National Football League

[movingtarget]

Trent Williams, 49ers agree to terms on two-year, $50 million deal, ending contract standoff

Trent Williams and the 49ers have agreed to terms on a two-year, $50 million deal, ending the star offensive tackle's contract standoff with the team, his agency announce Monday morning.

www.nfl.com

49ers happy to get that done after the Aiyuk debacle. Williams will retire a 49er and should be good for the O line rookies as well. Not at his peak anymore but still too good to quit on. No one looked more gutted after the last SB loss than Williams, CMC and Aiyuk. I don't think Aiyuk ever recovered mentally it seems, especially after the ACL/MCL and meniscus injury early the next season. Although his rehab was going well when he basically stopped communicating with the team and looks like he will be released after June.

 

[Nomad]

It's the name, and hype. It will always exist. You know that.

As t Ohio State, they've had a slew of QBs who were either NFL busts, or just couldn't make it. Troy Smith, Bobby Hoying, Terrell Pryor, Cardale Jones, Art Schlichter, I suppose we'll never know on Dwayne Haskins, but he was struggling. Mike Tomczak had a long career but mostly as a backup. And then Justin Fields who is pretty much a bust at this point. I see him floating around as a backup a few years, then fading away. Probably a few more I don't know of because they never did anything.

The only good one I know of is CJ Stroud. Hard to tell if he'll be as great as his rookie year, but at least he's a solid starter and should be for some years.

You're right, the history of successful NFL QBs has not come from Ohio St. I agree Fields looks to be finished as a starter & will more than likely follow a journeyman backup career path. That's too bad he can't be developed into an elite passer to go along with his elite running skills -- he'd be a top dual-threat along the lines of LJ, Allen, Hurts, etc.

So, Stroud looks to be the best QB out of OSU right now. Definitely a solid starter but he needs to take the next step & progress past a one-win opening playoff game. Being a #2 OA, the expectations are for at least a SB appearance.

 

[Nomad]

To be fair for his deep balls, they’ve always been a floating airball. They just stay floating for longer now.

I'm not sure I follow you -- are you implying that he wasn't an elite passer back in his prime or that he was an elite passer despite throwing "floating airballs?" (IOW, is "floating airballs" suppose to be some mark against him?).

Since I didn't follow him much back then, I have no idea, so I asked AI. AI states that Wilson was an elite passer who threw a deep "moonball" that was hard to defend against (I think this is the "floating airball" you're talking about?). AI goes on to say that Wilson had uncanny accuracy with these "moonballs" able to drop these passes on a dime. AI referred me to some ESPN articles that talked about Wilson's "magic moonballs" (you can look up the articles).

One thing is for certain, Wilson's career accuracy for passes over 20 yds is pretty darn good - 64.6% (by comparison Mahomes is 66.2%, Allen 64% & Stafford 63.5%). You can see his year to year stats on those throws. He looks like he really bombed out & fell apart in this metric last year in those 3 starts with the NYG.

Russell Wilson Deep Ball Accuracy Balls Over 20 Yards In His Career | StatMuse

Russell Wilson completed 64.6 percent of passes when passing for >20 yards in his career.

www.statmuse.com

 

[SHAD0W93]

I'm not sure I follow you -- are you implying that he wasn't an elite passer back in his prime or that he was an elite passer despite throwing "floating airballs?" (IOW, is "floating airballs" suppose to be some mark against him?).

Since I didn't follow him much back then, I have no idea, so I asked AI. AI states that Wilson was an elite passer who threw a deep "moonball" that was hard to defend against (I think this is the "floating airball" you're talking about?). AI goes on to say that Wilson had uncanny accuracy with these "moonballs" able to drop these passes on a dime. AI referred me to some ESPN articles that talked about Wilson's "magic moonballs" (you can look up the articles).

One thing is for certain, Wilson's career accuracy for passes over 20 yds is pretty darn good - 64.6% (by comparison Mahomes is 66.2%, Allen 64% & Stafford 63.5%). You can see his year to year stats on those throws. He looks like he really bombed out & fell apart in this metric last year in those 3 starts with the NYG.

