2015 NFL Offseason Thread

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

So as a football neophyte, how big is the loss of Unger? I'm aware he was pretty good and the o-line played better with him, but is that going to be easily replaceable? Wouldn't the addition of Graham, a guy who doesn't block, make no difference if there is less room for Lynch and less time for Wilson?

He's a pro bowl center but his war would be significantly lower than graham who is 1a/1b with gronk as the league's best TE.

They will be able to pick up an above average centre as a FA or in the draft. They also lost james carpenter but interior lineman are a dime a dozen.

[browna]

Good move for Gore and Johnson....Johnson said himself and Gore have a good chance at a SB, and its true. Colts are almost a lock, as has been the last couple years, to win that below average division (which doesn't look to be getting much better this year), and that means an instant playoff spot. From that point, win the wildcard, and take chances against DEN/NE and hopefully squeak one out.

Comment on the Graham signing for Seattle. The TE is key for a guy like Wilson, which is why Z Miller was a big loss. Having that safety valve, and a big body and target, he'll get a lot of throws from Wilson. Should be interesting dynamic, Graham and Irving/Bennett talked public trash 2 years ago in the playoffs. And, hopefully Graham regains some of the form he had before; sounds as if he's gotten a bit softer the last few years.

Losing Unger is not without it's major issues. After also losing James Carpenter, a O line that was not much above average, has sunk below that for the time being. For run blocking they were better than pass protection (and having a guy like Lynch run through the holes makes you look better as well), but that's now a key area that I assume will be addressed in the draft. Unger was the best of that lot for the most part and a PB'er, though his injury last year didn't have things fall apart. Still a hit of a solid player lost will have to be addressed.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

DeMarco Murray has a visit planned with the Eagles for Thursday.

Apparently the deal is all but done. Colour me shocked. He's leaving a tonne of money on the table just to play for Chip.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Apparently the deal is all but done. Colour me shocked. He's leaving a tonne of money on the table just to play for Chip.

Congrats if he does sign there. That's quite the signing! I heard in addition to playing for Chip, that Sam Bradford being his best friend and former college teammate played a huge role too. They interviewed Bradford on ESPN and he said he has been calling and texting Murray all day and evening convincing him to come.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by browna

Good move for Gore and Johnson....Johnson said himself and Gore have a good chance at a SB, and its true. Colts are almost a lock, as has been the last couple years, to win that below average division (which doesn't look to be getting much better this year), and that means an instant playoff spot. From that point, win the wildcard, and take chances against DEN/NE and hopefully squeak one out.

Comment on the Graham signing for Seattle. The TE is key for a guy like Wilson, which is why Z Miller was a big loss. Having that safety valve, and a big body and target, he'll get a lot of throws from Wilson. Should be interesting dynamic, Graham and Irving/Bennett talked public trash 2 years ago in the playoffs. And, hopefully Graham regains some of the form he had before; sounds as if he's gotten a bit softer the last few years.

Losing Unger is not without it's major issues. After also losing James Carpenter, a O line that was not much above average, has sunk below that for the time being. For run blocking they were better than pass protection (and having a guy like Lynch run through the holes makes you look better as well), but that's now a key area that I assume will be addressed in the draft. Unger was the best of that lot for the most part and a PB'er, though his injury last year didn't have things fall apart. Still a hit of a solid player lost will have to be addressed.

And congrats to you on getting Graham. That is an amazing move for Seattle. They never really have had a dynamic player in the air for Wilson since he arrived. Graham is a complete beast especially in the red zone.

[Red John]

Eagles got bent over so bad for Bradford it's hilarious.

[Galakanokis]

Interesting tidbit. Mathews hasn't actually signed his contract. Murray is there now...

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Red John

Eagles got bent over so bad for Bradford it's hilarious.

If Bradford is healthy I don't think they did. When healthy he would command a 1st plus.

Granted that is a pretty big if right now.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by browna

Comment on the Graham signing for Seattle. The TE is key for a guy like Wilson, which is why Z Miller was a big loss. Having that safety valve, and a big body and target, he'll get a lot of throws from Wilson. Should be interesting dynamic, Graham and Irving/Bennett talked public trash 2 years ago in the playoffs. And, hopefully Graham regains some of the form he had before; sounds as if he's gotten a bit softer the last few years.

Losing Unger is not without it's major issues. After also losing James Carpenter, a O line that was not much above average, has sunk below that for the time being. For run blocking they were better than pass protection (and having a guy like Lynch run through the holes makes you look better as well), but that's now a key area that I assume will be addressed in the draft. Unger was the best of that lot for the most part and a PB'er, though his injury last year didn't have things fall apart. Still a hit of a solid player lost will have to be addressed.

