/ 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?

or taken down by him. the actual super-bowl game was a laughable dud. they should award football's highest honor to who has the most compelling train-wreck of an offseason. the fins would be on their way to as many championships as the heat.

$44 million to Goodell. Gotta be the highest paid operator of a "charity" going. Has he done anything about the dolphins yet?

Ban incognito for life, suspend philbin, pouncey, Jerry and the o-line coach for a year. Also take away the first round pick in '15 which could quite possibly be number one. And facilitate a soft landing for Martin in sf with his college coach.

Done.

Martins gotta be better than any o-lineman currently playing for the falcons, tbh.

the nfl hasn't done anything yet. for anyone curious, the paul weiss report on the dolphins bullying scandal is riveting. most focus on the executive summary and the early parts of the report, but there is eye-opening stuff from roughly pages 90 -- 140.

the text messages between martin and his mother are heartbreaking.

some think martin will wind up playing for his old coach, now with the 49ers. in the wells-report, he says martin is tough-enough to play in the nfl, and should be able to resume his career.

figured bill for a martin's-a-pussy guy tbh

i'm predisposed to feel this way, but martin comes off very sympathetically in the paul weiss report.

I figure SF or Indy is where Martin will end up.

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

lol @ how this dude fails upward

― Johnny Fever, Thursday, February 13, 2014 8:16 AM (3 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Lombardi actually did a good job with the Browns I think. Remember he was only there what, 9 months? And he pulled off that Trent Richardson robbery.

yeah apparently the owner fired them cuz he's pissed they didn't hire schiano. new coach maybe shouldn't buy a house.

Tony Gonzalez in, Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe out at CBS

Cowher and Esiason could stand to go too, imo. Hell, get rid of James Brown while you're at it. They're the lamest NFL panel on gameday, and I'm including Fox.

i'm taking this weird delight in marino getting fired

haha. why?

Because he's a goofball?

he's soon to be a goofball executive for the dolphins, which will surely solve the organization's credibility problems!

idk, i just don't like the guy. that video where he gets all pissy on the set of the football show was hilarious to me.

wasn't he already a goofball dolphins exec for like five minutes?

almost nine minutes, thank you very much.

Laces out, Marino!!!

hey, lol, the local sun-sports cable channel is currently showing a favorable dolphins special on mike pouncey.

timely!

I'd be curious to hear if there is anything remotely redeeming about Mike Pouncey.

his name makes me think of energetic kittens?

i'll allow it

http://rolandmartinreports.com/blog/2014/02/ray-rice-video-released-lawyer-asks-fans-to-reserve-judgment/

Reserve judgment guys!

mmmmmaybe they were just drunk?

so the dolphins flew to indianapolis as part of a team or nfl function. they took the coaching staff with them, including kevin o'neill, who's been on the staff for 18 years and was apparently hostile with wells during the investigation (o'neill abruptly cut-off the interview, for one thing). then, this happened:

Chris Kouffman ‏@ckparrot -- So the Dolphins flew Kevin O'Neill to Indy and had him give a talk to fellow trainers, interrupted the talk to summon him for his dismissal.

_________________________________

Chris Kouffman ‏@ckparrot -- This is after O'Neill had been with the franchise for 18 years, mind you. This organization has zero class. None.

stay classy, miami dolphins.

not cooperating with wells was also not classy tbf

top-to-bottom, dolphins are just the best.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1254956201/disappointing-moments-in-cleveland-sports-coloring

stay classy, miami dolphins.

― Daniel, Esq 2, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 10:05 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

The guy deserved the humiliation. They canned the O-line coach, i hope it was just as embarrassing for him.

So the cops are saying there's actual video of Ray Rice punching his fiancee. I don't need to see it. The fact that he's on video punching his fiancee is all I need to say FUCK THAT DUDE FOREVER.

yup

jesus fuck. suspend the hell out of him. the first video was bad enough and yea, I do not need to see this one.

but I just read that his fiancée's lawyer is "certain neither party committed a crime" - is she not wanting to press charges any more?

Absolutely shocked at the lack of media attention this story is getting.

Ah fuck

...that guy

Ray Rice will be welcomed back to the Ravens with open arms, yet the presence of Michael Sam will be a "distraction".

http://www.wtsp.com/images/640/360/2/assetpool/photogallery/357694/BUCS-NEW-LOGO.jpg

very video game-y

Yeah, because what was wrong with that emblem was that it was too small.

Feelin' that chrome hardware on the front, though.

has the Bucs logo always had a football in it and I just never noticed because it wasn't ENORMOUS

This version has, yes.

They had an opportunity to bring Bucco Bruce out of retirement and they passed. FU BUCS

that helmet is kinda awesome

i never noticed the third cutlass holding the flag.

missed opportunity to replace the skull with b. bruce

w/ a football between his teeth

that helmet is kinda awesome

― Roberto Spiralli, Friday, February 21, 2014

that helmet is extra awesome. all helmets should be so fierce.

Looks like the wrong guy got it - Sidney Rice is getting released

I feel bad for Sidney. He just couldn't stay healthy for a whole season...ever.

the helmet itself is bad-ass, I wish every NFL helmet could double as a mirrorball

I'm just mad that my brain no longer edits out terrible design elements like that football

the football serves no purpose on that helmet. it just adds an unnecessary color. move the Bucs to LA

OTOH it would be kind of hilarious if the NFL mandated that every helmet design had to incorporate a football

also, replace the superfluous third cutlass with a flagpole

there is a very real danger that without the football on the helmet the players would be mistaken for actual pirates.

I'm not mad at the third cutlass, at least it's on theme

xp: lol

fuck that replace the football with two cutlasses side by side to make a football shape
with little cutlass laces
and cutlasses on the cutlasses
CUTLASS

even with the football on there it's only a matter of time before some white guy shoots a black player assuming he is an actual pirate.

they should make a cutlass-shaped helmet

no one should have more cutlasses on their helmets than the Raiders

http://americanfootballfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/RaidersAFLLogo.png

the raiders raider should have a movie franchise

All teams need at least one player who wears an eyepatch.

preferably the quarterback

depth perception is a hugely overrated quality for a qb

http://www.meismartialarts.com/images/Products/Knives/FMT-020G.jpg

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/21/sources-browns-nearly-traded-for-jim-harbaugh/

this is some crazy shit. gotta love the browns. this would have been so awesome. and probably actually a good move??

Efforts to contact the 49ers continue

The local sports radio is going insane about this

I love Ray Ratto so much:

http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/harbaugh-trade-would-have-provided-decades-talk

has a head coach ever been "traded" before? this seems totally unique, tho i guess it's a matter of framing (some head-coaches can force their way out of an unhappy situation; just never heard it called a "trade" before).

