National Football League

[Nomad]

I think he broke the speed of sound on this throw?

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/CuqIuv9InzU?si=QX9jvR0RJkN02tOn

 

[Nomad]

It is tough to predict what these guys can do in the pros because, as you pointed out, the top draft picks typically come from dominate NCAA teams and get drafted by the weakest NFL teams. Their success is determined as much by the other 52 players plus coaches as it is by what they do. For comparison, Stroud vs. Young: While I think that Stroud is just a better NFL QB, he had more around him in HOU than Young did in CAR.

That's a good point because it's the opposite in college where top QB recruits (4 & 5-stars) usually go to the top-12 FBS P-5 programs.

However, it's still arm talent & physical skills as the main metric used by the scouts to hype up these draft prospects & not so much the conferences or schools they played for. Case in point is Allen & Love came from the Mountain West Conference, Wentz & Lance from FCS, Big Ben from the MAC, etc. In fact, Allen was a JC transfer where little Wyoming U was the only FBS school recruiting him. And even his stats at Wyoming weren't all that impressive considering the MWC is a lower tier conference.

But what put Allen on the map was as Alpe pointed out - his tremendous size for a QB & ability to run over people. Couple that with his Elway-type rocket arm (I believe Fanzio characterized Allen as "Elway on steroids" Lol), and you have a 1st round franchise QB prospect.

 

[Oldermanish]

Fields will be playing I'm sure. Even their training camp may not be cut and dried. Being a 49ers fan I saw a lot of Wilson over the years and his last two seasons at Seattle were a drop off which is why I was gobsmacked by the Denver trade. I think a lot of Fields problems come from bad coaching and too many changes over a short period at the Bears. Obviously there wasn't much of a trade market for him but I think he could improve, how much is the big question.

Some people think just because Brady can do it in his 40's then anyone can. Ryan, Rodgers, Wilson, Dalton, Big Ben, Flacco all looked different by the time they hit mid thirties. Cousins and Stafford have held up pretty well so far although Stafford has taken a beating and probably won't play for more than two more seasons which is why the Rams signed Stetson Bennett as a back up but that hasn't turned out well so far. Jimmy G will be the obvious back up if Stafford gets injured and he obviously knows the NFC West defenses very well.

Use Wilson for coaching and running option plays. Seriously; Russell can still run now that he doesn't need to worry about getting paid if he's knocked out. The passing he can make off of those plays can give defenses fits and Fields can benefit from not taking the knocks when the situation dictates. This situation smacks of an experiment so let it be more optional and unpredictable.
It's also the other side of a long season. The teams that win the final big games have something new to confuse defenses. It'll be the evolution to deal with so much more exposure to injuries and patterned offensive play as well.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Speaking of QBs being thrown into the fire. This vid from Rich Eisen I think sums it up well. No one is developed anymore, as no team has the reps to give them. If you don't come out of college and show immediate results, you're done. It's how the NFL now is.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Chiefs lost Sneed and got nothing in return l. Only plus is most likely not going to a threat.

Reports: Titans acquire CB L'Jarius Sneed from Chiefs

Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, a starter on the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning teams each of the past two seasons, is headed to the Tennessee Titans, ESPN and NFL.com reported Friday night.

deadspin.com

 

[jmdirt]

We've discussed the potential impact of a vet QB on a young QB. Here is Joe Flacco's brief take (bold added by me):

"Listen, I've kind of been in this role for a handful of years now," Flacco, who's entering his 17th season, said of backing up Richardson. "Obviously, last year was a little bit different cause I wasn't anywhere, I was able to come in and play pretty quickly. But yeah, it's just about being in the room with him and a lot of conversations naturally come up when you spend so much time together in a row. It's just kind of I think being able to bring the experience and being able to help him simplify things and go out there and play fast and use his skillset the way he wants to."

 

[Nomad]

That's interesting but I wonder if he's really being sincere. Alpe had mentioned (if I understood him correctly) that he doesn't think these veteran franchise QBs - many quite successful in their prime - want to take on the role of a backup mentoring to these high-drafted youngsters that the owners have put all their trust & faith in to start winning immediately.

