Ongoing NFL Discussion Thread V

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Love this Texans D. They're amazing without Watt. Scary.

Amazing is a bit far - they're pretty good, nothing special.

Number one D in the NFL without their best player.

They're one of about 8 teams to hold that tag - and lets face it it's measured in yards...in points the #1 D was the Pats.

No great defences out there this year, just a lot of pretty good ones. If they had Watt, maybe they'd be great...but they don't

[Number-25]

Doesn’t matter how many times you say it GSC, Fuller wasn’t our best corner. I thought more of you than to believe all those computer geek stats guys that come up with things like that and the lazy NFL analysts who repeat it like it’s fact. Shame on you.

[skins4ever]

Sad news, Tom Benson died. Always seemed one of the 'for the people' owners, as much as any rich man can be for the people.

[skins4ever]

In good news for the Skins it looks like we've re-signed Brown to a 3 year deal. Now need to beef up the line (though Poe is off the market) and secondary. Hoping they look to the draft more than FA now as we've picked up Robinson. Vea in round 1 perhaps?

[Number-25]

Yeah, pleased we’ve managed to keep Brown. Not a big play guy but he’s solid and he was prob our most important FA to keep a hold of.

[Lowlandbrit]

Jets have traded up to #3, let the games begin.

[skins4ever]

Now I reckon this could mean the Browns have to draft a QB. If they lose the man they want (after taking Barkley @ 1), they may well be forced to take him at 1 than risk him falling to 4. In which case, I'd bank on the Giants being unable to pass on Barkley, knowing they can gamble on a QB being available later on. Or they go QB and the Browns get lucky. If the Giants do draft Barkley, got to think the Browns then eye up trade deals given the value of #4 if they already have their QB @ #1?

[JDizzle]

Does this mean the Giants are going QB at #2? Otherwise why would the Jets only trade into #3? Surely the Giants wouldn’t turn down that haul for a RB, no matter how good.

[skins4ever]

Manning probably has the say on this, to a degree. If they have committed to each other for the next 3-5 years (Brees/Brady longevity) then I can see them taking Barkley and going QB further on for the future. After all why sign someone like Darnold, Allen or Mayfield to sit on the bench at least 2-3 years. OTOH if Manning has indicated to them he's closer to retirement than he is to 40 or they simply don't care what he wants, then they have to go QB at #2 to be safe. Maybe the Jets moving up has ultimately helped the Browns a little?

[GSC]

The Giants passing on a QB would be incredibly stupid.

[skins4ever]

A little surprised Suh is still doing the rounds. I reckon he'll be signed in a matter of a couple of days, but given that players with injury doubts and worse pedigree's than him have been snapped up. Could it be the attitude factor or is he simply playing it a bit slower to max his money?

[Pr4wn]

Absolutely. He's a good football player but, given how high his ceiling is, a total waste of talent.

[Number-25]

New Eagles DE Michael Bennett has been indicted on a felony charge which alleges he knowingly and intentionally caused bodily injury to a 66 year old paraplegic woman..... what a nice guy.

Stay classy!

[GSC]

Sounds like he pushed past security at the superbowl to celebrate with his brother on the field.

My biggest question was why was a 66 year old paraplegic working security at the SB

Other than that, Bennett made his bed in the hearts and minds of most of Amurica after the Vegas thing last year. Based on the description that came out I kinda doubt he's in that much trouble, but the Goodell cave is always accepting new tenants

[Lowlandbrit]

The annual HC photo (no Belichick, Carroll or Harbaugh this year):

[crazy_dave23]

However Andy Reid is there with his silly shirt and shorts! Love it

[Lowlandbrit]

Looks like there might be a new tradition building beside Andy Reid's Hawaiian shirt too: Sean McDermott wore the exact same outfit last year.

[skins4ever]

Just when you think the offseason is getting quiet, pre draft, this happens:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000924657/article/rams-acquire-brandin-cooks-in-trade-with-patriots

Not saying it's a bad move, but a little surprising. For all the benefits of the draft picks they are accumulating, shipping a very productive WR after one season is a little strange.

[GSC]

The Rams already blew a 2nd round pick and now have to pay a first to make up for it.

They face having 5-6 players taking up over 100m annually with no salary controlled high draft picks to to fill out the roster.

It ain't Madden.

[skins4ever]

Win now baby!

[GSC]

They might even be better than the Falcons now.

[JDizzle]

Bold strategy to spend a first round pick on another guy for Goff to overthrow.

[skins4ever]

Blockbuster signing news, RG3 is back!

OK maybe not blockbuster then

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Just when you think the offseason is getting quiet, pre draft, this happens:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000924657/article/rams-acquire-brandin-cooks-in-trade-with-patriots

Not saying it's a bad move, but a little surprising. For all the benefits of the draft picks they are accumulating, shipping a very productive WR after one season is a little strange.

Pats weren’t paying Cooks a new contract, so to get better value out of him than what they paid for him is a good deal. Shame to see him go, but he’s a step down from the “elite” WRs imo

And GSC is right - Rams are making a load of flashy moves but how often do these “dream teams” work out?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Bold strategy to spend a first round pick on another guy for Goff to overthrow.

This is also a good point!

[Pr4wn]

I thought Cooks died when he got hit by Jenkins in the Superbowl?