You may be forgetting a fellow named Gruden

was gruden traded? i thought he forced his way out of los angeles.

No, he was traded by Oakland for two 1's, two 2's, plus almost 10 million.

wow! i did forget that.

And then Oakland used those picks to build their unstoppable dynasty.

haha.

why would any team trade away this guy?

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/423/426/jon-gruden_display_image.jpg?1285994093

Baalke apparently doesn't love working with him, and Greg Roman is sitting there waiting to be promoted.

Harbaugh, that is.

http://www.sbreport.net/the-raiders-research-project/roster-minutiae/raiders-trades

harbaugh apparently doesn't like working with 49ers management, either. there's a crazy theory floated in miami that steven ross is letting this year go by, hoping to clean house next year and lure harbaugh for the following season.

seeing how well that went for ross the last time, i'm sure it will work out splendidly.

If you've got issues with management in SF, I can't imagine Miami seems like a greener pastures.

haha. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?

for an unbroken period of 40 consecutive years, the miami dolphins have been the NFL's best run organization, and most consistently successful franchise.

more like shit pastures

If you've got issues with management in SF, I can't imagine Miami seems like a greener pastures.

― Johnny Fever, Friday, February 21, 2014

_______________________________

more like shit pastures

― Prince Kajuku (Bill Magill), Friday, February 21, 2014

miami constitutes greener shit pastures.

Its difficult to make the Browns organization look like a well-oiled machine, but somehow Miami has done that.

cleveland sports talk is going bananas with this news. they're acting like it took place and now they're wondering if Harbaugh can win with Hoyer

haha

Its difficult to make the Browns organization look like a well-oiled machine, but somehow Miami has done that.

― Prince Kajuku (Bill Magill), Friday, February 21, 2014

hater. dolphins only have time for "super-fans," like me.

http://images.brobible.com/wp-content/uploads/files/uploads/images/sports/NFL/miami-dolphins-skull-tattoo.jpg

CHANGE THE LOGO BACK

lmao @ eeyore slinking away

really bad 40 time for Michael Sam, probably drops him a round or two.

Clowney can't even stay healthy at the combine, I think teams are probably sick of this act from him now.

Chris Kouffman ‏@ckparrot -- This Jim Harbaugh thing with Miami in 2015 strikes me as very real, IF Steve Ross manages not to scare him off.

whooooooooooooo. we gonna win all the super bowlz.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/uploads.hipchat.com/47464/318785/Dvv3dfBpN0CPAAD/EisenvsArcher.gif

rich eisen vs dri archer

you forget sometimes that these guys are superhuman

whooooooooooooo. we gonna win all the super bowlz.

― Daniel, Esq 2, Tuesday, February 25, 2014 11:09 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Harbaugh couldnt win with SF who are fucking LOADED.

http://tracking.si.com/2014/02/25/aaron-hernandez-attacks-inmate-in-jail/?eref=sihp

no offseason in prison

Harbaugh couldnt win with SF who are fucking LOADED.

― Prince Kajuku (Bill Magill), Wednesday, February 26, 2014

when he's with the dolphins, it'll be different.

http://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/a80285d30bf9537b89b8a27a8e9d316e/tumblr_n1r15wEQGx1qznj8ho1_500.jpg

http://deadspin.com/what-espn-and-the-nfl-dont-talk-about-when-they-talk-a-1529286618

The evolution of the word is pretty unfathomable and even tragic to many old people, but it's no less real for being resisted by the sort of people who furrow their brows on news specials. There's something healthy about it, in any case. It acknowledges the situational nature of language, that context matters.
In this respect, the NFL's proposed rule is hilariously wrongheaded. It plucks the word out of context, out of history, fixing a precise value on the use of a racial slur. Players are penalized 15 yards for saying "nigger"—not five or 10, or 20 yards, or a down, but 15 yards. Worse than holding, not as bad as intentional grounding. The rule is meant to stop a mountain troll like Incognito from looking across the line of scrimmage at a black player and calling him "nigger." But if such a rule were ever implemented and interpreted with the NFL's usual literal-mindedness, it would only end up policing and punishing more young black men who grew up with the word as a term of endearment than white men who would wield it with malice. Does anyone really think that a black player congratulating a teammate with "My nigga!" is using the same word that Richie Incognito was using?

http://www.buccaneers.com/assets/images/imported/TB/2014/news/02/article/Uniform03_03_14_2_a.jpg

will you take a look at this shit

lol it looks like someone's idea of the future in 1988.

lol. new back to the future meme: this is what everyone was wearing when marty traveled forward in time.

bane gonna cave in the field

sweet another team with black unis

About the n-word rule in the NFL... is this a penalty that will only affect black players? I can't imagine there are white players tossing that word around out there. Even Riley Cooper isn't that dumb.

The glowing frame really amps up the alarm clockness

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh0zM-6CUAExZuz.jpg

Always had a soft spot for the Bucs while sometimes hating them at the same time. I think it will just be all-hate going forward.

how can you hate a team whose inaugural coach had this line:

Asked about his team’s execution, McKay said, “I’m in favor of it.”

(during 0 -- 14 season)

Boldin stays w/niners, 12 mil for 2 years

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000330385/article/competition-committee-discussing-43yard-extra-point

url tells u what u need to know. sounds p cool, although i am in favour of outright elimination of the 1pt i think.

And all kickers everywhere just let out a collective whimper.

Browns unveiling “cutting-edge” uniforms next year

http://wilwheaton.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/that-stupid-drudge-siren-lol.gif

http://iamclosetgeek.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/tron_legacy_48_crop.jpg

http://www.homorazzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lindsay-lohan-suicide.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ct5CoUFg5s/UiPXJfRdVuI/AAAAAAAAA84/WAy4EAWOe7s/s1600/Rollerball3.jpg

rollerbrown unis would be pretty dope honestly
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/rollerball2.jpg

also "lol 69"

I'll take it over what I'm guessing is going to be some xtreme clip art ham handedness

christ what I have to put up with around here

they're still in the lab, working on a way to make brown flourescent

i think this is the best survey of the current free agency landscape i have read, pimped out with some colour grades from nfl scouts:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1983094-dan-pompeis-read-option-how-valuable-is-free-agent-safety-jairus-byrd

It seems like everyone in it grades as some variant of red?

i think he was just highlighting those ppl in particular, right? like, ignoring the mauve and taupe dudes.

(NFL teams use the color blue to designate difference-makers, the color red to designate above-average performers, the color purple to designate average players and the color orange to designate below-average players).

so a color-blind person came up with this and everyone else just went along, right?

a color blind person would make sure NOT to use those colors!

especially purple

Despite the plays Byrd made on the ball in the NFL, some front-office men have a hard time forgetting his pro day back in 2009. He ran a 4.71 40-yard dash.

