Can only quickly post as i'm at work (why did I choose a Saturday):(

But, I was completely wrong on Ryan, and from what i've heard recently, the Falcons had him as the new Peyton Manning :eek:

I was partially right on McFadden though...

This Q for Ben, Tony and elliott.

The two highest players left on my board when I got to 25. A receiver or a Outside Linebacker? Do you have a huge need that you want instead?

I know this draft will be bad but I'm doing pre-combine, post-combine and one in March and one April. :D

That's my way of thinking right now .... :p

No way Parcells and co take a receiver in the first round.

I'm probably the least well connected of the three of us, but I'd love a shut-down CB.

In agreeing with Ben in regards to Porter's tenure with the team he still fills one outside LB spot for next year. I'm more inclined to think ILB is more of a problem given that Crowder isn't all that popular (even if he stays).

Just did a bit of research. The Sporting News had Stafford as their top QB and Beanie Wells as their top RB. :clown: Beanie Wells makes Darren Anderton look like Brett Favre, I think he'll be a huge bust when the league wakes up to the fact he can't stay healthy.

I have Moreno and Beanie 5 picks apart I think.

I agree on Sanchez as well. Very average QB. But, I say that now but I have 3 QBs going in the first round right now.

I'll post the draft on the blog later so I don't fill up the thread.

My first selection in the draft for the Detroit Lions is: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia.

And I'll say it now, this is with no free agency signings, losses and basically what I can remember from next season.

:)

NFL.com provide me with a moment of comedy as always.

Schoolboy error.

Good spot. :p

Do you think someone did that on purpose?

I seriously hope so. :D

Brandon Jacobs is the 3rd Franchise player named. Only the 2nd time the Giants have used the Tag IIRC.

Having to change a bit of my draft at the min, managed to miss out one of the top players and only noticed when I got in to the mid 20s. :(

QB Stafford looks like he could be good draft pick. Showing my inexperience here a little but trying to catch what I can right now ...

He's likely to go at Number One this year to the Lions.

He's top of a average draft class whereas next year has a couple of stand-out guys.

Here is the gist of the Mock Draft. Only done the first round, but will include selections on my blog.

These are the picks for the teams supported on here:

4. Seattle Seahawks - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech.
13. Washington Redskins - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State.
16. San Diego Chargers - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona.
17. New York Jets - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State.
18. Chicago Bears - Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
21. Philadelphia Eagles - Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
23. New England Patriots - Brian Cushing, LB, USC.
25. Miami Dolphins - D.J Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
26. Baltimore Ravens - Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest.
28. Philadelphia Eagles - William Beatty, OT, Connecticut.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Max Unger, C/G, Oregon.

The rest will be on the blog within the hour. Also 15 top picks that are left over as well as my player that will fly up the boards over the next few months (AKA My Draft Binky) :p

It's done, on the blog which is in the sig.

I didn't realise how much I would have to type. Fingers hurt now ;)

I can't believe I wasted time reading that!

I think he'll be a bust. Feel free to put that in signatures everyone, I just don't think he can win games by himself the way a #1 overall should be able to do. Too much emphasis on physical ability and not enough emphasis on some of his results at Georgia. For that team - ranked #1 pre-season - to have three losses, including a thumping by Florida when they only scored three points, was terrible. Why aren't people mentioning this when rating Stafford?

BTW not sure I like the thought of getting a Vandy corner.

See my prior post ;)

Wondered if you guys could help me out a bit.

Was under the impression that each team could only have 53 players but looking at the rosters on Wikipedia, all of the teams have way more including players under free agency. Can anyone explain this discrepancy?

Next, is there a minimum age for drafting into the NFL? In addition, does a player have to have graduated through college to be eligible for the NFL?

Whilst the salary cap is worked out as a percentage of total NFL income, does each team have to raise the funds themselves, are the funds distributed in totality by the NFL or is there a mixture of the two?

Can anyone become an NFL coach or does an apprenticeship need serving, say, in college football?

Is there any restriction - other than say, the upper squad maximum - on the number of free agents who can be signed during the close season?

I may come back and ask some more so thank you in advance of any replies.

During the season they may have 53 players.

Since this is the offseason they are allowed more (like 90???).

Thanks, Elliott - to follow that up, how does a team contract those other players post season but before the draft (I thought there were only specific windows in which to sign players)?

I have just been reading an article about the steroid abuse of the great Pittsburgh Steelers teams of the 1970's, if true, some shocking revelations and puts a bit of a tarnish on their achievements.

Seems like they led the NFL in this and it has resulted in some tragic early deaths of former players.