Nice assessment on Unger. And I wouldn't say Graham's getting softer as much as his body seems to be getting run down a bit. There's reportedly been talk prior to the trade that Saints management is concerned about the long-term health of Graham's shoulder. He fought through a nagging injury all year, and late 2013 as well. Will be interesting to see how he operates in a much more run blocking scheme in Seattle.

Still though, that's a major get for Seattle, I'm still shocked that trade happened. If he can get over that shoulder, it doesn't need explaining what he brings to an offence. Dude plays with a major chip on his shoulder (Shockey really rubbed off on him in his rookie season methinks, especially both being Canes), and is basically uncoverable in the endzone. The best pure receiving TE in the league.

I like how the Saints are focusing more on the OL with the Unger pick-up, I've never seen Brees run for his life more than last year, which was a big reason for the O's regression last year. They had survived for years by allowing their C's to leave via FA and simply replacing them in house, which finally backfired last season (Goodwin in 14 was a shadow of the 09 Goodwin when NO won the SB).

Seems like NO is undergoing a philosophical change on O a bit, with what looks like a renewed priority to the run game (they're hosting Spiller even after re-signing Ingram). Gonna be a very interesting season for the Saints next year.


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[Flabbibulin]

Murray to Eagles looking pretty close.

How is the O line for the Eagles looking for next year? I would suspect Murray's success will depend on this.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Saints firesale continues, Ben Grubbs traded to KC for a 5th round pick. At what point does trading Brees come into play? Gotta imagine teams like KC, Buffalo and others would love to have him as adding Brees makes them Super Bowl contenders with those defenses.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Saints firesale continues, Ben Grubbs traded to KC for a 5th round pick. At what point does trading Brees come into play? Gotta imagine teams like KC, Buffalo and others would love to have him as adding Brees makes them Super Bowl contenders with those defenses.

They can't trade him, he's going to Denver after the season when Manning retires. QB graveyard action plan in effect.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Saints firesale continues, Ben Grubbs traded to KC for a 5th round pick. At what point does trading Brees come into play? Gotta imagine teams like KC, Buffalo and others would love to have him as adding Brees makes them Super Bowl contenders with those defenses.

Originally Posted by ResAlien

They can't trade him, he's going to Denver after the season when Manning retires. QB graveyard action plan in effect.

Don't think KC has the cap space and, if I'm Brees, I stay the hell away from cold-weather, outdoor teams. I think a big part of his success with the Saints has been playing in the Superdome and in the NFC South (not denying he's also an incredible QB). Being from Texas, I could see him going to Houston next year if/when the Mallett/Hoyer experiment fails.

Murray to the Eagles is done according to ESPN:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12...delphia-eagles

Murray is expected to sign a five-year, $42 million deal, including $21 million guaranteed, with the Eagles, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen.

Less money than McCoy, so it make sense.

[howard_the_duck]

Sounds like Murray signing is done deal. 5 years for $42 million, $21 million guaranteed.

So pretty much Shady money, with less guaranteed. What a bizarre offseason in Philly, but no denying adding Murray is a big jolt to the offense. The Cowboys and Eagles rivalry just got even more intense.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Murray to Eagles looking pretty close.

How is the O line for the Eagles looking for next year? I would suspect Murray's success will depend on this.

Well they were looking good, but now it looks like they're shopping Evan Mathis, so with Herremans gone that's two big holes at both G positions.

Also, from a personal standpoint, I love Evan Mathis

@EvanMathis69 8m8 minutes ago
Boring day on Twitter.

[ResAlien]

Yeah rube, thats what they said about Manning too. Denver wants all of your borderline washed up QBs. Way easier than drafting and developing.

[MillerTime GFG]

As a Cowboys fan, it's going to be sad to see Demarco go (especially since I just got his jersey 4 months ago ).

Will be interesting to see just how good that O-line is, and see how much of it really was Demarco's running ability.

[Red John]

Spray tan over Shady seems like a nice upgrade. Look at Chip go

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Sounds like Murray signing is done deal. 5 years for $42 million, $21 million guaranteed.

So pretty much Shady money, with less guaranteed. What a bizarre offseason in Philly, but no denying adding Murray is a big jolt to the offense. The Cowboys and Eagles rivalry just got even more intense.

Said on twitter, but it's basically Alonso + Murray +$5M in cap space for Shady. I think that works out in the Eagles' favour. Murray is a year older but has 656 fewer touches over his career than McCoy.

[rubecube]

Brandon Browner to the Saints.