2016 NFL Off-Season Thread

[devo22]

Schefter says the teams with the most interest in Norman so far are the 49ers, Dolphins, Steelers and Redskins. Jets, Bucs, Bears and Titans also interested.

Steelers is completely unrealistic though and La Canfora has already stated that they aren't in the running.

[rubecube]

Bradford has reportedly asked the Eagles for a trade. Good luck with that, Sam.

[rubecube]

Jesus Christ, $260 USD for nosebleed seats for Seahawks/Eagles and those aren't even resale prices. No wonder the NFL is having problems selling tickets.

[Trojan97]

We paid $400 CDN each off stubhub to sit in the bleeds for the Seahawks home opener last season where Jimmy Claussen and the Bears put up 146 yards of total offense. A Seahawks game is quite the experience live but I wouldn't go out of my way to pay anywhere close to that much again to watch them.

[rubecube]

It effectively prices me out of going to a Seahawks game. When I know I'm going to have to spend a minimum of $200 USD just to go to Seattle and stay overnight, the extra $260 for crap seats is just a kick in the pants. I just can't justify spending that kind of money for one day's worth of entertainment. The other problem is the buddy I want to go with is a Jets fan, and his only interest in going was just to go to an NFL game. No way he's going to pay that for two teams he doesn't give a #### about.

I wonder how much the NFL is hurting itself down the line, too as far as cultivating future fans. Obviously the biggest draw for the NFL right now is gambling and fantasy football, and those types will always buy Sunday Ticket, etc., but most of those types aren't the hardcore fans who are going to put butts in the seats. If I had to guess, I would say a big factor in getting people to buy season tickets are their own experiences attending games. Back when games were cheaper, you'd have families taking their kids to games and setting the stage for the kids to grow up and want to take their own kids, etc. Now we're likely going to see a generation or two of people with no memories of attending football games, and therefore no attachment to going to future games.

Combine that with the NFL's continuing efforts to alienate female fans, the growth of the NBA and MLS that have coinciding with changing demographics in the U.S., and lower enrollment in youth football, the poor quality of Thursday night games, and it wouldn't shock me if the NFL started to decline in the next 5-15 years.

And if VR becomes a tangible way to enjoy live sports, it's going to completely change everything.

[nik-]

I paid $300 a ticket about 10 rows from the top for a MNF game against the Saints a few years back.

I want to go again, but it's a pretty pricey trip.

[devo22]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
Josh Norman has signed a 5-year contract with the #Redskins worth $75M, source said.

Mike Garafolo ‏@MikeGarafolo
Josh Norman gets $51m over the first three years of a five-year deal that is worth $75m total. Now the highest paid CB in the NFL.

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet
Josh Norman's 5-year, $75M deal with the #Redskins includes $50M in guarantees, source said. Wow.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I do think that's too much for Norman who is a great playmaker, but not quite a lockdown corner like Revis and Sherman. But corners are now a top 4 position in the NFL (QB, OL, DL the others) so a lot more money is gonna be devoted to them.

[Sainters7]

Saints came out of nowhere at the last minute, made a very strong push for Norman...which is amazing, considering they have just over $3M in cap room. Reportedly Brees personally wanted Norman on the team, offered to restructure contract to make it happen.

[transplant99]

Way way to young.

Defensive lineman Ron Brace, a 2009 second-round draft choice of the New England Patriots, has died at the age of 29.

Brace's death was confirmed by the Springfield (Massachusetts) Police Department, which said an investigation is ongoing.

The cause of death is not suspicious, Springfield Police Captain Robert Strzempek told MassLive.com.

[CofR]

So Bradford is demanding a trade

https://twitter.com/adamschefter/sta...17954986459136

[ResAlien]

If only there was a team with loads of cap space and a coach who loves Bradford who could trade for him...

Edit: and lol, Brady's suspended again. Appeals court reinstated it. Whoops.

[habernac]

Seriously, WTF? I'll have to wait to read the reasoning behind this bunch of crap.

[rubecube]

That looks pretty bad on Bradford. Did the guy honestly think his play in his career up until this point warranted the Eagles not investing in another QB? What a baby.

[Da_Chief]

Can they suspend him? not pay him and not have him count against their cap? if he doesn't show up?

[Erick Estrada]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15...-appeals-court

It's back...... Brady's 4 game suspension have been upheld by a federal appeals court. Nice to finally see some resolution to this and good to see Brady pay the price. Yes it was just messing with the balls but cheating is cheating.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Can they suspend him? not pay him and not have him count against their cap? if he doesn't show up?

Offseason workouts are voluntary, so no. If he no-shows training camp then they can start docking his pay.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by rubecube

That looks pretty bad on Bradford. Did the guy honestly think his play in his career up until this point warranted the Eagles not investing in another QB? What a baby.

Yeah this is a pretty selfish move. While the writing is on the wall in that he's not the future in Philadelphia he's the present as I imagine the plan was for Bradford to at least be the starter this season and this doesn't make him any more appealing to prospective teams if there was much of a market in the first place as the guy is an injury prone, middle of the road QB.

[habernac]

Bayless is pissed:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15354101&ex_cid=espntw

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by habernac

Bayless is pissed:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15354101&ex_cid=espntw

Is Skippy mad that his prediction was wrong?