The Rolling 2008 NFL Offseason Thread

Derek Anderson to Atlanta for Falcrumbs no.1 pick. Let's get this done cankles.

^^ atl may need a later pick or a conditional or something but that sounds like a win/win situation. so of course it will never happen.

The Browns, in their last game, had no defensive lineman in reserve. They play a 3-4! THEY HAD THREE LINEMAN IN TOTAL. Atl we will give you rights to Lake Erie for six months in addition to Anderson.

miami is looking to deal the #1 pick...

what to do with Derek Anderson is a tough one. could be that this was a one season flash and his trade value will never be higher, and Brady Quinn will reveal himself to be the real deal (tm). could be that Anderson's actually the real deal (tm) and BQ's career will sink like BQ on draft day.

personally, i'd take the gamble and get a high pick for him. i think the Browns have already said they're keeping him tho?

same thing that happened in sd w/ brees/rivers

which probably ended up as best case scenario for both teams

i don't think derek anderson/brady quinn will turn out the same way

that's a neat comparison, although Anderson/Quinn is like the poor man's version.

which probably ended up as best case scenario for both teams

if they could turn back time, SD would offer a decent contract to Brees without a second's hesitation i reckon. although the big question mark was the injury and they weren't to know he'd stay fit.

Browns will sign Anderson in the off-season and start him next season. The Browns schedule is going to be very difficult (AFC South and NFC East) so we'll see if Anderson is the real deal. He had a pretty medicore last six games. I thnk Quinn is the future and wouldn't mind seeing Anderson traded for a first round pick. Browns won't be going anywhere with their current defense.

yeah, i was thinking that romeo would probably love to get the falcons pick if howie long's kid was still on the board. i'm assuming he still runs a 3-4?

yes 3-4

if they could turn back time, SD would offer a decent contract to Brees without a second's hesitation i reckon.

I doubt it. Smith didn't draft Brees, and Smith is loyal to HIS guys to a fault. I'm not sure who the better quarterback is of the two. Brees spreads the ball around well and doesn't make a lot of mistakes, but Rivers has more postseason wins and as many postseason appearances, and a better regular season winning percentage. If Rivers can cut down on dumb mistakes (which won't be easy since he's an idiot), he will almost definitely be the better quarterback in a few years.

. If Rivers can cut down on dumb mistakes (which won't be easy since he's an idiot),

my favorite thing i've read today.

dude, i will take you word on this as i'm sure you've seen Rivers play more often than i have, but i caught a decent amount of both guys this year, and (despite the way he started the season) Brees is a proven playmaking QB while Rivers seems pretty far away from that. i thought Rivers was going to really find his feet this year (hello misguided fantasy draft) but either he had trouble adapting to the new coaching staff or he just isn't going to develop into the player he was supposed to. i guess we'll see next year. i was genuinely surprised by how ineffective he was in some games this year, even games your guys won.

I think it's undeniable that Brees is a more accomplished quarterback than Rivers right now ... Brees had to be a bit of a gunslinger this year and that accounts for all the interceptions (more than Rivers!), but he piled up a ton of yards and touchdowns. I would be happy to have him as my quarterback, and was bummed when they didn't keep him OR get anything for him.

But on the other hand, in Brees's first two years as a starter, he was 10-17 with 28 TD and 31 INT. His Passer Ratings were 76.9 and 67.5. He didn't have the talent around him that Rivers has (although he did have LDT), but he still didn't play very well.

http://espn.go.com/i/eticket/20080125/assets/photo_lower_r.jpg

brady's smirk says to me "can you believe i'm going to home to fuck this?"

DAMN YOU ESPN!!!!

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/eticket/20080125/photos/etick_splash_tomgisele_310.jpg

?

uh wtf al davis?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3214665

Lane Kiffin is awesome. He is so Gruden II.

Lane Kiffin IS awesome. This is total lulz.

if they could turn back time, SD would offer a decent contract to Brees without a second's hesitation i reckon. although the big question mark was the injury and they weren't to know he'd stay fit.

I don't think so, Rivers had a fantastic first year as a starter, and even though he regressed a bit this year (it's Norv Turner for crissakes!), they've been 25-7 in the regular season with him as a starter.

Did Al Davis really expect that Lane Kiffin was going to take THAT team to the playoffs?

I know this will draw the response of "OMG YOU SUPPORTED CAM'S FIRING", but you can't keep firing coaches after ONE SEASON, Al.

He'll probably hire Mark Gastineau as head coach next or something stupid like that...

I called the Kiffin thing at least two weeks ago on these boards. call me John Clayton Jr.

Bo, you just made me spit coffee all over my office with the Gastineau call. Thanks.

browns will probably tender DA at the highest level, meaning he will cost a first and a third to acquire. i imagine that they'd like to keep both of them around as long as possible, you can never have too many good quarterbacks. eventually they'll have to give one up and probably get good value for him, but i doubt they're in a hurry to unload either dude.

falcons probably should/will take matt ryan, but god if dorsey or sedrick ellis or even chris long are available..... jesus, it would be great to get one of those guys. sedrick ellis is particularly a guy who blew me away watching senior bowl practices this week, he's a legit star.

I think it's undeniable that Brees is a more accomplished quarterback than Rivers right now ... Brees had to be a bit of a gunslinger this year and that accounts for all the interceptions (more than Rivers!), but he piled up a ton of yards and touchdowns. I would be happy to have him as my quarterback, and was bummed when they didn't keep him OR get anything for him.

But on the other hand, in Brees's first two years as a starter, he was 10-17 with 28 TD and 31 INT. His Passer Ratings were 76.9 and 67.5. He didn't have the talent around him that Rivers has (although he did have LDT), but he still didn't play very well.

-- polyphonic, Friday, 25 January 2008 20:11 (3 days ago) Link

ooooof. dude, I really don't think you can hold a QB's first two years against him, especially since he's played at a very high level in the intervening 4 years. in general I don't think you can make a call on any rookie until they've got 2-3 seasons under their belt, but QBs most of all - it's the ultimate developmental position and i think you have to give a guy around 4 years before you really expect him to look like what you had in mind when you drafted him.

sedrick ellis is particularly a guy who blew me away watching senior bowl practices this week, he's a legit star.

^^best case scenario for dolphins is trade down and grab this dude, but it's obv a pipe dream

ooooof. dude, I really don't think you can hold a QB's first two years against him, especially since he's played at a very high level in the intervening 4 years. in general I don't think you can make a call on any rookie until they've got 2-3 seasons under their belt, but QBs most of all - it's the ultimate developmental position and i think you have to give a guy around 4 years before you really expect him to look like what you had in mind when you drafted him.

