2011 NFL offseason thead.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by valo403

Yeah, getting a seat that allows you to see one endzone is a different story. I don't get why a modern building would ever include seats like that, and there are tons in Cowboys stadium that are like that and are permanent seats. I guess people will still buy them, so why not do it.

Geez, I was there in Dec. and didn't see many/any obstructed views.

Here it the view from the seats I was in - Sec 402.

[valo403]

There are a good number of obstructed view seats, it was widely documented when the building opened. I wouldn't expect you would see them in the upper deck, kind of hard to block your view when there's nothing in front of you or hanging above you.

[Cortez]

Any Patriot fans around?
I'm curious to read about what people think is needed for the Patriots to improve in the off season

[Papi34]

Originally Posted by Cortez

Any Patriot fans around?
I'm curious to read about what people think is needed for the Patriots to improve in the off season

Help on the lines.

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by Papi34

Help on the lines.

you like the secondary the way it is?

[rubecube]

Good article on the 18-game schedule.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/colum...6&sportCat=nfl

Here's the crux of the issue, IMO:

Is that so? Then how do you explain a recent Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll that showed only 27 percent of the respondents strongly or somewhat favored an increase from 16 to 18 regular-season games? Or that just 18 percent of those identified specifically as NFL fans strongly favor an expanded regular season? Or that Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney is against any such expansion?

"Nah, I'll be honest with you," said Pietrcollo, a Steelers season-ticket holder for 25 years. "I haven't talked to anyone who's in favor of the 18-game schedule. We are against paying full price for preseason games."

See, that's what Goodell won't say. He won't say that NFL owners have stuck it to their season-ticket holders for years, forcing them to pay the same bloated price for warmed-over appetizers as they do for full entrees. Instead, you get this from Goodell: "And repeatedly the fans have said the quality of the preseason doesn't meet NFL standards."

No, Roger, the fans have said the NFL's rip-off preseason pricing structure doesn't meet fairness standards. Nobody expects preseason games to be more than glorified scrimmages and talent evaluations. But to charge full boat?

"I can't get rid of them," said Pietrcollo of his preseason tickets.

[transplant99]

Yeah...i have to agree that if they reduced ticket prices on pre-season games or limited it to 2 games, then by all means keep the 16 game season.

However, if they insist on the current model, I think it makes all the sense in the world to make 2 of those 4 games count towards something.

An extra 2 games would allow for some more premium regular season games as well. Good for revenue building if nothing else, and that's something that both sides would benefit from. An expanded roster means more jobs, more revenue means more money for players. More primetime/Grade A games means higher TV ratings and more money into the owners coffers along with those seats actually being filled and buying concessions/parking etc.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by transplant99

An extra 2 games would allow for some more premium regular season games as well. Good for revenue building if nothing else, and that's something that both sides would benefit from. An expanded roster means more jobs, more revenue means more money for players. More primetime/Grade A games means higher TV ratings and more money into the owners coffers along with those seats actually being filled and buying concessions/parking etc.

Yeah, but I think you'd see preseason football spilling over into the regular season football look at weeks 16 & 17 this year. How many of those games actually meant something. Week 17 was one the worst weekends of football in recent memory.

[Sylvanfan]

Given the systemization of the NFL, I can't see teams being willing to cut the preseason down from it's current 4 games.

If you want more games to mean something in week 17, it's simple add one more playoff team to each Conference and only give the team with the best record a first round bye. That would bring a lot more games into play for meaning something in the final two weeks. Plus it would create two extra playoff games of revenue in the Wild Card round which combined with added T.V. money would put more money in owners pockets.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Given the systemization of the NFL, I can't see teams being willing to cut the preseason down from it's current 4 games.

If you want more games to mean something in week 17, it's simple add one more playoff team to each Conference and only give the team with the best record a first round bye. That would bring a lot more games into play for meaning something in the final two weeks. Plus it would create two extra playoff games of revenue in the Wild Card round which combined with added T.V. money would put more money in owners pockets.

I could go along with this.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah, but I think you'd see preseason football spilling over into the regular season football look at weeks 16 & 17 this year. How many of those games actually meant something. Week 17 was one the worst weekends of football in recent memory.