Russell Wilson Deep Ball Accuracy Balls Over 20 Yards In His Career | StatMuse

Russell Wilson completed 64.6 percent of passes when passing for >20 yards in his career.

www.statmuse.com

Floating airball = moonball

And yes he was extremely good with them. Case in point 2014 playoff run. So to say they’re floating now isn’t really fair when they’ve always floated.

 

[movingtarget]

I'm not sure I follow you -- are you implying that he wasn't an elite passer back in his prime or that he was an elite passer despite throwing "floating airballs?" (IOW, is "floating airballs" suppose to be some mark against him?).

Since I didn't follow him much back then, I have no idea, so I asked AI. AI states that Wilson was an elite passer who threw a deep "moonball" that was hard to defend against (I think this is the "floating airball" you're talking about?). AI goes on to say that Wilson had uncanny accuracy with these "moonballs" able to drop these passes on a dime. AI referred me to some ESPN articles that talked about Wilson's "magic moonballs" (you can look up the articles).

One thing is for certain, Wilson's career accuracy for passes over 20 yds is pretty darn good - 64.6% (by comparison Mahomes is 66.2%, Allen 64% & Stafford 63.5%). You can see his year to year stats on those throws. He looks like he really bombed out & fell apart in this metric last year in those 3 starts with the NYG.

Russell Wilson Deep Ball Accuracy Balls Over 20 Yards In His Career | StatMuse

Russell Wilson completed 64.6 percent of passes when passing for >20 yards in his career.

www.statmuse.com

I got tired of the moonballs. Dunno how many times a late moonball ended up snatching victory from the 49ers especially to Tyler Lockett !

 

[movingtarget]

NFL Network: Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey agrees to record-setting four-year, $28 million extension

Kicker Brandon Aubrey has agreed to a record-setting four-year, $28 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday. It is the largest for a kicker in league history.

www.nfl.com

 

[Potomac]

NFL Network: Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey agrees to record-setting four-year, $28 million extension

Kicker Brandon Aubrey has agreed to a record-setting four-year, $28 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday. It is the largest for a kicker in league history.

www.nfl.com

That's the missing link!
SB victory secured.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Aubrey was a UFL kicker!

Wilson's "moonballs" reminded me of Billy Kilmer. Anyone remember him? He'd be in the pocket, about to get sacked, and just heave the ball like he was just trying to get rid of it, not even looking downfield anymore, and a surprising amount of the time 2, 3 seconds later when it came down, it would find its way right to his receiver's hands.

 

[Nomad]

Too funny...I grew up watching Kilmer -- "Whiskey Bill" & "The Wobbler" as he was known amongst his teammates. I remember back in HS football we'd laugh & make fun of his single-bar facemask & no chinstrap helmet that he wore. I believe he was the only none-kicker/punter that still wore that silly helmet when he played in the 70s. Lol

Kilmer might have actually been the first truly dual-threat QB in the league. When he was in college he played halfback/tailback in UCLA's single wing offense & only transitioned to QB once in the pros. In his first couple of years with the 9ers he played both RB & QB (there's videos of him throwing passes after getting a handoff in the old-fashioned halfback option play). No HOF but he did make the college HOF.

 

[Nomad]

Floating airball = moonball

And yes he was extremely good with them. Case in point 2014 playoff run. So to say they’re floating now isn’t really fair when they’ve always floated.

In that QB Tier report from last year, one "unnamed" DC said he floated his deep balls that were easy to defend against. The rest of the voters noted that he mostly lost his dynamic playmaking ability with his diminishing mobility. And being a dual-threat, that's expected as one ages. With dual-threats, the legs usually seem to go first before the arm.

 

[Nomad]

View: https://youtu.be/f4Hgt-QWNXA?si=1IM1ERXHCbY4A5Gd

Aikman says the league is loaded with superstar QBs & is in good hands (could have fooled me. Lol).

He also said teams are trending more to under center offensive schemes with emphasis more on a power running game (going back to the old days).

If this trend gains traction & league starts running more & throwing less, I'll probably become less of a fan & just watch more college ball.

I like high-octane passing offensive schemes where QBs are slinging the ball like crazy to some of these incredibly talented receivers & TEs. That's why I love the collage game. Most teams are running shotgun-centric, single-back, multiple receiver set formations where QBs are slinging the ball from RPO schemes. And there are some teams still running Mike Leach's famous "air raid" offense. College football couldn't be more exiting with these high-octane passing offenses.

