Sports

[gardenman]

@teganslaw 

Dalvin Cook's contract is the big issue. He's got a cap hit of $14+ million this year, $15+ million in 24, and $14+ million in 25. If the Vikings cut him they gain $5+ million in cap space this year. His contract is why he's largely untradeable. No one wants that burden thrust upon them. Any team interested in him will wait and try to get him on a better deal.

[teganslaw]

@Spurt  I didn't pay attention who wrote the Commander article on NFL site. Adam Rank isn't always the most reliable person, especially in fantasy football. Writers who actually represent a certain team  are more accurate than National writers. They are the ones who have the best insider information. 

[gardenman]

@Spurt 

There is no easy fix for Washington. Finding a good QB helps fix the rest, but there's no QB in the league you could add who would make them a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Drop Patrick Mahomes in DC and he might get them to ten to twelve wins, but the roster still has too many holes in too many places.

Job one for the new owners is to find a kid QB and put the right staff around the kid.  There are some good options in the 2024 draft. Looking at the Commander's schedule, there aren't a lot of "sure" wins. They could pretty easily end up in a top five draft slot. 

That season opener against the Cards could ultimately determine their draft position. Many suspect the Cards are planning to tank and use their multitude of picks in 24 to instantly rebuild. They have two firsts, a second, and three third round picks. That's pretty much six starters in the draft. If the Commanders and Cards are both trying to tank, that first game could be entertaining and unusual to watch. "Doesn't anyone want to score?" Well, no.

Once you've got the QB, surround him with talent and lots of it. A good o-line, good receivers, good backs, and depth. The more talent there is around him, the better chance he finds success. The right QB, coaches, and talent will solve their problems. I'm not sure how many of those pieces they have right now. 

Getting a new owner is definitely an improvement, but by no means guarantees anything regarding the record. I'd be surprised to see anyone have the Commanders in the top half of the power rankings. There's just not enough there.

If you use ESPN's projected depth charts for the Eagles and Commanders, it's hard to find even one starter for Washington who you'd take over the starter for Philly. The two d-lines are somewhat interchangeable and I'm not sure one is better than the other, but on offense things strongly favor the Eagles.

Washington needs to do everything better. Build a better roster. Find a QB. Solidify the roster. Get inspired coaching. Scout players better. Draft better. The new owners have a lot of work ahead of them. 

[gardenman]

The Bills are trying to win the last of free agency by signing Leonard Floyd and rumored interest in Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. They're being tied to every free agent and possible free agent right now. What's interesting is that they have very little cap space. We'll have to see how they pull it all off.

[Spurt]

@gardenman 

I hear what your saying but a good QB cant be put in place until they put a solid O-line place othewise whoever is the QB will be plummeled and wont have time to get any play off......thats what happend to Wentz, at least Heinicke had SOME mobility to try escape......

I saw an article where the guy said that Washington was THE MOST IMPROVED TEAM FOR 2023 but that was ONLY based on the fact that Snyder was leaving....but like you said there's a bit more involved than that....LOL..SMH!

@teganslaw 

Yep, I dont even know why I bother even listening to these national TV sports guys/programs....what they say is usually garbage and makes no sense, ....better to listen to local reporters who do podcasts....Now there's a few, very few,  national folks who do just entertaining Podcasts or former players that DO make some COMMON SENSE like Mark Schlereth, Mike Golic...and are hilarious too...But ESPN and NFL Network are just a sea of no go nonsense (except for Cynthia Freuland or DJ......)

[Spurt]

@gardenman @teganslaw 

Did ya know this about NFL TEs

Washington has the tallest group in the NFL @ 6’6.5

Hodges is tied for tallest in the NFL at 6’8

NFL average is 6’4.5

Shortest group is Cincy @ 6’3.5

NFC East has the tallest TE’s of any one division

[teganslaw]

A Colts player who is on the active roster, is being investigated for gambling during the 2022 season. The player, who is unnamed, isn't considered a "superstar" but is well known. Apparently, some of the bets placed were on Colts games. Maybe the team wants to wait out the investigation before listing who it is. The player couldn't  have won too often if he bet on the Colts, so it probably wasn't worthwhile.  More details to come later. 

[Spurt]

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@teganslaw wrote:

A Colts player who is on the active roster, is being investigated for gambling during the 2022 season. The player, who is unnamed, isn't considered a "superstar" but is well known. Apparently, some of the bets placed were on Colts games. Maybe the team wants to wait out the investigation before listing who it is. The player couldn't  have won too often if he bet on the Colts, so it probably wasn't worthwhile.  More details to come later. 

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@teganslaw 

Very interesting.....betting on his own team sure to be a severe penalty levied, maybe even a life time suspension from the NFL??????? 🤔

UPDATE----The Colt's player is Isaiah Roberts

[Spurt]

Jerry Jones has not ruled out re-signing Zeke Elliott....and it looks like the Cowboys will invite another kicker to camp! 

[gardenman]

Ezekiel Elliott has discovered that the market for aging RBs isn't the greatest. Dak has been nagging management to bring him back having discussed the issue multiple times with leadership. The Cowboys don't have a lot at RB,  and with Tony Pollard coming off an injury and their only proven option, bringing back Elliott makes some sense for them. If the price is right. They've got the cap space ($24+ million) so if they want to, they could afford it.

Colts CB Isaiah  Rodgers will likely land an "indefinite" suspension for gambling. He's admitted the issue and apologized. I would expect the suspension to be for a year and then re-evaluated. Not smart on his part. The bets were reportedly in the $25-$50 range, so nothing too crazy. It's hard to imagine a player throwing a game for $50. If he was betting on the Colts winning, it could help keep the suspension shorter.