Since starters typically don't play in the 4th preseason game you are essentially taking away one preseason game by going to two games. The season would likely be similar to the CFL in that the first week of the season is filled with some sloppy play but the current NFL preseason is just too long and drawn out. I don't buy that an 18 game schedule is too much for the players as we've seen it for years in the CFL heck the Stamps played 2 games in five days last year.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Since starters typically don't play in the 4th preseason game you are essentially taking away one preseason game by going to two games. The season would likely be similar to the CFL in that the first week of the season is filled with some sloppy play but the current NFL preseason is just too long and drawn out. I don't buy that an 18 game schedule is too much for the players as we've seen it for years in the CFL heck the Stamps played 2 games in five days last year.

The starters don't need preseason games, they understand the systems and can execute them (usually). Taking away two extra preseason games means that guys who don't know the system will be losing time to learn it, or they'll still be elarning it in regular season games. Of the 22 starters there's always a half dozen or so who are new to the system, and that doesn't account for the 15-20 players who see significant palying time in one capacity or another from the start of the year. A good number of those guys would be playing with half a clue as to what was going on. It would make for 2 weeks of garbage football.

Then take a look at what would happen at the end of the year. Instead of one week of starters being rested the top teams would be resting guys for 2-3 weeks. Divisions and conferences could still be sewn up by week 16. Sounds like riveting television.

Look at the absolute beating these palyers take over the course of a 16 game season and playoffs, hell look at GB's roster. Teams are already decimated by injuries over the course of 16 games, adding 2 more will lead to even more star players on the sidelines come playoff time. Again, riveting tv. And don't give me the 'the CFL can do it' line, two different games with very different demands on the players.

[Papi34]

Originally Posted by Cortez

you like the secondary the way it is?

Ya im fine with the secondary, Mcourty was phenomenal, Leigh Bodden will be back Wilhite will be back another year from butler should help and the safties are solid really like Pat Chung and Sanders was a soldier this year. Merriweather is a little meh for me but i think he has shown signs that he can be very good

Also if they make a better effort to improve the d-line and OLB position and get pressure on the QB the secondary instantly improves because of it.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Since starters typically don't play in the 4th preseason game you are essentially taking away one preseason game by going to two games. The season would likely be similar to the CFL in that the first week of the season is filled with some sloppy play but the current NFL preseason is just too long and drawn out. I don't buy that an 18 game schedule is too much for the players as we've seen it for years in the CFL heck the Stamps played 2 games in five days last year.

C'mon, you're not really going to use the CFL as a point of reference are you? The guys in NFL are much bigger than most of their CFL counterparts, which means the hits are harder and therefore take more of a toll on the body. Not to mention that running the ball is much more prevalent in the NFL, which is harder on players than passing.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Demaryius Thomas is out for 6-8 months with an achilles injury.

This kid can't catch a break.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-an...4-42f753edf016

[GirlySports]

Do you want Plaxico on your team?

He's getting out on June 6. He's 33 years old and reportedly in great physical shape.

Would you want your team to take a crack at him? Why? Why not?

[Sylvanfan]

Shawn Rogers was released by the Cleveland Browns. Rogers is a mamoth 350 pound nose tackle who's been to the pro bowl. But in his 10 seasons in the NFL, his teams the Lions and Browns have combined for a 45-115 record. Speculation that he's really sick of losing. But guys who can eat space like him at that nose position are pretty rare, and there are some decent 3-4 teams who wouldn't think twice about trying to get him to play there on their teams. I know the Chiefs could use him as a space eater at the point of attack.

[Wise Gamble]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Do you want Plaxico on your team?

He's getting out on June 6. He's 33 years old and reportedly in great physical shape.

Would you want your team to take a crack at him? Why? Why not?

I'm sure Dallas or Washington will pick him up.

How about my Seahawks. 85 in 1 chance to win it all next year. Anyone think they got a shot?

[Trojan97]

Houston should be all over him. They have just as good a chance as any to do well next year and he would be a tremendous stopgap at nose as they switch over the D.

[rubecube]

I would bet my life's savings that the Giants pick up Plax.