topic Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!! in Wellness

NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:30:53 GMT

This will be the start of our monthly updates during the off-season now that the Super Bowl is behind us.

Starting off we have the last head coaching vacancy (Atlanta's) filled by Dan Quinn the former Seahawks defensive coordinator. That will be an interesting hire to watch. I think the best head coach hire was probably Gary Kubiak for the Broncos. He's got experience, knows the system in Denver, and is close to the front office that's in place. Some guys just seem destined to fail. I'm not a huge fan of Oakland's hiring of Jack Del Rio. That could be the big bust of the coaching hires. There's very little talent on that roster and Del Rio hasn't been a head coach for a while now.

Warren Sapp has made a big sap out of himself by soliciting a prostitute and then assaulting someone while covering the Super Bowl. The NFL Network quickly flushed him and he's unlikely to pop up on any network for the foreseeable future. He's going to lose a lot of money as a result of that. He'd carved out a nice niche of commercial roles and commentating, but he's just made himself nearly untouchable.

Johnny Manziel has wisely headed off to rehab to clear up whatever issue (alcohol apparently, but I wouldn't rule out anything/everything else) he has. Cleveland finds themselves in a real dilemma quarterback wise. Brian Hoyer is a free agent. Do they resign him? Do they try to rely on Manziel? Do they grab someone in free agency? It'll be interesting to see.

The Eagles have been pretty quiet this off season so far. We've shuffled a few coaches around, poached a few guys off of other teams' practice squads, hired the new personnel guy who was in the building the whole time. The big thing to watch is Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles wanted to sign him to a long term deal last off-season for more than he made last season, but he wanted much more and took less for a one year "prove it" deal. He proved it and is now in position to cash in. Will the Eagles and Maclin come to some common ground on his value? Andy Reid of the receiver-less Chiefs would likely love to snatch up Maclin, so there's competition for his services if he makes it to free agency.

Lots of teams are trying to work out deals with their free agents and some are likely to end up having to let guys go they don't want to lose. The Cowboys don't have a lot of cap space and they've got two high value guys in Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray, both of whom want big paydays. Can they keep them both? We'll have to see.

The next big event is the NFL Combine where the college kids coming out this year go through endless exams and evaluations. A few guys who were supposed to be later picks will likely move up higher and some who were projected to be high picks will end up dropping a lot based on how they do at the combine. The big thing most will be watching is the quarterback comparison between Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. There's a report that Mariota won't throw at the combine which could cause some teams concern. It'll be interesting to see where Mariota ends up going. My best guess is he'll go first overall since there are no real questions about his character and capabilities. Of course, some feel he's a result of the Oregon system and in a typical NFL system will fail miserably while Winston is more of a prototype NFL quarterback. We'll have to see what happens there. I don't see Mariota dropping past tenth in the first round no matter what.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

sunshine45 — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 06:58:22 GMT

the ravens just released terrence cody on monday after he was indicted for animal abuse (dogs and an alligator).

now that ray rice has been reinstated it will be interesting to see who is showing interest in him.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:05:59 GMT

I kind of wonder how you'd abuse an alligator??? Hmmmm. . . . . As to Ray Rice, a few years ago he'd have been a hot commodity in the off season, but his production had fallen way off before the domestic abuse issue and this is reportedly a great draft for running backs, so he's unlikely to even get a camp invite. It's possible Gary Kubiak likes him and gives him a shot in Denver, but I'm not sure if he would or not. I suspect Ray Rice will either have to go to Canada to play ball and show he has something left, or give it up. Running backs aren't that hard to find and an older running back whose production had fallen off before the legal trouble is not a hot commodity. He'll be lucky to find a team willing to give him five minutes of time and he'd have to blow them away to get a contract. I suspect he's done.

There are a lot of big name free agent running backs available and kids coming out in the draft, so a team with a need should be able to find a guy without having to deal with the headaches that come with Ray Rice. His only real advantage is that he'd likely have to sign cheap, so a team in cap trouble might get him for the veteran minimum, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be happy for long playing under that type of a contract.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

Linders Back — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:36:23 GMT

Pats have a few free agents that they would love to keep if they can restructure contracts or find a way to keep them with the salary cap. Brady has already restricted his contract (lower) to make funds available to keep others around but we'll have to wait and see. I would hate to see Revis go, especially if it were to the Jets!

