NFL 2011 Post-Lockout, Pre-Season Thread

What happens if the league average is not at 95%?

Carson Palmer's either a Bengal or a retiree, at least from Cincinnati's perspective.

Seriously, if you're a free agent and your choices are (A) Bengals and Mike Brown or (B) anybody else, why would you choose (A)? OK, I guess if your other option is the Raiders . . .

Nick Barnett released; he'll get picked up soon and play well. It's mentioned he could wind up in Tampa if Barrett Ruud isn't re-signed; Ruud gets flack for not being the world's best tackler, but that's not really the most important skill in the Tampa-2. He's smart and fast, and very good in coverage (which is what's needed). He's had to try to tackle a lot of backs, just because the d-line has been lousy for a few years. Behind improved line play, I expect he'll be very good either in Tampa or anywhere else.

I do wonder where Kyle Orton will wind up; Kolb to Arizona seems probable and Hasselbeck to TN makes a lot of sense. Not sure the Vikings want to pony up an apparent third- or possibly second-round pick for a QB when they just drafted somebody.

gizmo wrote:

What happens if the league average is not at 95%?

The extra money is sent by the League to Third World nations to feed the poor and starving.

no...not really.. the NFLPA probably gets it I'm sure.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

It was pure snark, to annoy Enix. ...

I read "Jason Babin" as "Justin Bieber," so I whiffed that particular tackle, sort of like Chris Gamble.

Desean Jackson might hold out against the Eagles. I really hope they reach a deal quickly without a lot of fuss... he's way over-performed his contract for the last few years.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I do wonder where Kyle Orton will wind up; Kolb to Arizona seems probable and Hasselbeck to TN makes a lot of sense. Not sure the Vikings want to pony up an apparent third- or possibly second-round pick for a QB when they just drafted somebody.

Bulger's a free agent. Don't have any idea if he fits or not.

Jolly Bill wrote:

Desean Jackson might hold out against the Eagles. I really hope they reach a deal quickly without a lot of fuss... he's way over-performed his contract for the last few years.

He still probably got more money than this latest rookie class will be getting.

gizmo wrote:

What happens if the league average is not at 95%?

The league pays the players the missing amount.

In practice, it's unlikely to be an issue. The salary floor is a requirement so even the Mike Browns and Glazers of the league have to hit 89%. Plenty of other teamslikee the Redskins will always be close to 100%, keeping the average up.

But more interesting is what I read in Ask Vic today. He said he was told there is a one-year exemption on the salary floor. Teams apparently don't *have* to spend to 99% or even 89% for 2011, but the league will have to pay the missing amount to the NFLPA. I will look for confirmation of this.

Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!

Things should be interesting here in Colorado this fall/winter. I just hope Tebow! doesn't kill the morale at my work to the point where it's even suckier to be here than it already is.

garion333 wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I do wonder where Kyle Orton will wind up; Kolb to Arizona seems probable and Hasselbeck to TN makes a lot of sense. Not sure the Vikings want to pony up an apparent third- or possibly second-round pick for a QB when they just drafted somebody.

Bulger's a free agent. Don't have any idea if he fits or not.

I heard that Bulger is too banged up still and is thinking of retiring. I know I would not want a quarterback that is comtemplating retirement on my team.

Roy Williams and Marion Barber out of Dallas.

shag26 wrote:
garion333 wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I do wonder where Kyle Orton will wind up; Kolb to Arizona seems probable and Hasselbeck to TN makes a lot of sense. Not sure the Vikings want to pony up an apparent third- or possibly second-round pick for a QB when they just drafted somebody.

Bulger's a free agent. Don't have any idea if he fits or not.

I heard that Bulger is too banged up still and is thinking of retiring. I know I would not want a quarterback that is comtemplating retirement on my team.

Really? I hadn't heard that anywhere. The talk out of Baltimore this past year was about he was no longer banged up. He certainly looked back to himself in the preseason last year. Yes, I know, preseason, but he no longer looked shell shocked and scared to be hit.

Rat Boy wrote:

Roy Williams and Marion Barber out of Dallas.

You know, this is the year Roy will really turn it on in Dallas.

Wait a minute . . .

COME BACK TO DETROIT, ROY!!

IMAGE(http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com/view/1d79cd6661f5fedd268212a1cec4cd22/DETROIT-LIONS-VS-MIAMI-DOLPHINS.jpg)

He will always have a home on Damnsammit's fantasy team.

Leroyog wrote:

COME BACK TO DETROIT, ROY!!

Do you find it uncomfortable that the Lions are beginning to show signs of progress? Would returning to eternally-losing ways allow you to relax? Are you filled with self-loathing, and like really bad yet inexplicably overhyped wide receivers?

MilkmanDanimal wrote:
Rat Boy wrote:

Roy Williams and Marion Barber out of Dallas.

You know, this is the year Roy will really turn it on in Dallas.

Wait a minute . . .

Man, I'd almost forgotten what a terrible trade this was.

It would pain me if the Lions don't win 9 games this year.

Tarvaris Jackson has apparently come to an agreement with the Seattle Seahawks. Link
Ahh damnit. Now I miss the lockout.

garion - I will be watching some of Denver's games this year just to see my man Von Miller, so I'll be sending positive vibes.

Sports talk radio in Houston today was all about Namdi, and how to entice him to Houston. One caller suggested that with the St. Arnold's Brewery here, and Shiner only a couple hours away, someone should start making a "Namdi Awesome-Bock".

Unfortunately, local NFL reporting guru John McClain says the Texans will cheap out and not get him.

McNabb to Minnesota all but done, reportedly.

Carolina fans, uh, get their wish, as Charles Johnson re-signs with the team. Six years, $76 million, $32 million guaranteed, $30 million signing bonus.

None of those figures are typos. Almost $1,500,000 in guaranteed money for every career sack.

I mean, if you're looking for an impact player in the 4-3, the kick-ass DE is definitely it, but . . . $32 million guaranteed?

He's only 25. They see him in practice day in and day out, and if they think he's still ascending, it's a good buy.

Julius Peppers got $42 mil guaranteed last year. If the Panthers did what they think they're doing - spending that cash on a guy entering his prime, as opposed to one that's leaving it - then they did good. Time will tell if their assessment is right.

Worthy investment.

Looks like Leinart is going to Seattle as well... setting up a 3 QB 'competition' between Whitehurst, Jackson and Leinart.

Well, there's always Andrew Luck next year!

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

None of those figures are typos. Almost $1,500,000 in guaranteed money for every career sack.

Another way to look at it is that it's $1 million in guaranteed money for every sack he'll have against the Bucs over the next 5 years.

Alex Smith re-signs with the 49ers for one year.

Rat Boy wrote:

Alex Smith re-signs with the 49ers for one year.

Why?

Stele wrote:
Rat Boy wrote:

Alex Smith re-signs with the 49ers for one year.

Why? :(

So Colin Kaepernick can be brought in to start during week 4 and rock the house.

Stele, I have nothing else consoling to say, you knew this was going to happen. It was all but foretold throughout the offseason.

Edit: And that money the Panthers spent on Johnson is impressive.

Jaguars are apparently picking up Pozlunsky.