I'm not going to waste my time watching NFL offenses hand off the ball to RBs in under center formations. BORING!

 

[SHAD0W93]

In that QB Tier report from last year, one "unnamed" DC said he floated his deep balls that were easy to defend against. The rest of the voters noted that he mostly lost his dynamic playmaking ability with his diminishing mobility. And being a dual-threat, that's expected as one ages. With dual-threats, the legs usually seem to go first before the arm.

They’re easier now since his arm strength isn’t what it was so it takes a little longer than previously. The past moon ball completions have been crazy with how long they stay in the air then get completed. What the killer was when he was younger scrambling around like you see Mahomes now, throw up this floating moon ball, and then it somehow gets completed.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Too funny...I grew up watching Kilmer -- "Whiskey Bill" & "The Wobbler" as he was known amongst his teammates. I remember back in HS football we'd laugh & make fun of his single-bar facemask & no chinstrap helmet that he wore. I believe he was the only none-kicker/punter that still wore that silly helmet when he played in the 70s. Lol

Joe Theesman? I think by then though the chinstrap was mandatory.

As to Kilmer, really hard not to look back and love the guy. Blue collar, lunchpail type QB.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

While we're talking about the Warshington football team, what do folks think of the new alternate uniforms? I know there's been some vocal criticism, and I personally grew to really dislike the old name, but I think this actually looks pretty good.

 

[Nomad]

As to Kilmer, really hard not to look back and love the guy. Blue collar, lunchpail type QB.

A 3 sport star in HS & halfback at UCLA, he was willing to play any position & do whatever it took to make it in the NFL. It's interesting that in his first two seasons with the 9ers, he started 9 games at RB. He also was the first QB to play in the shotgun formation under Red Hickey. (Hickey is credited for having devised the shotgun formation for modern offenses in 1960). And what a 1972 season Kilmer had leading the team to SB VII with that throbbing of Dallas in the NFCCG (remember the SB vs the undefeated Dolphins led by Bob Griese?).

Here's one of his trademark rollout runs. Shoved late out-of-bounds & gets right back up to get back on the field -- no whining & crying for a flag like today's QBs. Lol

View: https://youtu.be/kURIGMiuoKY?si=63FlGoxTnEnVtuYX

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That was awesome!

In my memory it was the Tom Landry Cowboys that brought back the shotgun. At least it was something back in that day seeing Staubach line up under center...then take a few steps back into shotgun! It really sent defenses into a tizzy, "wait!? What are they doing?!" For having a defensive background Landry sure was an inventive HC.

 

[Nomad]

After his stint at the 9ers, Hickey did coach for a couple of years at Dallas as an offensive assistant & later as a scout (1964-65/1966-1981), and may have shown Landry the shotgun. But you're right, it wasn't until Staubach came on board in 1969 that Landry implemented the shotgun as a regular formation in their offense.

 

[Nomad]

They're already packing them in like crazy at the draft -- it's looking like a Woodstock event!

I'm going to go out on a limb & make a bold prediction that the Raiders will draft Fernando Mendoza with the #1 OA pick.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Good call there on Mendoza to the Raiders! 😎

Biggest surprise so far is the Rams reaching for Simpson. Must see something others don't.

Giants fortunate Reese somehow fell to them. Titans maybe reaching for Tate?

Chiefs going all-in for the present. Moved up to take Delane, leaving Styles on the board for the Commanders. And did Downs fall to the Cowboys? Seattle fills a RB void with Price.

7 offensive tackles taken in the first round alone. And 5 edge rushers.

 

[Oldman]

The concerns with Stafford are he's had plenty of injuries, and is really one hit from missing who knows how many games. I think it's an anomaly he made it through last year unscathed. He still throws well on the run, but the league is now about dual threat QBs and highly mobile QBs. He's an aging outlier who can't run, at all. This means the team must rely heavily on their OL, receivers, and a running game as the days of a Brady/Manning/Brees/Stafford sitting back there picking defenses apart is about gone. Just look at the UFL, every QB is pretty much dual threat. Even Luis Perez, who was the league MVP a couple years back and had gotten more mobile the last two years, even took off and ran a few times last year, he's been benched for a guy who is a true dual threat (and the team is playing better).