Right, and Rivers has only had two years, and he's shown flashes of brilliance in those two years. I don't hold Brees' development time against him ... I'm just pointing out that giving up on Rivers now because he hasn't been quite as good as Brees would be pointless because he's outperformed Brees to date in his career. And he was a better prospect than Brees' out of college, both in terms of his collegiate performance and his size/arm.

free agency: DAY ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Atlanta Falcons - Re-signed quarterback Chris Redman.
Buffalo Bills - Signed linebacker Kawika Mitchell.
Cleveland Browns - Agreed to terms with quarterback Derek Anderson on a three-year contract.
Denver Broncos - Released wide receiver Javon Walker and linebacker Ian Gold.
Houston Texans - Re-signed wide receiver Andre Davis.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Acquired wide receiver Troy Williamson from the Minnesota Vikings for an undisclosed draft pick; signed wide receiver Jerry Porter.
Miami Dolphins - Acquired defensive tackle Jason Ferguson from the Dallas Cowboys for undisclosed future draft choices; signed wide receiver Ernest Wilford and linebacker Ian Gold.
Minnesota Vikings - Agreed to terms with fullback Thomas Tapeh.
New Orleans Saints - Acquired linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the New York Jets for an undisclosed draft pick.
New York Jets - Acquired defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from the Carolina Panthers for undisclosed draft picks; signed defensive tackle Sione Pouha to a contract extension.
Philadelphia Eagles - Signed cornerback Asante Samuel to a six-year contract.
San Francisco 49ers - Signed cornerback Allen Rossum.
Washington Redskins - Agreed to terms with quarterback Todd Collins.

also; Gibril Wilson headed to OAK, Atlanta reportedly looking hard at Michael Turner, Randy Moss testing the market.

oh, and TB signed Jeff Faine. and the Jets are signing Alan Faneca. and Shaun Rogers is now a Bengal.

Isaac Bruce is now a 49er.

Browns trade for Corey Williams (GB) and give up a draft pick.

"Shaun Rogers is now a Bengal."

It is only a bit of a push unless they keep Justin Smith around. Team those two guys together and they may have something. They still need a big butt tackle and more linebackers than you can shake a stick at.

vikes pick up madieu williams and fins drop 25 mill on an og from san fran named justin smiley

also sign josh mccown, who should be their starting qb this season

There's a wrinkle! Because of some sort of salary cap regulation, the NFL did not allow the CIN-DET trade, so the Lions have traded Rogers to... the Browns! And they get Leigh Bodden and a third rounder in return! Which is much better value for them than the Bengals deal.

Williams + Rogers is a pretty good haul for the Browns. I guess Rogers is gonna be a 7 or 9-technique DE in the 34, is Williams going to play nose?

Randy Moss testing the market.

This seems incredibly dummm.

Buffalo Bills - Acquired defensive tackle Marcus Stroud from the Jacksonville Jaguars for undisclosed draft picks.
Houston Texans - Signed cornerback Jacques Reeves.
Miami Dolphins - Signed quarterback Josh McCown, defensive tackle Randy Starks, guard Justin Smiley and linebackers Reggie Torbor and Charlie Anderson.
Philadelphia Eagles - Signed defensive end Chris Clemons to a five-year contract.
San Francisco 49ers - Signed defensive end Justin Smith.
St. Louis Rams - Signed kicker Josh Brown to a five-year contract.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Signed tight end John Gilmore.

Bernard Berrian is now a Viking; Donte Stallworth is a Cleveland Brown.

Lance Briggs has been resigned by the Bears.

Huh, I really thought Briggs would sign elsewhere.

Browns have no picks in the first (9-6) 3 three (3) rounds.

CANKLES! You've been a Bodden supporter and it's plain to see. Bodden'd been replaced by Eazy E Eric Wright.

I still think Derek Anderson will be traded.

Donte Stallworth to the Browns. Hopefully he can play linebacker.

Patriots are going to start next season with Jabar Gaffney and Troy Brown at WR.

good move by Minnesota trying to balance their D a little by recruiting a Williams for their secondary.

Falcons sign Michael Turner. Dunno what I think of that.

I really think the Browns only trade DA if another team approaches THEM with a monstrous offer. Their ideal scenario is keeping both guys (DA & Quinn) on the same roster for as long as they can.

Ya, I do like Bodden, tho I understand he kinda sucked this year. Really it's just a good deal for Detroit because a) their CBs were atrocious post-Bly leaving b) it's better value than the pile of lint and dust that Cinci were gonna send them.

Turner is awesome, canks. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I like the guy, but $34 mil over 6 years seems a little steep. I dunno!

15 mil guaranteed, at that

yah 6 years too. i don't see him producing for that long

so norwood is a career 'change of pace' back then?

Bringing in Turner ahead of Norwood = FAIL

Isaac Bruce is now a 49er.

-- cankles, Friday, February 29, 2008 6:49 PM (Friday, February 29, 2008 6:49 PM) Bookmark Link

he had another birthday?

Moss resigned w/Pats; 3 years, 27 mil (surprisingly cheap)

how is it structured? if he actually gets the 27M then it's a great deal for randy. if it's one of those deals where he makes 4M, 6M, and 17M then he's effed in the a because he'll never see that 3rd year.

i can't imagine in a million years he'd agree to a backloaded deal. as it is, i think NE's really underpaying him. 9m a year is a bargain

Arizona Cardinals - Signed tight end Jerame Tuman to a two-year contract; Signed defensive end Travis LaBoy to a five-year contract.
Atlanta Falcons - Released running back Warrick Dunn; Released quarterback Joey Harrington; Signed defensive end Simon Fraser and defensive tackles Kindal Moorehead and Rashad Moore.
Baltimore Ravens - Agreed to terms with linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo on a four-year contract.
Buffalo Bills - Re-signed tackle Matt Murphy; Re-signed offensive lineman Jason Whittle.
Carolina Panthers - Signed defensive end Tyler Brayton, linebacker Landon Johnson.
Chicago Bears - Agreed to terms with wide receiver Marty Booker on a two-year contract; Signed wide receiver Brandon Lloyd to a one-year contract.
Cincinnati Bengals - Signed defensive end Antwan odom to a five-year contract; Signed linebacker Dhani Jones to a three-year contract and punter Kyle Larson to a five-year contract.
Cleveland Browns - Signed safety Nick Sorensen to a three-year contract.
Denver Broncos - Signed wide receiver Kerry Colbert and linebacker Niko Koutouvides; re-signed defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban; Signed linebacker Boss Bailey and wide receiver Edell Shepherd; Signed defensive end John Engelberger and tight end Nate Jackson; Signed safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel.
Detroit Lions - Signed cornerback Brian Kelly, defensive tackle Chuck Darby.
Green Bay Packers - Announced the retirement of quarterback Brett Favre; Named Joe Whitt Jr. defensive quality control coach and Mondray Gee assistant stength and conditioning coach.
Houston Texans - Signed linebacker Kevin Bentley.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Released guard Chris Naeole; Waived wide receiver Charles Sharon; Signed defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, tackles Pete McMahon and Ryan Gibbons and long snapper Brett Goode.
Kansas City Chiefs - Agreed to terms with linebacker Demorrio Williams on a five-year contract; claimed fullback Oliver Hoyte off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys.
Miami Dolphins - Re-signed safety Yeremiah Bell to a one-year contract; Re-signed cornerback Michael Lehan to a four-year contract; signed fullback Boomer Grigsby to a one-year contract.
Minnesota Vikings - Signed running back Maurice Hicks.
New England Patriots - Re-signed wide receiver Randy Moss; signed wide receiver Sam Aiken; Signed cornerback Lewis Sanders and safety Tank Williams; Re-signed wide receiver Jabar Gaffney; Signed cornerback Jason Webster.
New Orleans Saints - Signed wide receiver David Patten to a two-year contract; Agreed to terms with linebacker Dan Morgan; re-signed tight end Billy Miller.
New York Giants Signed safety Sammy Knight.
New York Jets - Signed guard Alan Faneca, linebacker Calvin Pace and offensive lineman Damien Woody; Signed fullback Tony Richardson; Released tackle Anthony Clement; signed cornerback Andre Woolfork.
Oakland Raiders - Signed wide receiver Javon Walker.
Philadelphia Eagles - Released linebacker Takeo Spikes.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Signed quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to an eight-year contract extension and running back Mewelde Moore to a three-year contract; Re-signed linebacker Andre Frazier to a one-year contract.
San Francisco 49ers - Signed running back DeShaun Foster, linebacker Dontarrious Thomas and quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan; Signed wide receiver Isaac Bruce.
Seattle Seahawks - Signed tight end Jeb Putzier to a one-year contract; Signed running backs TJ Duckett and Julius Jones.
St. Louis Rams - Agreed to terms with guard Jacob Bell on a six-year contract; Re-signed guard Adam Goldberg; agreed to terms with tight end Anthony Becht; Named Terry Shea quarterbacks coach, Bob Saunders assistant offensive coach and Chuck Faucette assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Acquired quarterback Brian Griese from the Chicago Bears for a 2009 undisclosed pick; Signed linebackers Teddy Lehman and Matt McCoy; Signed linebacker Leon Joe; Signed cornerback Sammy Davis; Signed tight end Ben Troupe.
Tennessee Titans - Agreed to terms with tight end Alge Crumpler on a multi-year contract; Agreed to terms with defensive end Jevon Kearse on a three-year contract.
Washington Redskins - Re-signed KR/PR Rock Cartwright.

