NFL 2011 Post-Lockout, Pre-Season Thread

Chris Johnson and DeSean Jackson do deserve raises. I knew Johnson was making less than $1 mil this year, but I didn't realize that Jackson was only going to make $565,000. That's insane.

I'm not a fan of holdouts and prefer people to play our contracts, but those are pretty pathetic salaries for some top talent.

Punter nerds

“@ChrisWarcraft: @Adampodlesh03 Yes. A dome of screaming wind, pain, and the wailing of the damned. It'll be fun!!”- like icecrown? Or worse
garion333 wrote:

Chris Johnson and DeSean Jackson do deserve raises. I knew Johnson was making less than $1 mil this year, but I didn't realize that Jackson was only going to make $565,000. That's insane.

I'm not a fan of holdouts and prefer people to play our contracts, but those are pretty pathetic salaries for some top talent.

Very much agree with this.

Any truth to the rumors I heard earlier that the new CBA has some extra restrictions on holdouts?

*Legion* wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I had the same thought about it that PFT mentions; if Cincinnati had traded for Haynesworth, we'd be laughing at them, but the Patriots do it and it just feels brilliant. My guess is they'll play enough 4-3 to keep him happy, and Belichik will figure out ways to involve him in the 3-4 as well. Big Al may be a total jerk, but, when motivated, he's astoundingly disruptive.

It doesn't feel "brilliant" to me, but it's a measured gamble. The big money in Haynesworth's contract was already doled out by Washington. The Pats' hybrid fronts offer opportunity for Haynesworth to get in there and one-gap. But he looks to be a part-time player and I wonder how Haynesworth will be while, once again, not being "The Man".

My guess is the acquisition of Haynesworth means the Pats play even more 4-3; I can't see Belichick wasting quality defensive talent on the sideline. Also, Haynesworth has to be seriously pissed off right now; he's become the poster child for lousy player behavior, and Belichick will use that as motivation. I think Haynesworth will be very motivated and angry this year, and will be utterly kicking people's butts left and right. It's just a really solid place for him to land and, since the Redskins got stuck with the huge signing bonus, he comes at what winds up being a very cheap level for his talent level.

Belichick, for all the flak he gets, is pretty universally respected as a really creative defensive mind, and I can't imagine him not using Fat Albert the right way.

Also, regarding Chris Kluwe (@chriswarcraft), if you aren't following him on Twitter, you should be. He's hilarious.

With the signing of Robert Gallery and Sidney Rice, I am much more excited for the Seahawks this year. Just because we signed T-Jack doesn't make him our starting QB, Whitehurst will probably beat him in camp. I trust Pete Carroll as last year showed that he can do a lot with lemons. A good o-line, good WRs, good RBs, good LBs, we have half of a good team unlike last year where all we had were the LBs who actually were pretty bad year last year.

garion333 wrote:

Thank you. I was hoping someone would post that.

Don't thank me too much. It gave me an excuse to repost it in this thread so it'd be easier to find in the future.

*Legion* wrote:

Reggie Bush is taking his talents to South Beach.

I'm so using that on my pseudo-brother-in-law, Mr. Fan of the Cavs but still is a fan of LeQuit James.

Grumpicus wrote:

Punter nerds

“@ChrisWarcraft: @Adampodlesh03 Yes. A dome of screaming wind, pain, and the wailing of the damned. It'll be fun!!”- like icecrown? Or worse

Is that a loathe or a love?

Oh, and according to recent Chiefs acquisition Steve Breaston, Todd Haley isn't always a "butthole." Good to know.

I'll miss Podlesh in Jacksonville. Good directional punter.

I was surprised to see the Eagles let go Sav Rocca, I thought he had done very well. Interested to see the new guy.

With the signing of Robert Gallery and Sidney Rice, I am much more excited for the Seahawks this year. Just because we signed T-Jack doesn't make him our starting QB, Whitehurst will probably beat him in camp. I trust Pete Carroll as last year showed that he can do a lot with lemons. A good o-line, good WRs, good RBs, good LBs, we have half of a good team unlike last year where all we had were the LBs who actually were pretty bad year last year.

Whitehurst has a great deep ball and good mobility. His problem is accuracy - he missed intermediate and timing routes way too often for me to feel comfortable this year.

Jackson is just as, if not more mobile than Whitehurst but doesn't have the cannon arm. However, I'll take the average-armed accurate guy over the erratic cannon-arm guy any day, all other things being equal.

What really excites me is our WR corps - Rice + Williams is a huge mismatch for any defensive backfield, plus Butler for the deep threat. If we can spread the field and give Lynch & Washington room to run behind a solid line, good things should happen!

On defense, the priority has to be signing Mebane. If we let him go I will be very disappointed.

Grumpicus wrote:

Punter nerds

“@ChrisWarcraft: @Adampodlesh03 Yes. A dome of screaming wind, pain, and the wailing of the damned. It'll be fun!!”- like icecrown? Or worse

Is that a loathe or a love?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As for me, it was neither, really, just amusing.

In other news, I'm surprised that *Legion* didn't mention the Saints signing Ryan Colburn. Ok, not really, but I _am_ interested in a scouting report.

Playing Tarvaris Jackson is unquestionably plan "B". Or maybe lower, something down by "H".

Seattle has to let Whitehurst be "the man" for 2011 and see if anything is there or not. If not, make a play for Andrew Luck or some other incoming QB prospect in April.

I don't think I've ever seen anything out of Tarvaris Jackson that would lead me to believe he has any sort of starter potential. But he has some experience, so he's an adequate backup plan, for now.

T-Jax does not have good accuracy at all; he just doesn't hit receivers in stride. But hey, he's known for lousy decision-making, so that should help. If T-Jax is the answer, the question was probably, "What's the best way to pick in the top five next year".

