2010 NFL Off Season Thread

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I was reading about how the NT position is probably the next hardest position to fill in the NFL. Evidence of that is being demonstated in the use of the franchise tag on NT's right now. Other than Frankin, Ryan Pickett (Packers), Vince Wilfork (Patriots), and Casey Hampton (Steelers) have been tagged or are expected to be tagged.

Especially in the 3-4 the 49ers are running.

49ers would like to extend him, but for the premium cost a good NT commands they would like to see one more year of results from him.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, it's been talked about a lot on NFL radio about how since defensive tackles are categorized differently as in, ends and tackles are separate and it affects the cap number, than tagging a 7 million dollar nose tackle makes sense since 3-4 nose tackles are not in heavy supply.

Whereas an end for example gets a 12 million plus tag number, so an end in a 3-4 defence isn't worth that kind of money.

Another interesting thing is that offensive line are all grouped as one position so a guard has the same tag number as a tackle does.

I did see on NFL.com that it appears the Saints won't place a tag on Sharper. Perhaps they'll try to work out a longer deal for a bit less per year.

[Bobblehead]

Do the Saints have anyone behind Sharper they have been grooming? Sharper played awesome this year, but he has been around a while.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Do the Saints have anyone behind Sharper they have been grooming? Sharper played awesome this year, but he has been around a while.

Our #1 pick last year at CB Malcolm Jenkins has been talked about possibly being switched to safety in the past, so that could potentially be an option. Usama Young, another converted CB, could also possibly fill that role, both are too young an inexperienced I think though, for now. Personally I think if Sharper does go(which I doubt, I can see them keeping him around for another year or two), they should go find one through the draft if the spot fits, and/or looking for one in FA.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Speaking of the combine...does anyone have an updated list of invitees? I've seen the original group but they always add several players to the list as the combine nears.

I'd be more than a little shocked if Marc Mariani isn't at the combine.


and.....I'm more than a little shocked. I hope Denver signs this kid as a rooke FA.

[Bobblehead]

I'm hear more this year than the past few years that teams are much more interested in the ability to meet and interview all the prospective draftees than they are in actually seeing them perform.

Anyone else noticing this trend?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I'm hear more this year than the past few years that teams are much more interested in the ability to meet and interview all the prospective draftees than they are in actually seeing them perform.

Anyone else noticing this trend?

That makes much more sense to me. You can always watch tape or look at the statistics of the players after the combine. The face to face interview would be the most important part for me if I was an NFL team. Then if you meet someone of interest you can attend their pro day.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I'm hear more this year than the past few years that teams are much more interested in the ability to meet and interview all the prospective draftees than they are in actually seeing them perform.

Anyone else noticing this trend?

I think it's the JaMarcus effect.

I think teams are starting to put a lot bigger premium on character and how they feel a player will conduct himself and work once he does start earning a NFL pay cheque. I think a few teams have taken notice that the teams drafting top 5 tend to be ending up back there over and over, and often there are bust first round picks making big bucks on those teams.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I think it's the JaMarcus effect.

I think teams are starting to put a lot bigger premium on character and how they feel a player will conduct himself and work once he does start earning a NFL pay cheque. I think a few teams have taken notice that the teams drafting top 5 tend to be ending up back there over and over, and often there are bust first round picks making big bucks on those teams.

I agree, trust the hours of tape over a combine warrior for assessing the player's skills. Weigh the interview heavily, and of course mind the physical as well for players with recent or historical injuries.

It stinks that Tebow, McCoy, etc. will not be throwing, but there is enough tape between them to see what you're going to get. The pro day should hold more water than the combine where players are taking reps with unfamiliar players.

I think my wife likes the combine more than I do, young studs in tight clothes...

[burn_baby_burn]

Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli said today that the interview process isn't as important as it used to be because players are too well coached for every question.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli said today that the interview process isn't as important as it used to be because players are too well coached for every question.