The question: Is Flacco really content on holding a clipboard & cheerleading Richardson on, or does he believe that he can still start in this league & be successful?

 

[Nomad]

I mentioned yesterday that kid McCarthy had smoked his Pro-day in Ann Arbor. Well...let the hype begin! (just read some of the reviews from the scouts. Lol).

J.J. McCarthy let it rip at Michigan’s pro day

McCarthy’s draft stock keeps rising.

www.maizenbrew.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1771291430369034697

View: https://twitter.com/TWH_Chris/status/1771291430369034697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1771291430369034697%7Ctwgr%5E99f376d8fcb64efb61be747b95f975bd3ee753da%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.maizenbrew.com%2F2024%2F3%2F23%2F24109005%2Fmichigan-football-jj-mccarthy-nfl-draft-quarterback-rankings-giants-vikings-commanders-broncos

 

[Nomad]

Hey...what do you know - we now have the next "Drew Brees" in this draft!

'A lot of Drew Brees in Bo Nix' — Why top draft analyst sees QB fit for Broncos

Nix started more games in college than any quarterback before him and that experience could be a plus for Sean Payton, Mel Kiper Jr. says

theathletic.com

This is getting interesting: We have the next Peyton Manning already in his 4th season at JAX, the next Brett Favre starting his 2nd season at TEN, and the next Patrick Mahomes with Caleb Williams. Now we're just missing the next Big Ben (or was that already supposed to be Carson Wentz?) & the next Tom Brady. LOL

 

[movingtarget]

Use Wilson for coaching and running option plays. Seriously; Russell can still run now that he doesn't need to worry about getting paid if he's knocked out. The passing he can make off of those plays can give defenses fits and Fields can benefit from not taking the knocks when the situation dictates. This situation smacks of an experiment so let it be more optional and unpredictable.
It's also the other side of a long season. The teams that win the final big games have something new to confuse defenses. It'll be the evolution to deal with so much more exposure to injuries and patterned offensive play as well.

Yeah I think the strategy with back ups QBs has changed especially after the 49ers lost their last QB in the playoff game against the Eagles two seasons ago. They changed the rule about having a third QB active and the seasons keep getting longer which means usually, more chance for injury. Teams will probably also have to stock up more on RBs although there are not many run first teams left in the NFL now but you still need a few on hand due to the wear and tear and most of the good RBs have had at least one serious injury.

Shanahan said he hates preparing for games with dual QBs. Some teams have been more successful with it like the Saints but they had a QB who could play a utility role unlike most teams. 49ers tried it a little with Lance and Jimmy G but it never worked very well and one of them always got injured anyway !

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The problem is snaps, reps, practice with first team players. It's quite difficult to have a team get into any sort of rhythm on offense if different QBs are practicing during the season, or any given week.

Hey...what do you know - we now have the next "Drew Brees" in this draft!

I completely groaned when I heard this. Just painful. I don't think Nix is headed to be a bust, but this is just ridiculous, and unfair to the guy all the same. Why doesn't someone be honest, fair, and say, "he looks like the next Matt Hasslebeck!" or "the next Ryan Tannehill."

By the way, the whole "next Patrick Mahomes!" requires a real short memory, for just last year that's what Bryce Young was being labeled, by a few people. I guess going 2-15 as a starter made some of these experts want us to quickly forget that, now that they've found the actual next Patrick Mahomes in Williams.

 

[Oldermanish]

The practices are an issue; the execution on passing has gotten so nano-second perfect that it'd be difficult for receivers to instinctively adjust. Simplistically the plays could be different to accommodate more than one signal caller but defenses adjust to that too.
Seattle fans always hoped for another Warren Moon or Dave Kreig but managed to draft Rick Mirer. They're in that same wishful mode now; Geno's not that young.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

One of the guys in that Rich Eisen clip pointed out that Zach Wilson could go to the UFL, play for a year, get in a heap of reps, lead a team to the championship, then come back to the NFL. But I'm only going to say "maybe" to this, or just flat out "highly unlikely".

