The NFL Offseason Thread

[Zaltana]

i think we got a rough year ahead of us anglis.

 

[Anglis]

I'll say this, Jenkins was a great pick..and that is about it.

If we were going ILB..why not get Gerald Mcgrath! Man he's the 2nd fastest LB in the draft.

Why trade picks for a punter..in the FIFTH round?? lol

 

[Zaltana]

i have nothing to say about the punter really.

but about the patriots. their boss is a little bit of a palm greaser so to speak. the success of the franchise give them a shitload of bank to cover all the draft moves they make. and they use it well. they want excellence, they make sure they get excellence, and they have the funds to cover it. they also do what the steelers do. they keep their people. the steeler's head coach made that comment when they interviewed him. they aren't interested in other team's talent, they keep their own. i'm glad we're playing the patriots in the dome this year cause if we had to play them at home i'd be mega worried.

 

[Anglis]

Also the patriots always have the next year in mind. The Patriots thought nothing of this draft, and made it obvious. They obtained picks for next year just in case some good talent shows up. They're smart..why waste a pick this year if nothing of value is there. They now have 2 more 2nd round picks for next year...again.


I'll say this about our team. I think we have a good shot this year at the South because of Gregg Williams, and some of the defensive players we got in FA. We already have a ton of core talent, now it's just a matter of molding. Our offense is obviously ok, with the last three years them being in the top 4. We only got better on Defense this year..so I'm hopeful.

 

[Shyrra]

i'm glad we're playing the patriots in the dome this year cause if we had to play them at home i'd be mega worried.

You're NOT mega worried? Geez... don't tell me I'm going to have to start talking some sense into you.... The Pats are lookin friggen stacked again this year... Better all-around this year than they were in '07... I like the Saints, but realistically, I think we're going to blow them out, lol. We're going to blow a lot of people out this year, starting week 1 with the Bills.

 

[Saocide]

So I just found this out:

"Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, who saw his quarterback go undrafted and his star wide receiver slip down in the first round of the NFL draft, had plenty to say about both situations after the proceedings ended. Leach's record-setting quarterback, Graham Harrell, wasn't among the 256 players picked in the seven rounds of the NFL draft. Meanwhile, Texas A&M's Stephen McGee, who didn't start much of his senior season, went in the fourth round (the 101st pick) to the Dallas Cowboys."

How the hell was he not drafted!?

"Leach, however, said the NFL has a long track record of picking its quarterbacks poorly. "The truth of the matter is that the NFL drafts quarterbacks notoriously bad," said Leach, according to the Morning News. "That's indisputable. ..." Harrell won't necessarily be out of work for long. His agent, Chad Speck, said he will participate in the Browns' rookie minicamp."

I hope things work out for him, he was a hell of a QB and I hope to see more from him in the coming years.

 

[Anglis]

You're NOT mega worried? Geez... don't tell me I'm going to have to start talking some sense into you.... The Pats are lookin friggen stacked again this year... Better all-around this year than they were in '07... I like the Saints, but realistically, I think we're going to blow them out, lol. We're going to blow a lot of people out this year, starting week 1 with the Bills.

You never know anything these days man. Your team is definitely better then mine, but injuries can happen (you know this first hand now), and if I recall, other then 2007, the pats ONLY (lol wish i could say this about my team) average 12 wins a year, which means they lose 4 games a season. Now..the pats always lose to a few questionable teams.

Anyway all I'm saying is, we're at home at least. It's an advantage. We'll take what we can get lol.

 

[Pesmerga]

You're NOT mega worried? Geez... don't tell me I'm going to have to start talking some sense into you.... The Pats are lookin friggen stacked again this year... Better all-around this year than they were in '07... I like the Saints, but realistically, I think we're going to blow them out, lol. We're going to blow a lot of people out this year, starting week 1 with the Bills.

woah woah. there will be no blow outs week one sir. the pats are good but lets face it..alot of the pats success comes from film..good portion is skill aswell. they very well could win but i really dont think a blow out will happen

both teams had some nice drafts for sure(bills pats)

 

[Shyrra]

woah woah. there will be no blow outs week one sir. the pats are good but lets face it..alot of the pats success comes from film..good portion is skill aswell. they very well could win but i really dont think a blow out will happen

both teams had some nice drafts for sure(bills pats)

Sorry, but I know Belichick is pissed. They'll come out guns blazing with no remorse. I fully expect to see the offense similar to '07. I like the Bills, they're my 2nd option in the AFC, but they're going to get destroyed, lol.