cankles said I should hang out here. Was he LYING?

Ooo, I hadn't heard about Crumples to Titans! JOY!
Do the pats grab takeo too?

Arizona Cardinals - Re-signed long snapper Nathan Hodel to a four-year contract; Agreed to terms with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on a four-year contract.
Atlanta Falcons - Signed tight end Jason Rader; Re-signed defensive tackle Tim Anderson; signed center Alex Stepanovich; Re-signed quarterback Joey Harrington.
Baltimore Ravens - Signed cornerback Frank Walker to a two-year contract.
Buffalo Bills - Signed tight end Courtney Anderson.
Carolina Panthers - Released center Justin Hartwig; signed wide receiver DJ Hackett to a two-year contract.
Cincinnati Bengals - Signed linebacker Darryl Blackstock to a one-year contract; Signed linebacker Roy Manning to a one-year contract.
Cleveland Browns - Signed offensive lineman Lennie Friedman to a one-year contract; Signed offensive lineman Rex Hadnot to a two-year contract; Signed defensive back Gary Baxter and fullback Charles Ali to one-year contracts.
Denver Broncos - Waived tackle Doug Nienhuis.
Detroit Lions - Released defensive end Kalimba Edwards and running back Kevin Jones.
Houston Texans - Signed running back Chris Brown; Re-signed tight end Mark Bruener and safety Glenn Earl; Signed linebacker Chaun Thompson.
Kansas City Chiefs - Agreed to terms with wide receiver Devard Darling on a three-year contract.
Miami Dolphins - Signed kicker Dave Rayner to a one-year contract; signed wide receiver Tab Perry to a one-year contract.
Minnesota Vikings - Signed linebacker Derrick Pope.
New England Patriots - Re-signed defensive lineman Mike Wright; Re-signed safety Ray Ventrone.
New York Giants - Re-signed running back Derrick Ward; Signed quarterback David Carr; Signed linebacker Danny Clark.
New York Jets - Signed running back Jesse Chatman; signed tight end Bubba Franks.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Signed linebacker Keyaron Fox to a one-year contract.
San Francisco 49ers - Waived wide receiver Darrell Jackson; Terminated the contract of quarterback Trent Dilfer.
St. Louis Rams - Agreed to terms with quarterback Trent Green on a three-year contract.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Signed tight end Ben Troupe, wide receiver Antonio Bryant and running back Warrick Dunn.
Tennessee Titans - Agreed to terms with wide receiver Justin McCareins.
Washington Redskins - Re-signed defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti.

Additionally, the Falcons appear to have an agreement in principle with the Oakland Raiders to trade them Deangelo Hall in exchange for Oakland's 2nd round pick in the 2008 draft. The deal is contingent on Hall passing a physical and on his signing an extension with Oakland.

I wish blount was around to comment on this. I dunno what he even thinks of D Hall.

http://bestmessageboardever.com/uploads/monthly_03_2008/post-1452-1205780160.jpg

Additionally, the Falcons appear to have an agreement in principle with the Oakland Raiders to trade them Deangelo Hall in exchange for Oakland's 2nd round pick in the 2008 draft. The deal is contingent on Hall passing a physical and on his signing an extension with Oakland.

time to either take the keys away from al davis or start random drug testing in the raiders front office.

Signed quarterback David Carr

lol whut

lol ya, i guess they're not satisfied w/the backup capabilitiez of hefty lefty.

i don't think it's an awful move for the raiders, i guess next year asomaguhghaigh is a free agent (franchised this year) and they may not be able to keep him. d-hall isn't as good, but he's a solid young player (4 years nfl experience, not even 25 yet)

he's a solid player but does he have the self-control to deal with being in oakland? that franchise is a mess and hall is creeping up on ron artest levels of nuttyness.

Jessica Simpson's mother claims her daughter has secretly remarried. As Simpson and her mother Tina were leaving Chili's restaurant in Los Angeles Tuesday, Tina revealed that her 27-year-old daughter has secretly wed. Asked if Simpson was planning to marry football star Tony Romo, whom she had been dating since last November, Tina laughed and responded to the inquiry, "Jessica is already married to Tony. What are you talking about?" Simpson, who was previously married to singer Nick Lachey, giggled and told gossip Web site TMZ.com, "Well I guess if my mom said it, it must be true!"

