National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

Props to both Jamies Winston and Marcus Mariotta for throwing at the Combine. Both did well, and I'm still predicting Winston is taken first by Tampa in the draft. The question is, does Tennesee take Mariotta with the second pick, and expect him to be their future? Or do they think Zach Mettenberger is their guy? Or, do they trade the pick away?

As many of you likely heard, Johnny Manziel's situation is worse than originally reported. He didn't just do a stint of detox, the word is he's basically an alcoholic, with an addict's mindset and will need more than brief treatment. Not only will Cleveland be looking to keep Hoyer, they may look at who can back him up as well.

Rex Ryan made some noise this week saying that he looked forward to giving EJ Manuel a chance to show his potential. To me that translates into meaning he has little faith in him. I still think Mark Sanchez very well could be Buffalo's QB next year.

The Washington Redskins have to be the biggest soap opera in sports today. With the chatter from Gruden saying that RG3 was his QB, then he wanted to see what he could do. Then Mike Shanahan coming out of the woodwork saying in RG3's second season RG3 came into his office and told him several plays that the Shanahan's had developed in the playbook were "unacceptable". That immediately raised a red flag in Shanahan's memory, as a word that owner Daniel Snyder often used when talking to him. But Shanahan also said that RG3's confidence was misplaced, as he thinks a QB should be looking over his shoulder, wondering if the next guy in line will do better. Really Mike? Does Tom Brady worry about Jimmy Garapolo? Russell Wilson worry about TJax? That tells me that Shanahan wanted to pull the plug earlier on RG3 and develop Kirk Cousins.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Good article I found in the clinic:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...organised-crime-operations.html#ixzz3SoTjY5B8

"At an international sports law conference in Adelaide in October, Professor Jack Anderson of Queen's University in Belfast said match fixing had become the number one threat to sports integrity."

I thought I was the only one seeing it as the biggest problem of pro sports.

But I think the SB was fair. OTOH, I could be wrong though, coz I am blinded with the right team having won. For the first time since felt decades.

Still excited about Beli-Cheat calling 50 passes w/average receivers at best (!!) vs the best pass defense. This guy has guts. Thats how I like coaches. Attack, attack, and risk, go for the win. Awesome. Putting up 28 points. Wow!
And not to forget: His team won even though losing the yardage, the Y/PP, and turnover battle!! Normally a receipt for losing guaranteed.

Carroll also great. Letting Wilson take some chances downfield, going for the TD instead of FG before HT, and trying something unexpected on 2nd-and-G. It worked earlier, but not on the final SEA play. Lockette was open by NFL standards, but great play by undrafted FA Butler. Thus Carroll should not be blamed. Without his gutsy calls there was no final winning drive possibility at all.

Two best teams and coaches met. Shall be always like that.

BTW, PM takes another shot. LOLZ, we will see another PM playoff disaster! My earliest line ever is: opponent by 10 1/2 Some one picking against it?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000474190/article/peyton-manning-broncos-working-on-contract

P.S.:
Good that I was lights out drunk that day. It spared me one of the most idiotic comments ever:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/20150...gameinfo|contentId:0ap3000000467812&tab=recap

"One of the dumbest calls in SB history. Are you kidding me, you have No 24 in the backfield, and try a illegal pick play? You deserved the Int".
Well asshole: In hindsight and replay everybody can be right. But dont call the coach dumb, when he is the reason to get his team the winning chance. And since when did coaches shy away from pick plays, if they know officals wont throw flags in SBs final seconds? And since when is the RB the most important factor on the field? You would have looked at least a little bit intelligent if mentioning run blocking OL play. Why did SEA deserve the Int? Coz you dont like the (right) call? If it was like that, then 50 Ints are deserved for Norv and co every single game...
Omg, Alpe where did you got all those idiotic guys from commenting and writing about football games? You deserve better...

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Don't blame me!

Seriously, I agree that was the best SB ever. And I'll repeat what I said before, call or not, it really was a great play by Malcom Butler, not the call, that won the game. Give him the credit, don't take it away by speculating calls. Plus, Merckx put up a good argument earlier with some stats about the call. Yes, I would have run the ball, most have. But Butler made the interception of a lifetime, THAT is what the game turned on.

As to PM's contract, he's never been one to take a pay cut, so this should be interesting. I also wonder how on earth he's going to perform in a very different offense, on a revamped team. He has to be coming back for the money, I can't see any other reason to continue.

Meanwhile, the Combine has produced few surprises. We thought TB would take Winston, and I'm now convinced they will. This makes me wonder if Mike Glennon will sit and wait, or seek a chance elsewhere. Personally, if I were digging around for a young QB who I could develop, it wouldn't be him, but Cousins. He's a pocket passer with a very good arm. He's played good, and bad. But he's been in a messed up Washington program, and could be groomed elsewhere I would think.