 

[Pesmerga]

i really think the bills are a few key players away from a good team..and hope they picked them up this off season..but peters is gone..have to see how that works out..

fun fact..last time the bills and pats played week one the pats got blown out..bills havnt beat them since...............fuck..

hoping for a good game atleast

 

[Airou]

Mike Leach is just angry, the NFL drafts QBs pretty well i think. Graham Harrells numbers were spectacular, but out of the shotgun in a spread offense, theyre skewed. He lacks arm strength, watch him in the QB challenge hosted by ESPN for some of the lower end position players, he barely whiffed a 60 yard pass, and he wasnt as accurate, he is also VERY small for te position. This isnt to say he wont have success, and i also disagree with the cowboys draft picks but i dont think Graham harell is what the NFL teams are looking for.

Anyone remember Jason White, Okla QB won the heisman, wasnt even drafted didnt even make the NFL. Some colleges dont prepare their players for the pro level, and technically its not their job to since all they care about is winning at their own level. I wish it were somewhat of a requirement to really get these kids prepared to play in the NFL.

 

[Zaltana]

i really think the bills are a few key players away from a good team..and hope they picked them up this off season..but peters is gone..have to see how that works out..

fun fact..last time the bills and pats played week one the pats got blown out..bills havnt beat them since...............fuck..

hoping for a good game atleast

just get ready to go 0-4 against the NFC south.

 

[Anglis]

The Bills picked up one of my favorite college players! Tight End from Southern Miss,(i attend here), Shawn Nelson! I honestly thought a team would pick him up and use him like Colston from the Saints because of his speed and catching ability. I've read that Buffalo does plan on using him as TE though, and trying to get his weight up to 250ish.

 

[alanon]

Anyway all I'm saying is, we're at home at least. It's an advantage. We'll take what we can get lol.

It's a HUGE advantage. Let's face it, the Pat's defense is smart and experienced, but they are also getting old and slow. I can see the Saint's dropping 30 on that D, indoors.

 

[Anglis]

It's a HUGE advantage. Let's face it, the Pat's defense is smart and experienced, but they are also getting old and slow. I can see the Saint's dropping 30 on that D, indoors.

Yep. The Saints put up points against most Defenses. Also, if I recall, the weakness of the Pats the last few years have been the defense. They haven't exactly been top 5.

Oh and the NFC South only had like two (possibly 3) losses combined last year between all it's teams at home.

 

[Shyrra]

It's a HUGE advantage. Let's face it, the Pat's defense is smart and experienced, but they are also getting old and slow. I can see the Saint's dropping 30 on that D, indoors.

Two parts to this: First, the Pats D got much younger this off-season. Granted, it's still not a "speed" defense, so that certainly helps the Saints offense. Second, 30 points won't be enough to beat the Pats, especially indoors, especially against the Saints D. (Most days, that is. It's the NFL, anyone can beat anyone, but I'd expect the Pats to beat the Saints 8 or 9 out of 10 times. Bias admitted, but objectivity attempted. lol)

 

[Shyrra]

Yep. The Saints put up points against most Defenses. Also, if I recall, the weakness of the Pats the last few years have been the defense. They haven't exactly been top 5.

Oh and the NFC South only had like two (possibly 3) losses combined last year between all it's teams at home.

Double post, but I don't care.

The Pats defense has been it's "weakness" because the offense has been so damn good. Their Defense has not been what it was in the '01-'04 stretch, to be sure, but it's still a solid Defense. Last year they were 8th in scoring defense, and in '07 they were 4th, and in '06 they were 2nd. They've been getting worse, for sure, but they've had some major factors that play strange roles on the stats the last two years.

I'd say their defensive numbers were skewed in '07 because they were always blowing teams out, so the other team HAD to throw the ball, which means their #s show their Defense as being superior to what it really was.

Last year was strange because of Brady's injury, which meant that a lot of pressure is put on the defense to perform, and it's hard to say what that does to them.

Somewhere in between the two lies the real story, which, an observer can pick apart the strengths and weaknesses of the D. They had a serious weakness in the secondary last year, but they've worked hard to improve that in the offseason/draft, to compliment their good run D up front. They're a pretty solid defense, not outstanding like they were in the earlier part of the decade, but they're certainly plenty good enough to get the opposing offense off the field so Brady can throw bombs to Moss and Galloway all day, lol.

