/ NFL Offseason 2014 /

Golden Tate already walking back the statement he made a couple days ago about being willing to take less money to stay a Seahawk. I imagine that comes after a conversation with his agent.

Rob Chudzinski joins the Colts staff, reunited with the great Trent Richardson

On a conference call on Thursday, ESPN's Mel Kiper disclosed Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel is the "consensus" No. 1 QB in NFL circles.
"For Cleveland, to see Manziel there would be a surprise to me," Kiper said. "When you talk to people in the league, he's the consensus No. 1 QB."

set aside all other offseason happenings. you all must, must investigate the dolphins annual clusterfuck of an offseason. it is more entertaining, certainly, than the dolphins team, and really more interesting than any nfl game.

i actually hope, at this point, that the dolphins franchise stops competing in the nfl, but continues as a perpetual reality show. call it "disFINctional."

Man I would love for somehow the Colts to get Javedon Clowney. You put him on the line with Robert Mathis and that would be a freaky pass rush. If they don't do that, I'd like to see them maybe look into Julius Peppers from Chicago, giving them some cap space.

Cleveland's defense could turn elite if they got Clowney and can keep everyone from this year. Browns need to look into getting Kyle Orton from the Cowboys and run a ball control game. Get someone that can play the game and develop a young QB.

I still don't quite buy Manziel unless you got a lot of tools - Houston does have a couple in skills players, but their o-line took a big step back last year. Johnny Football had 2 years of starting, I'd think ideally you might want him to have a bit more experience before having to run pro offense. The guy is not a physical specimen like Cam Newton, who has to be one of the best athletes to play QB of the past 10-15 years.

I think Clowney could be really good. He should have been allowed to jump a season ago to the pros, he was ready.

I think that WR from Clemson Sammy Watkins is going to be really good. He's big and very athletic, definitely a guy in the model like Megatron, Marshall, etc. I got to think some clubs will be looking to get him. I'd buy it if the guy is an impact receiver.

I think the Colts need to get a beast TE that can catch and block. For that run game to work, they got to get to where they can run 2 TE. I'd love to see Indy put Fleener into the backfield, using him not as a blaster o-line fullback but more in the H-Back throw pass block and release on screens or try to get matchup problems (like a DE covering him in pass plays).

Cincy needs to get someone to push Dalton. I think they should maybe look into Kyle Orton or Matt Flynn. I'd look at those two again, if looking vet qb. I'm also weirdly intriqued about Ryan Mallet, in that way that all game inexperienced but seemingly physically talented players could perhaps do.

Colts need to go back and really look at Joe Gibbs Washington Hatcats offensive setup in the 80s. I think the way that club used an H-back and running game would work with Andrew Luck. Everyone talks about Bill Walsh's offense, but a whole lot of what Washington was doing I think was also somewhat influential. Washington's and Cincy's offenses both with Kenny Anderson and Boomer Esiason's offenses like to use the running back in the passing game. They were sophisticated offenses and really SF's offense was being done by Walsh in Cincy, so there are ties. Washington's influence went with coordinators to Denver and that zone blocking running game comes a bit from there.

I think the Bengals absolutely need to be on a QB hunt, but I think they'll fall into the trap of hoping Dalton pulls a Flacco.

Flacco is solid. I think part of the problem this year was losing Boldin. They need someone that will go get the ball. Need to find them a very athletic tight end that can be there in the passing game.

I think the Colts need to get a beast TE that can catch and block.

Dwayne Allen?

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 52s
Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2.

sort of wonder if that is prompted by the combine / interview process where by all accounts teams can be very insistent with personal questions t

courageous anyway

http://www.outsports.com/2014/2/9/5396036/michael-sam-gay-football-player-missouri-nfl-draft

"Once I became official to my teammates, I knew who I was," Mr. Sam said. "I knew that I was gay. And I knew that I was Michael Sam, who's a Mizzou football player who happens to be gay. I was so proud of myself and I just didn't care who knew. If someone on the street would have asked me, 'Hey, Mike, I heard you were gay; is that true?' I would have said yes."