^this is the height of stupidity. the guy has obviously proven that he can play-big time. The Bills love letting good DB's walk.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1982911-devin-hester-reportedly-wont-be-re-signed-by-chicago-bears?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=chicago-bears

Looks like Devin Hester is done with the Bears.

I'd think New Orleans would know how to use him in the passing game a heck of alot better than Chicago ever did. Their screen game is really good and the Bear's revolving door offensive coordinators pretty much tried to make Hester into a deep threat.

Saw him on NFL Network the other night and he was already talking about being out in Chicago, but still wants to retire as a Bear. He'll go play another four years on a couple teams and then do exactly that, I'd imagine.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/07/report-saints-releasing-darren-sproles/

Sproooooooles!

jimmy's reaction:

Jimmy Graham ‏@TheJimmyGraham 27m
Wow unbelievable. Shocked and disappointed on everything that's gone on this offseason.

i love sproles; maybe my favorite running back. hope he lands on a team that i don't feel bad about routing for.

Saints fanbase is freaking out about Sproles. He seemed a little bit slower last year but there isn't quite anyone on the roster with his skill set.

rashard mendenhall is retiring at age 26

why i retired at age 26

I decided not to hold a press conference because I didn't want to have to say things that were cliché. I've done enough of that since I've been playing football. I actually didn't really plan on saying anything about my retirement at all. I just kind of wanted to disappear. The fact that I was done playing would've been clear once some time had passed, and I hadn't signed back with the Cardinals or any other team. Maybe people would've thought I couldn't get another job. Either way, I was okay with the idea of fading to black, and my legacy becoming "What ever happened to that dude Rashard Mendenhall? He was pretty good for a few years, then he just vanished."

The truth is, I don't really think my walking away is that big of deal. For me it's saying, "Football was pretty cool, but I don't want to play anymore. I want to travel the world and write!" However as I told the people around me that I wasn't planning on signing again, there was a surprising amount of shock and bewilderment.

"Why would you stop now? You're only 26 years old! You're just going to walk away from millions of dollars? Is your knee fully healed? You had a pretty good year last year," etc. After the initial shock response and realization that I'm not kidding, the question that would continue to arise is: Why?

"Why do you want to stop playing football at 26?"

Honestly, I've really enjoyed my time in the NFL and have had tons of fun.

I feel like I've done it all. I've been to two Super Bowls; made a bunch of money; had a lot of success; traveled all over the country and overseas; met some really cool people; made lasting relationships; had the opportunity to give back to causes close to my heart; and have been able to share my experiences and wisdom with friends, family and people all over the world. Not to mention all the fun I had goofing around at work day after day with my teammates! I'm thankful that I can walk away at this time and smile over my six years in the NFL, and 17 total seasons of football -- dating back to when I started pee-wee ball at Niles West in 1997, when I was 10. These experiences are all a part of me, and will remain in my heart no matter what I do, or where I go.

Along with the joyful experiences I had, came many trials. In my last piece, "The Vision," I wrote about traversing through dark and dangerous waters, working to attain peace and refuge. That intense journey described my personal life in the NFL. Journeying through those waters symbolized living a private life in the public eye. Imagine having a job where you're always on duty, and can never fully relax or you just may drown. Having to fight through waves and currents of praise and criticism, but mostly hate. I can't even count how many times I've been called a 'dumb nigger'. There is a bold coarseness you receive from non-supporters that seems to only exist on the Internet. However, even if you try to avoid these things completely -- because I've tried -- somehow they still reach you. If not first-hand, then through friends and loved ones who take to heart all that they read and hear. I'm not a terribly sensitive person, so this stuff never really bothered me. That was until I realized that it actually had an impact my career. Over my career, I would learn that everything people say behind these computer and smartphones actually shape the perception of you -- the brand, the athlete and the person. Go figure!

What was more difficult for me to grasp was the way that the business of entertainment had really shifted the game and the sport of football in the NFL. The culture of football now is very different from the one I grew up with. When I came up, teammates fought together for wins and got respect for the fight. The player who gave the ball to the referee after a touchdown was commended; the one who played through injury was tough; the role of the blocking tight end was acknowledged; running backs who picked up blitzing linebackers showed heart; and the story of the game was told through the tape, and not the stats alone. That was my model of football.

Today, game-day cameras follow the most popular players on teams; guys who dance after touchdowns are extolled on Dancing With the Starters; games are analyzed and brought to fans without any use of coaches tape; practice non-participants are reported throughout the week for predicted fantasy value; and success and failure for skill players is measured solely in stats and fantasy points. This is a very different model of football than the one I grew up with. My older brother coaches football at the high-school and youth level. One day he called me and said, "These kids don't want to work hard. All they wanna do is look cool, celebrate after plays, and get more followers on Instagram!" I told him that they might actually have it figured out.

Over my career, because of my interests in dance, art and literature, my very calm demeanor, and my apparent lack of interest in sporting events on my Twitter page, people in the sporting world have sometimes questioned whether or not I love the game of football. I do. I always have. I am an athlete and a competitor. The only people who question that are the people who do not see how hard I work and how diligently I prepare to be great -- week after week, season after season. I take those things very seriously. I've always been a professional. But I am not an entertainer. I never have been. Playing that role was never easy for me. The box deemed for professional athletes is a very small box. My wings spread a lot further than the acceptable athletic stereotypes and conformity was never a strong point of mine. My focus has always been on becoming a better me, not a second-rate somebody else. Sometimes I would suffer because of it, but every time I learned a lesson from it. And I'll carry those lessons with me for the rest of my life.

So when they ask me why I want to leave the NFL at the age of 26, I tell them that I've greatly enjoyed my time, but I no longer wish to put my body at risk for the sake of entertainment. I think about the rest of my life and I want to live it with much quality. And physically, I am grateful that I can walk away feeling as good as I did when I stepped into it.

As for the question of what will I do now, with an entire life in front of me? I say to that, I will LIVE! I plan to live in a way that I never have before, and that is freely, able to fully be me, without the expectation of representing any league, club, shield or city. I do have a plan going forward, but I will admit that I do not know how things will totally shape out. That is the beauty of it! I look forward to chasing my desires and passions without restriction, and to sharing them with anyone who wants to come along with me! And I'll start with writing!

nicely-written. good for him.

what the fuck, Reggie

The Baltimore Sun reports the Raiders are expected to sign free agent T/G Rodger Saffold "for roughly $8 million per year."
The Raiders must value Saffold over in-house free agent LT Jared Veldheer, as the report states the Cardinals are expected to sign Veldheer for "between $7 million and $7.5 million."

