Ongoing NFL Discussion Thread V

[Pr4wn]

First topic message reminder :

Strong staff for us, I'm excited for next season!

[sodhat]

Anyone wonder if they're pondering a tender for Graham in Seattle?

It's a lot to give up for a tight end, but they are good and young in a lot of areas... TE may be their biggest need.

[Pr4wn]

The draft is so deep this year, they'd be daft to do it.

[GSC]

No.

It's 2 first rounds for a TE. Most GMs will back themselves to find an athletic TE in the latter rounds. Graham was a 3rd, Cameron a 4th etc. not to mention his stats are inflated by playing with Drew Brees

[sodhat]

Surely a deep draft is the best time to look at it? The first round pick is effectively given up for Graham and they can look at other areas with their later picks when the talent level is higher than previous years.

Next year would be a lottery of course. But then they went out and took Harvin for a first and I'm sure plenty of GMs would back themselves to unearth quality receivers in later rounds too.

I'm not backing the move but I reckon it's something they'd consider at least.

[GSC]

Athletic TEs who are raw are fairly plentiful in the later rounds. Game changers like Harvin aren't. It would be a pretty stupid move for any FO

[sodhat]

But we're talking about a polished, highly talented TE who is in the peak of his career right now. Surely that's what you want to add to your super bowl winning team, to strike while the iron is hot? Why wait on a raw talent to develop when you're in the midst of a super bowl window.

[GSC]

Because you'd be giving up 2 premium picks for a non critical position. There'll be polished guys in the early rounds who can give you production without being paid 12+ a season.

Which given the bevy of stars coming up for deals in the next few seasons is a bonus.

[sodhat]

I understand what you're saying and I'm mostly playing devil's advocate, but I also don't think it would be a completely horrible move. It's no Palmer trade.

TE is a misnomer with Graham though. True TEs are non-critical, but people putting up 1,000 yard seasons are very much critical.

[Pr4wn]

Plus, he's a polished receiver, not a polished tight end. They've already won the superbowl without him so I don't see why they would pay him all that money when they could have the draft picks.

Also, OL is their biggest area of need imho.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Graham is incredibly overrated anyways

[sodhat]

Might I be able to guess who you think is the best TE in football, Olly?

[mikeygnfl]

Might I be able to guess who you think is the best TE in football, Olly?

Zach Sudfeld obviously.

[NYJ]

Graham is a fantastic player, certainly not overrated and certainly not only elevated by the play of Drew Brees. Seattle would be mad to give up two 1st's to a player who will likely need a big contract in a years time when they have other key players to extend in the next 2 years.

[Thomond]

I presume someone's mentioned he isn't a TE by now? In a small sample space, he has struggled when guys get physical with him, Talib did a decent job, Seattle did as well.

[mikeygnfl]

How about Graham and the Gronk in New England?

[NYJ]

How about Graham and the Gronk in New England?

That's not fair. The mercy rule would come into place and the Pats would ave to forfeit one of them.

[mikeygnfl]

The Patriots with Brady, like the Broncos with Peyton, have a shortening 'win now' window, so why not go for it?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

1. We don't have the cap room
2. We need more than one player to win now
3. Put someone in Graham's face who's half decent and he'll vanish like Amelia Earhardt

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Might I be able to guess who you think is the best TE in football, Olly?

Gronk (when healthy), if not then its Vernon Davis

Graham can't block

[NYJ]

You don't need to be able to block at TE in the NFL anymore. Jimmy Graham is up there with Gronk IMO.

[GSC]

There's 2 types of TEs these days anyway. Inline and move.

[Thomond]

Gronk is the best all round TE, he can actually block. But it's like Cushing, they may be up there with the best but they are quite fragile and way too injury prone.

[mikeygnfl]

Chad Henne has signed a 2 year extension with the Jaguars. No surprise really. I don't think they will be taking a QB in the 1st round and Caldwell has all but said that.

The Vikings meanwhile are reported to be re-signing Matt Cassel and could follow likewise in not drafting a 1st round QB.

In other news the Buffalo Bills have said they won't be playing in Toronto this year.

[GSC]

Chad Henne does not alter your first round plans. All he does if give flexibility. If the Jags love a guy they won't pass because Hennes locked in for 2 years.

[Lowlandbrit]

Henne nor Cassel will stop you taking a QB in the first round, they just allow you to not have to reach if the one(s) you wanted are gone already.

[mikeygnfl]

In my opinion, if you are taking any other QB than Johnny Manziel in the 1st round, you have panicked. I don't have the Texans or Jaguars taking a QB in the 1st round. The Vikings could gamble on Bortles or Carr if they feel there is nobody worth their #8 available.
I can see the Browns and Raiders taking a QB at #4 and #5.