 

[masterorion]

i live in michigan, but by no means am i a lions fan...i want to make that very clear! lol
where i live, you are either a packers fan or a lions fans(if the lions even have fans). anywho...we all were talking months in advance of the draft of what detroit SHOULD do. a glimmer of hope shined through with the firing of the GM. but, of course, that glimmer went black on draft day.

drafting a QB, that wont even start his rookie season, for the amount of they are giving him, is just plain stupid. now, if they drafted him as a bargaining chip, that would have been ideal, but at that point, you should have just traded your #1 for a decent veteran player or two. the last thing that detroit needs is a QB. or anything offensive for that matter.(wr, rb, etc)
orlovski wasnt really THAT bad. he did better than kitna IMO. only problem for offense on the lions is the inability to stop the pass rush. this causing no time for the QB. if det wants a QB, they should go after vick when hes eligible. perhaps go to wildcat formation with vick in the backfield? or straight up with him being a running quarterback. i forsee this rookies rep being flushed because hes with a horrible team that cant help him show his true potential. they should have jacked up their offensive line instead of getting a receiver, qb, and TE(unless its a good blocking TE)
now, the packers made decent choices by sprucing up defense. they have good offensive capability, they just need to make minor adjustments on defense. and not even really that much.
i see the bears being a contender as well. great defense, an upgraded QB, decent run game. if they would have been able to acquire boldin...look out.
the jets...the loss of robinson is a bit of a defensive hit. they made have made a poor gamble. ok, ya...its sanchez you picked up. however, his college coach had said himself, that he isnt really ready for the NFL. not knocking on sanchez, but it doesnt seem that he has a very strong arm. but, seems he has the potential to be a very smart QB. we will see on that one. plus, the starting position for the jets is gonna be tough. sanchez might not win the starting position.

for my opinion on crabtree and harrell...i believe they are overrated. crabtree has like 2 highlights that were shown on espn the draft day. there is a reason why he was overlooked on so many picks. not saying that he isnt any good, but there are definately better caliber WR out there. for harrell, well, hes just average. just as jason campbell or jamarcus russell. even if he were to get drafted first or second round, i see him as a washout as rex grossman is.
those two players might have been something on their texas tech team, but they are practically below average players when put along the sides of bigger colleges like florida, usc, etc. the nfl teams notice that and that is why they either went undrafted or fell deeper in the draft than they expectd.

but in the end, that low draft pick could be huge. best example is brady. he didnt draft high at all. the patriots are one of the best places for him to be. if he played for the lions, he would be a total wash. which is what stafford will probably be. time will tell i suppose.

 

[Airou]

i live in michigan, but by no means am i a lions fan...i want to make that very clear! lol
where i live, you are either a packers fan or a lions fans(if the lions even have fans). anywho...we all were talking months in advance of the draft of what detroit SHOULD do. a glimmer of hope shined through with the firing of the GM. but, of course, that glimmer went black on draft day.

drafting a QB, that wont even start his rookie season, for the amount of they are giving him, is just plain stupid. now, if they drafted him as a bargaining chip, that would have been ideal, but at that point, you should have just traded your #1 for a decent veteran player or two. the last thing that detroit needs is a QB. or anything offensive for that matter.(wr, rb, etc)
orlovski wasnt really THAT bad. he did better than kitna IMO. only problem for offense on the lions is the inability to stop the pass rush. this causing no time for the QB. if det wants a QB, they should go after vick when hes eligible. perhaps go to wildcat formation with vick in the backfield? or straight up with him being a running quarterback. i forsee this rookies rep being flushed because hes with a horrible team that cant help him show his true potential. they should have jacked up their offensive line instead of getting a receiver, qb, and TE(unless its a good blocking TE)
now, the packers made decent choices by sprucing up defense. they have good offensive capability, they just need to make minor adjustments on defense. and not even really that much.
i see the bears being a contender as well. great defense, an upgraded QB, decent run game. if they would have been able to acquire boldin...look out.
the jets...the loss of robinson is a bit of a defensive hit. they made have made a poor gamble. ok, ya...its sanchez you picked up. however, his college coach had said himself, that he isnt really ready for the NFL. not knocking on sanchez, but it doesnt seem that he has a very strong arm. but, seems he has the potential to be a very smart QB. we will see on that one. plus, the starting position for the jets is gonna be tough. sanchez might not win the starting position.

for my opinion on crabtree and harrell...i believe they are overrated. crabtree has like 2 highlights that were shown on espn the draft day. there is a reason why he was overlooked on so many picks. not saying that he isnt any good, but there are definately better caliber WR out there. for harrell, well, hes just average. just as jason campbell or jamarcus russell. even if he were to get drafted first or second round, i see him as a washout as rex grossman is.
those two players might have been something on their texas tech team, but they are practically below average players when put along the sides of bigger colleges like florida, usc, etc. the nfl teams notice that and that is why they either went undrafted or fell deeper in the draft than they expectd.

but in the end, that low draft pick could be huge. best example is brady. he didnt draft high at all. the patriots are one of the best places for him to be. if he played for the lions, he would be a total wash. which is what stafford will probably be. time will tell i suppose.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to trade the #1 overall pick? Believe me they tried to, as the dolphins did last year. Nobody wants to have to pay a rookie all that guaranteed money, its going to keep getting higher and higher until the NFL caps rookie contracts, which will happen eventually. Then people will be able to more freely trade their top overall picks. In case you forgot, the lions offered their number1 for Jay Cutler but the broncos didnt want the top pick, much harder to sign.