Despite doing well, I don't see Tennesee taking Mariota. If he falls to the Jets, that may cement his career into doom and gloom. He would not fit in NY, at all.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Don't blame me!

Seriously, I agree that was the best SB ever.

Maybe. Maybe not. Its hard to quantify. I think the SL-TEN SB was also great, with the same ending at the 1yL with seconds to go. Others may say it was AZ-PIT (it certainly would, if the refs didnt blew the game).
Either way, that game was awesome.

I think I forgot to mention: My curse is over (thanks to the biggest SB comeback ever). I see a good future ahead. Passing teams with gutsy coaches I prefer will win now, even though I root for them.

And I'll repeat what I said before, call or not, it really was a great play by Malcom Butler, not the call, that won the game. Give him the credit, don't take it away by speculating calls. Plus, Merckx put up a good argument earlier with some stats about the call. Yes, I would have run the ball, most have. But Butler made the interception of a lifetime, THAT is what the game turned on.

Exactly... Too bad Carroll will be blamed instead of hailing Butler like Jones was...

As to PM's contract, he's never been one to take a pay cut, so this should be interesting. I also wonder how on earth he's going to perform in a very different offense, on a revamped team. He has to be coming back for the money, I can't see any other reason to continue.

Now that I start to think he isnt going on b/c of mo money, you start with it.
I think he cant accept defeat. He may thinks he just had bad luck over the years. Now he is forcing things. It wont end well as we all know upfront. He needs another lesson next January, and the next, and the next (if he tries to become the Horner of the NFL), until he gets it: He is a born playoff choker...

Meanwhile, the Combine has produced few surprises. We thought TB would take Winston, and I'm now convinced they will. This makes me wonder if Mike Glennon will sit and wait, or seek a chance elsewhere. Personally, if I were digging around for a young QB who I could develop, it wouldn't be him, but Cousins. He's a pocket passer with a very good arm. He's played good, and bad. But he's been in a messed up Washington program, and could be groomed elsewhere I would think.

Glennon will be a career back-up at best. I said that long time ago. He is no NFL caliber...

In WAS they panic. Cousins played very well (7.7 !!! Y/PP), there was no reason to bench him for McCoy (6.5 Y/PP).
And RG3? Done (6.0 Y/PP). As I said, the SEA playoff game was the end...

 

[The Hitch]

Carroll also great. Letting Wilson take some chances downfield, going for the TD instead of FG before HT,

They had 7 seconds left iirc. A shot at the end zone with 7 seconds left gives you a very good chance at a field goal if you don't get the TD.

 

[Merckx index]

Despite doing well, I don't see Tennesee taking Mariota. If he falls to the Jets, that may cement his career into doom and gloom. He would not fit in NY, at all.

One sportswriter thinks he will go to the Bears. But I wonder, how far would he have to fall before Chip Kelly had a shot at trading up for him without giving away the Eagles? future for the next five years? A number 7 is not nearly as costly as a no. 1 or 2.

One thing I don?t like about the draft is that really good players are likely to end up on bad teams. That?s the idea, of course, but bad teams are usually bad in large part because of bad coaching, which means really good players are likely to be handicapped at the outset of their NFL careers.

Is Wilson more talented than RG3, or was he just lucky to land with a team and coach that knew how to take advantage of his talents? If they had swapped teams, would RG3 be the star who led his team to a SB, while Wilson was a backup (which even SE planned for him initially)? People criticized RG3 for running so much, but Wilson, a smaller guy, manages to keep doing it.

Maybe. Maybe not. Its hard to quantify. I think the SL-TEN SB was also great, with the same ending at the 1yL with seconds to go. Others may say it was AZ-PIT (it certainly would, if the refs didnt blew the game).

Those games were great in terms of drama, but as I noted before, most people regard another element as the caliber of the two teams playing, their place in history, the stakes. Those two SBs do not qualify on that criterion.

I think I forgot to mention: My curse is over (thanks to the biggest SB comeback ever). I see a good future ahead. Passing teams with gutsy coaches I prefer will win now, even though I root for them.

Can?t believe someone so knowledgeable about the role of chance in sports would say this.

Now that I start to think he isnt going on b/c of mo money, you start with it.
I think he cant accept defeat. He may thinks he just had bad luck over the years.

I agree, yeah, he likes the big salary, but he?s still making a ton on endorsements, and he must be concerned about his legacy as a poor postseason performer. Even his little brother has more SB wins. And I also agree it's likely to end badly. Even if Manning were at his peak, and Denver had a great team, winning the SB is roulette--look how long it to took NE to get that 4th one. And as it is, Manning is declining. Maybe his late season struggles were due to injury, but he's not the guy who threw 50+ TDs two years ago.

They had 7 seconds left iirc. A shot at the end zone with 7 seconds left gives you a very good chance at a field goal if you don't get the TD.

