NFL Offseason Thread TOPIC OPTIONS

[Jay]

I guess that is the part that does bother me, the stupidity of it. I mean, if you told me that Bernard Pollard got a bounty on the Tom Brady hit, I'd be perturbed, especially since I invested in a trip to San Francisco to see him play at home and got Matt Cassel instead that year, but I mean, I guess I just kind of expected that type of thing so I would think the Pats were doing the same thing. Is what it is kind of deal.

Like I said, not cool, but yeah...

[fox]

Vikings fans are up in arms, and I can't blame them. Favre and Peterson took a number of cheap shots in that game. Some blatantly illegal and some just unnecessary. Maybe if Favre's ankle isn't ballooned up like a volleyball he runs 5 yards at the end of regulation setting up the game winning field goal instead of throwing it short to Rice.

[DaNk]

Agreed. Loomis may get fired, but I doubt it.

Word is, he's getting fired. Why? Because he was told by the owner to stop the bounty practice and he not only didn't stop it, he lied to his employer by telling him that he did put a stop to it.

[Carebear]

Okay. Fair call.

I still think slapping a franchise tag on Brees for one year and waiting for the hype of a record breaking season to die down before offering a long term contract is a good gamble and good business sense.

Sleazy? Perhaps. Stupid? Most certainly not.

This post has been edited by Carebear: Mar 5 2012, 7:34 AM

[DaNk]

It very well could be stupid. We're talking about Loomis here, who has now proven that being smart isn't really on his radar.

Brees could simply choose not to sign a franchise tender. Thus making himself free to negotiate elsewhere. And I can think of at least 5 teams that would gladly give up their first round choices over the next two seasons to get him.

However, there's more to consider...like what PFT says here -

So why does a $5 million annual gap exist between the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees?

The Saints believe that, no matter how much Brees huffs and puffs, he'll never hold out for any significant period of time. Especially not in 2012.

In 2012, the Saints and Brees will try to rebound from a special season that fell short of a Super Bowl because the team failed to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs. In 2012, home-field advantage in the playoffs can be parlayed into home-field advantage in the Super Bowl, something no team ever has done in 46 prior Super Bowls.

In 2012, the Saints need Brees to be fully engaged in order to have the kind of regular season that results in home-field advantage in the postseason. And Brees knows it. And the Saints are banking on Brees ultimately choosing his team over himself.

Brees has said on multiple occasions that he'll be with the Saints in 2012. He has refrained from saying anything negative about the team throughout months of fruitless negotiations. He has downplayed the potential drama that can arise from these negotiations.

The Saints believe Brees will accept the franchise tag before the launch of offseason workouts, if that's what it comes to. More immediately, the Saints believe Brees will want to try to work out the best possible long-term deal, so that the Saints can instead use the franchise tag on Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks.

The Saints can get away with playing hardball because they fundamentally believe Brees won't say or do anything that will paint him as anything less than an all-around good guy. A guy who puts others before himself. A guy who organized workouts during the lockout in order to ensure that the team will be ready for the 2011 season.

Brees has crafted an image that now prevents him from taking the kind of action necessary to get the team's attention. He can't hold out. He can't demand a trade. He can't try to make the case to the media that he deserves at least one-sixth of the entire salary cap allotment per year.
The risk, of course, is that the Saints will push Brees to the point where he acts out of character. But that would hurt Brees as much, if not more, than it would hurt the Saints.

None of this changes the fact that Brees deserves to be paid among the best quarterbacks in the game. Over the last six years, he has been the very best quarterback in the game. But as other players have learned over the years, being the best doesn't always mean getting the best contract. To do that, the player must have leverage, and he must be willing to use it.

Brees has leverage. But the Saints are guessing that Brees won't use it. And the Saints probably are guessing right.

I'm not sure they want to take that chance.

[Hitman]

Texans paid Foster. Mario Williams sweepstakes comin right up. C'mon Belichick

[Carebear]

Dank, that article pretty much articulates perfectly what I'm thinking. You doubt they'll want to take that chance, I think otherwise.

I did concede that it is a gamble that could backfire on them...but that's business.

This post has been edited by Carebear: Mar 5 2012, 8:12 AM

[DaNk]

To me, saying that I doubt something or that I'm sure are actually two different things. I know the definition of doubt is being unsure, so even I can laugh at how silly my logic is.

I'm just on the fence about whether or not they will take the chance. For me to say that I doubt that they will, is much more decisive.

And man, I'd love the Colts to pick up Williams too, especially if they move to a 3-4 scheme and lose Mathis.