As Simpson and her mother Tina were leaving Chili's restaurant in Los Angeles Tuesday,

chili's? huh. ok.

britney wants her baby back baby back baby back

Just for funs, here's the 2008 opponent schedule.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills
Home: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Cleveland
Away: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Kansas City, Arizona, St. Louis, Jacksonville

Miami Dolphins
Home: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore
Away: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Kansas City, Arizona, St. Louis, Houston

New England Patriots
Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Kansas City, Arizona, St. Louis, Pittsburgh
Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Indianapolis

New York Jets
Home: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Denver, Kansas City, Arizona, St. Louis, Cincinnati
Away: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tennessee

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens
Home: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, Oakland
Away: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Miami

Cincinnati Bengals
Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, Kansas City
Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, N.Y. Jets

Cleveland Browns
Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Denver
Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo

Pittsburgh Steelers
Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, San Diego
Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Washington, New England

AFC South

Houston Texans
Home: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, Miami
Away: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Minnesota, Oakland

Indianapolis Colts
Home: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, New England
Away: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Minnesota, San Diego

Jacksonville Jaguars
Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo
Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, Denver

Tennessee Titans
Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Minnesota, N.Y. Jets
Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City

AFC West

Denver Broncos
Home: Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego, Buffalo, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville
Away: Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego, New England, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Cleveland

Kansas City Chiefs
Home: Denver, Oakland, San Diego, Buffalo, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee
Away: Denver, Oakland, San Diego, New England, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Cincinnati

Oakland Raiders
Home: Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, New England, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston
Away: Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Buffalo, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Baltimore

San Diego Chargers
Home: Denver, Kansas City, Oakland, New England, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Indianapolis
Away: Denver, Kansas City, Oakland, Buffalo, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
Home: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay
Away: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Arizona, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Green Bay

New York Giants
Home: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Carolina
Away: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Arizona, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Minnesota

Philadelphia Eagles
Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Arizona, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Atlanta
Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago

Washington Redskins
Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Arizona, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New Orleans
Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit

NFC North

Chicago Bears
Home: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philadelphia
Away: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, St. Louis

Detroit Lions
Home: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Washington
Away: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, San Francisco

Green Bay Packers
Home: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas
Away: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Seattle

Minnesota Vikings
Home: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, N.Y. Giants
Away: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Arizona

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
Home: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis
Away: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Minnesota, Oakland, San Diego, Philadelphia

Carolina Panthers
Home: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, Arizona
Away: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Minnesota, Oakland, San Diego, N.Y. Giants

New Orleans Saints
Home: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Minnesota, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco
Away: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, Washington

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Home: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Green Bay, Minnesota, Oakland, San Diego, Seattle
Away: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, Dallas

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals
Home: St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas. N.Y. Giants, Buffalo, Miami, Minnesota
Away: St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, N.Y. Jets, Carolina

St. Louis Rams
Home: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas. N.Y. Giants, Buffalo, Miami, Chicago
Away: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta

San Francisco 49ers
Home: Arizona, St. Louis, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, N.Y. Jets, Detroit
Away: Arizona, St. Louis, Seattle, Dallas. N.Y. Giants, Buffalo, Miami, New Orleans

Seattle Seahawks
Home: Arizona, San Francisco, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, N.Y. Jets, Green Bay
Away: Arizona, San Francisco, St. Louis, Dallas. N.Y. Giants, Buffalo, Miami, Tampa Bay

I'm gonna try to see a Jags home game this year, and hopfully it's the Minnesota game. Jags defense bunged = lots of Adrian Peterson awesomeness!

Date Opponent Network Kickoff Results
Sunday, September 7 vs DALLAS COWBOYS FOX 4:15 PM
Sunday, September 14 vs PITTSBURGH STEELERS NBC 8:15 PM
Sunday, September 21 @ Baltimore Ravens CBS 4:15 PM
Sunday, September 28 @ Cincinnati Bengals CBS 1:00 PM
Monday, October 13 vs NEW YORK GIANTS ESPN 8:30 PM
Sunday, October 19 @ Washington Redskins CBS 4:15 PM
Sunday, October 26 @ Jacksonville Jaguars CBS 4:05 PM
Sunday, November 2 vs BALTIMORE RAVENS CBS 1:00 PM
Thursday, November 6 vs DENVER BRONCOS NFLN 8:15 PM
Monday, November 17 @ Buffalo Bills ESPN 8:30 PM
Sunday, November 23 vs HOUSTON TEXANS CBS 1:00 PM
Sunday, November 30 vs INDIANAPOLIS COLTS CBS 1:00 PM
Sunday, December 7 @ Tennessee Titans CBS 1:00 PM
Monday, December 15 @ Philadelphia Eagles ESPN 8:30 PM
Sunday, December 21 vs CINCINNATI BENGALS CBS 1:00 PM
Sunday, December 28 @ Pittsburgh Steelers CBS 1:00 PM

Not an easy schedule but at least the Browns play the Giants, Clots and Cowboys at home.

pats schedule:

Thu 8/7/2008  	7:30 PM  	vs  	Ravens  	WCVB / Channel 5  	 	 	 	

Sun 8/17/2008 	8:00 PM 	@ 	Buccaneers 	NFL Network 				

Fri 8/22/2008 	7:30 PM 	vs 	Eagles 	WCVB / Channel 5 				

Thu 8/28/2008 	7:00 PM 	@ 	Giants 	WCVB / Channel 5 				
Sun 9/7/2008 	1:00 PM 	vs 	Chiefs 	CBS / WBZ Channel 4 				

Sun 9/14/2008 	4:15 PM 	@ 	Jets 	CBS / WBZ Channel 4 				

Sun 9/21/2008 	1:00 PM 	vs 	Dolphins 	CBS / WBZ Channel 4 				

Sun 9/28/2008 		vs 	Bye 					

Sun 10/5/2008 	4:15 PM 	@ 	49ers 	CBS / WBZ Channel 4 				

Sun 10/12/2008 	8:15 PM 	@ 	Chargers 	WHDH Channel 7 				

Mon 10/20/2008 	8:30 PM 	vs 	Broncos 	ESPN / WCVB Channel 5 				

Sun 10/26/2008 	1:00 PM 	vs 	Rams 	WFXT Channel 25 				

Sun 11/2/2008 	8:15 PM 	@ 	Colts 	NBC / WHDH Channel 7 				

Sun 11/9/2008 	1:00 PM 	vs 	Bills 	WBZ Channel 4 				

Thu 11/13/2008 	8:15 PM 	vs 	Jets 	NFL Network 				

Sun 11/23/2008 	1:00 PM 	@ 	Dolphins 	WBZ Channel 4 				

Sun 11/30/2008 	4:15 PM 	vs 	Steelers 	WBZ Channel 4 				

Sun 12/7/2008 	8:15 PM 	@ 	Seahawks 	WHDH Channel 7 				

Sun 12/14/2008 	4:15 PM 	@ 	Raiders 	WBZ Channel 4 				

Sun 12/21/2008 	1:00 PM 	vs 	Cardinals 	WFXT Channel 25 				

Sun 12/28/2008 	1:00 PM 	@ 	Bills 	WBZ Channel 4 		

with the local tv options in case you find yourself in the boston media area.

wow, at san diego, at indy, at seattle.

easily 11-0 going into the colts

the rest of it's cake :)

xp

first four are preseason.

it's a shame they only play the Raiders once

i should match this up against the bears schedule to see when the pats will be blacked out on broadcast tv here.

yr atlanta falcons 2008 schedule

Sept. 7 Detroit Lions 1 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 21 Kansas City Chiefs 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Green Bay Packers 1 p.m.
Oct. 12 Chicago Bears 1 p.m.
Oct. 19 Bye
Oct. 26 at Philadelphia Eagles 1 p.m.
Nov. 2 at Oakland Raiders 4:15 p.m.
Nov. 9 New Orleans Saints 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 Denver Broncos 1 p.m.
Nov. 23 Carolina Panthers 1 p.m.
Nov. 30 at San Diego Chargers 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 7 at New Orleans Saints 1 p.m.
Dec. 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m.
Dec. 21 at Minnesota Vikings 1 p.m.
Dec. 28 St. Louis Rams 1 p.m.

aw man, LT's not coming to town :(

so going to that LOINZ game tho to see mah bwoy from tech~

easily 11-0 going into the colts

I don't think @San Diego is going to be easy.