Not sure how accurate this is and the article did come via a Ravens forum. However, it is something I had not heard before and something I found interesting.

Can't see the Trifecta taking a CB first either, Paul.

O-line, D-line or linebackers. The Parcells way.

I was going by the player who I've actually seen do well on tape as well as I think there is a lack at CB.

I considered Sintim(LB), Heyward-Bey (WR) and Robinson (OG). As well as Clay Matthews, but I really think he is the odd one out of the 3 USC LBs.

Oher's stock has fallen incredibly in the last month or so.

I had him Number 1 overall. He's now 4th best Offensive Tackle on most official boards. He's going to have to have a good combine as there are yet again a lot of O-Line and D-Line prospects.

Lots of Phins fans think we'll go Sintim if he's still there.

I'm not convinced that Eagles will go for a RB, Buckhalter did a good job stepping into the team when Westbrook was injured, and seems to be improving year in year out. Think we'll definitely add to our offensive line to try and get a better push to help the running game. Also might well look at bringing in a new safety as Dawkins revival this year, may well not last into next year.

Trouble is Buckhalter is a free agent and wants the chance to start, which he won't get in Philly.

Oh yea i do have a vague recollection of that, would be a shame to lose him. Could do with a big tackle breaking running back anyway, Buckhalter is even smaller than Westbrook.

Just reading some stuff on the Eagles website and apparently the season ticket renewal rate is 99.7% and there are 40,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets.

It seems that we are likely to be quite busy when free agency starts, and then probably just try and fill the holes with the draft. The fans want: a number 1 receiver, a new running back, a new OL and some want a new coach still.

Thanks for the info fella. And I agree, why isn't this mentioned when they are raving about him so much? I was fooled ....

And Paul, you have FAR too much time on your hands ... do you ever get out into the real world?? ;)

Ah yes, funny how this always comes up when the Steelers are having success. The fact of the matter is, that it wasn't illegal to use it, neither by law or NFL rule. Not that I condone it, but it was a different time back then. Also, I'm sure the Steelers were the only team to do it :rolleyes:

And if you have the time, read this, it's a pretty good article about steroid use by the Chargers in the 60's http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/n...ory?id=3866837

I agree. I suspect it more often used than not. Tragically in the cases of Mike Webster (who also had a lot of concussion problems I believe) and Lyle Alzado.

Funny how the Browns moving to Baltimore provided the Steelers with two rivals for the price of one.

Hello everyone

Missing NFL already? I am big style

Lots of salary cap pokery going on already in DC. Andre Carter and Randle El signed to new deals, lots of talk that Springs, Marcus Washington and Jason Taylor will be gone to make even more cap room. Draft day deals expected as well to get more picks

On a more fun note, my lovely girlfriend was in Vegas last week and got me this for Valentines. Mine is No 2 of 1000 :)

I think it's the game Ben and I went to last season at Fed Ex.

Indeed, it's great :p

Looks like it as JT's in the background with the captain patch, which only came in last season.

Not so sure the Steelers will be reaching for Unger though, he has great versatility which could come in handy, he got murdered in the Senior Bowl though, against college players. I personally believe Mack would be a better option, that is if they are going for OL in the first round at 32.

They have 9 picks this year I believe, so another option could be to trade up, and maybe get a tackle if anyone falls a bit. If not, they'll most likely go for the BPA, and someone like Tyson Jackson would bring much needed youth to the DL and eventually replace Aaron Smith when he retires.

Also alot will depend on who they resign in FA, if they let McFadden go, there's a big possibility they could draft a corner if there's anyone worth it.

And usually the rookies for the Steelers are not going to start, more often than not they are backups for at least a year.

Anyway, all that is speculation and can't be accounted for in mocks, so nice effort :)

Exactly the same thing I was going to say! :D

Deffo the game we were at Nooks. :lux: :lux: :lux:

Makes it an even better present :)

When are the fixtures out, Benny Boy? We need to get planning our next trip

Yep.

But I work on this every so often. Didn't take all that long really.

I don't do it just to humour you all, I do it for other websites as well.

Mid-March, I believe.

I'm after a Bills/Jets away game doubled with a Pats home game.

Might as well make a decent trip of it :)

Supposedly,

The Lions will name Daunte Culpepper as starter.

So, 0-16, 1-15, 2-14? ;)

Sorry Paul.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29205555/

Already seen it ;)

What he doesn't mention is that the last 7 games (bar Pittsburgh and early against the Jets), we came out with 4/5 WR sets from the start.

I'm not denying that he threw a lot of short passes, all i'm saying is that its no coincidence that there were a huge amount of first downs again this year.