This post has been edited by DaNk: Mar 5 2012, 8:18 AM

[Carebear]

My bad

[Jay]

The Colts are officially releasing Peyton Manning tomorrow.

[Col]

So where's Manning going?

Seattle? They need something to spark that offense. Marshawn Lynch can't do it all on his own. But Manning would want a team that can actually win a superbowl. Seahawks are far from that.

San Fran? This would be awesome! He'd be joining an amazing coach. A lights-out defense. And could do what Alex Smith couldn't. It's perfect. Shame that Harbaugh probably isn't willing to give up on Smith just yet. :/

NY Jets? Similar situation to the 49ners. They have everything they need to win a superbowl, except an elite QB. Although I can't see Manning getting along with Rex Ryan. (Unless Ryan lets Manning take over the offense and he just focuses on defense). Hey, one great thing about Manning going to The Jets is we get to see him face off against Brady more

Miami? Coach Philbin's from Green Bay...He's probably got his heart set on going after Matt Flynn.

Arizona? This would be my second favourite choice! The Cardinals need another hall of famer QB to re-ignite the spawk they had when Kurt Warner was around. Manning would fit right in and could get The Cardinals back into a Superbowl quickly maybe.

EDIT: ...or retire?

This post has been edited by Col: Mar 6 2012, 3:56 PM

[mex-adilla]

Texans paid Foster. Mario Williams sweepstakes comin right up. C'mon Belichick

we got foster!!

fuck mario. he's always hurt..takes plays off. all you ever hear is "if he wanted to, he could take over" five years later, that shit gets old. good riddance to bad rubbish.

[Batman41]

Here's hoping Manning and Kalil somehow both end up in Minnesota! We can still mentor Ponder with Manning at the helm, if Manning is set to land somewhere else I would not mind him landing in Houston or SF

[fox]

If Irsay and Manning are holding a joint press conference,i have assume he retires.

[Carebear]

Fox, just curious: if Manning retires, does this relieve him or the Colts from any sort of severance pay or some shit like that? Like, if he were to just simply up and go to another team, would he have to give back any money to the Colts (it does sound silly to me, but I thought I'd ask), or if the Colts drop him, do they have to pay him any money?

I just ask, because if so, and if he indeed does announce retirement, maybe it's just something to get out of one party having to give money to the other party, and in a couple of months he could announce he's coming out of retirement.

I dunno about this sort of thing so I thought I'd ask.

re-ignite the spawk

Dunno why, but I find that typo very funny.

Here's hoping Manning and Kalil somehow both end up in Minnesota! We can still mentor Ponder with Manning at the helm, if Manning is set to land somewhere else I would not mind him landing in Houston or SF

Minnesota Vikings: where aging QB's go to end their career

[JGNRN]

I think Manning will retire too. The Colts come out of this free and clear and don't owe him another cent. I never could see them just let him walk.

[DaNk]

If rumor in the business is correct, then he's certainly not going to retire. I just think it's to show unity that they parted amicably.

I can see him going to the Chiefs, Dolphins, or Jets. The other long shots are the Cardinals and Seahawks.

Fox, just curious: if Manning retires, does this relieve him or the Colts from any sort of severance pay or some shit like that? Like, if he were to just simply up and go to another team, would he have to give back any money to the Colts (it does sound silly to me, but I thought I'd ask), or if the Colts drop him, do they have to pay him any money?

Guess you haven't been following this at all. He's due a payment of $28M if he's on the roster as of Friday at 4pm. So, once they cut him today, he's free and clear to negotiate anywhere else he wants. No money due, a clean break.

I wish him the best. I'll always be a fan and will cheer him on wherever he goes (unless it's to the Steelers, Fuck the Steelers). But I'm also still a Colts fan, so when he faces them, all bets are off.

[Hitman]

Yeah, no one's going to be betting on the Colts in those games. Manning is going to destroy them the first time he has to play them. God I hope the game is in Indy too

[Fitz]

Reading the tea leaves I think Manning either goes to AZ or Miami, with the Jets being a possible dark horse contender.

I'd have to imagine that Arizona would be the most attractive option too because they're already built to be pass first offense, they play on a fast track stadium, have a good defense, a proven head coach, a soft division....and Larry Fitzgerald.

[DaNk]

I can only imagine him passing to Fitzgerald and Doucet.

I've always liked the Cards, especially when Warner was there.

Miami seems like something Manning would want to do, but do they want to install his offense? It's not like he'll come in and play whatever offense Philbin wants to install. They'll be getting the Payton Manning Offense­™.

That's why I think AZ would go for it. And the darkhorse is KC. They have a new OC that hasn't implemented and offense yet.

