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.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

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.

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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.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

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.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

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

I was speaking idiomatically.

Its now official. Edgerrin James is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, and Ted Washington (DT) just agreed in terms with the Browns.

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Just a few more things to add...

"Vikings | Hutchinson will become highest paid guard in history
Sun, 12 Mar 2006 13:57:15 -0800

Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports Seattle Seahawks transition free agent OG Steve Hutchinson (Seahawks) will become the highest paid guard in NFL history with the offer sheet he signed from the Minnesota Vikings. Hutchinson is set to earn $49 million over seven years, with $16 million in guaranteed money."

Ravens | Team reaches deal with M. Anderson
Sun, 12 Mar 2006 19:46:46 -0800

Jamison Hensley, of the Baltimore Sun, reports the Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a four-year contract with free agent RB Mike Anderson (Broncos). The total worth of the deal is believed to be $8 million with a $2 million signing bonus. Anderson expects to take over for RB Jamal Lewis as the team's starting running back

"Buccaneers | Team may offer Ashworth a contract
Sun, 12 Mar 2006 15:18:44 -0800

Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reports free agent OL Tom Ashworth (Patriots) completed his visit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, March 12. Agent Tom Mills told PewterReport.com that he expects Bucs general manager Bruce Allen to extend a deal to his client as early as Sunday evening, March 12."

Well, I have to admit the Redskins are fairly well rounded out (besides the secondary). After looking at their contracts, it evident that they were built to win within the next two seasons by signing guys to long-term contracts. I.e. Portis is making $500,000 this year, next year that balloons to $3,500,000.

The downside to the Redskins is that they aren't overly talented in any one position either. They have a solid offensive line, but it can't dominate solid defenses. Their secondary is good, but can't stop an above average receiving corps. Their defensive line is consistent, but doesn't make many big plays. Their offense is overall solid, but when it went up against our defense in the playoffs, it didn't do squat.

Washington fans should be happy, not cocky, because the truth is that all their secondary needs is a single injury before it depletes, and their offensive line isn't what it used to be.

The problem with Lloyd is that he is the type of reciever that makes the highlight reel catch and drops the easy ones. His work ethic is questionable and he's been called out by Fred Beasley (who is a fullback mind you) as a result. But it seems as if he may be starting to turn it around and paired with a pretty good WR who knows.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Capo

Steelers are fucked this year. We have no offense. Unless we get a good wide receiver who can go for the deep ball, and a hard pounding running back, plan on a long season.

Don't stress about your team yet. We've been in free agency for about 2 days, and the draft is still yet to arrive. I would worry about how my teams going to suck after all that.

The Steelers will get a few good names in free agency. Besides, they still have a great offensive line to work with, not to mention a tough defense. They should still be contending in the upcoming season, barring injuries of course. I'm looking forward to enjoying that Northern division to be one of the best with all the waves the Browns are making, as well as the Ravens, who just signed Mike Anderson as their RB, replacing Jamal Lewis.

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Alot of new QBs in different cities now.

Brees agrees to six-year deal with Saints

Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com
Posted: 5 minutes ago



Moments after the Dolphins got Daunte Culpepper in a trade with the Vikings, free agent quarterback Drew Brees agreed to a six-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Daunte Culpepper finally has his wish.

FOXSports.com has learned the Vikings and Dolphins have agreed on a trade with Miami sending a second-round pick to the Vikings in exchange for the Pro Bowl quarterback.

The trade is contingent upon Culpepper passing a physical


Jon Kitna also signed with the Lions.

-New Orleans now has Drew Brees
-Miami has Daunte Culpepper
-Kitna is a Lion

Interesting.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Oh, the Titans signed David Givens and Kevin Mawae according to ESPNNEWS.

"Cowboys | K. Johnson released
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:22:17 -0800

The Dallas Cowboys have announced the release of WR Keyshawn Johnson."

Meshawn getting cut is awesome. Almost as awesome as Owens getting cut right before 4pm today.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Vikings | Team changing uniforms
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:46:00 -0800

Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings will be wearing new uniforms for the 2006 season. Steve LaCroix, Vikings vice president of sales and marketing, confirmed the uniform change, although he declined to say to what extent. "We are working with the NFL and Reebok on some exciting changes for the 2006 season. The process is still continuing, but we'll look to have an unveiling later in the offseason for our fans," he said.


Funny, but I don't think it'll help them from sucking.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Cowboys | Report - Owens agrees to three-year deal with Dallas
Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:55:47 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, free agent WR Terrell Owens' (Eagles) agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has denied a report from KLBK-13 CBS TV in Lubbock, Texas, that Owens has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. While Rosenhaus is denying the report, a source close to Owens has confirmed to FOXSports.com that Owens has agreed to a three-year deal and it will not be announced until the coming days.