If someone is open right away. But if not, you get into a gamble, do you wait and hope someone gets open, knowing that you lose the chance for a FG? Do you force the pass? Do you throw it away?

If you run a set play, and tell the QB to throw it away if the play doesn't develop perfectly, you can do it. The 49ers pulled this off vs. Cincy in 1981 (the RS game, not the SB). There were 8 seconds left before the half, and Montana threw deep in the EZ. That play went perfectly and it took 6 seconds. Even the play that ended this past SB, which was bang-bang and a very short pass, took, what, I think four seconds.

But remember, SE was in the same situation when it played Atl in the postseason a couple of years ago. Wilson was sacked, and the lost three points ultimately cost them the game.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

They had 7 seconds left iirc. A shot at the end zone with 7 seconds left gives you a very good chance at a field goal if you don't get the TD.

Now nit-picking, but here its appropriate:
It was 6 seconds left.
A perfect blocked pass play with intermediate routes going to the EZ take at least 4 seconds off the clock.
But what if the player is tackled on the 1-inch-line (like it could have happened if the Butler Int didnt take place in the end)? What if the official time keeper halts the clock only after 6 seconds? What if the play doesnt develop perfectly (and thus the play easily takes 6 seconds, incomplete or not), or worse the QB is sacked? What if a offensive holding play occurs (and thus auto taking 10 seconds off the clock)? What if the snap is miss-handeled? What if a fumble or Int happens (like it did w/Warner vs PIT > a 14 point swing if you will)?
IOW: It was one gutsy call by Carroll. He played to win, and sometimes you lose OFC (like it happened in the end, coz a DB made the play of his life).
30 of 32 coaches would have tried the FG, may even Beli-Cheat would have gone for the FG (so make it 31 of 32).
I saw games with less yards to gain for a TD, and more time left on the clock + at least one TO. And you know what? All of them send the leg swinger in...

BTW: Beli-Cheat or not. With this game winning against all odds, he is the true GOAT. There shall be no doubt about that.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Those games were great in terms of drama, but as I noted before, most people regard another element as the caliber of the two teams playing, their place in history, the stakes. Those two SBs do not qualify on that criterion.

In that regard you are right.
But in the sense of talking about it decades later, SL-TEN & AZ-PIT (for wrong reasons inclusive though) are up there with this great SB of 2015.

Can?t believe someone so knowledgeable about the role of chance in sports would say this.

Yes sure. But TBH, I really started to think I am cursed. It was not only in NFL, but everywhere... Anyway, glad its over. Think I have to end my NFL RS boycott. I am thinking about it.

I agree, yeah, he likes the big salary, but he?s still making a ton on endorsements, and he must be concerned about his legacy as a poor postseason performer. Even his little brother has more SB wins. And I also agree it's likely to end badly. Even if Manning were at his peak, and Denver had a great team, winning the SB is roulette--look how long it to took NE to get that 4th one. And as it is, Manning is declining. Maybe his late season struggles were due to injury, but he's not the guy who threw 50+ TDs two years ago.

I think he shall be more concerned about his neck now. Not that I care about greedy people, but his ueber-millions wont take away the permanent pain he will have until the end of his life.
He shall commit he failed, and give the ball to Osweiler...

Yep SB is roulette. But at least Brady didnt suffer complete meltdowns en masse like PM did. And to get to 6 SBs is a great achievement in itself...

I would say he is the same (if his wrist injury heals). Remember the Burke study: QB efficiency doesnt decline with age. Lost athleticism is negated by know-it-all-saw-it-all-experience. Seems like veteran QBs play the game in super slow-motion, while any of us (even if athletic enough) or rookie QBs (would) feel like throwing balls on a highway with trucks, cars, moto-bikes coming at us full speed from all directions.

But remember, SE was in the same situation when it played Atl in the postseason a couple of years ago. Wilson was sacked, and the lost three points ultimately cost them the game.

Yes, sometimes taking risks arent rewarded. But in the long run they work out. Remember Beli-Cheat going for it on 4th downs early vs Indy in early 2000s playoffs? He went on to win SBs, but ofc it back-fired too (the infamous 4th down play vs Indy again a couple of years ago in the RS)...

And we see the results: The bold win it all. And if two of them meet, one has to give...

 

[Merckx index]

OMG, don?t know which thread this belongs in. You folks probably know about the various NFL teams considering relocating to LA. The Raiders and Chargers are talking about building a stadium for joint use in the area, and the Rams are also thinking of relocating to LA. Meanwhile, Sports mammoth AEG wants to build a stadium in downtown LA, and feels threatened by the potential competition provided by the proposed stadium for the Rams. So what do they do? They get former Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge to write a memo saying that this stadium, which would be close to the the airport, LAX, would be a security risk:

Effective risk management is about limiting exposure as much as possible. Placing an NFL stadium in the operational space of another well-known target, layers additional safety and security risks, materially increases the risk of a terrorist event "twofer", and increases the likelihood that an incident involving one facility will adversely impact the other.