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

teganslaw — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:28:36 GMT

The Colts recently signed Cris Carter's son,WR Duron Carter. Duron played two years in the Canadian Football League. If he has the talent his father has, this is good news. However, he has yet to prove himself; it's a big difference going to the NFL.

Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks will both be free agents, and it's uncertain whether Wayne will even return as there have been speculation on him retiring. Carter would most likely be third string WR behind T Y Hilton and Donte Moncrief. Anyway, Duron is someone to keep an eye on. Scouts seem to be high on him. Details of the contract aren't available, but I would think since he's not starting, that this is a relatively low risk deal.

Also, Colts LB D"Qwell Jackson, was arrested for assault against a pizza delivery guy. Apparently, there was an argument over a parking space. Jackson has been released, but I don't know what repercussions he will face from the NFL.

Gardenman, there are some tostito commercials online with Chip Kelly. To find them, just google Tostitos and Chip Kelly together. The commercials are quite entertaining.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 02:17:03 GMT

Teganslaw. Yeah, the Chip Kelly commercials got a lot of local press. They're pretty good. Running backs and wide receivers coming from Canada tend to do pretty well, so there's a good chance Duron Carter will perform at a good level.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 14:17:31 GMT

So, the Redskins sent out a letter to their season ticket holders asking for ticket renewals and listing their star players, but omitted mentioning RGIII. Was that an oversight, or an indication that RGIII truly doesn't figure into their plans for the future? I believe trading can start taking place in early March, so if he's on the market, word should leak out then. I suspect they'll try to trade him first and then if they can't make a deal, cut him loose. I suspect we'll see lots of interesting names floating around in early/mid-March as teams try to sort out what to do with disappointing players who might have some trade value to other teams. It'll be a buyers market though with probably nothing more than a fourth round pick needed to pick up whoever's dangled. Is RGIII worth a fourth round pick? In the right situation, absolutely.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

Sweetbay magnolia — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:19:40 GMT

I'd unload him. This was yet another experiment that failed on the 'Skins roster. Never take the Heisman winner (at least not at that price!). The little bubble they exist in during college quickly pops. And you can only feed the machine to a degree - he's just one player on the team, albeit, arguably, the most important.

His star has completed it's arc and is now fizzling. Good for him if he gets on with another team and prospers. Ain't gonna happen in DC. Maybe Belechik will take him (that would be fantastic fodder for commentary).

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

Spurt — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 04:47:46 GMT

On 2/6/2015 gardenman said:
So, the Redskins sent out a letter to their season ticket holders asking for ticket renewals and listing their star players, but omitted mentioning RGIII. Was that an oversight, or an indication that RGIII truly doesn't figure into their plans for the future? I believe trading can start taking place in early March, so if he's on the market, word should leak out then. I suspect they'll try to trade him first and then if they can't make a deal, cut him loose. I suspect we'll see lots of interesting names floating around in early/mid-March as teams try to sort out what to do with disappointing players who might have some trade value to other teams. It'll be a buyers market though with probably nothing more than a fourth round pick needed to pick up whoever's dangled. Is RGIII worth a fourth round pick? In the right situation, absolutely.

Hi GARDENMAN,

I think what that letter implied is that Daniel Snyder ditched Robert as one of his buddies.....and Jay Gruden convinced Snyder that perhaps Robert is not the answer at QB. I think Robert threw his teammates under the bus, he did not work hard in the film room or work to correct his problems on his fundamental skills required to become a better pocket passer, he seemed more interested in marketing opportunities, so I say good riddance.....Although Chris Cooley thinks the letter does not mean a thing and he thinks that Robert will be named starting QB.....There are no QBs mentioned in the letter so if we do get rid of Robert, it appears we are going back to square one...so sad after giving up so much for him.

Todd McShay has the Redskins picking DE Missouri Shane Ray which probably means doom and gloom for Briank Orkapo who is oft injured....

Well at least we know that Kerrigan, Morris, and DeSean will be in the mix for the 2015 now we just need to fill all the other holes on our roster....