[NYJ]

In my opinion, if you are taking any other QB than Johnny Manziel in the 1st round, you have panicked. I don't have the Texans or Jaguars taking a QB in the 1st round. The Vikings could gamble on Bortles or Carr if they feel there is nobody worth their #8 available.
I can see the Browns and Raiders taking a QB at #4 and #5.

So... Teddy Bridgewater not even a 1st Round pick?


Absolute madness. Absolute madness. Absolute madness. I had to say it three times to make sure people get the message.

[GSC]

Sometimes I think we're the only ones who would take a QB in the first NYJ. Why take one when you can put it off to next year.

[mikeygnfl]

So... Teddy Bridgewater not even a 1st Round pick?
Absolute madness. Absolute madness. Absolute madness. I had to say it three times to make sure people get the message.

As a team need yes. As a top talent, I'm not convinced.

He looks polished on tape but was allowed plenty or room/ time to pick out passes in the league he was in. From what I have seen on tape, I would have expected some of his stats to be better. I would possible put him in the mid to late 1st round range. Someone like the Cardinals at #20 would be about his level.

That is not to say he would succeed in the NFL, I just think there are less riskier picks for the likes of the Texans, Jaguars, Raiders, Browns, Vikings etc

[NYJ]

Looks polished on tape... risky pick. Doesn't make sense.

He ran a pro style offense and made pro style throws time after time. There's no reason the Texans shouldn't be taking him first overall IMO. This whole high floor, low ceiling thing that is being circulated is astonishing. He has a high floor but can (and will) be a Super Bowl winning QB in the future.

[mikeygnfl]

Looks polished on tape... risky pick. Doesn't make sense.

He looks good on tape in a weak division but I think half a dozen QBs in this draft would in that situation. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying he is a risky pick in the way Bortles or Carr would be in the 1st round and I would certainly have him above last year's QB class. I just feel after Manziel, there is not much to choose from from half a dozen QBs whereas the gap between the top end pass rusher and the next level/ those available in the 2nd round is greater.

I've not doubt Bridgewater will go early, just saying I would put him around the mid-late 1st round range and there would be less need for a QB there.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Rumor that the Texans are looking to trade for Ryan Mallett and draft Clowney.

If we can scam a second rounder off them I'd snap their hands off. Mallets got a big arm, but never seen anything that makes me think he'll be anything but poor to average in the nfl

[Barney92]

Shields resigns (4 years, 39 million). Glad they've brought him back.

[GSC]

99.9% of these rumours are just that

[mikeygnfl]

Rashard Mendenhall is retiring after six seasons. That should see Andre Ellington with a bigger role next season.

[GSC]

Spinthenfall sucks anyway

[NYJ]

Shields is underrated. If the Packers can get their Safety's sorted out, they would have a pretty nice secondary.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

"@zachkruse2: Sam Shields vs. A.J. Green, Josh Gordon, Brandon Marshall and Calvin Johnson in 2013 (5 games): Allowed 8 catches, 129 yards, 1 TD."

Shields is a top 5-10 cb for me

[Pr4wn]

Everson Griffin has signed a 5 year extension with the Vikings.

Antonio Cromartie will be released by the Jets.

Brandon Albert will apparently sign with the Dolphins as soon as free agency opens.

[Lowlandbrit]

Everson Griffin has signed a 5 year extension with the Vikings.

$42.5 million, $20 million guaranteed according to Schefter. Was easily the most important in-house free agent for the Vikes, will be interesting to see how he does with a bigger spotlight on him.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Albert and Saffold are gonna get seriously seriously overpaid

[GSC]

Albert and Saffold are gonna get seriously seriously overpaid

Welcome to FA.

Over/under on how long it takes Santonio and Woodley to end up in Arizona?

[GSC]

Michael Bennett stays in Seattle

[GSC]

Panthers attempt to trade Steve Smith, which inevitably leads to his release which inevitably leads to him signing in NE

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Panthers attempt to trade Steve Smith, which inevitably leads to his release which inevitably leads to him signing in NE

And Nicks in Carolina

In other news seems like Talib will be leaving New England, no surprise really he wants top money and really he isn't worth that with his injury issues. Verner seems to be the one we're after

[GSC]

He's off to the Redskins. It can only end well

[Bull]

Michael Bennett stays in Seattle

Wanted him as a Bear

[Lowlandbrit]

You can add Chris Johnson to the items on offer in the bargain bin.

[Number-25]

He's off to the Redskins. It can only end well

I'm not so sure GSC - we've reportedly made contact with every big name FA DB! I'm not convinced we'll see the Redskins spend too big on one individual. With the holes we have, we really don't have as much cap room as is being made out. Makes sense for Talib's agent to make people think we're interested in him given the connections to Allen and Morris.

Perry Riley has re-signed with the Skins... not a great player but solid enough and saves having to go out and find two ILBs. Be interested to see how much he got in the end - was looking for a stupid $7m a year apparently.

[Number-25]

Redskins supposedly have some interest in Kenny Britt though..... It can only end well...

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