For example, I don't see a guy on a rookie contract giving up $X million to play in the UFL for at most about $80k. While running the risk of getting hurt, plus practicing in lesser facilities, lesser training staff, etc. Next, I'm not even sure if Wilson were the MVP of the UFL this season it would cause teams to really clamor for him in the NFL as the guy. All one has to do is look at Alex McGough who was MVP in the USFL and played terrific, after being bounced around NFL practice squads a couple previous years. Green Bay signed him last year, he sat on the bench, they liked him enough to re-sign him, where he'll compete for the back-up job to Love. At $900k a year. Kind of a no-brainer to Alex and his family. Is Wilson better than McGough. He very likely is. But McGough is an over-achiever, and I honestly don't think much worse anyone from Tommy DeVito, Tyson Bagent, etc. and quite possibly better.

Now if the UFL were highly successful, pulling in double the fans they do, triple the TV and media ratings, and players started to make six figures on average, the top players approaching McGough's salary in GB, then it easily would make sense for players like Wilson, Lance, Bennett, Duggan, Haener, Pickett, etc. to give a go at the UFL.

 

[Nomad]

No way Zach Wilson would ever think of going to the UFL. Lol. I'm sure he'd rather be a backup in the league with the prestige of an NFL player than a starter in the UFL on any given day. For one, like you said is the $$$, Wilson is making about $5.5 mil a year on his rookie contact ($22.9 mil signing bonus!) Secondly, he believes he's a starter in this league & probably feels that just because things didn't work out in NY doesn't mean he couldn't start somewhere else if giving the chance (he's a 2nd OA pick after all).

I think the problem with the UFL is the salaries are just too low to attract NFL-type talent. A marginal NFL player who didn't make the 53 but still shows some potential - consequently relegated to the practice squad - would rather do that than play for peanuts in a bush league that I think is going to struggle financially. And the money is pretty damn good with the practice squad these days: Rookies make $12k a week or $218k in 18 weeks while veterans with over 2 yrs experience make a minimum $16k a week or $370k in 18 wks. If you think about it, that's great money for just practicing with the team each week & watching the home games on the sidelines. Lol.

 

[Nomad]

The final QB index rankings from 2023:

NFL QB Index: Ranking all 66 starting quarterbacks from the 2023 NFL season

The top guys all threw up big numbers - no surprises there. But what I found surprising is Allen, ranked #2, rushed for 18 TDs! - which was #1 for QBs beating out Jackson in that category. Allen rushed for 670 yds which was 2nd only to Jackson, and finished as the  #2 rusher on the team behind Cook. He's become a bonafide dual-threat in the league.

 

[jmdirt]

One of the guys in that Rich Eisen clip pointed out that Zach Wilson could go to the UFL, play for a year, get in a heap of reps, lead a team to the championship, then come back to the NFL. But I'm only going to say "maybe" to this, or just flat out "highly unlikely".

For example, I don't see a guy on a rookie contract giving up $X million to play in the UFL for at most about $80k. While running the risk of getting hurt, plus practicing in lesser facilities, lesser training staff, etc. Next, I'm not even sure if Wilson were the MVP of the UFL this season it would cause teams to really clamor for him in the NFL as the guy. All one has to do is look at Alex McGough who was MVP in the USFL and played terrific, after being bounced around NFL practice squads a couple previous years. Green Bay signed him last year, he sat on the bench, they liked him enough to re-sign him, where he'll compete for the back-up job to Love. At $900k a year. Kind of a no-brainer to Alex and his family. Is Wilson better than McGough. He very likely is. But McGough is an over-achiever, and I honestly don't think much worse anyone from Tommy DeVito, Tyson Bagent, etc. and quite possibly better.

Now if the UFL were highly successful, pulling in double the fans they do, triple the TV and media ratings, and players started to make six figures on average, the top players approaching McGough's salary in GB, then it easily would make sense for players like Wilson, Lance, Bennett, Duggan, Haener, Pickett, etc. to give a go at the UFL.

IMO, McGough is better than Z Wilson.

 

[movingtarget]

The final QB index rankings from 2023:

NFL QB Index: Ranking all 66 starting quarterbacks from the 2023 NFL season

The top guys all threw up big numbers - no surprises there. But what I found surprising is Allen, ranked #2, rushed for 18 TDs! - which was #1 for QBs beating out Jackson in that category. Allen rushed for 670 yds which was 2nd only to Jackson, and finished as the  #2 rusher on the team behind Cook. He's become a bonafide dual-threat in the league.

