2014 NFL Offseason Thread

[Bobblehead]

As Rich Eisen so succinctly put it on twitter:
To review: buy team, fire everyone, hire front office, hire coach, play 1 year, fire coach, hire coach, fire front office, hire GM. Onward.

[troutman]

WTF are the Browns doing?

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam: Shakeup will streamline the organization, set the stage for winning

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/inde..._haslam_6.html

Those are not easy decisions, but we feel Ray gives us a great chance to be successful in in free agency and the draft

Best hashtag ever:

#factoryofsadness

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...-history-books

"I think Cleveland is primed and I think we're in a position to redefine the history books," Farmer told Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. "I think change is on the horizon and I didn't want to miss what's going to happen in Cleveland."

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The Browns make the right move firing Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi, but even still the constant changes are becoming beyond laughable. I'd actually be worried if I was a Browns fan that Haslem is going to be like Jerry and Danny Boy and be constantly meddling in the football stuff. Particularly since Haslem has that whole Pilot J mess.

the fact they were able to unload Richardson for a 1st round pick should have bought them some time.... Browns are such a pathetic organization

[troutman]

Star Wars Helmets:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...t-with-mash-up

[nik-]

Living in Cleveland just has to be the worst.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by nik-

Living in Cleveland just has to be the worst.

Don't forget Edmonton still exists....

[CedarMeter]

NFL top 25 unrestricted free agent list

1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints tight end
2. Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers defensive end
3. Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins linebacker
4. Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills safety
5. T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns safety
6. Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Titans cornerback
7. Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs left tackle
8. Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end
9. Lamarr Houston, Oakland Raiders defensive end
10. Brent Grimes, Miami Dolphins cornerback
11. Eugene Monroe, Baltimore Ravens left tackle
12. Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts cornerback
13. Linval Joseph, New York Giants defensive tackle
14. Jason Hatcher, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle
15. Jared Veldheer, Oakland Raiders left tackle
16. Aqib Talib, New England Patriots cornerback
17. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Denver Broncos cornerback
18. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns center
19. Eric Decker, Denver Broncos wide receiver
20. Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks defensive end
21. B.J. Raji, Green Bay Packers defensive tackle
22. Sam Shields, Green Bay Packers cornerback
23. Walter Thurmond, Seattle Seahawks cornerback
24. Donald Butler, San Diego Chargers linebacker
25. Randy Starks, Miami Dolphins defensive tackle

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200..._atl_wesseling

Really hope Seattle can resign Bennett but I not sure they can afford what he's going to be asking.. Be interesting to see where Graham goes.

[Sylvanfan]

Those lists don't really mean much until you know who gets franchise tags put on them. Graham will be unique because I'm sure he'll make a case that he should be a wide receiver number not the tight end number.

I have not followed the Chiefs as rigorously as I normally do, but I suspect they would franchise Albert again if they can't get a deal done. When healthy last year it proved to be a smart move to keep him as Fisher really did struggle.

[Cheerio]

The Colts will take one Alex Mack please and thank you

[Bobblehead]

The Martin/Incogneto report has been released:

Said Mr. Wells: “The Report concludes that three starters on the Dolphins offensive line, Richie Incognito, John
Jerry and Mike Pouncey, engaged in a pattern of harassment directed at not only Jonathan Martin, but also
another young Dolphins offensive lineman and an assistant trainer. The Report finds that the assistant trainer
repeatedly was the object of racial slurs and other racially derogatory language; that the other offensive lineman
was subjected to homophobic name-calling and improper physical touching; and that Martin was taunted on a
persistent basis with sexually explicit remarks about his sister and his mother and at times ridiculed with racial
insults and other offensive comments.”

“The Report rejects any suggestion that Martin manufactured claims of abuse after the fact to cover up an
impetuous decision to leave the team. Contemporaneous text messages that Martin sent to his parents and others
months before he left the Dolphins—which have never before been made public—corroborate his account that the
persistent harassment by his teammates caused him significant emotional distress. The Report concludes that the
harassment by Martin’s teammates was a contributing factor in his decision to leave the team, but also finds that
Martin’s teammates did not intend to drive Martin from the team or cause him lasting emotional injury,” said Mr.
Wells.

http://www.nfldolphinsreport.com/

[Da_Chief]

So...who's the bad guy(s)?

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

So...who's the bad guy(s)?