No one asked.

"I guess they don't want to ask a 6-3, 260-pound defensive lineman if he was gay or not," Mr. Sam said. And he laughed.

hoping it doesn't hurt him. what jason collins did was essential and courageous but he was old enough and near enough to the end of his career that the risk wasn't quite as huge (and that his not making any rosters this year can be read ambiguously). this is just crazy brave.

I can't imagine many SEC DPoYs go undrafted.

good luck to this dude, he sounds like a confident and awesome guy.

hopefully having this information out there means he only gets drafted by a team that knows they can offer a positive environment, e.g. not miami

also serious props to the mizzou team for knowing this for a full season and letting him come out publicly on his terms

Falcons could use this dude. Loved him in college. Thumbs up to him.

Falcons could definitely use him, but is it wrong that I'd like to see him in New Orleans so Vilma has to shut up?

What did vilma say?

This article is vomit inducing. Note that none of these people spoke on the record.

http://m.si.com/3861060/8-nfl-officials-reactions-to-sam-announcement/

Vilma has said a couple things in the past, but just this week he said he'd be scared a gay player would look at him in the shower.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/05/jonathan-vilma-gay-teammate-shower_n_4732415.html

i hope the Raiders get him

sounds like he's a tweener pass rusher, Seahawks would be a good fit

Yeah vilma can fuck off. He's played with gay guys and showered with them. He just doesn't know it. So stupid.

sounds like he's a tweener pass rusher, Seahawks would be a good fit

― Matt Armstrong, Sunday, February 9, 2014 10:42 PM (9 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Seahawks really don't need any more D though. They are so fucking loaded.

yeah. been a long time since i thought a super-bowl winner was poised to repeat. but this seattle team . . .

from what I've read Seattle is probably gonna lose some guys on D, but the cap is a nebulous thing

I'd be surprised if Vilma is on an NFL roster next season.

He seems like a douche

If NO cuts him, Gregg Williams will bring him to St. Louis. They're despicable bros.

lol browns

so browns

miami has been hogging those dysfunction column inches for way too long. move over kid.

wow

zings

Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 19m
I have no further comment at this time. Please contact my attorney Mark Schamel @WCSRtweet 202-857-4481
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 51m
FACT: Jonathan Martin told me he thought about taking his own life in MAY 2013 b/c he wasn't playing well. Told me he felt worthless.
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 58m
I apologize to all of the women out there that I offended with my text messages to my close personal friend.
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 1h
I'm guilty of being a loyal friend and good teammate. I apologize for my poor language and rude remarks. I've never denied it.
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 1h
Kenny Zuckerman from Priority Sports.... What do you have to say for your actions? Why did you release the VM. What was your goal ?
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 1h
Jon Martin---you started all of this when Kenny Zuckerman released the VM to ESPN. The same VM we joked about with @brianhartline
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 1h
Bombs over Baghdad by Outkast
http://youtu.be/fVyVIsvQoaE
#FREEINCOGNITO
#BringIt
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 1h
Dear Jon Martin..... The truth is going to bury you and your entire "camp". You could have told the truth the entire time.
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 1h
I'm ready to move on with my life and career. I've been dragged through the mud for months by my "best friend". #betrayed #railroaded
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Richie Incognito ‏@68INCOGNITO 1h
What's up TWITTTER!!!!!!! Happy Hump Day!!!!!

miami has been hogging those dysfunction column inches for way too long. move over kid.