Ridge doesn't stop there, but brings in the Malaysian airline that was shot down:

the yet unresolved disappearance of a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft on March 8, 2014 with 227 passengers onboard (MH370) has raised questions about possible air crew involvement and is a stark reminder that insider aviation threats must be seriously considered.

along with references to Libya, the Ukraine, and Israel:

These are not just resurrected post-9/11 scenarios. The location of dispersed Libyan arms in the post-2011 revolution timeframe, for example, remains a credible threat to both commercial and military aviation interests around the world. And, the effect of small weapons of this kind has certainly been made clear in the Ukraine this summer.

Rocket fire has been one of the most commonly utilized weapons observed in the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza. With rockets falling as close as one mile to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport, on July 22, 2014, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily cancelled flights by American carriers into Israel. Other countries took similar action.

Can you effing believe this? Arguments like this to make a competitor's proposal look bad? How low can you go? This would be hilarious if they weren't serious.

In more regular news, talk about Mariota re-uniting with Chip Kelly at the Eagles, once considered ludicrous, is gathering steam. Two analysts now have this happening in their mock drafts. This Bleacher report article quotes a Philly sportswriter saying that ?the Eagles are going to do whatever it takes to get him.? The rest of this link has a good discussion of what the Eagles might have to give up for this to happen.

I would still bet it won?t happen, but the odds look much better than they did a month or two ago. If the Eagles do get Mariota, both he and Kelly will really be on the line. If Mariota can't succeed under Kelly, he can't anywhere, and if Kelly can't make the Eagles a SB contender with Mariota, it will probably cost him his job. Both of the mock drafts have the Eagles giving up this year's and next year's first round pick, along with other picks, or in one case, along with McCoy, which sure seems to me a lot to give up.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Not one to be intimidated, Inglewood mayor James T. Butts harshly criticized Tom Ridge's report.

What Tom Ridge did for money was contemptible. No hijacked plane during 9/11 was crashed into a structure within a flight path. At 600 miles per hour, a jet can reach downtown or Carson (the site of another proposed NFL stadium) in less than one minute.

An airport is a higher value target than a football stadium. Crash into a football stadium, you stop football games in that stadium and they go play in the Rose Bowl or Coliseum until the stadium is fixed. Crash a plane into the Central Terminal Area at LAX and you stop air travel in the region for six months or more.

Between 2006 and 2010, Butts oversaw security for Los Angeles World Airports, which includes Los Angles International Airport (LAX). He previously worked for more than 30 years in law enforcement.

The authors of the study know that I spent years at LAX in charge of Homeland Security, Public Safety and Emergency Response. They have my private cell number at the times and they did not call me. I find that highly disappointing.

I still think it's most likely the Rams will make the move, for many reasons. Partly because owner Stan Kroenke recently bought land there, and the city of Inglewood has pronounced themselves "all in" on getting a team there. The Rams also because their lease with the Edward Jones Dome ended and now goes to year to year, unless the stadium is upgraded to one of the eight best venues in the NFL - meaning the Rams can move overnight. The St. Louis commission issued an upgraded proposal, and the Rams then countered (with a much fancier stadium demand) with an arbitrator ruling in favor of the Rams. The commission then balked and hasn't said anything since, indicating they have all but given up, and are hoping that another team moves to LA, and it pushes owner Stan Kroenke to stick around, and buy time. But my gut is that Kroenke won't put up with it, and move to wherever he can get the best deal.

But I also believe the team that jumps first, will get the spoils, and leave other cities in a bit of a lurch. My other guess tells me cities are going to fight for the franchise brand, sort of the way the city of Cleveland did with the Browns. But the Rams and Chargers came from LA. The Raiders were well received and supported when there as well. So that remains to be seen. I also feel that whichever city loses, it could be decades before they see another team there.

Don't be fooled about talk on how NFL owners would need to give approval, and get the commissioner's okay. That would happen in a heartbeat with any of these franchises and any legit deal.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Just a final thought about the SB. Easteregg needs to be mentioned. Here is his drivel:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page...al-mvp-super-bowl-tuesday-morning-quarterback

I stopped after reading the first few words:
"For the second consecutive year, a dominant, smothering defense prevailed in the Super Bowl, proving that in this era of quick-snap scoreboard-spinning tactics, defense still trumps offense."

Holy cow, Easteridiot would write the same BS if the score was 58-53 (that the defense won). Its annoying how much wrong the braindeads NFL writers with their 70s thinking are.

May someone has the passion to read his crap full length.

In the time being I go with the cold hard facts of truth:

SEA-Offense:396 yards (NFL-Avg: 348)
SEA-Y/PP: 9.8 (NFL-Avg: 6.4)
SEA-Points: 24 (NFL-Avg: 22.6)
SEA-Run: 5.6 Y/C (NFL-Avg: 4.2)
SEA-Y/Play: 7.5 (NFL-Avg: 5.4)
SEA-Turnovers: 1 (NFL-Avg: 1.5)

So how did NEs defense win that game?