The amount of running Allen does was really noticeable last season and he's good at it. His size makes him difficult to bring down and for his size he's quick. He also slides which some QBs never do. Even Purdy has to learn to slide more at the end of runs.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The final QB index rankings from 2023:

Mostly agree. Definitely agree with his thinking on many players. But in no way would I rank Dak Prescott over Brock Purdy. The media just loves Dak for some reason.

Some of the author's analogies were aptly funny. Regarding Nick Mullens:

"Watching him is like watching a stock car race around Talladega without a restrictor plate: full throttle, baby, for better or worse. When no better option revealed itself down the stretch, Kevin O'Connell was forced to go along for the ride, clutching the frame of the car the whole way before finally demanding to be let out."

And Anthony Richardson:

"Richardson’s rookie season was equal to arriving at a five-star restaurant and only tasting the appetizers before the staff rudely kicks you out."

In other news, I am starting to expect a team to trade up to get JJ McCarthey at #4 overall. The hype on him has reached absurd levels of late, with no sign of it cooling off. More absurd than Zach Wilson when he was over-drafted.

IMO, McGough is better than Z Wilson.

Hmmm. The problem is, we may never find out. Might get a look in the pre-season, as I imagine both will get a lot of snaps then.

 

[jmdirt]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10114222-pros-and-cons-of-proposed-2024-nfl-rule-changes-as-annual-league-meetings-begin?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

 

[Nomad]

They want to ban the "hip-drop" tackle? Lol. This is getting ridiculous. They might as well just put flags on these guys & play the game the way we saw it played at the Pro-Bowl. Lol.

And the proposed changes to the kickoff sounds idiotic. If the fat cats in the luxury box are concerned about player safety on kickoffs then just put the ball in play at the 25 (the exception would be if a team wants to attempt an onside kick). Otherwise, move the kickoff back to the 30 & kick the ball off like normal - there should be less out of endzone kicks & more opportunity for returns.

 

[Nomad]

Weiterleitungshinweis

They found the next "Johnny Manziel" right there in Tampa! I can just imagine the look on Mayfield's face. Lol

 

[Unchained]

Weiterleitungshinweis

They found the next "Johnny Manziel" right there in Tampa! I can just imagine the look on Mayfield's face. Lol

Was he discovered at a casino or cocaine dealers house?

 

[BullsFan22]

Was he discovered at a casino or cocaine dealers house?

Worse, Walmart

 

[Unchained]

They want to ban the "hip-drop" tackle? Lol. This is getting ridiculous. They might as well just put flags on these guys & play the game the way we saw it played at the Pro-Bowl. Lol.

And the proposed changes to the kickoff sounds idiotic. If the fat cats in the luxury box are concerned about player safety on kickoffs then just put the ball in play at the 25 (the exception would be if a team wants to attempt an onside kick). Otherwise, move the kickoff back to the 30 & kick the ball off like normal - there should be less out of endzone kicks & more opportunity for returns.

Couldn't disagree more with everyone, the kickoff is a complete novelty, with the majority of balls going out the back line or just kneed because receiver knows kick hang time and him catching it half deep in the end zone is a loser, just down it. Most of the rule changes are stupid and it's just going to continue the bizarre new love triangle between referees, video play back and offending player and team. Going to call the penalty, video is going to be inconclusive, or show non foul and everyone is pissed off except for the team that benefits from a BS call.
NFL has fundamentally changed the game were long kick returns are increasingly rare, fans loved it and some goons removed it from the game. And now regular, standard taught tackling will be a penalty depending on the ref's mood..And if lower body contact becomes problematic in the act of tackling, more old school spearing looking tackles are going to certainly happen when you want defenders to tackle high instead of low, which has been coaching standard since the game began. Used to be understood that if you tackle somebody around the ankles it stops them from running.. These rules are going to kill the guy!!

Lester Hayes - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Unchained]

Walmart

Kurt Warner was working at a grocery store!!!