2011 NFL offseason thead.

[Sylvanfan]

Given the amount of passing in the game today, and time that teams spend in nickle packages (something like 52% of downs in the NFL teams are in a nickle or sub package of some type), I don't know if the base defence matters as much as it used to. There are a lot of 3-4 teams who do 4-3 looks and vice versa. A good co-ordinator will figure out how to use the personell he has.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Given the amount of passing in the game today, and time that teams spend in nickle packages (something like 52% of downs in the NFL teams are in a nickle or sub package of some type), I don't know if the base defence matters as much as it used to. There are a lot of 3-4 teams who do 4-3 looks and vice versa. A good co-ordinator will figure out how to use the personell he has.

Yeah, the Eagles have generally used a 46 defense over the past few years. The only reason I don't want to see a dramatic scheme change is because they spend nine draft picks on defensive players last April, and I'm assuming they drafted those players to play in the current scheme.

[OILFAN #81]

Rob Ryan (Rex's brother) was named defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. He was the defensive coordinator in Cleveland the last 2 years.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Rob Ryan (Rex's brother) was named defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. He was the defensive coordinator in Cleveland the last 2 years.

This makes me happy with the rumors that he may be coming to Oakland. I like him as he has the brash Ryan traits but he's not the gifted brother. His prevent-to-win defense cost the Raiders more than a few times.

[OILFAN #81]

Favre filed his retirement papers on Monday:

http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=349839

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Favre filed his retirement papers on Monday:

http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=349839

I think its finally over. His body just can't take the beating anymore. He had one hell of a career though. It was a treat to watch him over the years.

[Flickered Flame]

Looks like the Fins are going to hire Brian Daboll as their new OC. Is he going to be much of an upgrade on Henning?

[Displaced Flames fan]

Sean McDermott is the new DC in Carolina.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Sean McDermott is the new DC in Carolina.

I'm surprised he found another coordinator position so quickly. I thought he'd at least have to revert to a position coach somewhere first. There's a lot more stuff coming out of Philly, like the fact that a few of the defensive starters have wanted him fired for a while (including Trent Cole) and that his gameplanning had become so poor that Andy Reid was spending a considerable amount of time coaching the defense in practice.

[OILFAN #81]

Raiders name their new head coach: Hue Jackson who was the offensive coordinator for the team last year.

http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=349900

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'm surprised he found another coordinator position so quickly. I thought he'd at least have to revert to a position coach somewhere first. There's a lot more stuff coming out of Philly, like the fact that a few of the defensive starters have wanted him fired for a while (including Trent Cole) and that his gameplanning had become so poor that Andy Reid was spending a considerable amount of time coaching the defense in practice.

Didn't Rivera used to be a defensive coach of some type with the Eagles before he ended up in San Diego? So there's a familiarity between the two guys. Plus he's probably costing the Panthers nothing as Philly is still paying him what's owed on his contract. I think Richardson has been pretty vocal about thinking there will not be a CBA in place for next season, so he's probably cheaping out as much as possible thinking there will be no season.

[Bobblehead]

The Owners and the NFLPA haven't sat down and spoken since late November. March 4 is the expected beginning of the lockout.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

The Owners and the NFLPA haven't sat down and spoken since late November. March 4 is the expected beginning of the lockout.

This is my worst fear. Just when it looks like the Chiefs might be turning the corner.

[rubecube]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post...-on-dez-bryant

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton was never shy about speaking his mind. And last week, the Chargers receiver popped on "The Ben & Skin Show" on to 103.3 ESPN Radio to talk about a variety of topics, including the work of rookie Dez Bryant.

"They let him get away with a lot of stuff. A lot of stuff," Crayton said of Bryant. "Hopefully whoever they bring in as receivers coach, and they say [Jason] Garrett is a disciplinarian, won't let him get away with so much stuff. He'll get locked down and hopefully be the next Michael Irvin."