Donte Whitner! Karlos Dansby! Add to that our two firsts and two thirds... COULD THIS YEAR BE OUR YEAR?!??!

Snrub otm

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BifCYQSCEAEdqo6.png

aqib talib to denver. denver throws a lot of money at their secondary with talib and tj ward. elsewhere in db news, byrd goes to new orleans

it's really hard to judge nfl contracts on their face but 6 years/57 million/26 guaranteed is crrrrrazzzzyyyyy

championship now mode

yeah for sure but that's a bad contract ime

qb controversy in san fran?

xp yup totally

Falcons filled some serious holes yesterday.

jesus demarcus ware to denver

they're really going for it huh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5b_NLgKW4U

Michael David Smith ‏@MichaelDavSmith 10m
Of the Top 22 players in the 2012 NFL draft, 20 remain with their original teams. The exceptions? Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden. #Browns

#Browns

weeden was a laffer at the time, richardson bust more surprising though you could argue taking a rb that high is dumb and at least they managed to flip it for a first rounder (to the outrage of some ilxors).

It's almost as if drafting an elderly quarterback is a bad idea.

at least chris weinke won a heisman

heard the Roger Staubach comparisons on the local radio more than once (RE: age)

they just meant weeden was a vietnam vet also

BOOM

at least chris weinke won a heisman

Gino Torretta too (over Marshall Faulk, and I'm still angry about this shit...)

josh mccown wins bux qb job from mike glennon by just turning up

Kaepernick is scheduled to be paid $1.073 million in salary and bonuses in 2014. Meanwhile, newly acquired Blaine Gabbert is set to earn a guaranteed $2.011 million this season.

jesus demarcus ware to denver

― balls, Wednesday, March 12, 2014

_________________________

they're really going for it huh

― frogbs, Wednesday, March 12, 2014

if only broncos had a franchise quarterback.

http://media.culturemap.com/crop/51/15/600x450/Peyton-Manning-fumble_082455.jpg

revis is a patriot

done deal? i heard they're going to pursue him, but hadn't heard anything about a signing.

1 year/12 mil, less than it would've cost to franchise talib, siiiiiiiick

schefter has it on twitter

Armando Salguero ‏@ArmandoSalguero -- Revis going to the Patriots, according to Adam Schefter. So how come twitter is still functioning?

i don't know, armando salguero of the miami herald, i don't know.

holy schniekies

i love aqib talib, aqib talib is a total bro, but wow the pats killed this

wow

https://twitter.com/albertbreer/status/443933715660812288

Additionally, I'm told the Patriots ultimately, after a feeling-out period, have designs on locking up Revis long-term.

patriots fans are literally jizzing everywhere atm

So after signing a big money contract with the Raiders, Saffold fails his physical, contract gets voided, he runs back to the Rams and signs a deal? Is this real?

you guys!

i <3 talib too but this worked out pretty well for ne

also lol @ raiders 4eva

I don't know why I am so unwilling to accept that McKenzie sucks but this has not been pretty so far

do all these other teams signing quality free-agents mean that the miami dolphins won't win the super-bowl this year?

ey we got Earl Mitchell, print those tickets baby

AND BRANDEN ALBERT

Chris Kouffman ‏@ckparrot -- Oh no. Please don't, Bill Belichick. Not Browner too.

DAMN YOU NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS WHO SUCKED FOR A DECADE WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND ARE NOW ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF KARMIC PAYBACK.

um

BREAKING: Eagles acquire RB Darren Sproles from the Saints for a draft pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

that's....interesting

the jets signed eric decker for a bunch of years which is such a jets thing to do

up
eric decker's wallet

down
eric decker's career

sproles to eagles has got to be a great move for both

decker trips himself and falls while running in the open field, it is natural for him to gravitate towards buttfumble-ville.

wilfork has asked to be released! noooooo

unexpected? seems shocking.

nah pretty expected

he has a high cap hit and apparently refused to consider restructure. to me that means either he just wanted out anyhow or the 'restructure' was a rip off somehow, maybe a cut and resign. that would be the patriots way.

<3 vince. we'll always have this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJfRwsodRGM

vince was probably the best interior lineman in the league for a couple years, and i think he probably has 2 more good years in him, but that restructure absolutely had to happen for him to stay in new england.

there's been a trend in the media here for the past couple months of trying to bring vince down a notch, saying he's just a nose tackle and that's not an important position anymore. it's fuckin' crazy talk, at his best he was a completely disruptive player against anybody. but the age and injury mean he can't possibly come back at $11 million or whatever it was.

jets/decker seems like such a terrible move

“I hope Decker gets out of the building before Idzik gets talked into overpaying for him,” one Jets source said, hours before the receiver agreed to terms.

Kaepernick is scheduled to be paid $1.073 million in salary and bonuses in 2014. Meanwhile, newly acquired Blaine Gabbert is set to earn a guaranteed $2.011 million this season.

― polyphonic, Wednesday, March 12, 2014 7:57 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

This seems weird but just wait. Kaepernick is gonna get PAID when his contract is up.

saying he's just a nose tackle and that's not an important position anymore.

^these are people that never played football, dont know football, and should probably be banned from talking about the game.

If you dont think interior D-Linemen dont matter, go look at Falcons game tape from last year. Or ask Paul Soliai's agent.

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 1h
On the same day the #Bills announce they’ll move Kiko Alonso to OLB… they host Brandon Spikes. His old coach Pepper Johnson is on staff

1. alonso to olb sounds weird to me but what do i know
2. can't wait for the schedule to be announced so i can make plans for the day spikes ends brady's career

steve smith 3 year deal at baltimore. for those following at home that is now 4 smiths at the ravens, which i believe is enough to form an 80s band.

Aw dang, I like Steve Smith but do not like the Ravens. I will hate to root against him every Sunday.

the ravens stopped the patriots and the 49ers from winning the super bowl two years ago, then did us all the tremendous favor of falling-flat the next year. thus, i can be happy -- and even root -- for the ravens.

browner is joining the patriots

Today, I am proud to announce that I am a New England Patriot. I am honored that the Patriots are making me part of their legendary organization, and am grateful for the opportunity Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick, Nick Caserio and
the entire team have given me. I intend to diligently work with the same passion and dedication that I have displayed since coming into the NFL to uphold the great traditions and qualities that are embodied by the Patriots.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the Seattle Seahawks for giving a CFL player the once in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the NFL, making a young boy's dream come true. To Coach Pete Carroll, GM John Schneider, John Idzik, Coach Richard, Rocky Seto, the LOB, my teammates, the training staff, the equipment guys the Seahawks organization as a whole and most importantly the 12th Man, I say thank you for everything you have done for myself and my family.