I'm obviously bias (:D) but I had no doubt we would score a high amount of points every game (bar Pittsburgh);) and was more worried about the Defense than Cassel.

Cassel improved every game and learnt when to run, when to take the sack and when to wait in the pocket.

If Cassel went to Detroit, for example, I think they'd finish about 6-10.

He's not some massive quick fix. He was playing in a decent Pats team

I'm not doubting that at all.

Seems like a fair few journalists are getting on Cassels' back just because he's playing for the Pats.

Told you he would be traded
Cassell Traded









:D

My god, is he still playing :eek: He must be like 40 years old by now

Hmm, not so sure about that, I just think most people are still questioning him being the guy to take a losing franchise forward. I think he'd struggle bigtime if someone like Detroit, Kansas City or even the 49'ers picked him up. If I were Cassel I'd pray that a team like Minnesota, Jets or the Bucs, or someone with a decent running game would pick me up.

Great combine workout introduction here by Mayock if you haven't seen it

http://www.nfl.com/combine/workouts

I'll say it now.

Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee.

Watch him fly up the draft boards this week with a great combine :D

Not an anti-Cassel post (honest!), but I think it would be more like 4-12. Their problems run far deeper than just QB.
I remember him from precisely 0 SEC games.

Which isn't to say that teams won't get blinded by someone having a good combine, I just think game experience is more important.

I agree with you.

If he went to Detroit, I'd take their number 20 or 33 and a conditional pick for 2010.

Detroit can get the top OT in the draft at 1, get another good player at 20/33 (I like Pettigrew in my mock although Defensive player is an option) and they've got the QB that they need.

Was watching the NFL Top Ten show on Sky last night. It was about unbreakable records. The funniest being Tampa's 26 game losing streak.

Could Detroit beat that next season?

True, but the QB can't do it by himself, but can attract better players to the franchise over time. Just seems that people talking about him going to a poorish team, assume that when/ if they have a bad season, it will be due to him being over rated.

Minneapolis Star Tribune reporting that the Vikes are much more likely to go after Jeff Garcia than Matt Cassel given that a. he's a much better fit for that system and b. he won't cost anywhere near as much in monies or picks.

Realistically that only leaves the Chiefs to rescue Paul from an existence free of this beautiful thread. :(

The longer it goes the more I can live without this thread.

I've only had limited internet time as the laptop is slowly packing up although i've got it to work now.

Also have more pressing things on my mind than Matt Cassel for once.

But I will link one story:

And that is posted multiple places. From NFL.com to ESPN. From the BBS to Skysports.com :)

Last day to tag players, some pretty big names on the list so far:

Brandon Jacobs
Karlos Dansby
Darren Sproles
Antonio Bryant
Terrell Suggs
Dunta Robinson
Bo Scaife
Julius Peppers
Max Starks

Also some absolutely insane contracts being handed out these days:

Asomugha, 3 years, $45.3M, minimum of $28.5 guaranteed :eek:
Gross, 6 year/nearly $60 million and includes $30.5 million in the first three years
Hayden, 5 year/$43 million contract. $22.5 million in guarantees

Cassel ;) :hi:

Asomugha's contract is ridiculous, no other team would have offered him that, although I would have accepted less rather than go back to Oakland.

Pittsburgh have tagged Max Starks as well.

I said big names ;) Nah, I just thought he'd been covered already in here so didn't include him :)

And Starks.. I really really hope they can work out a longer term deal, cause paying $8.5m for a very average LT is absolutely bonkers, thats almost half our cap room. He was also tagged last year, and he wasn't even a starter back then :eek:
Just goes to show how big a need that position really is for teams.

It's also a bit worrying with some of the big name CB's being signed/tagged, that will mean McFadden will probably be able to make some serious cash in FA, so I guess it's bye bye to him :(

ESPN said that he may not even start again this year :eek:

Source NFL.com

Asomugha is the best corner in the game. He's worth every penny.

I think they said on PTI the other day that Dansby has been tagged two years running. Ouch.

Completely agree.

The stats on him are amazing.

Thrown at 30 times in 16 games.

When you consider they play the pass-happy Chargers twice, its unbelievable.

He was thrown at 7 times (1 on 1 with Gonzalez) in 2 games by the Chiefs and 5 times by the Patriots (1 on 1 with Moss x4, Welker x1) in one.

So 18 times in 13 games did a QB throw at him. That's frankly ridiculous.

Someone on a Patriots site said they prefer Samuel to Asomugha as Samuel makes plays, but Samuel tries to jump the route and fails at times whereas Nnamdi is a true shutdown corner.