― Roberto Spiralli, Tuesday, February 11, 2014

wrong. the actual nfl season may be where your stupid patriots shine. but the offseason; that belongs to dolphins.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/13/reports-michael-lombardi-to-join-patriots-front-office/

lol @ how this dude fails upward

Greg Cosell isn't a Johnny Football believer.

http://www.csnhouston.com/football-houston-texans/talk/cosell-manziel-almost-undraftable?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

I'm not either.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10455447/miami-dolphins-bullying-report-released-richie-incognito-others-responsible-harassment

welp

dolphins are a nat'l embarrassment.

pretty cool that Incognito took it upon himself to toughen up that assistant trainer by calling him a fucking chink, pretty selfless guy imo.

he's a peach.

i think it's being positioned where only a select group of perpetrators will be punished, and the team will escape a saints-type punishment because of how they (as an organization, at least) cooperated with the paul, weiss firm. but make no mistake: the parts of the report i've seen are damning against the entire organization, not just a few "bad apples."

Has Incognito's twitter account finally been suspended?

Jennings deal doesn't seem all *that* awful, considering how badly the Vikes needed him

yeah he actually played well....he just didn't have that many opportunities

the flacco situation is the perfect example of the qb bind. having a decent qb who is paid a ton so the rest of your team suffers and having a crappy qb are two very difficult situations to make work, and it is hard to say which is preferable. there is so much incentive now to get a rookie qb who works right out of the box so you can be the next seattle.

I think the Falcons did the right thing by signing Matt Ryan to a big long term deal. If he had had a good o line the past few years we are talking Marino-Brees numbers.

http://www.newyorker.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/111212_r21639_g2048-320.jpg

new yorker's chuckie profile is free at the moment if you missed it before: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/12/12/monday-night-lights?currentPage=all

a decent qb who is paid a ton so the rest of your team suffers and having a crappy qb are two very difficult situations to make work, and it is hard to say which is preferable.

Haha I know which is preferable

I guess if you date John Harbaugh's daughter you can knock her out cold and it won't be a big deal and you can still be a good guy.

This whole league is filled with a bunch of fuxks.

Read this and weep for humanity

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/07/25/ravens-fans-by-the-dozens-defend-ray-rice-on-twitter/

god bless america

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/86146300/do-distractions-really-hurt-on-field-performance-michael-sam-tony-dungy

there are no distractions, there are only narratives driven by the sports media's need for content

thus recent groundbreaking stories from espn about some dude who thinks he's the best CB in the league or geno smith saying he'll soon be amongst the top five QBs, whatever that means. way to set yr sights high, geno

this whole but is ______ an *elite* quarterback thing (and here's jaws saying yes and schlereth saying no) is one of the more stupid developments of recent years

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--e4Ma88-U--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/k7bgboopydbqvil5wjmm.png

... war hero

Question: How do you feel? Were you 100 percent out there today?

Foster: I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be and I’m gonna work hard at doing that.

Q: Physically, you’re good to go?

F: I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be, man.

Q: Arian, can you tell us exactly what kept you out, what was going on?

F: Yeah, man. I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be, you know. I’m gonna work hard at doing that.

Q: What was physically wrong with you?

F: Yeah, I’m just out here, working hard every single day, trying to be the best teammate I can be.

Q: What did it mean to be able to get back out here and start working, Arian? And get back with your teammates?

F: You know, being with your teammates and being the best teammate you can be is what you strive to do. So that’s what I’m out here for.

Q: Your teammates talk about how they want to see you out here. They know what you mean to this ballclub. What does all that stuff mean to you, Arian?

F: Yeah, man. I’m just (trying) to be the best teammate you can be, man. Just work hard at doing that every single day. That’s what we’re out here trying to do.

Q: Is your body starting to break down?

F: Yeah, man. I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be. And I’m gonna work hard at doing that.

Q: How’s that coming, Arian, your progress with being a better teammate?

F: Yeah, you know, I’m just, every single day, just trying to be a better teammate, man.

Q: What do you think about these fans going crazy for you guys?

F: Yeah, man. I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be. And I’m going to continue doing that.

Q: Is there any difference in the way you felt physically, feel stronger?

F: Yeah, man. I’m just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be. And I’m just going to continue to do that.

Q: What was the offseason like, working at your brother’s facility, different than other previous seasons?

F: Yeah, just every single day, man, just working hard, trying to be the best teammate I can be.