Shocking news, I know.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I doubt it'll work out in the long run. This signing means the Cowboys, like the Redskins in their division are locked into the "win now" situation. They have built up a roster that will overlap the cap and/or retire within the next 3 seasons. Not that I'm complaining, I have no particular fondness of the NFC East.

By the way, did anyone catch Owens' press conference earlier today? I loved the comment "Just get your popcorn ready!" Enjoy him Dallas fans, I for one am breathing a sigh of relief since he won't be eventually breaking down my team.

I was speaking idiomatically.

http://nfl.com/news/story/9323440
--
Tagliabue to retire as Commissioner in July

A sad day in the NFL

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Rollins

He definitely left on a high note, with the new CBA. If he was waiting for the best chance to step down, he got it.

Most definately. In his press conference at 4:30, he said that this seemed like the best time to go. However, if the NFL cannot find a replacement by July, then he said he will stay on until they do find someone.

FELIPE NO

The Pats are losing alot of talent. Willie McGinest, Ashworth, Givens, Viniteari (sp), Andre' Davis, Christian Fauria. You can give me the Tom Brady rhetoric for so long, but he needs people up front blocking for him. The draft is still to come, and plenty of free agents are still around. The Pats will have competition next season from the Dolphins and probably the Bills, of course as long as the Bills stay healthy and Culpepper returns to form.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Just a little update:

CHICAGO (March 31, 2006) -- Chicago Bears defensive lineman Terry "Tank" Johnson is recovering from surgery to repair a torn quadriceps muscle, an injury that could sideline him for at least four months.
(http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/9349383)

MINNEAPOLIS (March 31, 2006) -- Burleson signed an offer sheet last week for a seven-year contract worth up to $49 million, including $5.25 million guaranteed. In response to a similar tactic Minnesota used to sign All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson to an offer sheet earlier this month, Seattle put a pair of provisions in the deal that would make it impractical for the Vikings to match.
(http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/SEA/9350301)

NEWARK, N.J. (March 31, 2006) -- The New York Giants and Jets moved a step closer to their new home in the Meadowlands.

Officials from New Jersey, the Giants and the Jets said March 31 they've made several changes to an agreement signed last fall that will create a new, $1 billion football stadium in East Rutherford. The stadium is expected to open for the 2010 season and will seat about 81,000.
(http://nfl.com/news/story/9349298)

By the way NFL fans, NFL Head Coach is on its way out.

"IGN: You do so many different things in the game. How do you keep the gamer focused and having fun?

Strauser: This is definitely a deep game. We did some math today and figured out that one season could take 20 to 30 hours. That's a lot of time, so when you're talking 30 seasons that's a tremendously deep game. You can sim through most tasks and we have a sim log that keeps you posted on what happened, but the tasks are so different week to week that you want to do them to benefit your team. I'm not going to lie. It's an extremely deep game. You have to be a football fan. This isn't Mario Party and it's not Madden. When I first started playing, I was getting killed by the computer because I wasn't preparing my team.

In Madden, you win by your twitch skills and not your football knowledge. You can just take Michael Vick and use the juke stick or playmaker control and win. You don't rely upon playcalling and football skills and preparation and things like that. I have an old Madden T-shirt that says, 'Are you a playmaker?' I put that on the other day and was like, that is so not Head Coach. Here, you're preparing your team, setting them up to make plays."

Read the interview in its entirerty here.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by bighunt

that game sounds like a pretty big gamble. i love the NFL, but i don't play much Madden. NFL HC doesn't seem like any fun. like the guy said, you HAVE to be a football fan. i guess for some die-hard strategy fans, this is a gem, but it's not for me.

I see your point of view. Me, being the guy who's life solely revovles around football, will love this one. It'll be great since it tests more of your knowledge of the game rather than being able to juke at the right time.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

3 games within 11 days and a week 4 bye, not to mention cold weather games come December. This'll be interesting.

And how the fuck do the Packers and Raiders each get 4 primetime games?

Originally Posted by Rollins

Looks like the Redskins are finally starting to get some national TV exposure. Monday night game in Week 1 with Minnesota, then a Sunday night game next week with Dallas and then a Saturday night game with the Giants in the last week of the season.

But other than the required Dallas matchups, nothing looks too exciting =/ At least we got Philly in on the Dallas hatred now.