I'm enjoying the Combine despite not being able to see it.

Through the Patriots journalists, i've already had questions asked to Jason Smith (who likes hunting), Aaron Kelly (who wants to line up opposite Moss in single coverage) and 2 other Receivers in Darrius Heyward-Bey and Percy Harvin. Both see themselves as fits for the Wildcat package in any team.

Any questions you want asked to certain players in the next 2 days, let me know and i'll try and get them asked.

That covers the majority of your NFL knowledge, doesn't it, Paul?

;)

Yep.

Well, all I've seen is what someone put up on Justin.tv for us to watch, but too fuzzy and hard to watch.

The UK needs NFL Network and as of now, there is no contract in place for the NFL to be on TV over here next year in any capacity. Terrestrial or Sky. But hopefully that will be sorted soon.

It's offseason for me. And like "soccer", offseason means avoidance :)

Wake me up on draft day.

I will :)

I have been reading a lot on Vince Lombardi at the moment, what a genius and what an inspiration to this day whatever your walk of life.

Any Steelers fans heard that Dave Dameshek/Spiderman theme music?

"Steelers fan from days of old, instead of red bleeds black and gold." :D

BTW do any of you get upset if we said you play in black and yellow? The 49ers, Rams and Saints have gold, you clearly have yellow instead.

Heard the story about the Stafford press conference today.

Check it out, i'm liking Sanchez more already because of what he done ;)

Immature but funny. Two USC guys have already been caught messing around during these now ;) Him and Maualuga.

That's pretty funny. :D

Just because I don't think Sanchez will be a good pro QB doesn't mean he isn't smart (entering the draft this year probably proved that already).

Is Sanchez the QB who has only started about 16 games?

Skins cut Marcus Washington. Shame. Great LB in his day but made of glass now, too many injuries

Another $4m clawed back for the salary cap though

If he waited until next year, he could have been 4th or even 5th QB.

As I put in the mock I done, not good enough for a high first round pick and teams would be better off looking elsewhere but will be taken somewhere in the middle of that first round.

And unlike Stafford, Sanchez will be throwing at this combine.

I haven't looked but I'd guess that figure is about right. Not unusual though if you think about how short the college season is.

My guy Robert Ayers is interviewing today. He's from the same college as Mayo and is one of the DE/OLB hybrids. I've got a couple of questions in to be asked. i.e What sort of scheme do you hope to fit in ;)

How about asking why if Tennessee players are so good how come they only went 5-7 last year (even losing at home against Wyoming) and effectively got their coach fired?

Not having a go, but I don't understand why this guy would rocket up draft boards now when he wasn't pulling up trees last year in possibly the best conference for defensive play in college football.

True I guess.

Mayock is saying he's 12th best player in the entire draft now.

Combine is live from 4 (11amET) so i'll be watching it. Nothing better to do today unfortunately.

I'll try and get someone to ask a question like that ;)

Well I ended up finding something better to do but not after watching the OL guys attempt the Vertical Jump. I had to stop after watching the 3rd guy in the row jump and miss the thing they have to hit :D I was nearly rolling around the floor in laughter at it.

Anyway, vote for the top 20 Quarterbacks in football here: http://www.patriots.com/search/index...&pcid=41&rss=1

Yes it is the Patriots website, but its been placed on other teams unofficial forums by Pats fans so I thought I'd stick it here.

You have until next Thursday.

Ignore the debate part just before, no-one agrees with the first guy. Top 5, my arse. ;) You'll know when you read it.

Oh, and i'd like to take Andre Smith off my Mock Draft.

Not only is he refusing to compete at the Combine.

He has gone AWOL for christs sake.

So, Eugene Monroe is top Tackle and then Jason Smith.

Still a long way to go before the draft. Crabtree injured as well, which means that he might drop and someone might get him lower than they should (as the Vikes arguably did with AP a few years ago).

I dont think he would fall below the Raiders. You know what Al Davis is like when he sees a "physical specimen".

Would agree with you there (although there was the year they could have picked Leinart and ended up drafting Michael Huff instead, which was quite surprising).

Guess this news means the Skins won't be looking for a DE at No13 in the Draft. Expecting swapsies now and a couple of 2nd round picks instead.

Redskins' Taylor Is Planning to Return


By Jason Reid and Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, February 23, 2009; Page E03

Hobbled by injuries during his first season with the Washington Redskins, defensive end Jason Taylor plans to return to the team and is "ready to roll," his agent said last night.