Reporter: You got that down.

Foster: Thank you.

Reporter: You’re welcome.

Foster: Y’all take care.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l9SDAqAV3U

Foster is a good back and all but sometimes I worry he's not trying to be the best teammate he can be

both teams played hard

My favourite one of these so far http://grantland.com/the-triangle/hotsportstakes-marshawn-lynch-and-the-prescription-for-me-first-disease/

although I'm not entirely convinced they don't just commission Bill Plashke to straight up do them.

"Some guys treat it like an honor to put on the pads and cleats and lock arms with their brothers every Sunday. Other guys treat it like a job, and when it’s time to get paid, honoring a contract goes out the window.

Which guys would you want to go to war with?"

Fucking hilarious line

Beast Mode could turn to Bust Mode if he doesn’t get into Team Mode.

Seattle has all kinds of great seafood options, but selfish has never been on the menu for the Seahawks.

This was a smoking hot take. Firey hot. As are some of the comments where the posters dont know its satire.

lol bill

god the stuff w/ the 12s

v v good

ray rice's press conference actually wasn't bad

David Wilson appears to be toast.
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/07/david_wilson_injury_update_giants_appear_less_optimistic_in_potential_return.html

hahaha this line from the grantland thing is the best

Richard Sherman, too. Earl Thomas. Kam Chancellor. Percy Harvin. The boys who made this work just want to work.

Earl Thomas also just got fucking paid in the offseason. As did Sherman Classic stuff.

this is kinda interesting
http://www.fastcolabs.com/3033808/the-nfl-announces-its-tracking-rfid-chips-on-every-player-for-2014

I guess Dan Marino and Shannon Sharp got the cut on CBS' pregame setup. I guess Tony Gonzales is one of the replacements.

Dan Marino will probably just go home and count his money, but it might be interesting if he did some game work even some college games. If he wanted to stay in the announcing game, that's what he should do.

I've heard Boomer Esiason on the radio more than a few times, I'm kind of surprised he hasn't done more TV play by play.

I think they need to mix it up a bit.

Esiason suuuuuuucks

otm

plus he shouts like he has a middle ear infection

Boomer Esiason is one of the only NFL talking heads I like even less than Cris Collinsworth.

Six years, $115-mil for Andy Dalton????

kinda looks like the Kaepernick contract wherein the Bengals can easily dump him without too much of an issue

Deadspin certainly thinks so.

yeah judging on the numbers is ridiculous but judging it on the basis of 'bengals commit to dalton' seems fair. this isn't even a 'competent qb w/ some potential' situation like flacco. maybe it's something like the jets did w/ sanchez where it's a vote of confidence contract but it means virtually nothing.

had a flashback to mcnabbs lol http://images.chron.com/blogs/askacat/hatcat.JPG extension

o hai cat

Boomer Esiason is one of the only NFL talking heads I like even less than Cris Collinsworth.

― Johnny Fever, Sunday, August 3, 2014 10:51 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

collinsworth is so bad. heard him for like 30 seconds last night and he was praising the giants bravery and dedication for overhauling their aging broken down oline. ok dude

David Wilson's career may be over

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/giants-running-back-david-wilson-shut-down-for-season--career-might-be-over-180846206.html

I was doing quite a bit of driving and caught quite a few Monday night football broadcasts on the radio and I thought Esiason was more laid back on the radio working games. I liked him better. I think it's kind of hard not to come off like a douche on those Football opening shows. Most of that stuff is just blather and not a whole lot about x-o's.

I wish I could care but pre-season football is just brutally boring. It all goes on way, way too long.

he actually is pretty good on radio color, i'll give you that

i'm unjustifiably excited for preseason football this friday

i know the phillies are bad, but jeez

nfl network + garguantivo = i am setting a season pass to tape every preseason game. Figure i'll watch the first quarter of each and discard and be better (worse?) prepared for the fantasy draft

also: "i know the phillies are bad, but jeez" - Your ILNFL 2014 Preseason Thread