Wellness

[gardenman]

teganslaw. Costa is a former starter for the Cowboys who lost his starting job to Travis Frederick who the Cowboys reached for in the first round last year. Jerry Jones gave the job to Frederick and sent Costa to the bench. Costa's not a great center, but he's serviceable. He'll do an adequate job for the Colts. I wouldn't anticipate him making the Pro Bowl, and you don't necessarily want to leave him one on one with someone like Ndamukong Suh, but he's competent and should do the job well. (He does tend to be a bit erratic with a shotgun snap every now and then though.)

Hakeem Nicks is one of those guys who doesn't always show up to play. When he's on, he's nearly unstoppable, but he'll disappear for a few games and you don't even know he's on the field. Reggie Wayne may be a good guy for him to be around. Andrew Luck will have to figure out the right way to light a fire under Nicks and keep that fire lit. A one year, relatively low paying contract may be the inspiration Nicks needs to stay inspired for all sixteen games.

The Cowboys and Giants seem to be in decline while the Eagles and Redskins are moving forward. The Cowboys with their two, three or more defensive coordinators and multiple offensive coordinators are becoming a bad joke. Their salary cap chaos made them lose a few players this year and if the cap hadn't gone up ten million over what was projected they'd be in even worse shape. They've got to draft for need now and pray they get lucky and can find some competent players cheap. They've got gaping holes to fill. The Giants with Eli Manning coming off a horrible year, are now completely changing their offense to a style that doesn't really suit Eli's strengths. They've lost Tuck on the defensive line and they've got a few holes to fill too.

[Spurt]

Hello All....

I had to share this quote from Dallas's newly signed DE.....

Said Cowboys DE Jeremy Mincey on signing with the team, “It’s exciting, man. When I first signed, I was in the office with Jerry Jones and he is a very electric guy; he lights up the room when you’re around him. I’ve never seen a guy of that age with that much swagger.”

Electric ......he is as SHOCKING as our electric bills here in Tx in August....and Jerry certainly SHOCKS the Cowboy fans.....

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An interesting take on the NFC East Gardenman---

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Eagles: The last place Big Blue needed Darren Sproles to land was in Chip Kelly’s laboratory. Eagles GM Howie Roseman beat the Redskins to The Next Brian Mitchell for a mere fifth-round draft choice. Which means giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell will be having nightmares about Sproles and LeSean McCoy deployed together as Kelly’s Legion of Zoom. The Eagles upgraded the league’s worst pass defense with safety Malcolm Jenkins and adding big corner Nolan Carroll. Jenkins has just six interceptions in six years, but he was a former No. 1 draft choice, a captain on the Saints, and only 26. He’s not Jairus Byrd, but he’s not the departed Patrick Chung, either. Carroll isn’t Darrelle Revis, but he isn’t the faded Asomugha, either. Kelly, with just six draft picks, should try to trade DeSean Jackson.

The Eagles own the 22nd pick in the NFL Draft and will target another defensive back and a pass rusher in the draft.

Redskins: DE Jason Hatcher (11 sacks last season) damages the Cowboys, always a good thing for owner Daniel Snyder, but he signed a four-year deal worth $27.5 million will be 32 soon, and there are questions whether he can be an effective 3-4 end. CB Tracy Porter started 16 games for the Raiders in 2012, and if he can pick-six Peyton Manning in a Super Bowl, he can pick-six Eli Manning. WR Andre Roberts, just 26, is a better Robin to Pierre Garçon than Santana Moss was and at a reasonable price (four years/$16 million). ILB Darryl Sharpton has a chance to be a low-cost starter. Guard Shaun Lauvao ( four/$17 million) adds a bigger Hog on the interior in front of Robert Griffin III.

Now only if Jay Gruden had a first-round draft choice.

Giants: Reese still could use more beef in front of Eli Manning than just the addition of guard Geoff Schwartz. Rashad Jennings is a much-needed big back to replace Andre Brown, and who knows whether David Wilson can make it back? How about Devin Hester to return kicks? Re-signing leader Jon Beason and adding versatile Jameel McClain gives Perry Fewell a respectable linebacking corps at last. Keith Rivers left (yawn). O’Brien Schofield, we hardly knew ye. They missed out on guard Shelley Smith and WR/KR Jacoby Jones, and stunningly lowballed Justin Tuck, who will be missed. Who to replace Corey Webster? How about Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie? Prince Amukamara needs a bookend. WR Hakeem Nicks (Colts, one/$3.5 mil) didn’t warrant long-term deal.

The Giants own the 12th pick in the draft and will be eyeing OL, CB< TE, ILB or pass rusher. If they don’t sign Ro-Cro, CB Justin Gilbert makes plenty of sense.

Cowboys: Cash-strapped Jerry Jones is scrambling after losing DeMarcus Ware. He missed out on DE Julius Peppers, who would have been a 34-year- old Band-Aid, to the Packers. DT Henry Melton would fill a huge void left by the departure of Hatcher as long as his ACL holds up. A shame Leon Lett is unavailable. DE Jerome Mincey (eight sacks in 2011, 20 for his career) can also slide inside. But DE Anthony Spencer could flee the cuckoo’s nest. Special teamer extraordinaire/backup linebacker Will Herring was left standing at the altar when the boys reneged on a deal, according to his agent. Brandon Weeden is under consideration as a Tony Romo backup. Romo’s window is really closing now.