Then I start to question the value of the combine.

The top players often don't participate in some of the events.
The events the players do participate in are questioned since the 40 in pads is different than the 40 no pads on turf.
Players are too well coached for the interviews.
There is loads of game film of most players.
Players have their own pro-days
Teams often fly in players to work them out.
The players who would benefit from the exposure often aren't even invited.

I'm just wondering if the usefulness of the combine has pretty much run its course?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Then I start to question the value of the combine.

The top players often don't participate in some of the events.
The events the players do participate in are questioned since the 40 in pads is different than the 40 no pads on turf.
Players are too well coached for the interviews.
There is loads of game film of most players.
Players have their own pro-days
Teams often fly in players to work them out.
The players who would benefit from the exposure often aren't even invited.

I'm just wondering if the usefulness of the combine has pretty much run its course?

Despite all that the combine is more popular than ever with the fans and media. I think I read something like 620 members of the media are at the combine this year.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Despite all that the combine is more popular than ever with the fans and media. I think I read something like 620 members of the media are at the combine this year.

No doubt, the fan's demand for NFL seems to know no season. And the NFL Network loves the additional content during a really quiet time.

But is there really any purpose, or is it now nothing more than a glorified commercial for the upcoming draft?

[Sylvanfan]

I think it has more to do with the growth of the media, than the growth of the combine.

There are a lot of players who are pretty much coached to suit the combine. Alabama Tight end Colin Peek had a good line in an interview he did on Moving the Chains today as he described it as training for a pagent, and not necessarily to play football.

Still a good GM, will be able to grill a guy and think of a way to ask a question to shed some light into a players character that they want to know.

[Bobblehead]

Will there be more rookie hold outs this year?

Apparently more rookies declared to try and beat a possible rookie salary cap, will there be a few guys who think they deserve more?

Or will Michael Crabtree debacle from last year dissuade them from taking a hard line?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

There are a lot of players who are pretty much coached to suit the combine. Alabama Tight end Colin Peek had a good line in an interview he did on Moving the Chains today as he described it as training for a pagent, and not necessarily to play football.

They all go to trainers for like three months before the combine. Deon Sanders offers Prime U for training defensive backs for the combine. They basically just work on the drills they will be doing at the combine. As well as the interviews and tests.

Edit: maybe it is only 6 weeks not 3 months.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Will there be more rookie hold outs this year?

Apparently more rookies declared to try and beat a possible rookie salary cap, will there be a few guys who think they deserve more?

Or will Michael Crabtree debacle from last year dissuade them from taking a hard line?

I don't think we'll see a Crabtree like hold out because without a labour agreement for 2011, and the thought that there could be a rookie cap next year it will create a bit more urgency for players to get a deal done. Of course so long as Oakland has one of those picks and can't resist a combine freak....there is always potential for the guy behnd their pick to do that!

For the most part the big guaranteed money has gone to top 10 picks, guys after that seem to sign easily enough. The things I heard in regards to all these underclassman who came in based on a rookie scale more or less suggested that those top 10 slots in the draft are where a rookie pay scale would really limit things, and after the first round you really wouldn't see much difference from what is currently done. So with all the added competition a lot of these players won't be that much better off financially than if they'd gone into the draft next year. In fact Kirwin suggested a few guys will go later in this draft due to it's depth and lose out than if they'd stayed in school and gone higher next year even with a rookie wage system. It does make some sense as next years draft could be pretty weak, particularly the Senior class.

[Cheerio]

Can someone please remind me of who the player is who is going to be drafted (i think he plays db for florida) that had the amazing scholarship thing?

[SteveToms]

Myron Rolle

[wpgflamesfan]

Originally Posted by SteveToms

Myron Rolle

Such a crazy story. How does someone complete an exercise science degree (including all pre-med courses) in two and a half years, end up with a 3.75 gpa, win the Rhodes scholarship, be in a fraternity, and start on a div-1 football team?