I don't think counting preseason games is wise, either.

Air McNair retired! ;_;

I don't think counting preseason games is wise, either.

-- David R., Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:55 AM (9 hours ago) Bookmark Link

looool 7-0 then

i'm waiting until after the draft to make predictions, doggies~

the highlight videos that si.com has for the "top 200 prospects" are pretty great. good time waster

^^ OTM. i lost about 90 minutes on wednesday watching/listening to them.

so is mcnair a HoFer? i tend to think no based on production alone, but i think his lovability will go a long way towards helping his case.

david pollack retires

mcnair is a close call maybe, i would be interested in seeing how it all plays out. i think he might make it!

david pollack retires

-- cankles, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:44 PM (53 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

this sucks

Peter King's take on McNair-4-HOF was sorta interesting:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/04/20/mmqb/3.html

sounds like the vikes are close to trading for jared allen w/the chiefs

heh, I was gonna make a post comparing mcnair and brunell before reading that king kolumn! the thing is, brunell's probably really underrated, historically, but he'll never get in the HoF. the startling similarity between their career numbers - they even have the same YPA (6.9) (which is ghastly btw), and brunell had 2500 rushing yards to mcnair's 3500 - has to hurt mcnair's case.

at the same time, i'm not sure i'd mind if either of them get in. i like the more inclusive approach as opposed to nitpicking genuinely great players who happened to not be completely transcendental.

whats the point of having a limit on annual inductees btw? why not open that shit up? fuk u, HoF!!!

vikings traded for jared allen, sending this year's 1st rounder and two 3rd rounders to KC. pretty tremendous move, automatically makes them one of the top-3 defensive lines in football - lack of pass rush was pretty much the only thing keeping this defense from being elite. if only they had, y'know... a QB~

A 1st and two 3rds is a pretty steep price, though. I would think they could find a decent pass rusher in the middle of the first round, and then have two more good picks in a deep draft.

yeah but last year allen was definitely elite level, not just decent.

i dunno, it's a lot but you just overpay for great talent on O and D lines, it's just the league right now, so i'm cool w/ it.

I heart mcnair forever but I can't see him going to Canton.

No way Mcnair belongs in the Hall, neither does Brunell.

Allen was the Chiefs best player. What the fuck were they thinking?

Allen was the Chiefs best player. What the fuck were they thinking?

he said he wouldn't sign with them so they got something while they could.

"More than that, though, the Chiefs also bluntly felt as if Allen, while a good player, was not indispensable. When I asked one Chiefs official how the Chiefs possibly could get better without the NFL's sack leader, he asked back: "How many of those sacks were in the fourth quarter?"

The correct answer to that is zero. When asked what this was supposed to mean -- after all, the Chiefs were trailing an awful lot in the fourth quarter, and sack opportunities were rare -- the official shrugged and said, "I'm just saying. Zero."

haha, "how many of those sacks were against teams running the ball against us trying to eat up the clock? Zero!"

this is kindof awesome:

2008 NFL Week 1 Lines

From Sportsbook.

Redskins @ Giants (-4)
Bengals @ Ravens (pk)
Jets (-3) @ Dolphins
Chief @ Patriots (-15.5)
Texans @ Steelers (-7)
Jaguars (-2.5) @ Titans
Lions (-1) @ Falcons
Seahawks @ Bills (-2)
Buccaneers @ Saints (-3.5)
Rams @ Eagles (-7)
Cowboys (-3) @ Browns
Panthers @ Chargers (-9)
Cardinals (-3) @ 49ers
Bears @ Colts (-9)
Vikings @ Packers (-3)
Broncos (-1.5) @ Raiders

Chief @ Patriots (-15.5)

well sure, if they're only sending one player a two touchdown spread seems right.

http://espn.go.com/media/pg2/2001/0712/photo/s_parish_si.jpg

AT

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/reenactment.jpg

i. i thought it was a genuinely good deal for both teams. JA's the kind of young player you'd normally want to build around, but the chiefs are just so damn miserable as a franchise that they're better off with a shitload of picks than the one dominant player. meanwhile, the vikes were just two good players (pass-rusher and QB, lol) away from being one of the strongest teams in the conference.

ii. I don't think there's any way at all you can call this overpaying for Allen, at least in terms of his contract. (mb you can make a case for giving up the draft picks being excessive, but i'm fine with it). they've locked him up for the next six years, and that window from his age 26 to age 32 seasons should be the peak of his career. iirc the vikings have a pretty generous cap situation, so if they frontload the deal then there's a very good chance he plays out the entirety of the contract~

iii.) that quote from the unnamed chiefs executive is so hilarious and sad and illustrates why they will be garbage for years to come, no matter how many draft picks they stockpile.

omg, someone photoshop pedro martinez and don zimmer into that.

xpost.

The salary is definitely the least troublesome part of it. You have to really fuck up to even approach the salary cap.

btw, since i forgot to mention it on this thread, the trade was partially necessitated by incumbent LDE kenichi udezi being diagnosed with leukemia. he just started treatment and will obviously be out for at least this season :/

Cankles otm. The Chiefs are a joke. See, inter alia, the Allen deal, hiring Herm, throwing the playoff game against the Colts, etc.

i think the allen deal was a smart move. would you rather have a guy for one year who would probably be playing not to get injured or would you rather trade him for three picks?

I'd rather sign the m'fer. And if you say that he wouldn't sign with them, it just proves my point that it's a listing ship in KC. I'd rather have Allen signed up than take my chances on the three picks. He's that good.

bill, he said he wouldn't sign. yes, it DOES prove that KC's ship is listing (if not outright capsized) but what good would it do to lose the guy and get nothing for him? wouldn't that be a bigger mistake?

yeah it was bad blood w/him and KC. which probably explains that retarded sour grapes 4th quarter comment.

but yeah i'm very excited.

not only for having allen but also this is going to free up kevin williams from getting doubled so much, so hopefully we can get better inside pressure as well.

now let's just home that bernard berrian is actually worth what we paid him and that t-jack can get him the ball.

As a Bears fan, I know the futility of having Berrian and noone to throw to him.

What a ridiculous D-line the Vikings have. It's Eller-Page-Marshall redux. YOu may not need a QB

bill, what do you think the bears should do with their first pick? yahoos in town are saying qb or rb but i think they have to address the fact that their o-line would struggle against appalachian state.

