2008 NFL Off season thread.

[burn_baby_burn]

According to the NFL Network, the Washington Redskins are interested in Chad Johnson. Daniel Synder's top priority this off season is adding an elite WR according to the network. Apparantly the Bengals are still not interested in trading Johnson at this time.

[Bobblehead]

There have been talks with Tom Golisano, owner of the Sabres, to purchase the team and keep it in Buffalo after Ralph Wilson passes away.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...340/index.html

Golisano was careful to note that Bills owner Ralph Wilson has maintained he has no intention of selling the franchise. The concern is what happens after Wilson dies because the 89-year-old has no plans to keep the team within his family.

"I realize what the issue is. I think I realize how important that organization is to the Buffalo area,'' Golisano told The Associated Press. "And I'll say the same thing I've said before: If the situation arises, I would do what I can to try to keep the team in the area.''

[burn_baby_burn]

Speaking of possible moving teams. What is the latest with your 9ers?

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

According to the NFL Network, the Washington Redskins are interested in Chad Johnson. Daniel Synder's top priority this off season is adding an elite WR according to the network. Apparantly the Bengals are still not interested in trading Johnson at this time.

If they did trade him, they would take a cap hit of $8 million, according to Don Banks of CNNSI.com

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ons/index.html

If Cincinnati either trades or releases their talkative receiver, it will have to absorb a 2008 cap hit of slightly more than $8 million. While the salary cap rises another $7 million this season to $116 million, that's still a sizable chunk of dead money that would ensue from Johnson's departure.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

If they did trade him, they would take a cap hit of $8 million, according to Don Banks of CNNSI.com

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ons/index.html

So it looks like 85 will be wearing tiger stripes for another year then.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Speaking of possible moving teams. What is the latest with you 9ers?

Santa Clara is where the Niners brass seems to want to go. There is a question on the Santa Clara ballot in the next election. There is also a SF property being pushed by Carmen Policy - Hunters Point - on the waterfront, which is slated for large scale development and which wants to include a stadium. The catch here is that 49ers want SC, and part of the development was supposed to be a large housing development but with the bottom falling out of the market it has put that piece of the project on shaky ground.

The only thing out of 49er football land has been the signing of late season sensation QB Shaun Hill. Hopefully he is either the real deal or a push to force Smith to play like the top pick.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

So it looks like 85 will be wearing tiger stripes for another year then.

It means the 85 jersey I won this season at QB1 (which I haven't worn but is a nice jersey) isn't out of date yet.

[Montana Moe]

Zach Thomas cut by Miami:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3245927

Can't say I'm surprised, Miami needs an overhaul. My Saints need LB help, but unless he comes in for the vet minimum, I think they'll pass.

[KTown]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Zach Thomas cut by Miami:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3245927

Can't say I'm surprised, Miami needs an overhaul. My Saints need LB help, but unless he comes in for the vet minimum, I think they'll pass.

I can't believe he's gone when I buy Dolphins jerseys I buy the ones I think the players will retire as fins.

First ever jersey was a Marino, I wore that jersey till it completely faded away. About 5 years ago I bought a Zach Thomas Jersey, now who's jersey am I going to get.

ZT was the best dolphin the last 5 years, he always gave it his all. It will be tough to see him playing anywhere else. But at least somebody is officially rebuilding the Fins.

Zach Thomas, who has more tackles than any linebacker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was released by the Miami Dolphins on Thursday afternoon

Sad day in fin land, but a sign of new beginnings.

[burn_baby_burn]

I wonder where he will end up? Zach was an amazing player for years. But his cap number is just too high for a player who's skills are eroding with age and injuries.

