2006 NFL Offseason Thread
 

Since the NFL season ended and the Steelers were crowned kings of the football world, alot has happened. No new CBA and tomorrow starts free agency. By this time Friday, expect to see a completely new NFL with massive cuts around the league if no new CBA miraculously comes through.

What the deal is, is that there will be a salary cap for this season, set at 95 million, taking off the extra 10-15 million which would be added on by the CBA (collective bargaining agreement).

What are the long-term ramifications for the league?
Barring a new CBA, the players either will be on strike or the owners will lock out the players in 2008. The union likely will decertify, and antitrust rules will apply. Also, the NFL draft will go away in 2008 as part of a clause inserted in the current CBA. Players coming out of college could be free agents, with no salary restrictions. Open negotiations, including those for rookies coming out of college, will leave it to the players to get what they can get.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2351462

All the information you need is above.

What's everyone think about the Steelers chances of getting back most of their championship winning roster? I'm thinking it's not good. Both Randel El and Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings look to be very hard to sign, and may end up on the market for other teams. This would be a terrible loss, as the anchor of our line and one of the most versatile players in football would be gone. Plus, that would leave the wide receiving core very thin, and we need to find another running back, in my opinion. Duce and Parker simply will not suffice for a championship team.

After seeing the NHL go through a nasty labor dispute which really changed the game, I would certainly hope the NFL wouldn't go through the same thing, since they've managed to vault past MLB as the most popular sport in the nation. It's definitely curious to wonder what sort of sweeping roster changes come out of this, and we could see a different NFL economy in 1, 2, 3 years time.

I would really hate to see such a wonderful sport, with wonderful fans and organizations sink to this level. Compromise and quit bitching already.

BTW, I would mention how much more coverage this is already getting and the league isn't locked out yet, whereas the only coverage ESPN gave the NHL when they were going through this was when they were locked out, when they *ALMOST* had a deal in February and when the deal was reached.

Awesome work ESPN. ;)

That's only because 99% of the the US could care less about hockey.

Everybody, I mean everybody I know likes the Pittsburgh Steelers just because the won Super Bowl 40. Why?

According to ESPNNews, the NFL has delayed free agency (which would force teams to get under the cap) by 3 more days. Good news then, as it will give them alittle more time to get their shit together labor wise.

There have been already a lot of reasonably big names that have been cut. Mike Anderson from Denver, Stephen Davis from Carolina, Sam Adams from Buffalo, and Sam Madison from Miami.

Additionally, they seriously do need to get this resolved as soon as possible. Something like this only gets worse with time and might start more fans irritated with these proceedings.

Feel good story, and people always jump on the bandwagon.

I think Randel El already said he was going to go play the for the Bears since that was his favorite team while growing up as a kid. It'll be hard to see him leave town.

Now who is going to do all of our trick plays?

Hines could pull some off, but he doesn't have the speed Randle El had. Who knows, though. We may be able to grab Larry Johnson (He has always wanted to play for the Steelers) and not even need to run trick plays.

Eagles are supposedly very interested in Randle El. I don't want him. He's a jack of all trades, but a master of none. I'd rather have a master of one.

That last "Master of one" you had worked out pretty well.

Guys I'm interested in are Eric Moulds(when cut), Antonio Bryant, and David Givens.

I'd take Randle El if I had to get him, but I'd prefer other guys. Him and Donovan are very good friends, and work out together in arizona.

Just out of curiosity why do you have an MS Painted "X" on your little Philly icon there?

Because I'm anti-Phillies at this current point in my life. They've bullied me as a fan for years and after not making the playoffs in 13 years I've grown tired of them as an organization. It shows my displeasure.

I used photoshop to make the X though.

Oh ok.

I still love them deep down, but right now I won't support them until they support me, and by support me I mean doing what it takes to build a winning ball club.

Alright.


The Colts resigned Wayne, but they may not resign James (which may be a horrible idea due to how valuable he is to the team). Though there are A LOT of RBs in the draft this year. We also resigned Brackett (Linebacker) and Brock (Defensive Lineman). Now we're trying to make sure we keep everyone we can - though it looks like we're giving up Vanderjagt for missing that kick...

The owners agreed about 15 mins ago that there will be a 6 year extension to the NFL's salary cap and Collective Bargaining Agreement. With that, about 10 million dollar just got added to this years salary cap. Alot of the details have yet to be released, which we'll find out prior to midnight, but it is now known that teams have alot more room.

As of right now, free agency is scheduled to begin at 12:01 Friday morning.

The Bucs, with this and Derrick Brooks' contract restructure that saved 11 million dollar over 2 seasons, will be able to resign Mike Alstott and make waves in free agency.

Thank God. The push from 94.5 Million to 105 Million will give breathing room to a lot of teams. Also, I was not too fond of the idea of an uncapped 2007...

Well everything is better again in the world of the NFL - let's get to signing those Free Agents.

From the latest details, from the NFL Network, the deal is actually 102 million this year, and 107 million next year. Free agency may be pushed back to 12:01am Saturday.

All in all, the NFL has avoided turning into MLB tonight.

There are reports out that Culpepper will be traded tomorrow or soon after, but the team isn't announced yet.

Speculation is either the Dolphins, Ravens, Raiders, or Rams.

The Browns are busy...

"Former New Orleans center LeCharles Bentley agreed to terms with Cleveland -- 6 years, $36 million, with a $12 million signing bonus. The deal makes him the highest-paid center in NFL history.

Cleveland reached agreement with former Seattle wide receiver Joe Jurevicius on a four-year deal worth about $10 million."

They also reached a deal with T Kevin Schaffer.


"Former Denver defensive end Trevor Pryce reached agreement with Baltimore on a five-year, $25 million deal."

Looks like the AFC North will be a real battle this coming season. To check out all the NFL free agency action, check out:
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9300482