Edit - Seahawks are very interested. This could be more attractive to Manning since they have such a good OL, with great protection.

From PFT -

The NFL’s wealthiest owner may be willing to give a sizable chunk of his wealth to Peyton Manning.

The Seattle Seahawks are planning to “come out checkbook blazing” for Manning, a source tells Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, who is also reporting that the Jets will check Manning out.

Seahawks owner Paul Allen has a net worth estimated at $13.5 billion, making him about $10 billion richer than the second-wealthiest NFL owner, Stephen Ross of the Dolphins. So from Allen’s perspective, money will not be an issue.

The Seahawks are right in the middle of the NFL in terms of how much cap space they have available, so getting a deal done under the cap shouldn’t be an issue either.

Whether the Seahawks are the right fit for Manning from a football perspective remains to be seen, but from a financial perspective, it sounds like the Seahawks would be willing to make him a competitive offer.

This post has been edited by DaNk: Mar 7 2012, 6:27 AM

[Hitman]

That's gotta be the first time anyone's ever drooled while thinking about Early Doucet catching passes !

[DaNk]

He had a better season last year than ever before. So if he has someone like Manning passing to him, I can only imagine he'll improve.

This post has been edited by DaNk: Mar 7 2012, 6:36 AM

[Carebear]

Guess you haven't been following this at all. He's due a payment of $28M if he's on the roster as of Friday at 4pm. So, once they cut him today, he's free and clear to negotiate anywhere else he wants. No money due, a clean break.

That is correct to an extent Dank. I have only heard bits and pieces on ESPN. Once Archie Manning started getting in his 2 cents worth in the media, I kinda started tuning out because I had a feeling it was going to turn into an annoying media circus. So naturally I missed the finer details of the story.

[DaNk]

Word is that Reggie Wayne is interested in Miami as a landing spot, as he hasn't heard anything from the Colts about a new deal.

Interesting...there's been rumors that Manning and Wayne could be a package deal somewhere.

[Hitman]

If that happens I'm going to cry for a month straight.

[DaNk]

It would be fun to see Manning vs. Brady twice a year. With Manning having Wayne, Marshall, Bess, and even Hartline. Who's their starting TE?

[DaNk]

That news conference announcing the release was tough to watch.

[SparksALot]

So Michael Silver from Yahoo! has a new article out listing all the teams that could use Peyton's services. He actually mentions a team as his number one choice that I'm not seeing being mentioned (mainly because they out and out denied it): The Texans. So what if they denied it, they'd be fools to not look into it. I know Matt Schaub is a good QB, but he's also an injury risk and obviously can't be counted on to finish a season. There is literally almost zero risk here if Manning looks healthy. Schaub is so brittle that by the time Manning's 2-4 years are up he may actually be in better physical condition. As Silver pointed out, they cut Schaub and save his $7 million, and he'll get picked up in the bat of an eye despite his injury history, and pick up Manning.

Imagine a healthy Manning on that team? Throwing to Andre Johnson? With Arian Foster in the backfield and a very, very good O-line? If you have a Manning that is close to the same guy, they would have to be Super Bowl favorites on paper.

Oh and he has extremely good reasoning why going to Arizona won't happen:

For many reasons, I just can’t see this happening. I keep trying to picture Whisenhunt making the case to notoriously cheap owner Bill Bidwill (along with Bidwill’s son, Michael, and the Bidwills’ faithful steward in bean-counting, general manager Rod Graves) that a year after trading a talented young cornerback (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and a second-round draft pick to acquire Kevin Kolb – and giving Kolb a five-year, $63-million contract with $21 million in guaranteed money – the franchise should pay a 36-year-old quarterback coming off several neck surgeries even more. Good luck with that.

This post has been edited by SparksALot: Mar 7 2012, 10:29 AM

[DaNk]

Although it's a business and anything can happen, I just don't see him going there where he'd then have to face the Colts twice every season.

That and MexiCharles would have to be put on a 24/7 suicide or homicide watch!

[Fitz]

Oh and he has extremely good reasoning why going to Arizona won't happen:

For many reasons, I just can’t see this happening. I keep trying to picture Whisenhunt making the case to notoriously cheap owner Bill Bidwill (along with Bidwill’s son, Michael, and the Bidwills’ faithful steward in bean-counting, general manager Rod Graves) that a year after trading a talented young cornerback (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and a second-round draft pick to acquire Kevin Kolb – and giving Kolb a five-year, $63-million contract with $21 million in guaranteed money – the franchise should pay a 36-year-old quarterback coming off several neck surgeries even more. Good luck with that.

That's an interesting perspective but it seems based more on speculation than on actual information coming out of AZ.