As to Howard, recall he had a lousy Combine, with some saying he didn't take it seriously. It was also noted that his excellent Ohio State team propped him up some in college. But maybe after sitting a bit was the lesson he needed? Only one way to find out. Oh, and Mason Rudolph is a career backup.

Wilson needs to retire. He's not going to make a team, and the only way he plays is if mid-season the injuries pile up and some team signs him of the scrap heap. He's done. Sad in a sense because he actually was elite at one point. I think he's played himself out of the HOF, and his personality didn't help him one bit in this regard.

It's funny how the talk of the Browns is about Shedeur. Can he do it? What does he have? Is it him or Watson? But you look at last year and he was clearly outplayed by Dillon Gabriel. Then again, it's the Browns.

The brooooowns. Sorry, but it just keeps happening.

 

[Oldman]

Good call there on Mendoza to the Raiders! 😎

Biggest surprise so far is the Rams reaching for Simpson. Must see something others don't.

Giants fortunate Reese somehow fell to them. Titans maybe reaching for Tate?

Chiefs going all-in for the present. Moved up to take Delane, leaving Styles on the board for the Commanders. And did Downs fall to the Cowboys? Seattle fills a RB void with Price.

7 offensive tackles taken in the first round alone. And 5 edge rushers.

The focus on contain defense and serious O-line would suggest maybe teams are learning what wins. That, instead of season-ticket selling flashy offensive picks. All these guys are expensive and it's sensible that a pick that could serve a strategy for 8 years is better. May be dull but is a good biz-ness approach.

 

[Oldman]

To be fair for his deep balls, they’ve always been a floating airball. They just stay floating for longer now.

Without scrolling back...this is a very image-heavy sentence for an on line service. Amazing string of imagery.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Without scrolling back...this is a very image-heavy sentence for an on line service. Amazing string of imagery.

View: https://youtu.be/KfWUGUwIHwI?si=yeVOzPN9HOusIPw9



One of the many

 

[movingtarget]

Rams decided not to wait for the next draft to get their QB. Was it a reach ? Time will tell. . Cards took an early RB as they were expected to. Jets got the TE athletic freak, Sadiq, hope they don't waste his talents !

 

[Nomad]

Good call there on Mendoza to the Raiders! 😎

Biggest surprise so far is the Rams reaching for Simpson. Must see something others don't.

Giants fortunate Reese somehow fell to them. Titans maybe reaching for Tate?

Chiefs going all-in for the present. Moved up to take Delane, leaving Styles on the board for the Commanders. And did Downs fall to the Cowboys? Seattle fills a RB void with Price.

7 offensive tackles taken in the first round alone. And 5 edge rushers.

Thanks, I nailed that pick by the Raiders! Lol.

Here's my take on the Simpson selection: Either Stafford is retiring or ownership wants to move on with a new QB now. I tend to lean on the second theory. Word had it the Jets were going to take Simpson at 16th, so the Rams had to grab him with their 13th pick (remember this is the pick that they got in a trade with Atlanta last year or the Rams wouldn't be drafting that high this year).

Let's look at this logically & realistically: If Stafford is their guy for the next few years - why would they waste a 1st rd - 13th OA - pick on a QB? By doing this they passsed on some real studs like Bain, Sadig - immediate impact players. And if they were looking for a franchise QB to replace Stafford over the next couple of years, why not wait until next year where there's possibly 4-5 1st rd prospects available? This move smells of desperation -- ownership want a new QB to replace Stafford now. And Simpson is rookie year starting material. NFL. com gave him of a prospect grade of 6.30 (plus starter) which is higher than the grade Cam Ward received last year.

Obviously, ownership isn't happy with the Rams season last year despite Stafford winning MVP. But I don't blame them when the Pats have Maye leading them to the SB in just his 2nd yr! This reminds me a little of when the Pats drafted Mac Jones at 15th in the 2021 draft when they had Newton as their veteran starter. And low & behold, guess who was the week 1 starter?

Broncos didn't have a 1st rd pick (traded it on Waddle deal). They pick late in the 2nd (62) so it'll be interesting to see if they go offense or defense.