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:39:27 GMT

SPURT. I think Orakpo is a free agent this year, so the Redskins have to decide if he's worth the big money he's likely to get offered. It's always nerve-wracking letting go of a guy who's had injury issues as he's likely to stay healthy for a few years after you let him go and make you look silly.

I'm not sure the Redskins next starting quarterback is currently on their roster. I suspect a lot of the guys who have flopped with one team will be shuffled around the league this off-season and end up on teams that are a better fit for their skill sets. A lot of coaches and GM's have changed jobs in the last two years and there are a lot of young QB's who were drafted by one coach/GM who now find themselves playing for a completely different one where their skills aren't ideal. I think we'll see a lot of quarterback shuffling going on this off-season as teams try to unload guys who no longer fit their scheme and find guys who do. Once the trading window opens up in March you're apt to see all kinds of names flying around.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:14:33 GMT

The Redskins need to find a Vinny Testosterone type QB (my affectionate name for Testeverde). Let's get back to blood and guts football. I'm old. Even Billy Kilmer could win, and call plays, and manage a game.

Cousins gets my vote. Bolster that line and get some decent coaches in, tighten up the ranks, keep Danny-o out of things, and it could be interesting.

i know the game has changed since those days. But really? Aside from eavesdropping on the opposing locker room, isn't it just about marching up and down the field? Skills have to be applied to THE GAME. Elite athletes are everywhere. Smarts are inherent.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:53:07 GMT

And Richie Incognito signs with the Bills. That's an interesting signing. Incognito wasn't especially effective as a guard in Miami (typically graded out in the twenties among 64 offensive guards.) Add in the bullying charges and a year out of the game and you have to wonder why he'd be a priority signing. Rex Ryan may be trying to toughen up the line, but he might do better by going younger.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

Spurt — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:57:11 GMT

On 2/7/2015 Sweetbay magnolia said:
The Redskins need to find a Vinny Testosterone type QB (my affectionate name for Testeverde). Let's get back to blood and guts football. I'm old. Even Billy Kilmer could win, and call plays, and manage a game.

Cousins gets my vote. Bolster that line and get some decent coaches in, tighten up the ranks, keep Danny-o out of things, and it could be interesting.

i know the game has changed since those days. But really? Aside from eavesdropping on the opposing locker room, isn't it just about marching up and down the field? Skills have to be applied to THE GAME. Elite athletes are everywhere. Smarts are inherent.

Hi Sweetbay...I hope the new GM gets back to basics...Oline and Dline...Why even Jerrah Jones figured it out the right way by boosting their oline the last couple of years instead of going with the flashy and dashy draft picks....oh how I wish they had picked Johnny Manziel instead of OT Zack Martin......

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:53:22 GMT

Ha ha! I think this year will show promise for the 'Skins. In the mean time i anticipate many summer days watching the Nats. Bring Spring!

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 23:34:06 GMT

The big key for the Redskins is finding a QB. They can't keep playing quarterback roulette. They've got to find/get a guy and build around him. I think RGIII is just too fragile. We'll have to see if they try to resign Colt McCoy. I think Kurt Cousins is gone since they kept him third string no matter what. They need a QB and right now they don't really have one.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 13:21:37 GMT

And wacky rumor season is now in full swing. The latest rumor is that the Rams want Nick Foles as their new quarterback taking over for Sam Bradford who they'd trade to the Eagles for Foles. And the Eagles would then trade Bradford to the Bucs who want Bradford as their quarterback and somehow end up with the first overall pick which the Eagles would use for Marcus Mariota. I'm pretty sure none of that is likely to happen (Bradford is seriously damaged goods at this point, Foles is on the last year of his contract and no one would trade for him without getting an extension worked out beforehand) but that's just one of many, many rumors we'll be hearing over the next few weeks/months as reporters start listening to anyone remotely connected to a team and reporting whatever they hear.

The Eagles will figure heavily in wacky rumor season this year with Marcus Mariota out there and the press all convinced Chip Kelly will give up anything/everything to get him. Me, I'm not so sure Chip will make a move to grab Mariota. If Mariota falls down past tenth, Chip might go up to get him, but I just don't see the Eagles being that desperate to make a move. They've been winning with what they've got at quarterback and Nick Foles (when healthy) has performed very well and has the team behind him. I just don't see the Eagles paying the price necessary to go way up to get Mariota. If he falls down past ten, then yeah, I could see them move up, but if he falls past ten he might just drop into their lap at twenty anyway.

