2009 NFL Off Season Thread

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Put a rookie salary cap in, As long as the regular salary cap doesn't change then the players will still be getting the same amount, there just won't be as much going to unproven rookies.

Which is the way it should be. IMO this is easily the #1 issue in the NFL right now and it isn't close. When teams don't even want one of the top 3 picks, you know the system is broken.

[browna]

Day is here...I've always tuned into the draft casually, and did like it when it was earlier in the morning.

Obviosuly, being a Seahawks fans, a little bit more wrapped up in this particular one, and hope its the last one that I get as wrapped in, and the Seahawks return to a pick in the 20's in the first round for years to come.

Really no consensus in Seahawk land what's going to happen.

Personally, I would like to see Sanchez. It will shine the spotlight that much brighter on Hasselbeck this year. He's already bristled at the notion of the team drafting his heir apparent, but without Holmgren to give him his 5 minute timeouts from yelling at him when he makes yet another dumb decision, a more laid back Mora may not be so hard on him in-game.

With Mora in, I think he's more open to throwing that position open for debate than Holmgren was (who also thinks that Wallace will be a great NFL QB one day...he's already been in the league 5 years and has all legs, no arm, and Hasselebck dumb decision making), but who knows how Hasselbeck will react to not quite of a barking coach, but also coach that didn't make the decision to tie his hitch to his wagon, as Holmgren did x number of years ago and thus may not have the same paitence for his errors, no matter how quiet and low key Mora may be in letting Hasselbeck know about it.

Hasslebeck had excuses last year, some valid, some convienient, but those valid ones seem to be rectified, and its the convienent ones that he better not fall back on this year. (I will, however, say a prayer that Sanchez doesn't turn into the next Kelly Stouffer/Dan McGwire/Rick (one earlier pick and we could've had Drew Bledsoe) Mirer). Either way, Hasselbeck is 34 and starting to get beat up...you're assuming you're not going to pick this high again for a while, but good QB's are arguably the hardest to acquire through other means in the league when you think you're going to need one, the time to pull the trigger is now.

Secondly, I guess it would be Curry, as IMO the 2nd most dominant impact position on an NFL team is LB, but I don't think he lasts that long.

Save that, I think the next option is to trade down (either make the pick and trade that player). Big pass on Crabtree, with Houshmenzadeh and Branch, have two 1b receivers, and I don't think it fills as big a hole as #4 money commands, and there are questions around Crabtree's overall attitude.

There's also Maybin and the two Smiths on OT and DT...good players, don't get me wrong, and all would be positions that the Seahawks could bolster with thier addition, just not sure whether its worth #4 money to acquire that for SEA, as it doesn't necessarily FILL a gaping hole, just strengthens it.

I think a #4 pick, certainly for a team that has as good a chance as any to win ther division this year and upcoming years, and may not be as low in this draft for another 5+ years, to take as close to a franchise type/long term impact player at that spot as possible, and I see that as a QB fit, first and foremost..not for starting this year, but to start a new era in the not so distant future.

[Sylvanfan]

A bit OT but did you see the ESPN all time mock draft on that page linked to the Stafford story. I admit I laughed pretty hard when the Bengals take Tony Mandarich 8th overall. Than the Cowboys grab Bosworth 55th. It would be fitting for those two teams.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Which is the way it should be. IMO this is easily the #1 issue in the NFL right now and it isn't close. When teams don't even want one of the top 3 picks, you know the system is broken.

Curious why this is the case? If the teams don't want to pay rookies this much and don't want the top three picks because they have to play this much, then don't pay it!

Let's say Detroit drafts Stafford and doesn't pay him alot.. let's say only 25 million instead of 75 million. What's he going to do? Sit out?

What am I missing?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Curious why this is the case? If the teams don't want to pay rookies this much and don't want the top three picks because they have to play this much, then don't pay it!