I am a truly blessed person.

there was a weird series of confirmations and denials yesterday, which i basically read as a) agent tries to maintain leverage with other visits supposedly scheduled 2) player undermines him by telling everyone he is definitely signing

right. apparently the flirtation with some other teams was just a smokescreen (for leverage, i assume).

Steve Smith going to the Ravens pretty much figures, he will fit in well on that club of loudmouths.

B-more should have just signed Boldin though.

Colts need to throw $$$ at Alex Mack, get a high-quality C locked in for multiple years. Offensive line has been such a massive problem, drastically affecting both the running/passing games, seems like this would be a great fix. They just signed Phil Costa 2yr/$2+m, which ideally would be for backup unless there were a good reason he lost his job in Dallas last year.

Colts need to throw $$$ at

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/alexmack_8822.jpg

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/69231956/bum-phillips-all-american-opera-not-your-typical-night-at-opera

bum phillips: the all american opera

I just want to post and say that Munchie Legaux is a new favorite football player name. I hope Munchie can come back from the knee injury and get his starting job back at UC!

http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/munchie_legaux_717280.html

you got the munchies

It is an amazing sports name.

Weeden to the Cowboys. QB CONTROVERSY?!

can't they just bring back drew bledsoe?

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/nfl-demands-166-million-mias-689017
accompanying image has some hatcat qualities
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/thumbnail_570x321/2012/02/mia_a.jpg

http://images.chron.com/blogs/askacat/hatcat.JPG

welcome RIVERS ROMO to the world lmao

http://deadspin.com/tony-romo-spawns-future-frontman-of-weezer-cover-band-1547395027

The Bears are an interesting story to me next year in that they are changing the guard quite a bit. The D-Line is going to be remade. I got a feeling they are going to turn into a high scoring no defense type of team. If Chicago has one of those clubs, that would be really weird.

http://i.imgur.com/hj9USkw.jpg

Rivers Romo

i apologize

Dwayne Johnson ‏@TheRock 5m
Just heard Jared Allen's a SEAHAWK. Very happy for that beast… #DefenseWinsChampionships

most nfl reporters denying any deal has been done but cmon, who ya gonna believe?

the rock knew about bin laden getting taken out before anyone else also

devin hester signed w/ the falcons

Incognito said he still considers Martin a friend and was excited when he learned of last week's trade that sent the former Dolphins tackle to the San Francisco 49ers. And despite all of the tumult he experienced last season, Incognito remains attached to the idea of playing for the Dolphins, saying, "I want to stay in Miami. I would play for free to go back there, because I love it. It's about redemption."

the only redemption Cog will get in Miami is if he turns in Monopoly pieces at McDonald's for a free large soda.

devin hester signed w/ the falcons

^ im happy for both parties, and for myself because now i get to see the guy every week.

Terrelle Pryor is almost certainly leaving Oakland.

I had big doubts about the guy coming out of Ohio State, but he was fun to watch when he was in a groove. Hope he winds up on a team that will use him, if only in package plays.

so dan the snyder "listened" and "learned" things and is creating a foundation instead of CHANGING THE NAME

In a letter released Monday night, the R******* announced that they're starting a foundation called the "Original American Foundation."

Team owner Dan Snyder writes that he and his staff traveled to 26 tribal reservations over the past four months to speak with Native Americans, and were inspired to start the foundation to provide "genuine opportunities for Tribal communities."

appropriate username there

how low must it make tim tebow feel that no one looked in his direction for the entirety of last season, and yet mark sanchez gets finds a new team in three days.

yeah especially given all the teams that were in real desperate QB situations over the last couple years, he didn't even get offered a backup gig. maybe he's even worse than we all thought?

Sanchez has one major advantage over Tebow that may come in handy when playing quarterback: he can actually throw a football. Not well, mind you, but he he is capable of putting an oblong leather object in his hand and advancing it forward through the air in the (very) general direction of another member of his team.

Unfortunately for Tebow, its part of the job description for a qb.

falcons reportedly 'open' to trading up in the draft

are there teams that aren't 'open' to trading up in the draft?

Packers and Patriots

falcons open to not learning from past mistakes, burning their whole draft to take one guy in the top 10

ralph wilson rip

bills moving within the next couple years right?

They probably won't move for at least five years or so because their lease is very tough

so now the Bears got Jared Allen?

same money over 4 yrs as GBP gave peppers over 3 but twice as much guaranteed money, for a player i think a couple years younger. seems pretty reasonable for both teams tbh.

Jared Allen is not the first All Pro defensive lineman to go from the Vikings to the Bears as the great Alan Page finished his career in Chicago. I'd say Allen's career finish in Chicago probably decides if he ends up in the Hall of Fame like Justice Page.

It's an interesting signing, hopefully a productive one for the Bears. That run defense needs some serious work. Even with the injury, I kind of hated to see Henry Melton go. That's kind of the sad thing about many of the players that have left Chicago the past couple years, they were all solid to excellent players for the Bears.

iggles release desean. i'm so confused.

???

i guess chip doesn't actually like him

o shit, i can think of a qb who would

wow

Yet the Eagles' apparent interest in jettisoning Jackson likely has little to do with his performance on the field or a big-money contract that could squeeze the team's salary cap. Rather, sources close to Jackson and within the Eagles' organization say, it's Jackson's off-field behavior that concerns the front office. A bad attitude, an inconsistent work ethic, missed meetings and a lack of chemistry with head coach Chip Kelly are the reasons, sources told NJ.com. And when the Eagles looked more deeply into why Jackson was missing meetings, they found that his friends were becoming a more powerful -- and negative -- influence in his life.

Now the Eagles have even more serious concerns -- Jackson's continued association with reputed Los Angeles street gang members who have been connected to two homicides since 2010.

Ever since New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested and charged with first-degree murder last summer, NFL franchises have been reevaluating how closely they needed to watch their players away from the field. And what Eagles executives see in Jackson, a six-year veteran, is apparently a potential blight on the brand and a bad influence in the locker room.

As a source within the Eagles organization, who requested anonymity, put it: "They are concerned about having him around the younger players."

more details here:
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2014/03/eagles_desean_jackson_off-the-field_troubles.html

first i have heard anything about gang ties. eagles obv had it under tight wraps when it was in their interest and now leaked it. can't blame them.

altho, if they couldn't even trade him, i guess it wasn't a secret in the league

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bj1Qkk1CYAAvdA8.png

wtf iggles

Ever since New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested and charged with first-degree murder last summer, NFL franchises have been reevaluating how closely they needed to watch their players away from the field.

trying to figure out if this makes the patriots the most likely, or least likely, team to pursue DJ.