[burn_baby_burn]

TE Alge Crumpler released by Falcons.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

TE Alge Crumpler released by Falcons.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

He'd look great in Eagles green but we just franchised LJ Smith so I doubt we'll go after him. I'd look for the Saints or Panthers to nab him.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

TE Alge Crumpler released by Falcons.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

Wow, with the enhanced role the TE seems to be taking on, I would have thought Crumpler would be a keeper. He's only one year removed from All-Pro, and with the QB carousel they had I would think he would flourish on a team looking for a TE receiving threat.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

TE Alge Crumpler released by Falcons.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

Along with QB Byron Leftwich and DT Wayne Gandy. Poor Leftwich. He looked very solid with the Falcons when he actually got a shot this year, but he just couldnt stay healthy. I really hope he sticks somewhere, he certainly has the talent and seems like a good team guy. I'd love to see the Saints make a pass at him for a backup role, but I have a feeling he wants to be a starter still(and IMO could be with a few teams right now), so I don't see it happening.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Along with QB Byron Leftwich and DT Wayne Gandy. Poor Leftwich. He looked very solid with the Falcons when he actually got a shot this year, but he just couldnt stay healthy. I really hope he sticks somewhere, he certainly has the talent and seems like a good team guy. I'd love to see the Saints make a pass at him for a backup role, but I have a feeling he wants to be a starter still(and IMO could be with a few teams right now), so I don't see it happening.

I think it's pretty obvious now that Falcons are going QB in the first round. As for Leftwich; I could easily see him going to Baltimore if Ryan and Brohm are off the board by the time they pick. He could also be a stop-gap in KC or Miami until they can find a franchise QB (although I doubt he'd be much of an upgrade over Lemon).

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I think it's pretty obvious now that Falcons are going QB in the first round. As for Leftwich; I could easily see him going to Baltimore if Ryan and Brohm are off the board by the time they pick. He could also be a stop-gap in KC or Miami until they can find a franchise QB (although I doubt he'd be much of an upgrade over Lemon).

Ya Baltimore makes sense. If they aren't able to pull the trigger on McNabb I could see that. I thought Miami too, but I wonder if they'd be wary of a possible repeat of the Culpepper debacle(I still can't believe they passed on Brees for him). I think KC's set on Croyle for the future(at least for now), but if Culpepper was prepared to accept a backup role with the possibility of starting(like his role behind Harrington in Atlanta), then maybe he'd go there. Over-all I could see Baltimore as Leftwich's most likely destination(again, barring a McNabb trade)

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Ya Baltimore makes sense. If they aren't able to pull the trigger on McNabb I could see that.

There's absolutely no way this trade goes through. It makes no sense for either side. The Eagles won't give McNabb up for anything less than a first and they don't believe that Kolb is ready to step in. The Ravens aren't going to trade their 8th overall pick unless they're sure both Brohm and Ryan are going to be off the board.

The Eagles don't really have any glaring holes besides WR, which can be addressed in the late first and second rounds of the draft. This year's receiving class is fairly deep.

You could argue that safety is a need and the safety class beyond Kenny Phillips is very weak, and he would definitely be off the board by the time the Eagles pick, but they're still not likely going to move up to get him. They'll definitely be looking to grab a WR (probably Malcom Kelly) or a DE (Derrick Harvey) in the first round.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by rubecube

There's absolutely no way this trade goes through. It makes no sense for either side. The Eagles won't give McNabb up for anything less than a first and they don't believe that Kolb is ready to step in. The Ravens aren't going to trade their 8th overall pick unless they're sure both Brohm and Ryan are going to be off the board.

The Eagles don't really have any glaring holes besides WR, which can be addressed in the late first and second rounds of the draft. This year's receiving class is fairly deep.

You could argue that safety is a need and the safety class beyond Kenny Phillips is very weak, and he would definitely be off the board by the time the Eagles pick, but they're still not likely going to move up to get him. They'll definitely be looking to grab a WR (probably Malcom Kelly) or a DE (Derrick Harvey) in the first round.

Actually my diehard Ravens fan buddy told me about three days ago there's a rumour that the Ravens are shopping their 8th over-all pick in search of a QB.

You're an Eagles fan aren't ya RC? Because I want your honest opinion on something. Personally, I think if the Eagles let McNabb walk they'll regret it for years, I think he's incredibly underrated in Philly. You obviously know your team a lot better than myself so I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Actually my diehard Ravens fan buddy told me about three days ago there's a rumour that the Ravens are shopping their 8th over-all pick in search of a QB.