Seattles offense drove at will. If NEs offense, even though hampered by two turnovers (!!), didnt put up 28 vs a 15.9 Pts-per-game (NFLs best) defense, nobody would even consider NE defense played any role in that game (BTW: My 24-point prediction for SEA was spot on, "only" that I missed it completely with NE being able to put up 28. I guess predicting 3 was just a little off-target. Kinda PM like. ).

And for the (if it shall come)- argument about the game saving Int (and thus allegedly "defense won championship") by NE: Had the "super" D of NE not given up this many big plays (especially in the last drive), no heroism by Butler was needed. Had NEs "super" D stopped the "hello here comes a pass in the EZ, 100% sure" with 6 seconds to go in the 1st half, there was no need for Butlers last seconds heroics.

Reality without Easteridiots thoughts in mind: 52 points were scored, 773 yards gained, it was a offensive slugfest at its finest, decided on a 50/50 at the end. Hardly a "defense won the championship". Holy shit this myth never dies.

Easteregg: You are guilty of the worst NFL article so far...

EDIT: Ofc I love this game soo much for three reasons;
1) The obvious: Because the right team won again, finally
2) Somebody finally stopped SEA monster Pass-D. If you cant beat them long, pick them apart inch by inch with short precise passes en masse
3) Because I love high skiled fine art offense miles over brute (less talented) D strength

Shall that never end.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I made it through the article. You're right, it's nonsense. He's predicating his argument on two things. First, the last three Seattle drives were 3 and out. And Butler's interception. That's his criteria.

You do bring up another excellent point. All season long, and last season, Seattle had stopped the short passing game. They actually stopped New England a lot in the SB, but Belicheck knew that was their strength, and he stuck to it, while mixing some of Blount in. Great coaching.

In other NFL news, Free Agency starts in a week. The teams with the fattest wallets are Jacksonville, Oakland and Indianapolis. But will they be the most aggressive? The biggest spenders? The smartest? I'm thinking no with Jacksonville. They are 2-3 years out from being really good, and I'm guessing Gus Bradly will follow Seattle's past, and stick to young players, with money to spend later. With Indy, I'm guessing yes, they will spend, as they are close. They need line help, and a RB. So far, Reggie McKenzie in Oakland has been bad to terrible in FA, but he did have an excellent draft last year. I'm hoping Jack DelRio has strong input here. Oakland is on the up, will they buy?

My gut also tells me that Denver and NY Giants will be aggressive and spend big. Even though both don't have a ton of wiggle room. Why? Because they are close in their minds. The Giants speny upwards of $100m last year, and still owe Eli the third highest QB pay in the league. They are likely hoping to give it one last run. With Denver, I think Elway has an "all in" attitude, and an ATM card from ownership.

Can someone tell me what Cleveland is doing? Johnny Football is a mess, and God knows when he'll play, and if he'll even be decent. Next, they could have re-signed Brian Hoyer, who was decent, and actually 10-6 over two seasons. Instead, they are letting him walk to get...Josh McCown? Really? They think McCown is the answer? He was 1-10 last year in Tampa, outplayed by Glennon even. People loved him in Chicago when he filled in for Jay Cutler on a solid team. But he was actually just 3-2 then. The one bright spot in his entire career, if you look him up. He's 35 years old, and has a career of mediocrity behind him.

Meanwhile, Marshawn Lynch gave a brief interview to a Turkish TV reporter(yes, as in from the country Turkey). He said three things that stood out. First, he wished they had given him the ball. I don't blame him for saying that. I like that in a player. Second, he completely trusts his teammates and coach, even though he didn't get the ball. Check. Now, the head scratcher. He pondered that the reason he wasn't given the ball is that the NFL didn't want him being the face of the Superbowl after he scored and won the game. Say what? There's no doubt the league has an image problem. But that image isn't really Marshawn. In fact, I think most fans like him and don't care at all if he doesn't want to talk much. The image problem is with guys like Ray Rice, Adrien Peterson, or Josh McNary, and the way the league has poorly handled these issues. Heck, even Deflategate is a bigger issue. Next, he doesn't really think Roger Goodell called down to Pete Carroll and said "whatever you do, don't let Marshawn score the TD!"

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I made it through the article. You're right, it's nonsense. He's predicating his argument on two things. First, the last three Seattle drives were 3 and out. And Butler's interception. That's his criteria.

He always has a bias (defense, running) and writes his articles around it. Always. I could do the same job for less pay. Just the other way around...
I guess he never heard of strings. If you throw a coin, its not going to be H-T-H-T-H-T all the time... Its more like H-H-T-T-H-H-H-T... So same team, same (good offense) having the strings the wrong time. The dropped pass happened in the 4th Qtr, instead of the 2nd. So what. At the end they drove again. This time the ball bounces their way (the "Tyree" catch that set up the final sequence of downs). Add in a more conservative approach when leading by 14 (and thus kicking on 4th-2; running more).