The combine's coming up next week and you're apt to hear all kinds of crazy rumors come out of there as lesser kids excel and some of the more highly rated guys stumble a bit. One of the quarterbacks at the combine was another Chip Kelly recruit who lost the starting job at Oregon to Mariota and then transferred. Expect to hear his name linked to the Eagles once the combine starts. The press is desperate to combine Chip Kelly and a running quarterback, but they forget that the offense ran better with Nick Foles than it did with Mike Vick. That's why Foles won the job over Vick. If all it took was a running quarterback to run Chip Kelly's system, then Vick would still be here. He's not and Foles is which should tell the press something.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

teganslaw — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:31:06 GMT

It's already started: the Colts cut Safety LaRon Landry, Linebacker Andrew Jackson and Tackle Xavier Nixon. Landry never lived up to expectations, missing four games because of a PED violation. His best year was in 2012 before being traded to the Colts.

Jackson was arrested late last month for DUI. Nixon didn't play that much ,but was in trouble with the team because he missed the flight to New England for the AFC Championship game. (Maybe he knew something about that game others didn't LOL.)

Tampa Bay also cut QB Josh McGown. (sp?) It will be interesting to see if any other teams pick up these players.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:25:10 GMT

It's nice for the players when a team cuts them early. If the team absolutely knows they aren't keeping the guy, cut him loose and let him try to hook on elsewhere. The interesting name missing from the Colts cuts was Trent Richardson. I've got to think he doesn't figure in their plans but they paid such a high price for him they may just try to hold onto him and see if they can't squeeze some production out of him.

Expect to see lots of players getting cut/released in the near future as teams clear cap space and purge unwanted players.

Lots of rumors still circulating around the Philly area about Chip Kelly trading anyone and everyone to move up to get Marcus Mariota. (I think the trade of the William Penn statue from the top of city hall though is a no go though.) The latest rumor has Chip trading Nick Foles to the Rams along with the twenty pick to get the Rams tenth pick. Then he'd bundle the tenth pick and a future pick (or picks) along with LeSean McCoy to the Titans to move up to the second overall pick. There's some logic there. Going from twenty to ten makes moving up further easier. If the Titans aren't madly in love with a guy at two and still have lots to choose from at ten then getting a pro-bowl running back and future pick/picks to slide back to ten isn't a bad idea.

Jerry Jones is apparently trying to decide if he wants to go all in and bet the team on winning this year or next by signing both Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray to big contracts. That'll cripple the team cap-wise in future years, but gives them their best shot at winning this coming year. I wouldn't do it, but I'm not Jerry Jones. When you shove all of your chips in to win now, you seldom win. The Broncos are the latest example of that. They bet it all on winning this year and now they've got to rebuild and start over with younger, cheaper players and likely suffer through a few losing seasons before they're back ready to compete full time.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

gardenman — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:03:23 GMT

And word is that Josh McCown may be signing with the Bills later today/this week. That would make the Bills one of the more active early players this off-season. McCown is a guy who could do very well in Buffalo. They've got some good weapons and he's shown flashes of being a very good quarterback. The Bills earlier signed Richie Incognito, so if they sign McCown they can cross offensive guard and quarterback off their shopping list. That's not bad considering we're still several weeks away from free agency starting. If they've filled those two holes before free agency and the draft, it frees them up to cherry pick the more talented players in areas of less desperate need.

Re: NFL News and Notes for February 2015!!!!

teganslaw — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:56:43 GMT

Josh McCown and the Bills didn't come to any deal, yet. Have to wait and see if anything happens there.

The Colts released OLB Shaun Phillips. He didn't contribute as much as was expected. I wouldn't be surprised to see sign with another team. The Redskins already signed Xavier Nixon, who was released by Indy. I don't have news on Nixon for SPURT. Nixon was mostly on the practice squad, and only played a couple games. As long as Nixon doesn't miss any plane flights, he should be OK.

Brandon Bostick was released by Green Bay. That move doesn't really surprise, but it's unfortunate that this happened. I think that he would have a good chance to go another team. He has awhile to go in his career.