[JDizzle]

I think BB recognised that the Pats have been getting older and slower, certainly on the defensive side of the ball, for a few years now - so fully expect that to be addressed with 5 picks in the top 100. Plus a LT!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yep - lots of parallels to be made with the 2012 class when we took Jones and Hightower in the first round - albeit wouldn’t be surprised to see us trade down and pickup some 4th/5th round picks as we have none at the moment and Belichick usually likes a few there

[GSC]

Trading Chandler Jones remains one of Belichicks dumbest moves

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Trading Chandler Jones remains one of Belichicks dumbest moves

As soon as he did that synthetic marijuana in the bye week before the playoffs he was gone - but I agree, he should've been paid, and is usually the type of player Belichick does pay

[Pr4wn]

Kaep has his Seahawks workout cancelled because he won't stop his anthem protest.

You can beat up your girlfriend, be a vicious player, abuse your children, say racist things, even be involved in murder (and be in the Hall of Fame), but you'd better not peacefully protest racism in America - that will get you blacklisted.

[skins4ever]

While I continue to believe the like of FIFA/FA could learn a lot from the NFL on player behaviour policies etc., the way they have handled this issue of protests is ridiculous, and arguably unconstitutional. Regardless of whether you think Kap can get back to his best, he is still arguably better than any backup QB currently in the league and possibly a few starting QB's.

[Pr4wn]

Geno Smith gets a new deal but teams refuse to even look at Kaep. Absolutely ridiculous.

[GSC]

He was being blackballed before but hes currently suing the league.

[skins4ever]

Well Dez is on the market now. Its been posited he'll go to the Skins, and while we can't turn away good WR's - after all our top 3 are all virtual no names in the league - I'm not convinced he's at his best any longer. Any team taking a flyer on him could be paying through the nose for a player past his best. But him sticking it to the Cowboys twice a year sounds nice.

[mikeygnfl]

While the Redskins seem the favourites for Dez Bryant, I wouldn't rule the Patriots out. They have had a history of taking on older players on shorter contracts in recent years such as Blount, Talib, Harrison and are definitely in a win now frame of mind. With Cooks and Amendola going too they may want to strength at wr.

[Lowlandbrit]

While the Redskins seem the favourites for Dez Bryant, I wouldn't rule the Patriots out.

Dez is apparently quite keen on playing the Cowboys twice though.

[Number-25]

The Redskins have as much interest in signing Dez Bryant as they do of catching syphilis.

[skins4ever]

The Redskins have as much interest in signing Dez Bryant as they do of catching syphilis.

True, the only ones suggesting it are the pundits and Dez himself. But it would be an interesting situation. Question is whether he'd be a Randy Moss going to the Pats or a Terrell Owens going to, well anyone after the 9ers?

[Number-25]

Not sure this link will work but an interesting read on the diminishing value of the draft relative to what it used be:-

www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/04/18/why-nfl-draft-isn-important-used/9Tk5GkUu82JtyBX2hItrsI/story.html

[skins4ever]

Arguably correct that the CBA has screwed the pooch for both camps really. The limits on teams are matched by the limits on players, especially young ones (learning and earning potential both hit). But the draft has value in 2 areas. It allows the NFL to maintain parity and it allows them to keep the offseason chugging along instead of football disappearing for 6 months. The NFL will never do away with it on that basis.

PS checked out the Skins schedule. If we can some of those tough teams, then the season may be a great one, but I can very easily see 5-11 coming up.

[BamBam]

Let's have your wild draft predictions

Mine (not so wild) is that the Pats will take a 1st round QB to be the eventual heir to Brady

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Giants take a QB at #2
Dolphins move up and take a QB at #6
Josh Allen falls to the Bills at #12
Pats stay put at #23 and #31 and select a LB and DL

I've got Friday off so will stay up for the 1st round - gonna try stay off social media the day before, to avoid any tipped picks etc. Should be good fun

[Lowlandbrit]

- Top 5 picks will all be QBs
- Barkley falls to at least 10
- More C/OG than OT taken in the first round
- At least 2 teams trade out of the first round

[JDizzle]

- I've got some cash on Baker going number 1 @ 20s, before the Schefter report, so I'd better back that (although I expect it to be Darnold).
- Pats take Lamar Jackson via a trade up to the early teens (Washington, GB or whoever has 12 if Buffalo trade up)
- Nelson is not the first lineman taken (McGlinchey)
- More running backs than Wide receivers are taken in the first round
- Josh Allen goes to Denver

[GSC]

-The Eagles trade out of pick 32 so there is no chance I'm bothering to stay up

[skins4ever]

I predict that the first 5 picks will be predictable and any real surprises start rolling in at the bottom end of round 1/early round 2.

I agree with JDizzle and more RB's than WR's go in the first round, and I'd go as far as to say both round 1 & 2.

And I disagree with GSC, and the Eagles take the best WR left on the board at #32.

Lastly, Mr Irrelevant ends up sticking with who drafts him, if not an eventual starter. Probably a kicker.

[mikeygnfl]

Let's have your wild draft predictions

Mine (not so wild) is that the Pats will take a 1st round QB to be the eventual heir to Brady

-Baker Mayfield is the first QB off the board at No. 3
-The Broncos draft a QB at No. 5
-Mason Rudolph goes in the first round.

[skins4ever]

Word on Browns entertaining trade offers for the #4. If I was them I'd stick at #4, but they don't NEED Barkley (assuming he's there still), so may be they are hedging their bets and considering value. But there's too much chance of missing out on a stud at 4 for me to think trading down is better. Unless another Herschel Walker type scenario occurs, and even then the Browns would have to use the picks wisely to avoid the same outcome, I can't see an offer being good enough to swap out for.

[GSC]

Barkley will be gone at 2 for some reason.

[Number-25]

4 QBs will go in the top 5 picks

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