Crayton's not a fan of Garrett's, as you might have gathered from that little jab. But it's interesting what he said about Bryant, who was reportedly late to several meetings during the season and didn't exactly commit the playbook to memory. Former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus, who now works for 103.3, recently wondered aloud (on the air) whether Dallas might listen to trade offers for Bryant. ESPNDallas.com's Calvin Watkins posed that question to someone in the Cowboys' front office.

"I would think about it," said the source.

Oh, Dallas. How your troubles make me smile. That team has enough talent to be pretty good, but I think the culture inside the locker room is still a mess.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

The Owners and the NFLPA haven't sat down and spoken since late November. March 4 is the expected beginning of the lockout.

I don't know why the owners are pursuing the 18-game schedule so feverishly. It sounds like the PA is willing to give on rookie salaries, but the 18-game schedule is a non-starter. I thought the last two weeks of this season were pretty watered down. I don't understand the need to add two more games and risk more injuries.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I don't know why the owners are pursuing the 18-game schedule so feverishly. It sounds like the PA is willing to give on rookie salaries, but the 18-game schedule is a non-starter. I thought the last two weeks of this season were pretty watered down. I don't understand the need to add two more games and risk more injuries.

I think they are getting the message that fans don't care to pay for 4 pre-season games. But the owners don't want to give up that revenue so they are proposing 2 pre-season 18 regular season.


The players have a website set up to try and lay out their side: http://nfllockout.com/

[browna]

Jeremy Bates out as OC in Seattle.

Very surprising. Handpicked by Carroll to begin with. Between him and Carroll, were able to get Hasslebeck to buy into their way of doing things, something Hasslebeck didn't do for the previous coach, or the last year of Holmgren before Mora.

Nothing spectacular all year. No running game even with 2 ok players back there, although without Williams (who was a complete unknown after being out for 2 years, turned into a great story) they would've been worse.

But, scripted the Week 17 game perfectly for Whitehurst to get into the playoffs, then a very solid game plan vs the Saints.

Saw him and Caroll high fiving on the field a few times in the playoffs.

That said, Carroll I am sure learned alot in the past calender year (270+ roster transactions) about his team, and about the NFL and what the team needs to do to get to the next level these days.

I guess Carroll figured Bates wasn't going to be the guy to take it to the next level, or, there's someone he's ready to bring in that he's more confident in, to tear down, and rebuild the Seattle offense longer term.

The Seattle offense has been suffocated by not having a leader at QB, and maybe this is the end of Hasslebeck too...actually it most likely is. One good playoff game, a decent overall season, doesn't make up for the fact that long term, he's not the answer as a leader, as he hasn't been "the guy" since Superbowl XL as injuries and age have started to slow his physical skills, which were always at a higher level then his mental, leadership and decision making skills as a QB. Could've seen him come back as a mentor, but not given this move today.

Still, a surprise given it was Carroll's hire, and very interesting to see where this goes for an OC, and a QB.

Edit: Didn't take long (these things usually don't). SEA supposedly talking with McDaniels as OC.

[Bobblehead]

Did Hasslebeck destroy your family or something? You sure do have a hate on for him.

[Wise Gamble]

breaking news: tom cable to seahawks as assistant coach
josh mcdaniels to rams as OC

[browna]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Did Hasslebeck destroy your family or something? You sure do have a hate on for him.

Nope, he's just been overrated and held back the Seahawks for past few years. Ever since he asked Holmgren for a 5 minute break each time Holmgren wanted to yell at him for a dumb play a few years back, its clear he's not got the leadership needed to either rally a team or be a mentor to a younger team or younger QB. Rezlly, how can you call yourself a leader if you can't take criticism for deviating from the coaches plan? Didn't follow coaches orders or game plans until this year. Injuries hurt him the last few but also gave him some excuses.

Unlucky not to have won the Superbowl as he was in his peak and surrounded by good players, when rushing was still a big factor in the league. Solid arm and physical ability but not enough intangibles to be a QB to lead a team that needed a leader the last few years, instead, did his own thing and looked brutal.

McDaniels supposedly is going to ST L now. Sure hope Bates wasn't fired with assumption McDaniels was sure thing. Seems the Rams stepped up $ after stalling last few days when it looked like a division rival wanted him.