Let's say Detroit drafts Stafford and doesn't pay him alot.. let's say only 25 million instead of 75 million. What's he going to do? Sit out?

What am I missing?

Yeah, he will sit out. It happened as recently as Jamarcus Russell. That is why teams like the Dolphins and Lions wanted the first pick signed before they committed to picking them first overall.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Curious why this is the case? If the teams don't want to pay rookies this much and don't want the top three picks because they have to play this much, then don't pay it!

Let's say Detroit drafts Stafford and doesn't pay him alot.. let's say only 25 million instead of 75 million. What's he going to do? Sit out?

What am I missing?

Yup...simply cant have draft picks sitting out....way to hard to fill the spots that you drfated them for within the confines of a salary cap league.

[burn_baby_burn]

The Chiefs signed Matt Cassell to a 6 year deal with $36,000,000 guaranteed. I really hope he buys Bernard Pollard a nice car or something. If Brady doesn't get injured Cassell is holding a clip board for the rest of his carrer. Now he is one of the highest paid QB's after only 1 season. Sounds like a Disney movie.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

The Chiefs signed Matt Cassell to a 6 year deal with $36,000,000 guaranteed. I really hope he buys Bernard Pollard a nice car or something. If Brady doesn't get injured Cassell is holding a clip board for the rest of his carrer. Now he is one of the highest paid QB's after only 1 season. Sounds like a Disney movie.

He'll be holding a clipboard again soon, IMO. I just don't get the hype. He had a really talented group of players around him and coach that developed the perfect system for him to use. He won't get that kind of help in KC. This contract is going to make the Garrard extension look good.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by rubecube

He'll be holding a clipboard again soon, IMO. I just don't get the hype. He had a really talented group of players around him and coach that developed the perfect system for him to use. He won't get that kind of help in KC. This contract is going to make the Garrard extension look good.

I have been preaching that all along. But as a Chiefs fan it really isn't that healthy to hope for your starting QB to fail. I still fail to see why he deserves such a lucrative contract. At the very least you can swallow his $14.75 million dollar salary this season. If he plays well, then you can offer him a contract. If he is a flop you can cut him lose. Too late for that now.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I have been preaching that all along. But as a Chiefs fan it really isn't that healthy to hope for your starting QB to fail. I still fail to see why he deserves such a lucrative contract. At the very least you can swallow his $14.75 million dollar salary this season. If he plays well, then you can offer him a contract. If he is a flop you can cut him lose. Too late for that now.

Yeah that was the other part I didn't understand. Why offer a guy that kind of money when hasn't proven himself?

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yeah that was the other part I didn't understand. Why offer a guy that kind of money when hasn't proven himself?

See: Every 1st round draft pick. At least Cassell has some NFL experience.

Cassell: 6 year deal - 36 mill guarenteed - 3 years experience backing up one of the best QBs in the league, 1 as a starter in the NFL - 11-5 record as a starter.

Stafford: 6 year deal - 41.7 mill guarenteed - Hasnt even taken an NFL snap.

[mykalberta]

Piloi is supposedly a smart man (won the NFL executive award a few times I think).

His tenure in KC will live and die with Cassell so I assume he knows something that we dont, either that or he will have a very short and embarrassing shelf life.

I am with you guys, not sure why you dont let him play out this year to see how he does. If anything it should have been an 8 year contract with same guaranteed with his track record. Signing him now means that Piloi thinks he is worth it. I dont think he would show loyalty to Cassell just because both were from NE.

I will say this, in NE he didnt have a consitent running game to really support him. What is the RB situation in KC? Do they have a 1.5 down back?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Piloi is supposedly a smart man (won the NFL executive award a few times I think).

His tenure in KC will live and die with Cassell so I assume he knows something that we dont, either that or he will have a very short and embarrassing shelf life.

I am with you guys, not sure why you dont let him play out this year to see how he does. If anything it should have been an 8 year contract with same guaranteed with his track record. Signing him now means that Piloi thinks he is worth it. I dont think he would show loyalty to Cassell just because both were from NE.