So even the 3-outs say nothing at all in the overall picture: Two top offenses slugged it out. One team with precise ball controling passes, the other with big plays. Both tactics were well executed. In the end someone had to give in.

It wasnt a 43-8 defense that overwhelmed the opponent. Not at all. Easteridiot sees what he wants to see. But its not reality.

In other NFL news, Free Agency starts in a week. The teams with the fattest wallets are Jacksonville, Oakland and Indianapolis. But will they be the most aggressive? The biggest spenders? The smartest? I'm thinking no with Jacksonville. They are 2-3 years out from being really good, and I'm guessing Gus Bradly will follow Seattle's past, and stick to young players, with money to spend later.

But isnt there a rule in the CBA, that 97.5 (or 90?) percent must be spend of the cap money? I know it sounds absurd, but I think its the rule.
So JAX, OAK, etc shall be competitive if the money is spend wisely. I would go with improving the OL, and then the OL, and then get them in sync in mini-camp, and pre season... The QBs are ok so far.

Can someone tell me what Cleveland is doing? Johnny Football is a mess, and God knows when he'll play, and if he'll even be decent. Next, they could have re-signed Brian Hoyer, who was decent, and actually 10-6 over two seasons. Instead, they are letting him walk to get...Josh McCown? Really? They think McCown is the answer? He was 1-10 last year in Tampa, outplayed by Glennon even. People loved him in Chicago when he filled in for Jay Cutler on a solid team. But he was actually just 3-2 then. The one bright spot in his entire career, if you look him up. He's 35 years old, and has a career of mediocrity behind him.

CLE is a mess. McCown the journeyman. What a signing.
There you see what a good system can do to the QB: Fat contracts out of nothing. He shall forever thank Trestman.

First, he wished they had given him the ball. I don't blame him for saying that.

Thats understandable.

Next, he doesn't really think Roger Goodell called down to Pete Carroll and said "whatever you do, don't let Marshawn score the TD!"

Thats absurd. Even for me who thinks games are fixed now and then. But certainly not because of magazine covers. Oh Lynch, you are not the center of the world. Its all about the guys blocking for you. See the AP, Rice, TDavis, Timmy Smith, and what the heck else cases. RBs are disposable...

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I'm not sure what the 2015 salary cap minimum will be, but I am guessing 90%. But there's also some math behind it. Here's an article on Tampa Bay not spending in recent years, despite having some money.

Regarding McCown, you're the one always talking about regressing to the mean. And if you look at McCown's entire career, 97% of the time he was just average, not terrible, but a career back-up, really. But that 3%, or 5 games, in Trestman's system he looked very good. This is really like stock market chasers. Investors who see rising stocks and hop on based on emotional reactionary thinking, only to be fooled and lose. Same thing here. Exact same thing. Despite Cleveland having some very good core players, I will be surprised if McCown is much better than average next year. Or if he is, it's because the OL and receiving core play lights out.

In the days to come I'm hoping to make some bold guesses on who will be going to what team. My first thought is that Mark Sanchez ends up back with Rex Ryan in Buffalo.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

And if you look at McCown's entire career, 97% of the time he was just average, not terrible, but a career back-up, really. But that 3%, or 5 games, in Trestman's system he looked very good.

Yes. Same as with Flacco putting his 4 best games at the best time, or Eli (the opposite of PM) having two great runs between being what he is really is: The Int king.

Some QBs got really lucky with average talent (ok, at least Flacco posseses a arm, so he can sling it out once a while).

OTOH, you have teams with crap WRs where the QB delivers most of time. The only true meltdown (speaking in PM proportions) in the playoffs I remember by Brady was against BAL losing at home as big favo... Too bad it gave the murder running scot free his second ring (Ray Lewis).

 

[Oldman]

So Jameis Winston is still considered the best possible 1st QB? He's moving to copyright the phrase "Famous Jameis".
He should copyright "Heinous...." as well so he can make money either way. You'd think he would at least have the sense to wait until he actually was drafted. Maybe Cleveland would trade for him...

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Hi Oldman, what you think of my praising of SEA offense in the SB. It must be a surprise to you, right?

 

[Oldman]

Hi Oldman, what you think of my praising of SEA offense in the SB. It must be a surprise to you, right?

We all had hope that the sobering process and med balancing would bring you back to us.
It shouldn't be surprising...you have to believe what I tell you as the dispassionate truth.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

OTOH, you have teams with crap WRs where the QB delivers most of time. The only true meltdown (speaking in PM proportions) in the playoffs I remember by Brady was against BAL losing at home as big favo....

