were obviously effective against them, like the 8-15 yard slant of death, which was wide the fuck open becuase their LBs were up on the line at the snap. No way ANY LB in the league is fast enough to backpedal and cover the center of the field 10 yards deep against a slot receiver.

 

2. No pass rush exposed the secondary. Yes, their current players SHOULD step up, but they didn't, and I don't think they will. Johnson's really aggressive, and fits into the Bears retarded scheme they're hell-bent on running. That front four simply MUST get pressure. Also, if only one guy on that line is an animal that requires a double team, that will free up Anderson or Brown on the other end. After all, how many great tackles are there in the north? I think a top-level DE can come in and get them another win or two in the division by forcing a turnover or getting a key sack. I'd argue they don't have that guy yet.

 

 

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

That's retarded if the Eagles take a TE in the 1st round... Celek is going to be a great TE, and is not a big need right now.

 

318 yard season Brent Celek? 2 career NFL TDs Brent Celek? You cannot stop Brent Celek, you can only hope to contain him.

 

Brandon Pettigrew is bigger, faster, and more athletic. He reminds me of Dallas Clark. Guy can work out of the slot, or even outside as a receiver, and is big and strong enough with a good frame for blocking.

 

[Sideburnious 0]

Yeah, I can see the Eagles taking a TE in the 1st. I mean Celek is good, and he's willing to work, but he's more a Kevin Boss than a Jason Witten. It would be great to have both options and Celek can start no.1 while Pettigrew learns the system.

They don't need that much outside of the OL. Maybe a great safety next year (there's no way Dawkins leaves, especially after his form last year). The majority vote is that they actually finally get a TJ or Boldin style WR and there appears to be enough depth in the draft that they can find a decent rookie WR in the 2/3 rounds downwards.

 

I also wouldnt be surprised if they traded at least 1 or both picks for a great player/ picks next year. There are alot of OL and its not a huge need for our line (if Tra resigns). Max-Jean Gillies will probably take right guard and Andrews might move to RT (or vice versa). That and the Eagles seem to be forever afraid of taking someone in the 1st round.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

33 Detroit- Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest: Detroit gets their CB here, having missed out on Davis in round 1.

 

34 Kansas City- Max Unger, OL, Oregon: Unger has played every position on the line, and should be able to step in immediately.

 

35 St. Louis- Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers: Tory Holt probably isn't coming back, which gives them an immediate need.

 

36 Cleveland- LeSean McCoy, RB, Pitt: They had a historically bad offense towards the end of last season. Jamal Lewis isn't getting any younger, and they have most of their key positions on offense figured out.

 

37 Seattle- Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St.: I've seen a few mocks where he goes to Kansas City, but that makes even less sense to me than Sanchez. Matt Hasselbeck, however, is in his tenth season, and has a fucked up back. This is another team that I, admittedly, don't know well, but it makes sense to me to get the young (21) prospect with great physical attributes that has a lot of room to grow.

 

38 Cincinnati- Clay Matthews, LB, USC: Not only would Matthews play alongside another USC alum, he's tough on special teams. The team with a friggin' franchised kicker has to like that!

 

39 Jacksonville- Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma.

 

40 Oakland- Fili Moala, DT, USC.

 

41 Green Bay- Paul Kruger, DE/OLB, Utah.

 

42 Buffalo- DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt.

 

43 San Francisco- Duke Robinson, OL, Oklahoma.

 

44 Miami (Washington)- Sean Smith, CB, Utah.

 

45 NY Giants (New Orleans)- Donald Brown, RB, UConn.

 

46 Houston- Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn.

 

47 New England (San Diego)- Patrick Chung, S, Oregon.

 

48 Denver- Ron Brace, DT, Boston College

 

49 Chicago- William Moore, S, Missouri.

 

50 Tampa Bay- Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan St.

 

51 Dallas- Darius Butler, CB, UConn.

 

52 NY Jets- Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee.

 

53 Philadelphia- Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa.

 

54 Minnesota- Pat White QB(WR/KR), West Virginia. [Edited 2/24]

 

55 Atlanta- Louis Delmas, S, W. Michigan.

 

56 Miami- Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri.

 

57 Baltimore- Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Cincinatti.

 

58 New England- Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue.

 

59 Carolina- Coye Francies, CB, San Jose St.

 

60 NY Giants- Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon

 

61 Indianapolis- Tyrone McKenzie, LB, South Florida

 

62 Tennessee- Juaqin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma

 

63 Arizona- James Davis, RB, Clemson

 

64 Pittsburgh- Jamon Meredith, OL, South Carolina.

[Kinetic 0]

Tory Holt probably isn't coming back

 

Another guy who'd look good in an Eagles uniform. If they can somehow sign Boldin, Houshmandzadeh, Marvin Harrison, Tory Holt, and swing a trade for either Chad Johnson or Randy Moss, they'll only be one solid drafted WR away from having an okayish group of guys for McNabb to skip the ball five yards in front of.

 

[Mike wanna be 0]

Carolina's got good money tied up in Gamble, Lucas and I believe Marshall as well; they aren't drafting a CB with their second-round pick. They're probably going to look to move Peppers to a team with a higher first-round pick in order to draft his replacement, and may try to swap seconds in the process.

[tominator89 0]

I could see Philly picking up Harrison although fans will complain that he's over the hill and washed up.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Tory Holt probably isn't coming back

 

Another guy who'd look good in an Eagles uniform. If they can somehow sign Boldin, Houshmandzadeh, Marvin Harrison, Tory Holt, and swing a trade for either Chad Johnson or Randy Moss, they'll only be one solid drafted WR away from having an okayish group of guys for McNabb to skip the ball five yards in front of.

 

Ha! I know that post was meant firmly with tongue in cheek but it does appear most Philly fans feel that way, which I've always thought was more an indictment of their quarterback that they absolutely need to surround him with superb receiving talent to make him look good. What the Eagles have really needed for a long time has been a dominant rusher, though- Brian Westbrook doesn't and has never really cut it as a primary rusher.