Saying Harrell is overrated is kinda pointless, unless him not getting drafted at all was too good for him? Lol. I dont think you can be overrated and not get drafted.

As for Crabtree, he will be a solid player with good QB play and decent coaching. He has all the physical tools, A+ Hands, A- Route Running, good size, decent speed, he has the intangibles. Calvin Johnson has put up solid numbers being in a horrific offense. He will be a good WR.

Mark my words, Stafford and Sanchez will both start at one point this season. I believe Sanchez will start from day 1, Kellen Clemmens and Erick Ainge may as well be rookies. If he plays decent in Pre-Season games he will start.

 

[masterorion]

Do you have any idea how hard it is to trade the #1 overall pick? Believe me they tried to, as the dolphins did last year. Nobody wants to have to pay a rookie all that guaranteed money, its going to keep getting higher and higher until the NFL caps rookie contracts, which will happen eventually. Then people will be able to more freely trade their top overall picks. In case you forgot, the lions offered their number1 for Jay Cutler but the broncos didnt want the top pick, much harder to sign.

Saying Harrell is overrated is kinda pointless, unless him not getting drafted at all was too good for him? Lol. I dont think you can be overrated and not get drafted.

As for Crabtree, he will be a solid player with good QB play and decent coaching. He has all the physical tools, A+ Hands, A- Route Running, good size, decent speed, he has the intangibles. Calvin Johnson has put up solid numbers being in a horrific offense. He will be a good WR.

Mark my words, Stafford and Sanchez will both start at one point this season. I believe Sanchez will start from day 1, Kellen Clemmens and Erick Ainge may as well be rookies. If he plays decent in Pre-Season games he will start.

when i said harrell was overrated, i meant that everyone expected him to get drafted. i was quite surprised when they announced he was taken afterwards. during the draft, he was blown up to be more than what he really was. the skins took a qb through the back door. campbell mentioned he would request a trade if they drafted another QB. so, technically, they didnt draft one.

it was already said that culpepper is starting the season. i would hope the lions are smart enough to have stafford play most of the 2nd half of the season. i wouldnt necessarily say start, but for the lions, they wont be super bowl contenders for many years. and i just saw that orlovsky went to the texans. which in that case, makes stafford, at least, the number 1 backup.
as for sanchez, clemmens played pretty decent in place of favre. and that is why i said it will be a good QB competition in NY. its hard for me to say who i think is going to start there. chances are, sanchez. but we will see.

for detroits offense, the offense really isnt horrible. its the QB protection. the offense is just fine. in actuality, is better than some...minus the offensive line. but for crabtree, he is one of those chad johnsons that thinks they are worth more than they really are. not to knock him down. im sure hes just fine with those 2 highlights that he has, but no one really wants a player with a bad attitude. which, is what crabtree has. but, if he loses that attitude, he may do OK. but again, hes with the browns.

as for the money taht the number one rookie gets...there is no where that states that the number one pick has to get paid huge. the rookie should be lucky that he got picked. why are organizations even paying that much? the rookie has no room to negotiate huge numbers because they arent even proven players.
perhaps we will look at the previous number 1 picks and how much those organizations shot themselves in the foot...

1997 St. Louis Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State
1998 Indianapolis Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee
1999 Cleveland Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky
2000 Cleveland Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State
2001 Atlanta Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
2002 Houston David Carr, QB, Fresno State
2003 Cincinnati Carson Palmer, QB, USC
2004 San Diego Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi
2005 San Francisco Alex Smith, QB Utah
2006 Houston Mario Williams, DE North Carolina State
2007 Oakland JaMarcus Russell, QB LSU


looks like there are 8 QB's. only 3 of them worth the salary they were probably given. 1 of them has a bad lifestyle, which landed his ass in jail. and now his team wont even take him back.
which goes back to my point. the only reason why organizations give so much money is in hope that they have one of those 3 high end players. for future reference i say this...stafford will be part of the 8 "coulda beens". in fact, hes going to be just like jamarcus russell. number 1 pick, but with a horrible team that doesnt help him shine through. thus causing him to be that average player. organizations DONT HAVE TO pay these rookies much of anything. why they continue to, i dont know? for one, they havent even made the team yet.