RB news: MJD confirmed at oakland, blount at sburgh

Oakland is a great spot for a once good player to go die in peace.

the djax news is so depressing. there better be some bodies w/ his prints on them bc if they cut him bc he was friendly w/ some toughs... idk. that's some bullshit imho. apparently 6 teams are already clamoring to pick him up.

I think it is a combination of things probably a big thing being how Jackson acted like a total jagoff in 2011. I'm not so sure in the age of big contracts with THAT much money being handled some clubs will just jettison players that are a PITA even if they are great. The Eagles have already had him wash out one season of production and he might do it again. T

hat's a ton of salary back and maybe they won't have a speedy deep threat, but they might be able to put that cash into something that is a rough equivalent in total football production. Philly already has gone through this kind of drama with TO and McNabb too.
I think there could be some other vets that might come available and they got salary space to make a deal.

It seems to me that this has been a real active free agency year for the NFL. There has been a whole lot of talent changing hands this off season.

I got a pretty low tolerance for signed players that play and then tank. Don't like it, set out. Don't show up for work and be a bozo.

I don't know wtf McKenzie is doing with the Raiders.

http://deadspin.com/two-former-players-have-desean-jacksons-back-1553870080?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

I love derrick ward dissing jaws there

yeah that was fun

I still think about this interview all the time

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000319102/article/marshawn-lynch-is-just-about-that-action-boss

I'm saying Clowney and Sammy Watkins are the guys I would take at #1, I tend to doubt the Houston Texas will give me a call but hey maybe they have their pulse on ILoveNFL.

Clowney follows through, he could be really good like Julius Peppers was when he came out of North Carolina. That's the guy when I look at Clowney's build and results who he reminds me of.

Watkins looks to me as this years top big athletic wide-receiver. I know I would love seeing this guy play on the Colts, as the #1 wide out seems open for business on that club.

I'm curious to see how Chicago's draft plays out, that club is in change of generation on defense. It happens to all clubs that are competitive over time and how well they rebuild their rosters is direct relation to future success. That's the place the Pats have been about the best at for a while.

I think Clowney is clearly the most talented guy, but I don't understand the people who just dismiss his injuries/bad performances. If a guy is constantly nicked up, has to miss games with injuries that his coach doesn't seem to really believe in etc., then you have to take that into account right?

Apparently the second tier QBs are pretty well-regarded, mettenberger, garropolo. Interesting to see if the browns or texans try to wait for them in the 2nd.

Mettenberger is getting a lot of pub.

Hot rumor here in the ATL is Falcons moving up to get Clowney at 1. Falcons are the anti-Patriots when it comes to draft strategy which is weird since their front office is Pats guys.

compelled to create a separate identity i guess. feel like falcons have to build depth at some point, you can win some games with a handful of superstars and a bunch of vet minimums but you get just a couple of injuries and things looks real ugly

i don't know why they keep thinking they're one player away, they're 4 or 5 players away

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/04/02/richard-sherman-desean-jackson/

But what did they do to Riley Cooper, who, if he’s not a racist, at least has “ties” to racist activity?

i find it hard to believe that the eagles cut desean jackson bc they're racists

well, sherman scores some direct hits on several points but the article is barely about djax

xp not sure how you would make that connection
the implication is that "ties to gang activity" are given priority over "ties to racism"

and my experience reading sherman's writing is that 99% of the time it's about sherman even when it's not

do we even really know why the Eagles cut him specifically? because all I've heard is "gang ties", nothing specific. like Sherman is just saying here "he's friends with some rough people, many of us are", but it sounded to me like there was more going on? or is Philly just that fed up with him?

He was cut because he makes too much money.

If dudes got cut for gang ties there would be noone playing in the NFL.

he makes too much money + he doesn't fit chip's culture + chip doesn't value WR's very much anyway = bye jackson or at least that's what i assume. the eagles knew about the gangland connections back when they resigned him 2 years ago so either you believe chip is exceptionally sensitive to gang ties or it's unrelated.

Kelly's coached guys with LA gang ties before. Its not that. Whitlock:

Kelly made his name coaching at Oregon and, like most Pac-12 coaches, routinely recruited kids from Los Angeles, kids with "gang ties." This was not his first rodeo with a young player with unscrupulous friends. Every NFL and college football coach on the planet deals with this issue.

No reason to pay a WR $10 million in that offense where you spread the ball all over the place. Especially with Maclin coming back. Kelly thinks that he is to WR's what Shanahan is to RB's

the issue is not the "real reason" it's the public perception and the way the eagles have chosen to steer it

the eagles haven't done anything besides cut jackson and wish him luck. everything else is conjecture + speculation.

theyre not responsible for some of those sub rosa 'gang ties' brieifings?

the organization could easily make a three sentence statement that would make that line of discussion go away

That hasnt been confirmed. Could just be shitty journalism. Both the Eagles and Jackson himself deny thats why he got cut.

from what i understand the eagles were looking to deal him up until that story ran when probably they assumed that his value has just plummeted. why would they release a story that devalued a player they were shopping?

what's the theory anyway? that they released the information so that they wouldn't get heat from the philly fanbase? the philly fanbase loves jackson and are furious that he was cut and i don't see why anyone in philadelphia would change their mind bc he was "associated" with members of a gang.

the issue is not the "real reason" it's the public perception and the way the eagles have chosen to steer it

^public perception doesnt mean shit, in my opinion. who gives a shit. Not sure the eagles have steered anything. NB-i hate the eagles and i think they made a massive mistake here.

i love the eagles and i think they made a massive mistake here

hahahahaha, yeah, i dont want anybody to think im coming to their defense over this move-im not. but i respect their owner, he's one of the better guys in the league.

http://instagram.com/p/mWFoiyHxAV/

Philly should just play it more straight. They didn't want to put up that much cash for for the some total of things. I think what might be more telling is that they couldn't trade him and I would almost guarantee they probably tried to. There are free agents available in football, you might not get the exact type player, but you could get others that improve your team.

Chris Johnson cut. Tennessee website cites "gang ties" as the reason.

lol

He wears a grill, you see.

Come three hours south Chris, they can use you down here.

really just don't get the Jackson thing. seems like it's Trade him >>> Sign him >>>>>>>>> Release him, 'gang ties' or no

Chris Johnson is probably headed to the Jets, right? barf

it was either trade him, release him or keep him at $10 mm per. there was no "sign him" unless he agreed to restructure.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/04/04/sources-desean-jackson-was-a-problem-for-kelly-eagles-in-locker-room/

“The fact is, [Jackson] was a ‘me-guy’ with an attitude problem and [Maclin] is the complete opposite, a team guy, a great character guy you go to war with,” said one source. “Funny how [Jackson] has this anti-bully thing and he thought he could push [Kelly] around; he found out otherwise. His being cut had nothing to do with the gang stuff. The team knew it. Everyone knew he had ‘ties.’ Those were his guys. That’s okay. What put him out was his selfishness. He can try and spin it all he wants how he’s ‘a team player.’ He’s not. I’ll put it this way, when it came out last Friday that [Jackson] was released, more than a few guys were happy it happened. They said ‘good riddance.’ He had no real connection with anyone.