"It's tough to play when you're injured, when you can't do the things you always have, and Jason was just dealing with a lot last year," said Taylor's agent, Gary Wichard. "But it is what it is. That's just part of this game, and Jason never made excuses. He's working to be the same Pro Bowler he always was, and he's ready to go."

Last season, Taylor, 34, rarely resembled the all-pro performer and former NFL defensive player of the year for whom the Redskins dealt a second-round pick in April's draft and a sixth-round pick in 2010. Taylor sprained his right knee in a preseason game and twice underwent surgery on his left calf to relieve acute compartment syndrome, a buildup of pressure on muscle groups.

Predominantly playing left end for the first time in his career, Taylor had only 3 1/2 sacks -- his lowest total since 1999. The 12-year veteran's lack of production prompted speculation that the Redskins would ask Taylor to take a pay cut from his $8.5 million salary in 2009, and release him if he declined. But Taylor's salary for next season has never been an issue, Wichard said.
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"Before the trade was done, he was asked if he would play out his two years left on the contract, and he said, 'Absolutely,' " Wichard said. "They asked for a two-year commitment from Jason. They gave up a lot to get him, so I understand why they did, and we gave them that commitment. That was the deal, so there's nothing new there. They weren't doing it for one year and we weren't doing it for one year. It was two years on both sides."


Not sure how I feel about this. He can't have as bad a year as last year. But that's another whopping $8m we could use elsewhere. Then again, none of the free agent Defensive Ends excite me that much. We'd have to pay a fortune for anyone decent – I'd rather wait a year and try the draft

What have I missed? :o

Haven't been paying attention to the NFL since the season ended. I hear we've placed JP on Franchise to try and get a better deal out of a trade for him. About all I know.

Fat Albert might be heading to DC

- Haynesworth a Redskin? --
Mon Feb 23, 2009 --from FFMastermind.com

SI.com's Peter King reports Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder had dinner Saturday night with the agent for soon-to-be free-agent DT Albert Haynesworth. Don't be shocked if the Redskins are the only team to pony up the big bundle of cash it takes to sign Haynesworth.

The new track at the Lucas Oil Stadium has hurt some big prospects so far this week.

Today it has knocked Maualuga and Brian Orakpo out.

I have a sneaky suspicion that it is slower than the track at the old stadium.

Both Stafford and Sanchez have really taken a battering this weekend. Stafford is 2 inches shorter than what was said before. He is actually 6"1. The height that coaches like is over 6"2. And an inch is crucial at this point.
Sanchez had an average combine and as expected didn't really put himself close to Stafford in ability terms.

3rd rated QB Josh Freeman also had a bad combine.

This QB class as well as this RB class is pretty average at best. Look for the two sets of Lines to dominate nearly half of the 1st round IMHO.

Rosenfels going Vikes, Pioli not looking to trade, New England stuck with a white elephant wearing a number 16 shirt. Lovely.

Whilst I agree we are "stuck" with him, I'm still not convinced about Brady being back and fully fit to complete an entire season so, yes, it's a huge amount of money but it is just for one year and might not turn out to be the complete white elephant should Brady not make it.

I really can't keep up. Paul could be talking double dutch for all I know ... I'll give myself a break and catch up again when the draft is over ... :p

I think Cassel will do fine in that system if called upon. I was merely dropping a little more bait into the wild, often uncontrollable ocean in which Paul exists.

;) :D

What do you want to know? I'll explain it to you in English.

Paul doesn't understand his own stuff, either. He copies it verbatim from other sites and palms it off as his own thoughts. ;)

I think Paul's gone boss-eyed from watching too many 300lbs linesman doing a 40 metre sprint

The mind boggles. :D

No, actually I have more important things going on right now. So don't have time to contribute.

Amazing news if true. There's no free agent I want more.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphin...side_0226.html

Jerry Jones wants the team to be 'Romo friendly' :D

It is hinted that may mean that we should use the running game more considering we have such talent in Barber, Jones and Choice. I kind of agree as that would take a lot of the heat off Romo and stop him from throwing those desparate passes downfield fir the big play ...

Ray Lewis to Dallas? Interesting comments that he isn't the player he used to be and that he would be better off staying at the Ravens in his 'comfort zone'. Otherwise, moving to another team may expose some aging flaws in his game ...

Another good discussion on Total Access about Cassel. Particularly about number 2 QBs stepping up to the plate for one team and then moving on after when the number 1 choice returns. It has rarely worked out well which is pretty much based on the number two being brought up on one teams playbook and having to learn another rarely cuts it ... comments?

Ah, jazman, we've been telling Paul that for months but he knows best :p