2008 NFL Off season thread.

[burn_baby_burn]

They are a joke of course. Indy # 1? The same team that coasted at the end of the season and then laid an egg at home during the playoffs? Despite generous officiating. All that aside, with a few exceptions, the league is a crap shoot. A good example would be the Saints the last two seasons. Celler dweller to contender. Huge hype to average. The only realistic ranking I see is KC.

[Bobblehead]

I think you may be able to tell which teams should still be good - if they have been able to keep most of their proven core. Outside of that, I don't think you can tell which teams will go up in the standings. Coaching, chemistry, system, schedule all can have various affects on a team.

[Clever_Iggy]

The Raiders got a favorable ranking (not bottom 4). Call me crazy, but Im excited about the Raider's defense this year. Asomaugha and Hall are going to be a very tough CB tandem to throw against and I think Wilson (S) will only strengthen the safety position Huff and Swigert. I thought the LB core was the strongest part of the team last season - Morrison and Howard are studs. The retirement of Sapp leaves a big hole in the DL. The Raiders re-signed Warren, but that leaves us a little weak on the DT/NT and DE (opposite of Burgess). That's why Im convinced (hoping?) that Skeletor drafts Ellis, Dorsey or Long (DE).

The offense is a crap shoot. Russell is going to have lots of growing pains, the OL still isnt scaring too many people in pass protection and the RB is still a committee approach. We are better at the WR position, but that's not saying much. With Fargas and Rhodes coming back next season and if Michael Bush can recover, I just dont see the sense in taking McFadden.

If the Raiders dont want to draft defense (DT/DE), I hope they either trade with Dallas to fill an empty first day (no 2nd or 3rd rounder this season) or draft Jake Long (OT).

That being said, I think (pray) the Raiders finish with at least 6 wins to hit their highest win total since 2002. Sad huh?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

If the Raiders dont want to draft defense (DT/DE), I hope they either trade with Dallas to fill an empty first day (no 2nd or 3rd rounder this season) or draft Jake Long (OT).

You Raiders better stay the hell away from Jake Long. He's mine I tell ya.

Seriously, I'm walking around with both fingers crossed, praying that Jake Long is available with the fifth pick.

[KTown]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

The Raiders got a favorable ranking (not bottom 4). Call me crazy, but Im excited about the Raider's defense this year. Asomaugha and Hall are going to be a very tough CB tandem to throw against and I think Wilson (S) will only strengthen the safety position Huff and Swigert. I thought the LB core was the strongest part of the team last season - Morrison and Howard are studs. The retirement of Sapp leaves a big hole in the DL. The Raiders re-signed Warren, but that leaves us a little weak on the DT/NT and DE (opposite of Burgess). That's why Im convinced (hoping?) that Skeletor drafts Ellis, Dorsey or Long (DE).

The offense is a crap shoot. Russell is going to have lots of growing pains, the OL still isnt scaring too many people in pass protection and the RB is still a committee approach. We are better at the WR position, but that's not saying much. With Fargas and Rhodes coming back next season and if Michael Bush can recover, I just dont see the sense in taking McFadden.

If the Raiders dont want to draft defense (DT/DE), I hope they either trade with Dallas to fill an empty first day (no 2nd or 3rd rounder this season) or draft Jake Long (OT).

That being said, I think (pray) the Raiders finish with at least 6 wins to hit their highest win total since 2002. Sad huh?

Wow 6 wins you're setting the bar high for your raiders

I'm saying 4 wins for Miami this year.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by KTown

Wow 6 wins you're setting the bar high for your raiders

I'm saying 4 wins for Miami this year.

Ya. 6 wins is high considering what they've done since 2002. But, if the defense can return to form of the previous season, they can run the ball like they did last season and Russell is kept conservative, 6 wins could happen. I just dont want to pick in the top 5... again.

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

You Raiders better stay the hell away from Jake Long. He's mine I tell ya.

Seriously, I'm walking around with both fingers crossed, praying that Jake Long is available with the fifth pick.

I would like to have Long. When Michigan was getting dumped on, he looked pissed on the sidelines. Between him and Hart, they picked that team up from the ground and made them somewhat legit (although, legit by Big 10 standards).

I would say, from what I've read and what I think, the Raiders will look: (1) DT/DE (Dorsey, Ellis, Chris Long or Gholston), (2) trade with a team wanting McFadden, or (3) Jake Long. But with Skeletor controlling the rudder on the Raiders' ship, Im not ruling out him take Ryan or Brohm.