Desean Jackson has had some amazing things happen in his NFL career to this point, but this is what I will always remember him for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN9bDZ4ej_w

i sure wish ilnfl were localized so i could invite you all to a screening of DRAFT DAY starring kevin costner

just saw a ~20yo guy in brooklyn wearing a cliff branch #21 raiders jersey

Darren Rovell discusses the significance of Robert Griffin III's new logo.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/04/draft_day_movie_kevin_costner_and_roger_goodell_star_in_the_nfl_s_version.html

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10777877/aldon-smith-detained-los-angeles-airport

http://img.pandawhale.com/46113-Jim-Harbaugh-tantrum-gif-AoJN.gif

serious wtf

no, Keyshawn, no

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/21/keyshawn-johnson-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge/

Terrelle Pryor is a Seahawk

schedule's out

falcons play one home game between sep 18 and nov 23

i'm sure wembley will be just like home

lol, Browns play the Bills once again. This has to be some sort of record.

iggs/boys thanksgiving

i have no ill will towards the falcons at all but i gotta say, if they piss away another draft's worth of picks to get clowney at #1 i will be praying for him and julio to run into each other in preseason training and both be out for the season

Sounds like you have ill will towards the Falcons.

my beef is 100% personnel 0% personal. did dimitroff learn nothing at belichick u?

seriously this new delayed draft thing is hellish
i can't read any more mocks!!!

otm

+1

Is NYC so bereft of sizeable venues that they couldn't do it somewhere else besides Radio City? The NFL Draft at The Apollo...there ya go!

I just now read that the scheduling conflict at Radio City which pushed the draft into May was for an event that never ended up taking place. Nice.

nfl is planning to build a purpose built drafting arena in time for 2017 $235 mil, waiting for tax credit arrangement to pass approval

jesus really

lol

yeah well the airport monorail link fell through, which was a bummer for the transit district, they thought they could leverage some fed funding and divert $ to benefit local users, but clusterfuck city on the siting/access issues.

https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/status/464130354333233152/photo/1

very cool logo

lmao

jimmy manziel

Amazing logo

glad you guys like the first logo i've ever designed! i'm pretty proud of it :)

lol

really pumped for this draft, should be a lot of surprises

don't draft johnny football vikings!!!

@tomecurran: A source tells me Ryan Mallett to the Texans may soon be done.

huh always wondered what was gonna happen with mallet

Gotta think he knows Bill O'Brien's offense pretty well.

draft tnite?

very curious to see which team will ultimately have the #1 pick.

If the Rams somehow get Clowney i would be frightened to play that defense. they would be very tough.

I really don't understand what they see in Sam Bradford.

https://twitter.com/BrianMFloyd/status/464540661568778240

@CharlesRobinson
Johnny Manziel selects Drake's "Draft Day" as his walkup song. Notably Manziel's name is IN the first line of the song.

I really thought they would take Mack, huh.

wow me too, this is the team that started matt schaub last season, right?

(me2 surprised i mean)

they have joe haden, why did they do all those machinations to get another corner?

walked in the door and put on espn right before the tampa bay pick, just in time to hear chucky say "i like this guy, mike! this guy's a BIG TIME wide receiver!!!"

i miss football so much

http://time.com/91291/richard-sherman-the-nfl-would-not-have-banned-a-donald-sterling-for-life/

NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned Donald Sterling for life. Do you think if an NFL owner made similar comments, would commissioner Roger Goodell react in the same way, and do you think an owner would be banned for life?

No I don’t. Because we have an NFL team called the R******s. I don’t think the NFL really is as concerned as they show. The NFL is more of a bottom line league. If it doesn’t affect their bottom line, they’re not as concerned.

my bold predic for this draft is that the Cowboys are totally bluffing with the manziel talk trying to get someone to trade up

I love Mack, first pick for the raiders I've liked in the Reggie era

Wait when is Johnny Football getting taken???

how many rounds do they do tnite? just the first?

yeah just the first. hate what they've done to the draft, really used to enjoy the early rounds on saturday during the day and then the later rounds on sunday.

so arizona i'm guessing?

or maybe not

saints, packers, eagles, chiefs, bengals, chargers, browns, cardinals all coming up in order.

will manziel drop by 22 and break brady quinn's record?

Mayock hinting that Manziel is an eagle...

yeah, looks like it's the brady quinn treatment exactly!

yay! trade for philly

LOL Jay Glazer repeatedly guaranteed the browns weren't picking johnny

look forward to manziel's eas myoplex commercials

it was only half an hour ago that chucky was saying how they don't have a good history of quarterbacks in cleveland and johnny manziel is crossing his fingers that he doesn't go there

browns played this nicely tho i still don't know why they needed another corner

noooooooooooooooooooooooo

lol quinn 2.0

somewhere andy dalton is breathing a little easier

god

Anytime you can get the best cornerback in the draft and one of the best QBs in the draft and get an extra first round pick... ummm... yeah, you've had a good first round.

Digby ‏@DigbyOnTheX 3m

Sal Paolantonio said @Browns owner Jimmy told him he knew the fans wanted Manziel after a homeless man told him to draft him #NFLDraft #What

and that homeless man....

....was tim couch

lol

god if the texans got teddy in the second round that would be really exciting

Vikings please trade up with New England to #29 for the 2nd year in a row, and take Bridgewater.

Bridgewater seemed obviously the best QB to me but what do I know

I think the argument can be made that the broncos should take Bridgewater here

If it's Bridgewater I will do a little dance.

man a lot of very sad people on twitter who are fans of teams in the early second round

vikings only had to give up a 4th to move up from 40, great deal

Dan Wetzel ‏@DanWetzel 1m

Manziel on possibility going to the Cowboys: "I don't know if the world could've handled that, honestly."

If its Patterson I will do a little dance.

― Plasmon, Thursday, April 25, 2013 9:29 PM (1 year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

*still dancing*

Vikings killed it last night

Both them and the Rams knocked it out of the fucking park

Rams are gonna be good-really good.

yeah they did great

i'm cool on johnny football, but browns had a great draft either way, snagging what will likely be a top 15 first round pick for NEXT year in that stupid sammy watkins deal, bills smdh

still really wish the Browns hadn't fired Chud, but if nothing else they should be watchable this year

lol brownie

Mayock was convinced (there's no way i could bear watching on ESPN) the Eagles were gonna take Manziel when he dropped to them.

http://www.kfan.com/articles/sports-top-stories-104670/watch-johnny-manziel-goes-wild-in-12337184/

Stevie Johnson traded to the 49ers

http://jonwye.com/t-shirts/washington-football-team-tshirt.html

Ha

so michael sam

just kissed his boyfriend in the background btw

https://twitter.com/BrianDawkins/status/465280500530429952

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0510/nfl_sam1_cr_300x200.jpg

awww

this ^^^^^^^^^^^^.

there was a flurry of ugly, mean responses to that moment, sadly.