Everyone. Just assume everyone.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Speaking of bad guys...

Former pro football player Darren Sharper was charged today with drugging and raping two women, one in October and the other last month, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Sharper (dob 11-03-75) is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Department 30 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. He is charged in case BA421442.

Deputy District Attorney Stacy Okun-Wiese with Major Crimes said Sharper is charged with two counts of rape by use of drugs, four counts of furnishing a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance, all felonies.

The complaint alleges the controlled substances were zolpidem and morphine.

Okun-Wiese will ask a judge to raise his bail to $10 million because Sharper, who lives in Miami, Fla., is suspected of raping women in Arizona, Nevada and Louisiana.

In a motion filed today to increase his bail, prosecutors said Sharper met two women at a West Hollywood nightclub on Oct. 30, 2013, and invited them to another party.

On the way, Sharper allegedly told them he had to stop by his Los Angeles hotel room to pick something up and invited both women up. While there, he allegedly gave each woman a shot. Each woman passed out. Jane Doe #1 allegedly woke up naked hours later with Sharper sexually assaulting her. The second woman allegedly awoke and "interrupted his actions," the motion states.
The two women then left the hotel.

On Jan. 14, Sharper met two separate women at the same West Hollywood nightclub and invited them to a party. Stopping at his hotel, he allegedly invited both up to his room, offered them a shot, and each passed out.

When they woke up hours later on Jan. 15, one woman believed she’d been sexually assaulted. Both women left his hotel and sought medical treatment.

Sharper was arrested Jan. 17 by Los Angeles police detectives, who are investigating the case. He was released on $200,000 bail.

If convicted, he faces more than 30 years in state prison.

http://da.co.la.ca.us/mr/pdf/02.14.1..._with_Rape.pdf

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

So...who's the bad guy(s)?

I have a feeling Incognito's NFL career is over after this report. Lots of racism, homophobia, bullying in there. Not the type of guy you bring in especially when teams will be instructed to be on their best behaviour with guys like Martin being more open about their sexuality.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I have a feeling Incognito's NFL career is over after this report. Lots of racism, homophobia, bullying in there. Not the type of guy you bring in especially when teams will be instructed to be on their best behaviour with guys like Martin being more open about their sexuality.

Haven't read the report, what does it say about Martin's sexuality? Haven't heard anything on this other than racial and derogatory terms were used. Either way does not look good for Incognito.

Wonder how prevalent this type of behavior is. If I remember correctly a lot of Incognito's teammates came out in his defence. Stupid all around. Has nothing to do with football and even less to do with winning.


I like a few of those FA players on defense for the Eagles. Need Safety and DT/NT help in my mind.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I have a feeling Incognito's NFL career is over after this report. Lots of racism, homophobia, bullying in there. Not the type of guy you bring in especially when teams will be instructed to be on their best behaviour with guys like Martin being more open about their sexuality.

Did you mean Michael Sam?

All that stuff goes in the locker room. Is it right? no but as long as it doesn't cross any lines then its fine. Using my self as an example, I banter with my buddies and co-workers about racism, homophobia, etc but they know not to talk about my family and they don't.

If those texts between Incognito and Martin were true then Martin is being a bitch here. That being said, lines were crossed which led to Martin walking out. If they hadn't then I don't think he's stupid enough to create this whole thing.

Everyone's at fault here and I hope all involved take a long look at themselves and move on from it and learn something. I certainly hope no one has their career ended up this.

[SuperMatt18]

Incognito was an idiot but Martin has to take some blame here as well.

He fully participated in their games and antics, while creating what looked to be a really close friendship with Incognito.

The racism and homosexual jokes were past the line from Incognito, but the rest is likely similar to what you see in many locker rooms in sports. Who hasn't made a joke about a buddies mom or sister when playing on a sports team.

I usually find it hard to put the blame on the person suffering from mental health issues but Martin really didn't do himself any favours in this situation and even though Incognito was an idiot, Martin really threw him under the bus.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Anybody know of any O-Line UFA's? My Cardinals need to protect Palmer better.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

Really hope Seattle can resign Bennett but I not sure they can afford what he's going to be asking.. Be interesting to see where Graham goes.

Graham isn't going anywhere. The Saints just let a bunch of players go and they will franchise tag him most likely.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Anybody know of any O-Line UFA's? My Cardinals need to protect Palmer better.

Here ya go.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nf...fl-free-agents