You're an Eagles fan aren't ya RC? Because I want your honest opinion on something. Personally, I think if the Eagles let McNabb walk they'll regret it for years, I think he's incredibly underrated in Philly. You obviously know your team a lot better than myself so I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

Indeed I am. Thankfully the Eagles FO doesn't cave to the media and fan pressure in Philly and they won't be letting McNabb walk. Everyone knows that it can take up to two years to fully recover from the type of injury he had and he was showing flashes of previous brilliance in the last 3 games of the season and he still posted 89.9 QB rating.

Andy Reid and Tom Heckert have both said flat out they are not trading him. Right now you'd have to think McNabb's trade value is way down too. The only way he's out of Philly next year is if he's hurt again or the Eagles miss the playoffs again (very unlikely).

The problem in Philly is they don't have any big physical receivers. All of their receivers are very fast and can get downfield against smaller corners, but they have a lot of trouble getting off against press coverage. I'd be very surprised if one of Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly or James Hardy doesn't end up an Eagle on draft day.

All of this also brings me back to the fact that Eagles don't need the #8 overall pick because they have very few holes in their lineup and they have plenty of picks this year. This is a team that went 8-8 and lost 5 games by 5 points or less against the league's hardest schedule (.563 strength of schedule).

The media tends to overplay the love/hate relationship between Eagles fans and Donovan mainly due to his injuries and the draft day debacle. I'm a member at a couple of Eagles forums and on one forum he was voted the best QB in Eagles franchise history. That may be inaccurate because the Eagles have had some great QBs over the years but it does show that the fans appreciate him. The reaction he got in the Eagles first preseason game this year was HUGE.

My buddy is also a diehard Ravens fan and he's really hoping for Matt Ryan but I highly doubt Baltimore lands him. If I were Baltimore and a guy like McFadden is on the board then I'm definitely shopping that pick with hopes of rebuilding my D-line/linebackers, and then maybe try to grab Joe Flacco or Chad Henne in the second round.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Indeed I am. Thankfully the Eagles FO doesn't cave to the media and fan pressure in Philly and they won't be letting McNabb walk. Everyone knows that it can take up to two years to fully recover from the type of injury he had and he was showing flashes of previous brilliance in the last 3 games of the season and he still posted 89.9 QB rating.

Andy Reid and Tom Heckert have both said flat out they are not trading him. Right now you'd have to think McNabb's trade value is way down too. The only way he's out of Philly next year is if he's hurt again or the Eagles miss the playoffs again (very unlikely).

The problem in Philly is they don't have any big physical receivers. All of their receivers are very fast and can get downfield against smaller corners, but they have a lot of trouble getting off against press coverage. I'd be very surprised if one of Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly or James Hardy doesn't end up an Eagle on draft day.

All of this also brings me back to the fact that Eagles don't need the #8 overall pick because they have very few holes in their lineup and they have plenty of picks this year. This is a team that went 8-8 and lost 5 games by 5 points or less against the league's hardest schedule (.563 strength of schedule).

The media tends to overplay the love/hate relationship between Eagles fans and Donovan mainly due to his injuries and the draft day debacle. I'm a member at a couple of Eagles forums and on one forum he was voted the best QB in Eagles franchise history. That may be inaccurate because the Eagles have had some great QBs over the years but it does show that the fans appreciate him. The reaction he got in the Eagles first preseason game this year was HUGE.

My buddy is also a diehard Ravens fan and he's really hoping for Matt Ryan but I highly doubt Baltimore lands him. If I were Baltimore and a guy like McFadden is on the board then I'm definitely shopping that pick with hopes of rebuilding my D-line/linebackers, and then maybe try to grab Joe Flacco or Chad Henne in the second round.

Nice take. It's good to hear McNabb is appreciated with at least some faction of Philly fans, I never could quite understand why they ride him so much. It's crazy to think they actually booed him on draft day(especially considering they were upset because they wanted the Eagles to draft Ricky Williams. Ohhh would that have saved me some headaches if you had--and the Saints 10 draft picks)