If Jake Long is gone, Jeff Otah (OT - Pittsburgh) should be available for the Chiefs at 5. I think he's a solid prospect too.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

You Raiders better stay the hell away from Jake Long. He's mine I tell ya.

Seriously, I'm walking around with both fingers crossed, praying that Jake Long is available with the fifth pick.

If not, Ryan Clady will be and he's also going to be a monster. Fear not, Chiefs fans.

[Flames in 07]

I heard on ESPN today that the NFL sched is coming out Monday.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by rubecube

If not, Ryan Clady will be and he's also going to be a monster. Fear not, Chiefs fans.

And really, Chris Williams and Jeff Otah are great choices as well.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I heard on ESPN today that the NFL sched is coming out Monday.

Fox Sports said that the week 1 matchups will be announced Monday at the league meetings, while the rest will be released later next month.

They are also reporting that the Giants will host the Redskins in the first game Thursday, Sept. 4.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7956248?MSNHPHMA

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

And really, Chris Williams and Jeff Otah are great choices as well.

Jake Long is still the best. 2 sacks allowed and 2 penalties in his entire collegiate career. Plus he has speed and strength as well as smarts.

[burn_baby_burn]

I saw this on ESPN.com and was surprised to see the Chiefs are proposing that the NFL ban excessive long hair on its players.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3313868

At next week's NFL owners meeting, the Chiefs are pushing for a rule change that would prevent Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and other players with dreadlocks or long hair from covering the names on the backs of their jerseys. The rule is pretty simple: Any hair that covers that area has to be addressed.

"It doesn't mean players have to cut their hair," said Atlanta Falcons president Rick McKay, co-chairman of the league's Competition Committee. "They might have to keep it under their helmet."

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Fear not, Chiefs fans.

So long as King Carl is allowed to keep the mediocrity show going....I'll fear! Oh well at least the Chiefs have enough holes on their team that they shouldn't need to just to draft by position.

A stud Tackle would be nice to add to an O-Line that does need rebuilidng. But a D-Tackle that can get a push with Hali and Allen on the ends wouldn't exactly be a bad thing either. Defensive lines who can pressure the QB on every passing down will make an average or below average secondary look good.

[burn_baby_burn]

Here are some of the topics or issues up for discussion at the NFL meetings.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3314195

• Changing the rule on seeding in the playoffs, in part to try to avoid teams sitting regulars at the end of the season if it has already clinched its seeding. Division winners would qualify automatically, and the two winners with the best record would get first-round byes. But a wild-card team could play at home in the first round if it has a better record than the division winner it will play.
• The college option on the coin toss, allowing teams to defer taking the ball until the second half.
• Ending the forceout rule on receptions and interceptions. Currently, the play stands if a player is forced out of bounds making a catch. If changed, a player must get both feet down in bounds.
• Banning players from having hair below the name tag on their backs.
• Eliminating the five-yard "incidental facemask" penalty. Grabbing the facemask and turning it would lead to an automatic 15-yard penalty.
• Instant replay on field-goal attempts. It was proposed in part because of a game last season in which a game-tying field goal against Baltimore appeared to have hit the crossbar and bounced back on the field. It was eventually ruled to have hit the support stanchion behind the goal post and was good. The Browns went on to win in overtime.

[rubecube]

Benji Olson retires.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

I always thought he was very underrated.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Benji Olson retires.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

I always thought he was very underrated.

He really was and that's a big hole to fill.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Jake Long is still the best. 2 sacks allowed and 2 penalties in his entire collegiate career. Plus he has speed and strength as well as smarts.

Oh, by far. No question about that...but in the event he's gone when you pick I think a team after a tackle can feel damn good about Clady, Otah or Williams.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Oh, by far. No question about that...but in the event he's gone when you pick I think a team after a tackle can feel damn good about Clady, Otah or Williams.

Not to mention Gosder Cherilus.

[rubecube]

NFL adopts communication devices in helmets of defensive players.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

Good move IMO.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

The Raiders got a favorable ranking (not bottom 4). Call me crazy, but Im excited about the Raider's defense this year. Asomaugha and Hall are going to be a very tough CB tandem to throw against

That will be true until week four and Hall gets pissed off for some reason and spends the rest of the year pouting and taking stupid penalties.

If Hall can keep his head screwed on straight that will be a great secondary, but somehow playing with the Raiders I don't think that is a real strong likelihood.