I would definitely not call it a meltdown, but don't forget the 2012 AFC divisional game where a month after blowing the Jets out and finishing 14-2, the Pats played the most disinterested game I have ever seen from them, and that included Brady, and lost, at home, to the same Jets.

Yesterday was the deadline for Franchise tags. The biggest name is Dez Bryant who will play another year for Dallas. This is an easy selection for them. If the video tape showing a woman being dragged by her hair by a guy turns out to be Dez, then the Cowboys can write him off and not sign him in the future. If not, they get him for another year at a decent price.

For those who don't know, tags are determined by taking the top 5 players at that position in the NFL, and paying that player the average of those. I'd argue Dez is the 2nd best receiver in the NFL (behind only Megatron), so it's a double good deal for Dallas.

Denver has tagged Demaryius Thomas, their top WR. But they are in a bind, because Julias Thomas will leave. With Gary Kubiak big on Cody Latimer and his new offensive scheme, this leaves Welker, due $12m in the lurch. He says he wants to play next season. As I said a few times before, Denver is digging a deep salary cap hole, so Welker just up and retiring would help them a little.

In a surprising move from New England, the Pats have given the tag to...Stephen Goskowski, for...$3.7m. This means Dennis McCourty can walk. I'm sure Bill Belicheck knows something I do not, and has sound logic behind this.

The Lions have not tagged Ndamukong Suh, who will test free agency right in his prime and likely get as much money as JJ Watt. In the past, I could see the Raiders grabbing him quickly. Now, I'm not so sure. Do they want him grooming Kalil Mack? Can Jack DelRio and Ken Norton (who both played defense in the NFL) control him? If they sign him to a 5+ year deal, what happens if in years 3-5 he drops off quickly, the way Warren Sapp did? (Actually, Sapp's production dropped off immediately between TB and Oak, though he was still above average in Oakland). The Raiders have also released Matt Schaub, which frees up even more cap room.

Randall Cobb was not tagged by the Packers, which tells me he means GB will let him walk and seek to shore up the OL and find someone else. They already signed Nelson to a long term deal. Cobb could go to Oakland, Jax, KC, Denver or Cleveland and get $10m a year. If the teams have the cash.

This also means we will likely see a couple RB's on the block. The biggest names are DeMarco Murray, Mark Ingram, CJ Spiller, Ben Tate and Stephen Jackson (who may retire). But I will be surprised if the Seahawks don't deal Marshawn Lynch with one year left on his contract, same with Frank Gore in SF, who may be aging, and Matt Forte in Chicago. It's also going to be interesting to see if/which team takes a flyer on Ray Rice, and if Adrien Peterson is welcome back in Minnesota. Outside of the teams that lose the best of these guys, the only teams I can think of that could really use a RB are Indianapolis, and Oakland, the latter may just draft one. But remember what Terrell Davis said after winning the Super Bowl MVP. His job was easy, the OL did all the work.

 

[Oldman]

I think it would be DelRio and Norton that could "direct" Suh to play a promotable Raiders style. Stop short of losing playing time through suspension but capitalizing on the image. Good fit.

Seattle would lose some serious fan base over Lynch. Not worth the risk unless he wants a ridiculously long deal.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

We all had hope that the sobering process and med balancing would bring you back to us.
It shouldn't be surprising...you have to believe what I tell you as the dispassionate truth.

Yes the meds worked wonders: A offensive battle with SEA being involved. All good...

I would definitely not call it a meltdown, but don't forget the 2012 AFC divisional game where a month after blowing the Jets out and finishing 14-2, the Pats played the most disinterested game I have ever seen from them, and that included Brady, and lost, at home, to the same Jets.

This one we talked a lot about. Beli the GOAT playing it slow 2 TDS down. A mastermind like him doesnt do that. No way NE was allowed to win. Was Brady informed too? Maybe. And still his final line didnt look ugly:
29/45, 299, 2/1
Compare that with the usual 16/39, 189, 1/2 of PM meltdowns.

In a surprising move from New England, the Pats have given the tag to...Stephen Goskowski, for...$3.7m

I was thinking about that one last night for a while. Wondering what the heck is he doing?... And then it dawned on me: He out-smarted everybody again.
Knowing over-priced FAs (which tagged players are) more often dont work, then they do. So what does he do? Putting the tag on the (2nd) cheapeast position, saving cap money for roster depth. This guy is amazing. He perfected the FA phase, thus always being competitive. Add in his in-game & pre game planning heroics, great play calling, seemingly great coaching, little dirty tricks too, and there you have a guy whose teams averages 12 (!!!) RS wins per season since joining NE (that includes the 5 wins-only-inaugural season where he inherited players he didnt chose).
And his 20-8 playoff record vs the best of the best is unseen before (translating to a 11-win-RS !!). Keep in mind: He didnt have the advantage of old coaches who got lucky in the draft and never had the fear to lose those star players via FAcency, or due cap regulations.