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And as far as Jason Hatcher....Redskins plan to change schemes and move him around ....

Redskins coaches, according to Hatcher, plan to use the lineman in a variety of ways, however. The team uses the 3-4 front in base packages, but on passing downs, they shift to more of a 4-3. Hatcher said, based on talks with coaches during the courtship process and during his visit to Redskins Park Friday, he will not have one set position.

“I’m going to move around a lot,” he said. “You’ll see me all over the field like I did a couple years ago in Rob Ryan’s system. I played the nose, right end, tackle, and so I’m excited. They’re going to use me to my strengths, like I said, which is to disrupt.”

And another OL visits Redskin Park....OT Donald Penn is scheduled for a visit....we really need to upgrade our OL...

Ryan Clark did not reach an agreement (yet) with the Redskins....but he's still fielding offers from other teams....

Several commentators liked Redskins signing of WR Andre Roberts...

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On 3/14/2014 teganslaw said:

The Colts signed Hakeem Nicks to a one year 3.5 million dollar contract. I like the signing and am surprised that it didn't cost them more. How did they manage to get him for that price? Nicks is coming off an injury-ridden season, but he has the potential to make some big plays. Along with Reggie Wayne (who will be back this year) and T.Y. Hilton, this adds depth to our offense.

They also signed center Phil Costa, formerly of Dallas. He would most likely be back up. I can't find much information on him, though. SPURT, Gardenman, your teams are more familiar with the Cowboys, having played them so often. Is Costa a good acquisition? Or is he more of a risk?

I think the Cowboys and Giants are going to regret some of the moves they've made in free agency. BTW, I need a special notebook just to keep track of all the changes and free agents.

Hey Tegan when my sis (the Giant fan) heard the news...she called me crying saying how depressed that she was to learn that Eli lost Nicks....and who the heck was he going to throw to now....I told her she has her Salsa King....

[RetRN]

PEPPERS signs with the Packers.

[AuntG]

Hate it when the Packers sign on former Bears or Vikings. Hard to change my loyalty when it comes to football - find it easier to accept the changes the Milwaukee Brewers make.

[brewhaha]

The Julius Peppers signing is very similar to when the Packers signed Reggie White. Both were veteran pass rushers. I think it was a good signing.

Getting Darren Sproles for a fifth round pick? WOW! The Eagles should be the favorites to win the NFC East.

Denver Broncos are looking invincible right now.

[gardenman]

Yeah, Darren Sproles and Chip Kelly will likely drive the NFL defensive coordinators a bit nuts this year. Sproles and McCoy will likely line up alongside of each other in the backfield and depending on what the defense does Sproles will go in motion and end up someplace else forcing the defense to adjust on the fly and chances are the movement will weaken the defense in another place which will open up a hole for McCoy, or create an open receiver for Foles. Sprole's a pretty impressive new toy for Chip Kelly to play with. I was a little worried about teh attitude of Sproles' as he had wanted to be released rather than traded, but he seems very, very happy to be in Philly, so that's a relief.

It's not a bad time to be an NFC East team. The Eagles and Redskins have younger teams on the rise while the Giants and Cowboys are in decline. If the Redskins got the right coach (and that's a big if) then they should be in good shape this year.

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On 3/16/2014 gardenman said:

Yeah, Darren Sproles and Chip Kelly will likely drive the NFL defensive coordinators a bit nuts this year. Sproles and McCoy will likely line up alongside of each other in the backfield and depending on what the defense does Sproles will go in motion and end up someplace else forcing the defense to adjust on the fly and chances are the movement will weaken the defense in another place which will open up a hole for McCoy, or create an open receiver for Foles. Sprole's a pretty impressive new toy for Chip Kelly to play with. I was a little worried about teh attitude of Sproles' as he had wanted to be released rather than traded, but he seems very, very happy to be in Philly, so that's a relief.

It's not a bad time to be an NFC East team. The Eagles and Redskins have younger teams on the rise while the Giants and Cowboys are in decline. If the Redskins got the right coach (and that's a big if) then they should be in good shape this year.

Hey Gardenman,

Well thank you for your words of encouragement for my team....I hope we can get rid of the drama and concentrate on making strides on improving.

So are the reports true, since Eagles locked up Cooper and Maclin were given new deals, but no communication with DeSean and Chip's comments have been vague....so are they looking to trade him and his big salary... ?

Jared Allen will be visiting the Cowboys and then on to Seattle...hmmmm let's see who would you choose.....downspiraling Dallas, or perhaps a back to back trip to the Super Bowl with the Seahawks....go for the ring Jared....

It appears Ryan Clark's asking price was too expensive for the Redskins....they may decide to bring back Reed Doughty or hope that Phillip Thomas is decent(last year's 4th rounder, sidelined with an injury all last season)

TEGANSLAW-WOW! What's up with Irsay......it appears he has a problem and this time its much more than his tweeting habit....arrested for DUI and possession of controlled susbstance....