Philly has been hating Dallas for some time now. I remember watching an NFL Films show in the late 1990's, telling about how Eagle fans teach their kids to say "Dallas sucks".

How ya doing, buddy?

Farve will make his decision today, this morning to be exact. I'm very interested to see if #4 is going to hang it up.

EDIT: Nevermind.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Farve is not holding them hostage by any means. They have plenty of cap room, and even if Farve retires. he would only cost GB 2mil of a cap hit, so thats no big deal. He has earned his time from this small town. Yes, people are getting impatient, but let him take his time. Its a pretty important decision. I still think he'll come back in about a month, probably after the draft.

The Packers have a replacement ready for him in Rodgers, Reguardless, there still going to pick up the same people and draft the same people, which in all likelyhood would be AJ Hawk at 5th overall, followed by an offensive lineman in the second. They definately have the talent, all that team needs to do is stay healthy. As I recall, they lost pretty much all of their close games last season, so they can overcome a 4-12 season and go 10-6, 11-5 come next season, as long as their healthy and make a few more additions. Theirs plenty of players still out in free agency as well as the draft.

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Reguardless if he is ready or not, they still do need to sign a QB anyway with only two on the roster, as Craig Nall went to the Bills. The way the Packers move through the offseason, free agency and draft, shouldn't change all that much, if at all even.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Alright we are 6 days to the NFL draft. Rumor has it the Texans are looking at not only Reggie Bush, but Mario Williams as well. I would just dismiss this as hearsay, but the fact that Bush left Texas without any contract negociations taken place, I feel like the Texans aren't completely sold on Bush. They could make a very profitable trade out of that spot and still be picking in the top 5, which could land them D'Brickishaw Fergeson (sp) or Mario Williams. Are the Texans serious about passing up Reggie Bush and what do you all think about this?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Rollins

Favre makes it official, one more season in Green Bay.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2421947

A long time coming. But good to see a choice has finally been made.

Most definately. At least all the turmoil has ended in Green Bay for the moment. It does suck for me as this might sway a hopeful Buccaneer signee in Charles Woodson possibly more towards Green Bay.

And Miami's resident herbal fanatic just got a year suspension. The whole situation is hilarious to me.

Double Post:

Originally Posted by DragoonKain

I don't think there's any way the Texans pass on Bush. I personally think Bush will end up being one of the 5 best RBs ever.

I agree with you that they don't pass up Bush, but to say that he will be a top 5 RB of all time is quite a stretch. He will be a faster, more dynamic version of Brian Westbrook. He will be a success, barring injury, but I'm not ready to say he will be in such a coveted place yet.

If I'm the Texans, holding Carr, two pro-bowl WRs, and a 1000 yard runner in Dom Davis, I'd much rather trade down a few picks (not out of the top 5 mind you). See if I could get anything lucrative out of a team that is in love with Reggie Bush, along with a top 5 selection, which would still grant me possibly a Mario Williams, D'Brickishaw Fergeson (sp), or AJ Hawk.


Did anyone hear about the Raiders new stadium they plan to build? Al Davis was very excited about the plans set forth the by the Oakland city council.


How ya doing, buddy?

If the Packers have a good season, then I don't see why Brett wouldn't come back. The whole reason behind it was that he was afraid of it being not fun anymore, as it was his first losing season in his starting career. If they Packers do well, and look like they could be ready to make a serious run, I'm sure he'd love to stay on. As long as his legs stay in shape, he'll be physically able.

As for the draft, I'll watch until my team picks, then walk away. I'll hang out at the house and chill on the internet or play a game for awhile (since it is a Saturday and I'm usually tired/relaxing before my friends and I play football on Sunday. Its a perfect setup if I miss the pick, because everyone on the Buccaneer boards will post 15 topics on our latest pick.

I'm happy for the Packers since we won't be seeing them as much anymore. I can safely root for Farve now. Its too bad about Woodson, but I'm glad we didn't overpay for him as Green Bay obviously did. However, as you said Kaga, they have plenty of money to spare this year, so its not a problem for them. I put the spin on that now, with BK, Ronde, and Juran Bolden all over 30 years old at CB, we will be drafting a young corner or two at the draft *crosses fingers for Justin Wyatt*.

By the way, yeah, its Alcatraz. I got the pic of a Bronco board, since its pretty much a 'fuck the Raiders' mentality over there. Its a classic pic of what embodies the Raiders and has for generations, criminal, dirty players.

EDIT : Lmao Kaga. I just saw the Viks new uniforms. Those look way too much like what the Cardinals did to theirs, or the NFL equivilant to the Lakers uniforms almost.

Jam it back in, in the dark.