It's got to be o-line. Their performance in the regular season game last year against the Giants was possibly the worst offensive line performance I have ever seen. Was it Miller who got 3 straight holding/motion calls?

according to the boston globe o.j. mayo has been working out at weakside linebacker (tedy bruschi's slot). jackie slater's kid practiced with both the receivers and the d-backs picking off one pass in practice.

is marvin harrison the least likely player to be involved in a shooting?

i was just coming here to post that.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is under investigation in his hometown of Philadelphia in a shooting that took place earlier this week, a source close to the investigation told Anthony Gargano of Philadelphia's WIP Radio.

The shooting reportedly occurred early Tuesday afternoon outside a North Philadelphia bar owned by Harrison.

Harrison has yet to be arrested or charged with the crime. Police spokesman Sgt. Ray Evers had no comment Friday.

"I just walked off the practice field [at rookie minicamp] and heard about the incident, and that's all I know," Colts coach Tony Dungy said Friday. "We're obviously going to look into it. I haven't spoken to Marvin yet."

Calls by ESPN to Harrison and his agent have not been returned. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league was "aware of the report, and we are looking into it."

The source said the alleged victim came into the bar, Playmakers, around 5 p.m. and engaged in an argument with Harrison, who was at the bar. The victim then left the bar, heading to his car, with Harrison following. Gunfire broke out, the victim was hit in the hand, and a young girl was slightly injured by flying glass from a car that apparently was hit by a bullet.

Police came to scene, but the victim did not identify a shooter. On Wednesday, according to the source, ballistic tests showed that the gun that had fired the shots was a custom-made Belgian weapon, and police determined that Harrison owned such a gun.

Police then went to a Philadelphia car wash owned by Harrison to question him about the gun. Harrison admitted owning such a weapon, but claimed it never left his suburban Philadelphia home.

However, the source said the gun was discovered in a bucket at the car wash, and tests showed that it had fired seven bullets that matched those found at the scene.

The source said police were contacted Friday by an attorney representing a second alleged victim in the shooting, and police are now waiting for that individual to come forward.

wowwwww

holy shit.

ahahaha oh wow

this is a really hack-ish peter king type observation to make, but i kinda love that i'm in a world where marvin harrison is gettin busted for shooting fools while randy moss is off, like, helping orphans~

ts:

randy moss is off, like, helping orphans~

vs

a young girl was slightly injured by flying glass

i wonder if this is some weird tip of the iceberg shit and now we're going to find out that marvin has been a total woman-beating cokehead for years now belying his charming demeanor a la o.j.

ced benson party boat just hit that iceberg

shocked by the Benson incident (ha)

the Atlanta Falcons' best defender, strongside linebacker Michael Boley, was arrested for battery on saturday. lol.

last week when talking about why they drafted a running back instead of a qb in the 2nd round jerry angelo was quoted as saying benson "wasn't who we thought he was" regarding his play on the field. i would imagine this won't help his case.

last week when talking about why they drafted a running back instead of a qb in the 2nd round jerry angelo was quoted as saying benson "wasn't who we thought he was" regarding his play on the field. i would imagine this won't help his case.

-cue denny green?

hey-yo!

http://img.fannation.com/images/ap/2008/05/04/16/200805041646603713079-p2-210x210.jpg

According to Cedric Benson, police pepper-sprayed him in the eyes without provocation and dragged him along the ground to the point he cried out for his mother, Jackie.

apparently he broke away from the poilce but only managed to get 3.4 yards before someone tackled him.

[joke stolen from various sources]

I'm convinced that the Bears are so jinxed that if Benson had been picked by anyone else he'd be a star in the league right now. Irrational, but look at the track record: Enis, Salaam, Benson. call it the curse of Walter Payton, because Ditka gave the ball to the Fridge on the goalline in the Super Bowl instead of Sweetness.

looks like craig steltz is impressing at rookie camp, the bears released archuleta today.

His days were numbered when they picked Steltz. Laughed when Kiper or one of the ESPN idiots compared Steltz to Doug Plank when he got drafted. How many people watching had seen Plank play, or even heard of him?

BTW, I loved Plank as a kid, so if this guy's anywhere near him, I'm happy.

Having seen almost every LSU game last season, I can tell you Steltz has the ability to be just about everywhere on the field...kind of like Bob Sanders.

Fever, what's your take on Jacob Hester?

You won't miss Michael Turner.

Hmm, short and sweet!

In a few more words, he kind of transforms his body into a cannonball when he runs. Hard to tackle high, hard to tackle low. Not to mention the fact that he doesn't really take any time at all to get to full speed. He's not a dodger or a cutter really, not a finesse back. But if he gets a lane, he's gone.

lol from the pats mailbag at the boston globe.

I read in an interview that Ellis Hobbs always listens to Phil Collins before each game to get himself pumped up. Do you think this might be why he struggled so much last year?
G., Westford

He looked horrible on that 109 yard kickoff return against the Jets. Maybe he had on "One More Night" before that game.

http://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet%3Fboardid%3D41%26threadid%3D36664%0A
Future NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis of the Ravens, listens to Phil Collins to get "psyched up".

oy: Future NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis of the Ravens, listens to Phil Collins to get "psyched up".

fever:

you watch a lot of sec? i was surprised peyton hillis went so low. obviously, no macfadden, but he bailed out the razorbacks constantly, it seemed. he could be a great h-back type in the pros, i think.

Yeah, Hillis was always interesting to watch (especially in the red zone). Still I'm not surprised he went so low and eventually ended up in Shanahan's stable of about 12 plug-n-play backs.

WHAT ARE WILLIE MCGINNEST AND DREW BLEDSOE DOING IN FOXBORO??!?!?

Seriously, there's film footage of each of them in foxboro on the globe website but it's for a story about matt walsh. what's going on in new england that would bring these two back?

oh, wait.

ahahahaha, qadry ismael is on sportscenter rn. i guess he became an analyst.

i think he had been doing small market college games on abc a couple years ago and was surprisingly good at it?

Bengals released Odell Thurman. this guy's gonna be a bargain for someone, if he ever actually plays again.

annnnd... Dan Morgan retires. probably overdue. also, lol @ Saints.

Fill us in on the Saints thing

charles grant just got indicted for manslaughter.

ouch

I just read the article on espn. More like lol @ nfl. Not a good offseason at all.

bears relase cedric benson.

By David Haugh | Tribune reporter
4:12 PM CDT, June 9, 2008

The Cedric Benson Era with the Chicago Bears is over -- the team placed him on waivers Monday afternoon.

Benson's absence from Monday's voluntary organized team activity at Halas Hall only heightened speculation that the Bears would either suspend or release the troubled running back.

Benson had told the Tribune in a phone interview Sunday night he planned to attend the workout and wanted to make a statement regarding his arrest Saturday morning in Austin for driving under the influence -- his second alcohol-related arrest in five weeks.

Then he wasn't on the field during an open practice.

The Bears were of little help providing answers about their next move with Benson or his whereabouts. But a source said it was a "coach's decision" for Benson to stay away from Halas Hall.

Jerry Angelo avoided reporters walking off the field, only to respond to one question with an answer that implied the team might make a statement later Monday. Lovie Smith refused to answer any questions about Benson, saying "I'll talk on days I normally talk.'' Running backs coach Tim Spencer was just as reticent turning down a request.

