2012 NFL Offseason Thread

[Drake]

“We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game,” Goodell said in the league-issued release. “We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities. No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.”

“A combination of elements made this matter particularly unusual and egregious,” Goodell added. “When there is targeting of players for injury and cash rewards over a three-year period, the involvement of the coaching staff, and three years of denials and willful disrespect of the rules, a strong and lasting message must be sent that such conduct is totally unacceptable and has no place in the game. .

“Let me be clear. There is no place in the NFL for deliberately seeking to injure another player, let alone offering a reward for doing so. Any form of bounty is incompatible with our commitment to create a culture of sportsmanship, fairness, and safety. Programs of this kind have no place in our game and we are determined that bounties will no longer be a part of the NFL.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ine-of-saints/

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by Otsy

He hasn't actually signed the franchise tender yet. So he's not under contract right now. Has until July 15th to sign a long term deal or the franchise tender or he becomes a hold out. Biggest thing it means now, is the fact he's not under contract, means he cannot participate in off season work outs that start in April. I'm guessing todays bad news is not going to help matters any

Ya, before this fiasco today I assumed he would just suck it up and sign it and try again next offseason for a long term deal... with this development though, who knows what will happen. As has been reported, the two parties are way off on the contract.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

I would be pissed to if I was Payton, seeing the wrist slap the Hoody got for cheating his way to the Super Bowl, I think 8 games would have been sufficient

Well the difference though is that the Hoodie wasn't warned. He was penaltized when caught. The Saints were warned that the NFL was onto them and still kept on with the program.

[OILFAN #81]

Don't get the Jets wanting Tebow at all. Sanchez and Tebow both suck. Jets should have gone after a legitimate QB.

In terms of the Saints, very glad to see an appropriate punishment. Only thing I would have changed would have been instead of losing 2nd round picks in 2012 and 2013, I would have made one of those a 1st.

[The Big Chill]

What happens to those picks? Do they just get skipped over?

[moon]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

What happens to those picks? Do they just get skipped over?

Yep

[OILFAN #81]

Alex Smith signed a 3 year deal worth $24 M with San Francisco. 16.5 M of that is guaranteed.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Don't get the Jets wanting Tebow at all. Sanchez and Tebow both suck. Jets should have gone after a legitimate QB.

In case you didn't notice, the Jets couldn't run the ball last year, and they want to be a run first team. Teebow may not be a great QB, but he's big strong guy with an iron will in short yardage type situations.

My guess is that this is what they will primarily be using him for. If he wants to continue playing in the NFL, this is the role he's going to have to accept.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

In case you didn't notice, the Jets couldn't run the ball last year, and they want to be a run first team. Teebow may not be a great QB, but he's big strong guy with an iron will in short yardage type situations.

My guess is that this is what they will primarily be using him for. If he wants to continue playing in the NFL, this is the role he's going to have to accept.

I did notice. I just don't think it is worth all the media attention that team will get. It's going to be an even more circus then usual in New York this season.

[Montana Moe]

I hate to say "I told you so" to my fellow Saints fans, but here we are. They were told to stop the bounty program, and ignored it. That probably doubled every punishment they were handed down.

Ah well should be an interesting remainder of the off season.

[Sylvanfan]

That is some seriously harsh punishment handed down. If that doesn't deter teams from this type of action down the road, I can't imagine what would.

I wonder how you suspend Payton for a full year without him having any contact with the team? Do you exile him to an island with no phone or internet? Do you force him to be on a reality show that's 24-7? I can see suspending players as you keep them out of games, out of practice. But how do you keep a coach from contacting other coaches etc?

This is going to be interesting.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

That is some seriously harsh punishment handed down. If that doesn't deter teams from this type of action down the road, I can't imagine what would.

I wonder how you suspend Payton for a full year without him having any contact with the team? Do you exile him to an island with no phone or internet? Do you force him to be on a reality show that's 24-7? I can see suspending players as you keep them out of games, out of practice. But how do you keep a coach from contacting other coaches etc?

This is going to be interesting.

Probably by saying that if you do contact other coaches you'll be suspended for another season. The NFL security team is pretty hardcore, I don't think they'd have much trouble finding evidence of contact.

[Otsy]

Bills sign DE Mark Anderson from Pats - 4 years 27.5 mil. 8 guaranteed.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

In case you didn't notice, the Jets couldn't run the ball last year, and they want to be a run first team. Teebow may not be a great QB, but he's big strong guy with an iron will in short yardage type situations.

My guess is that this is what they will primarily be using him for. If he wants to continue playing in the NFL, this is the role he's going to have to accept.

I think Timmy Rah Rah is the worst passing QB I have ever seen play in the NFL but one thing I give him credit for is that inside the 10 yard line he's nearly impossible to stop. IMO he's the best short yardage QB in the NFL which can be very valuable. The problem of course is if Timmy is placed in a situation where he has to pass the ball but as long as the Jets manage him properly he could be a good change up as we all know Sanchez is going to stink it up at times. Jets are kind of in win now mode so I can see why they made the move but personally I would have signed a guy like Jason Campbell who runs great play action and doesn't turn over the ball like Sanchez.

[Saint Troy]

Ouch, huge price to pay for stupidity for Payton and company. No excuse for not snuffing it out when the league first notified them, lucky they didn't lose first rounders.

[saskflames69]

meh, this just means we get to smash Tebow and the Jets at the same time!

[valo403]

Originally Posted by saskflames96

meh, this just means we get to smash Tebow and the Jets at the same time!

We? I thought you fell off the bandwagon after that loss back in February?

[Otsy]

I knew Sanchez had a bad year, but didn't realize he was this awful downfield

Comp pct on passes of 20+ yds: Sanchez 25.6, Tebow 25.9, per ESPN Stats. #Jets

[CaptainCrunch]

Encourage Teebow to become a fullback.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Otsy

I knew Sanchez had a bad year, but didn't realize he was this awful downfield

Comp pct on passes of 20+ yds: Sanchez 25.6, Tebow 25.9, per ESPN Stats. #Jets

The Jets math must have told them that if they put both of them in the backfield on he same play they should be 51.4% with passes over 20 yards.