If he isnt the GOAT, then who is?

I think I turned into a NE fan. Unthinkable after the SL-NE SB that robbed Kurt Warner for the first time.

 

[red_flanders]

What do folks think about picking up Greg Hardy in FA should he become available, which it looks like is going to happen?

Raiders need an edge rusher. Seems like he's the best or near the best available. If it were me I'd pass. And Mark Davis has been pretty outspoken on domestic violence issues, dating back to the killing of Tracey Biletnikoff.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/oaklandraide...ong-been-advocates-against-domestic-violence/

So although it's a huge need, I can't see it. Who picks him up? Would you or would you want your team to grab him?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

At the rate these stories are popping up, the NFL may find that about 15% of the league are involved in domestic violence, or some other criminal activity. Me personally, I like Pete Carroll's approach. I wouldn't take Hardy or Suh.

Meanwhile, Buffalo proved me wrong thinking they'd go after Sanchez, and instead made a move to get Matt Cassell. This is another average QB, with one really good season (thanks Bill Belicheck!), and the rest pretty average. I'm not as tied to arm strength as Foxxy, but Cassell has to have one of the weakest arms in the league.

It looks like Peyton Manning is willing to cut his salary from $19m to $15m to stay with Denver. But, the fine print says there are incentives that could bump that back up to close to $19m. So, why is he doing this? Is it really to help the team? His final chance at winning? It's hard to say, I honestly don't see him fitting into Gary Kubiak's style of coaching, and with some rebuilding going on in Denver, this almost looks like a PR move, couple with a last gasp.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

At the rate these stories are popping up, the NFL may find that about 15% of the league are involved in domestic violence, or some other criminal activity.

Tim Green said (and I have almost no plausible reason to disagree with him*) that NFL players are just the micro-cosmos of the whole US society. This doesnt mean its better or worse than others. But as you and everybody here knows; negative headlines sell newspapers. For every Ray Lewis, AP, ... omg, I forgot the name of this former BAL RB, really, .. and other NFL criminals, there are fathers, who play NFL football, who take care of their families. We just dont hear of them.

(* maybe NFL players double deal more, b/c the loads of money attract all kinds of women. And TBH, who would say no in the heat of the moment when the opportunity is there, and a few drinks clouded the mind)

Meanwhile, Buffalo proved me wrong thinking they'd go after Sanchez, and instead made a move to get Matt Cassell. This is another average QB, with one really good season (thanks Bill Belicheck!), and the rest pretty average. I'm not as tied to arm strength as Foxxy, but Cassell has to have one of the weakest arms in the league.

There are reasons BUF loses year in year out (with some rare fluke seasons in between) since Levy left... Signing OBs who showed they are no NFL caliber is one of them.

and with some rebuilding going on in Denver, this almost looks like a PR move, couple with a last gasp.

I would say last gasp and stubbornness. After almost everybody told PM he is the greatest, he certainly believes the hype himself. A recipe for doom. He behaves like a kid getting clobbered around in the school yard, and dont listen to others to lay down... No he stands up again, waiting for the next hard slap... If he wasnt greedy, I would just feel sorry for him... He is becoming a caricature (in my eyes he is anyway since he couldnt lead the best ever offense to more than 8 garbage points in his last SB, in context with his previous chokes).

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Can someone tell me what Cleveland is doing? Johnny Football is a mess, and God knows when he'll play...

Meanwhile, Marshawn Lynch gave a brief interview to a Turkish TV reporter(yes, as in from the country Turkey). He said three things that stood out. First, he wished they had given him the ball. I don't blame him for saying that. I like that in a player. Second, he completely trusts his teammates and coach, even though he didn't get the ball. Check. Now, the head scratcher. He pondered that the reason he wasn't given the ball is that the NFL didn't want him being the face of the Superbowl after he scored and won the game. Say what? There's no doubt the league has an image problem. But that image isn't really Marshawn. In fact, I think most fans like him and don't care at all if he doesn't want to talk much. The image problem is with guys like Ray Rice, Adrien Peterson, or Josh McNary, and the way the league has poorly handled these issues. Heck, even Deflategate is a bigger issue. Next, he doesn't really think Roger Goodell called down to Pete Carroll and said "whatever you do, don't let Marshawn score the TD!"

IMO, that last little bit about some scheme to hold him down... that's just the insecure part of Lynch coming out. For all his greatness as a player, and all the good he does for people (which he should feel good enough about to not be insecure), you can tell in his interactions with media that he is really not a very secure dude. So now heap upon that all the negative attention Goodell has given him over, as you rightly say, much less significant Lynch-issues (which true, IDC about) than Rice/Pete/Deflategate issues and you can see why he might feel targeted. Fact is, he does not trust Goodell, and there is no limit to how far he thinks Roger might go.

Browns & Johnny remind me of a song title by Robin Trower... the fool and me. FOOL & ME... in case you want some good rock.