A team source said Benson was in Chicago but refused to elaborate further.

Sam Bassett, Benson's Austin-based attorney, provided few details other than to say Benson would comply with any discipline the team or league decides.

"I will be clear that it is Cedric's desire to cooperate fully with the Bears and the league,'' Bassett said Monday. "Obviously, he wants to practice with the team but will follow his coach's directions.''

Greg Aiello, the NFL's Vice President for Public Relations, said in an e-mail to the Tribune, "As with any law enforcement matter involving NFL employees, we are looking into it.''

Benson seems to be bracing himself for discipline by either the NFL or the Bears -- or both. On Sunday night, he contacted noted sports attorney David Cornwell out of Atlanta with the purpose of helping him navigate his way out of this predicament. Cornwell, based in Atlanta, has represented troubled stars such as Reggie Bush and Ricky Williams and has a good relationship with the league dating back to the late 1980s when he was the NFL's assistant general counsel and worked with Commissioner Roger Goodell. It's unclear how Benson's relationship with Cornwell affects his status with agent Eugene Parker, or if it does. According to Bassett, Cornwell is "assisting relative to issues aside from the criminal cases.''

the guy is clearly a douchebag but given that he was starting RB for the next season, albeit with plenty to prove on the field, this seems kinda premature and drastic.

in the last month he's been arrested twice in texas and has been in court once in illinois for various crimes. he was not going to be the starting rb next season, that was why they drafted the running back in the 2nd round instead of a quarterback. he was on thin ice last year, his head was being called for before last season was over.

Good fucking riddance. Not premature or drastic, the guy blows chunks.

What is up with the Bears and the rb's they draft? Enis, Salaam, Benson. Did Sweetness curse us because he didn't score in Supe XX?

benson was outplayed for much of last year by (the other) adrian peterson until peterson got dinged up. and if it weren't for the fact that the bears o-line can't pull and garrett wolfe can't run inside benson might have been gone last year.

odell thurman suspended AGAIN, this time indefinately. lol.

I'll be surprised if Benson plays anywhere next year. You can get guys off the waiver wire just as good for less money and hassle. It's going to be a long year in Chi-town. If the Bears suck, is Lovie's job in trouble?

The Thomas Jones trade continues to move up the list of Worst Deals Ever.

that's asinine. they turned a completely average, 29-year old running back (who just had a dismal year with the Jets) nearing the end of his contract into a shitload of draft picks. yeah, he's better than benson, but thomas jones wasn't gonna save the bears' 2007 season.

that's harsh on Jones - he was a bit better than completely average but during the playoffs season before last he looked really tired. Benson was coming in for plays and looking really sharp. moving Jones on while he had trade value made a lot of sense to me at the time, but i like a lot of folks was thinking in terms of Benson emerging, and was definitely surprised that he had such a shitty time out in 2007.

It would've been worse if they gave up on Benson before giving him a genuine shot. The mistake was drafting him in the first place.

Jones isnn't completely average at all. He actually had a decent year with the Jets, who had no line, except for scoring. Even I knew that Benson wasn't going to be any good.

"a shitload of draft picks"

Bears only got one pick in the Jones trade.

the bears traded jones and their 2nd round pick for the jets 2nd round pick.

Jets fleeced us

that was the year after they went to the superbowl so the bears pick was pick 62 or so and jets pick was around 38? to move up 20-25 spots the bears traded away the one successful running back they've had since walter payton. but what i heard was that he was a cancer who was undercutting lovie so lovie wanted him gone.

Right. And the Bears then traded that second rounder to San Diego for their second rounder plus two third rounders and a fifth.

^ Washington traded this selection to the New York Jets for the 35th overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, with which they selected Rocky McIntosh. Bryant, Howard (2006-04-30). Redskins Draft Miami's McIntosh. Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-04-21. The New York Jets later traded this selection to Chicago for Thomas Jones and the 63rd overall selection in this year's Draft. Smith, Michael (2007-03-07). Bears swap Jones, pick for Jets draft pick. ESPN.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-21. Chicago later traded this selection to San Diego for their second-round selection (62nd overall, used to select Dan Bazuin), their third-round selection (93rd overall, used to select Garrett Wolfe), their fifth-round selection (167th overall, used to select Kevin Payne), and their third-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. NFL draft trade tracker 2007. ESPN.com (2007-04-28). Retrieved on 2007-04-28.

so they ended up moving up 1 spot (from 63 to 62) and getting, in fact, a shitload of picks.

or, y'know, three

so for the only reliable back they've had in 20 years they move up one spot, draft a five foot seven running back who averaged 2.5 ypc, and a safety who the bears don't even list on their depth chart after drafting craig steltz.

great deal fellas.

So Dan Bauzin, Garret Wolfe and Kevin Payne in exchange for the best back the franchise has had in 20 years.

We got fleeced.

xxpost-essentially the same thing ck said two posts ago

Ogden's retiring too?

browns release lecharles bentley, will smith signs 6 yr extension w/saints

According to the local paper, LeCharles asked for his release yesterday morning and then sat outside the building waiting for his mom to pick him up. aw

LeCharlieBrown.jpg

Chad Johnson is acting like a choad. I think pretty much the entire Bengals roster is hoping that he gets dealt away.

I just hope that Cinci can take Washington to the bank. Under Dan Snyder that team is all about paying a premium for big name players.

i don't think he's acting.

HOLY SHIT TIM RUSSERT DIED

will the bills retire his number

the nfl network is showing emergency bills programming now, some special with russert and vincent gallo (!) talking about the city

I love the idea of emergency bills programming

like seriously they have a back room full of sealed containers marked like "IN CASE OF TIM RUSSERT'S DEATH" rows and rows of tapes for every occasion

it's funny cuz they were already showing emergency steelers programming cuz dwight white died

Russert commented on Meet the Press that he went to Woodstock "in a Buffalo Bills jersey with a case of beer"

rip lil russ

type II diabetes, overweight, pretty stressful job, and a bills fan. poor motherfucker never had a chance.

see, i think all the russert critics in the rip thread are probably right, but how can you not warm to a man who wore a Bills jersey to woodstock? i'm glad he won't see Canada steal his team.

I'm more forgiving of Russert's flaws as an interviewer than a lot of those guys, but yeah...Bills fans go to heaven in the express lane.

enjoy him for the four games he's healthy enough to be on the field, houston.

Former Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin has agreed to contract terms with the Houston Texans, according to a league source.

Colvin was released by the Patriots earlier this offseason, primarily due to financial reasons. He had a salary cap charge of more than $7 million.

Colvin has recovered from a foot injury that ended his 2007 season in late November. He took free-agent visits to Indianapolis and Houston.

In other news regarding fragile defensive players, Bears signed Tommie Harris to a 4 year deal

Wait, the Bills want to move to Canada?

harris isn't exactly fragile, he's played in 16 games 3 of his 4 years in the league and played in 12 of the bears games in 2006 and that injury was a muscle injury, not a tendon or ligament.

I thought he missed some, if not most, of last year. I'm happy to stand corrected

he may not always be 100% but he was always on the field.. he's a dominating presence on the interior d-line for them.

offseason portis hijinks...