I will say this, in NE he didnt have a consitent running game to really support him. What is the RB situation in KC? Do they have a 1.5 down back?

They still have Larry Johnson and 2nd year back Jamaal Charles. The running game was not used very often last season after the Chiefs switched to the spread offense to accomodate Tyler Thigpen. I will say this, he will not have the protection he had in New England. He won't be throwing to Randy Moss or Wes Welker either.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

See: Every 1st round draft pick. At least Cassell has some NFL experience.

Cassell: 6 year deal - 36 mill guarenteed - 3 years experience backing up one of the best QBs in the league, 1 as a starter in the NFL - 11-5 record as a starter.

Stafford: 6 year deal - 41.7 mill guarenteed - Hasnt even taken an NFL snap.

The guaranteed money for draft picks in the NFL has spiraled out of control and will be fixed in the next CBA. Still, Stafford has more potential coming out of college than Matt Cassell ever did since Cassell never started a game.

By taking the best team in the NFL with the easiest schedule in the league, Cassell was able to lead his team out of the playoffs. Now he is supposed to take the 2-14 Chiefs and be their franchise QB? Even if you argue that acquiring Cassell for a 2nd round pick is a steal. It still doesn't justify him receiving a Pro Bowl salary.

[Pagal4321]

NY Jets officially release Brett Favre.

Anddd here we go again! Stay away from Minnesota old man!!

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/200...lly_relea.html

[Papi34]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Piloi is supposedly a smart man (won the NFL executive award a few times I think).

His tenure in KC will live and die with Cassell so I assume he knows something that we dont, either that or he will have a very short and embarrassing shelf life.

I am with you guys, not sure why you dont let him play out this year to see how he does. If anything it should have been an 8 year contract with same guaranteed with his track record. Signing him now means that Piloi thinks he is worth it. I dont think he would show loyalty to Cassell just because both were from NE.

I will say this, in NE he didnt have a consitent running game to really support him. What is the RB situation in KC? Do they have a 1.5 down back?

The bolded part is incorrect. NE was top ten in the league for the run (7th iirc) they didnt have a single superstar back there but instead a 3 headed monster in Morris, Jordan, and Faulk.. It was actually one of the best seasons for rushing since the Cory Dillon days.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Papi34

The bolded part is incorrect. NE was top ten in the league for the run (7th iirc) they didnt have a single superstar back there but instead a 3 headed monster in Morris, Jordan, and Faulk.. It was actually one of the best seasons for rushing since the Cory Dillon days.

Was it the case that they had a good running game or had to force the run because they had to shelter Cassell so much?

I didn't watch a lot of NE games but in the ones that I did the running backs were far from impressive and it seemed that any time there was a decision to be made they went with the safe run rather then risk letting Cassell have to make a play.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Papi34

The bolded part is incorrect. NE was top ten in the league for the run (7th iirc) they didnt have a single superstar back there but instead a 3 headed monster in Morris, Jordan, and Faulk.. It was actually one of the best seasons for rushing since the Cory Dillon days.

My mistake, I just never took them for having a running game.

They were 12 in Passing and only 6 teams had more interceptions. They were also 9 in completion %. Admittedly the reason for that is not thowing the long ball, but for his first year in the NFL, and first game played started since High School he did OK IMO. Not 36 mil guaranteed over 6 years but I cheer for the guy.

I dont have the Patriots hate on like alot of people so I want to see him succeed. I will be cheering for him this year. Conversely I will also be cheering against Cutler.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I dont have the Patriots hate on like alot of people so I want to see him succeed. I will be cheering for him this year. Conversely I will also be cheering against Cutler.

So your a Broncos fan that will be cheering for the Chiefs?

[Montana Moe]

Saints release Hollis Thomas, freeing up 3 roster spots...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4111726

They're also reportedly looking at Edgerrin James (No Thanks).