Openly gay players taken in the 2014 NFL Draft: 1
Openly Texas Longhorn players taken in the 2014 NFL Draft: 0

Is Sam a good fit on the rams football-wise? Those guys are LOADED up front on D

He would have fit in nicely with ATL

I'm hoping that counterintuitively it works because they're so loaded that they can afford to have a guy who just rushes the passer 100%.

at a 7th rounder, he's got a lot of upside and who knows, some coaches like to roll through a lot of subsititutions and packages etc

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10921650/marshall-henderson-says-derogatory-tweet-michael-sam-was-psychology-experiment

wut

I've never watched Sam play other than in a clip package, but from what I've read it sounds like Sam's chance at a roster spot hinges on his skills as an edge rusher. Word is that he doesn't project well playing in coverage or on special teams.

Obviously combine results aren't everything, but compare Sam to Jackson Jeffcoat of Texas, who wasn't drafted. Jackson had better combine results in every drill. He jumped a foot higher than Sam in the vert. He ran the cone drill a second faster, and the shuttle (which is a shorter drill) a half a second faster. He ran the 40 in 4.63 compared to Sam's 4.91. The only drill where Sam was close to Jeffcoat was in the bench press, where neither excelled.

This is a guy who is weaker and slower than most of his fellow edge rushers. His strength is his "motor," but he may struggle to get around the corner against bigger stronger faster NFL tackles and tight ends.

I feel like there's a pretty good chance he doesn't make the team. If that happens I'd guess he'd go to the practice squad because it would be tough to cut him outright.

Jeff Fisher has said he'll cut him without hesitation if he doesn't have the skills to play for him.

Of course, he hasn't cut Sam Bradford yet, so y'know.

will AJ McCarron have a more successful NFL career than Tim Tebow?

He jumped a foot higher than Sam in the vert.

^holy shit

Yeah, Michael Sam's stats from the combine are...not great.

will AJ McCarron have a more successful NFL career than Tim Tebow?

I think Marvin and the city of Cincinnati are looking for even the slightest reason to bench Andy Dalton after three attempts at the post season with losses in all of them. He may play in 2014 and he may not, but he doesn't have be untaught and retaught how to throw a football.

Tebow won a playoff game

Still blows my mind.

god protects the weak

-armed quarterbacks

prob more of an ARE U NOT ENTERTAINED gambit by the almighty imo

yeah a lot of people called Sam's combine "underwhelming" when really it was pretty much a disaster.

But the production is so good! SEC Dpoy with a bad combine is still a guy you're happy to take a chance on.

Sam doing a tv show about getting on the team is probably a bad idea, imo.

http://tvline.com/2014/05/14/michael-sam-gay-nfl-oprah-winfrey-network-series/

I think it'll be fine. Hard to blame him considering he has a 45k salary and the NFL is selling all those jerseys.

i don't *blame* him, but jf otm

get that cake, before hes playing for the san jose sabercats in like 9 months

welp:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/10935628/aaron-hernandez-indicted-double-murder-2012

BOSTON -- Prosecutors say former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who already faces a murder charge in a man's shooting death last year, was also the gunman in an unrelated 2012 double slaying in Boston.

The victims in the 2012 killings, Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, were shot to death as they sat in a car in Boston's South End on July 16. Police have said they were shot by someone who drove up alongside in an SUV with Rhode Island license plates and opened fire.

At a news conference Thursday announcing the indictment, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said that the victims were "ambushed and executed" as they drove home and that Hernandez was the gunman.

"For us, this case was not about Aaron Hernandez. This case was about two victims, who were stalked, ambushed and senselessly murdered on the streets of the city they called home," Conley said.

Conley says Hernandez and the victims had an encounter in a night club that evening, and authorities have said Hernandez was seen on surveillance footage in the club the night of the attack. Conley also said authorities recovered the car and weapon Hernandez allegedly used.

due process innocent until etc but from the outside it sure looks like this guy likes to kill ppl

jesus christ he was a serial killer almost

okay, i didn't know this
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/15/a-true-tough-guy-the-mafia-gays-and-michael-sam-s-boyfriend.html

I didn't either. Wow.

RIP Roddy White's brother. ;_;

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BoAs_AbIAAAxgxH.jpg

brandon marshall signs a 4y $40m extension live on the view

$23m guaranteed

Is that the wife who stabbed him to his left?

OK the Jonny Maziel sexual harassment lawsuit is a+ trolling

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/arian-foster-wants-to-free-the-cats

hahaha

HEY GRIFF

haha i love arian

thoroughly approve of trolling cat owners

That's amazing.

'minus the libert' is all-time

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BobypmoCQAAU7Zz.jpg:large

Is that at an Unexpected Bacon show?

RIP Malcolm Glazer. He seemed like one of the non-loathsome owners?

dare you post that on an epl thread

Man U's pain is everyone's gain imo

glazers maligned for being cheap i guess, maybe not anything worse than that

I think Glazer is generally thought of as a below average owner.

Here is a rather incoherent list of his crimes

http://archive.bebo.com/BlogView.jsp?MemberId=10317566424&BlogId=10329663261

That's pretty bad. Guy was apparently an asshole.

#46 on that list is laughably dumb.

true -- both are mainly excuses for fat dudes with crew cuts to get drunk and act tough

Sean Lee is made out of tissue paper, right?

Who was the little guy that knocked him out, Golden Tate?

46. American football is very different to the UK variety, where the fans? have a passionate love for their club, its heritage and traditions, which is strongly community based and runs down the generations. American football is regarded more as a business which provides entertainment, like the movies, a nice day out for the family.

^i'd love to see this guy bring his family to a nice November Sunday day at the park at the Linc for a Cowboys/Eagles matchup. How pastoral and quaint that experience is.

"Hey Nigel, lets skip our NHS dental appointments and fly out to California next week with our families. Some team called the Oakland Raiders is hosting a team called the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday nite. Looks like fun, the Oakland supporters seem to like to dress up like Star Wars characters. The kids will love it!!!!"

Haha I was just thinking about bringing my daughter to her first sporting event & my first thought was no fucking way am I taking her to a Vikings game w all the drunk aggro dudes yelling obscenities