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story;jsessionid=56D69146979716F8A811C9D1DA03DFF2?id=09000d5d808fd0cf&template=with-video&confirm=true

I found an autographed Peter Warrick Seminoles mini-helmet in my warehouse. (Why do I have a Peter Warrick autographed mini-helmet? God only knows.)

Does this deserve a place of honor on my mantle?

bears sign former lions rb kevin jones to 1-year contract; dallas sign franchised safety ken hamlin to 6 year extension

also, BJORK is now a linebacker for the bengals.

okay, explain Bjork

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6874

jason taylor ---> 'skins

i was sort of annoyed when i first heard the skins got taylor, but hearing than they lost philip daniels and a backup on the first day of camp lessens my annoyance.

dont worry they'll be paying for it in a coupla years when taylor's retired and they dont have any young talent (or championshipz) to show for it

chargers release eric parker, sign luis castillo to 7-year contract; bears extend brian urlacher; jets sign batman

*sigh*. We'll miss you JT. Oi, these are trying times!

Parker is pretty good slot receiver. Someone should take a shot on him. He's like the poorer man's Wes Welker.

devin hester drives a luis vuitton impala.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4967/img0051ld4.jpg

for christ's sake devin, you're a pro bowler. time to buy some big boy clothes instead of dressing like your a fucking five year old.

Did this holdout come out of nowhere, or was it anticipated in Chicago, ck?

wasn't COMPLETELY unexpected. both sides said they wanted to get a deal done and hester showed up at OTA's as a sign of good faith and had popped off saying the bears weren't really trying to get a deal done. when the OTA's finished he still didn't have a deal done so.... but no, he never said he'd hold out if he didn't get a new deal.

Poor timing by Hester. Then again, he pretty much is the offense.

I saw today that Hester reported. Seems like a joke that he makes the minimum while a guy like Gholston gets a $21 million signing bonus.

somewhat related to when belicheck had lb (and now asst. coach) don davis line up at safety:

Which position he plays is secondary for Tank Williams

07:34 AM EDT on Wednesday, July 30, 2008

By SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

Tank Williams, left, defends against Benjamin Watson on a pass that went incomplete in yesterday’s afternoon practice.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

FOXBORO — At least he’s honest.

Asked yesterday if he’ll be listed as a safety or linebacker when the New England Patriots’ final regular-season roster comes out in early September, Tank Williams didn’t try to get creative with his answer.

“I’m not sure. I’m not sure at all,” he said with a chuckle.

Once one of the rising young safeties in the NFL, Williams was signed to a one-year deal by New England in the offseason. But since arriving in Foxboro, he has been learning the inside linebacker position, and working there almost exclusively during on-field work.

Not that he’s complaining.
Related links

PatsBlog · Training camp: Pats activate Harrison Tue 8:03 PM

Tank Williams stats page

Training camp schedule

“I knew I was going to be doing a lot of things; when you come in here you know that you have to play a lot of positions,” Williams said. “So I just came in with the mindset that wherever they were going to put me I was going to learn the defense for that position and go out there and try to play it well.” Though at 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, Williams is a little on the light side compared with the Patriots’ other inside linebackers — Tedy Bruschi, Jerod Mayo, Victor Hobson and Eric Alexander are all in the 240-250 pound range — he has embraced the change.

Physically, one of the biggest challenges for Williams at linebacker is taking on linemen more frequently, and mentally, it is learning not just a whole new system — having played with the Vikings for the last two years — but also the intricacies of a new position. He has leaned on Bruschi as well as other Patriots defensive veterans to ensure that he’s calling the right coverage or to see if he can make a read quicker.

“He’s good at times and other times he has to learn things,” Bruschi said of Williams. “He’s never done it before. He’s learning. It’s different for him taking on guards sometimes at that level (closer to the line of scrimmage); he’s used to second-level sort of situations where he has a little more space. But surprisingly he’s accepted it all and he’s done a good job with it, doing the best he can out there. He’s still with the first group, working hard.”

Bill Belichick is pleased with Williams’ versatility, which can go a long way with the Patriots. “Tank is a very versatile player. He has played in the secondary, he has played close to the line of scrimmage, he’s been productive in the kicking game, he can blitz and he can cover,” Belichick said. “How that will all work out, we’ll just have to see, but he can do a number of different things and we will work with him in those different roles.”

While this is the first time Williams has played linebacker in the NFL, he does have some experience at the position. He remembered that in his final year at Stanford one of the team’s linebackers was hurt. Williams, being big for a safety, was asked by then-coach Ty Willingham to play linebacker and safety against Oregon, with the Ducks ranked top-five in the country; the Cardinal went into Eugene and handed Oregon its first home loss in several years.

“So I went from free safety on one play to playing linebacker on another play and back to safety,” Williams recalled yesterday. “You have to know the defense pretty much in and out when you’re a safety or a linebacker, so the way I look at it, the more you know and the more I show that I am able to play these positions, then I give myself a better opportunity” to stay in New England.

Growing up in Bay St. Louis, Miss., Williams was a football fan, but mentioned Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater as hard-hitting players he favored. He also liked to watch the New York Giants, whose defense was anchored by Lawrence Taylor and current Pats’ defensive line coach Pepper Johnson and coached by one Bill Belichick.

Belichick often regales his players, particularly the linebackers, with stories of those Giants. Williams hasn’t heard any yet — he has to keep his priorities in order.

“I haven’t heard too many stories yet,” he said. “I’ve been too worried about getting in my playbook and learning my assignments first. After I feel comfortable doing that and making all the assignments and checks out there, then I’ll ask for a story or two. But right now, I think that is the least of my worries.” As for that opening day roster, Williams isn’t too concerned whether there is an LB or an S next to his name — he just wants his name on there.

“As long it’s on the roster and it has me doing something helping this team, then I really don’t care what it says.”

sma✧✧✧@pr✧✧✧.c✧✧

Steve Smith suspended for the first two games of the year for breaking the nose of his cornerback in a training fracas. I suppose they really CAN'T trade him, so this kind of punishment is supposed to make him think twice in the future but it's gonna be hard for the panthers to get out of an 0-2 hole.

Boldin wants off the Cards.
"I'm a football player. That's about it," Boldin said Tuesday when asked to characterize his dealings with the coach these days.

looks like kevin curtis is having hernia surgery; eagles would be nuts not to trade for boldin at this point

ok, uhm, WHAT??

my vote for most surprising thing in the chad johnson article on espn.

In the end, though, what shocked me wasn't the giant five-horse fountain in the front driveway or the 6-foot red velvet "Alice in Wonderland" furniture pieces. It wasn't the cheesecake cooking in the kitchen like we were on the set of "Mad Men," the Lynyrd Skynyrd ring tone on his cell or the fact that before posing nude in his garage for The Magazine, Johnson told me he was seriously thinking about legally changing his last name to Ocho Cinco so the league couldn't touch him when he wore it on his game jersey.

Merriman is going to try to play despite having two torn ligaments. I am not happy about this. :/

agreed.