I don't get the whole "not trying for a real QB" thing; why bring in a big-money WR, when nobody can throw the ball within five feet of him? Push for Orton, and this team is pretty good.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

If T-Jax is the answer, the question was probably, "What's the best way to pick in the top five next year".

Good point. Seattle should play him and ensure a Luck-y draft spot in April.

*Legion* wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

If T-Jax is the answer, the question was probably, "What's the best way to pick in the top five next year".

Good point. Seattle should play him and ensure a Luck-y draft spot in April. :)

No, that's spot taken. Gee, what team has a former Stanford QB as GM and is starting someone this year who seems likely to suck?

I hope Andrew Luck likes living at 5,280 feet above sea level.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:
*Legion* wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

If T-Jax is the answer, the question was probably, "What's the best way to pick in the top five next year".

Good point. Seattle should play him and ensure a Luck-y draft spot in April. :)

No, that's spot taken. Gee, what team has a former Stanford QB as GM and is starting someone this year who seems likely to suck?

I hope Andrew Luck likes living at 5,280 feet above sea level.

He could have a remote shot of staying close to where he went to school.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:
*Legion* wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

If T-Jax is the answer, the question was probably, "What's the best way to pick in the top five next year".

Good point. Seattle should play him and ensure a Luck-y draft spot in April. :)

No, that's spot taken. Gee, what team has a former Stanford QB as GM and is starting someone this year who seems likely to suck?

I hope Andrew Luck likes living at 5,280 feet above sea level.

I think I would have more faith (hee hee!) in T-Bo than in T-Jax.

But congratulations, you've now created a brain-injuring thought exercise. Why don't you just throw Cam Newton into the question while you're at it? Or Vince Young if anyone signs him.

Rat Boy wrote:

He could have a remote shot of staying close to where he went to school.

How dare you. Colin Kaepernick is going to be the best thing ever to happen to San Franci...

Oh, you were talking about Oakland.

Orton to Seattle would make good sense to me unless they're angling for, uh, some luck in the next draft.

*Legion* wrote:
Rat Boy wrote:

He could have a remote shot of staying close to where he went to school.

How dare you. Colin Kaepernick is going to be the best thing ever to happen to San Franci...

Oh, you were talking about Oakland.

If that happens ... that poor kid ....

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Oakland's been improving bit by bit, and they really haven't imploded this offseason. Can't see them being THAT bad.

As long as Al Davis runs that team, the above will continue to be my opinion, regardless of their w-l record.

Oakland's been improving bit by bit, and they really haven't imploded this offseason. Can't see them being THAT bad. As for T-Bo vs. T-Jax, Seattle has a better team in general, so they seem capable of winning by default. Both Seattle and Denver have lousy divisions, which makes it easier. Carolina? Maybe, but I can't see them taking Luck a year after Newton . . . hmmm, if that happens, does Cam Newton have to legally change his name to "Sam Bowie"?

If Adrian Peterson gets hurt, Minnesota has a real shot.

Edit: If you get ESPN Insider, Football Outsiders just did a ranking of all the teams based on their best under-25 talent. Guess which team came in first? TAMPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Edit: If you get ESPN Insider, Football Outsiders just did a ranking of all the teams based on their best under-25 talent. Guess which team came in first? TAMPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Isn't that because the entire team is under 25 except for Barber?

garion333 wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Edit: If you get ESPN Insider, Football Outsiders just did a ranking of all the teams based on their best under-25 talent. Guess which team came in first? TAMPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Isn't that because the entire team is under 25 except for Barber?

I was going to laugh that off, and then I decided to look up the ages. Barber is the oldest player at 36. Earnest Graham is 31. Jeff Faine is 30.

That's it. Every other player is younger than 30. There are a total of TEN players over the age of 25 on the roster.

Now that the lockout is over, Camp Ryan Is Back In Business, courtesy of KSK (NSFW-language)

Lord almighty I missed that.

Enix wrote:

Now that the lockout is over, Camp Ryan Is Back In Business, courtesy of KSK (NSFW-language)

Lord almighty I missed that.

My good lord, lmao.

The Kolb deal is finally done!

PFT wrote:

Kolb is headed to Arizona in exchange for a second-round pick and 2009 Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

...

Kolb will sign a five-year, $63 million contract with $20 million guaranteed.

Kolb just got PAID! For basically a 6 game portfolio.

Jolly Bill wrote:

The Kolb deal is finally done!

PFT wrote:

Kolb is headed to Arizona in exchange for a second-round pick and 2009 Pro Bowl cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Kolb will sign a five-year, $63 million contract with $20 million guaranteed.

Whoa. That's quite a deal for the Eagles.

Arizona just got stretched....and I don't mean their calves.

Leroyog wrote:

Arizona just got reamed....and I don't mean their calves.

FTFY.

It's funny. If this were a year earlier, I wouldn't call $20 mil guaranteed for a young quarterback such a high price for a promising 26-year-old quarterback. Hell, I would almost call it cheap. Sam Bradford, after all, was drafted and given $50 million guaranteed, having played 0 NFL games.

However, the rookie wage scale changes the picture substantially. Now, the numbers drop way off. The #9 pick (Tyron Smith) just signed a deal for 4 years, $12.5 million (all guaranteed, but that's the entirety of his money unless the Cowboys exercise the 5th year option).

Kolb's deal would have been considerably cheaper than 1st round QBs in the past, but now, one could almost fit both Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert (picks #8 and #10) into Kolb's deal.

Picking a QB high is no longer a team killer. Now, it's the financially prudent way to go. All those teams that took 1st round QBs this year just got extremely lucky.