NFL 2013

[Paelos]

The Ravens won a Superbowl with old assets. If you thought they weren't going to immediately cut bait with contracts to pay their bloated QB gamble/blunder contract, you were crazy.

[Hoax]

Additionally, it keeps Q out of the division.

Very good point. All three teams could have room for him.

[sickrubik]

The Ravens won a Superbowl with old assets. If you thought they weren't going to immediately cut bait with contracts to pay their bloated QB gamble/blunder contract, you were crazy.

Yes, but it doesn't mean you can't look at it and go "lol". Christ.

and the shopping spree by Miami today has it's first victim. Karlos Dansby. Good money on him ending up in Baltimore, I imagine.

[Paelos]

Oh I agree it's stupid, but the cap limit as it stands right now is stupid. $123M for the most popular sport in the US for 53 guys? It's absurd. The cap has barely moved while the NFL has been raking in new revenues.

[Ingmar]

Yes, they are headed towards labor problems if they don't account for their new revenue sources in the cap *soon*.

[JWIV]

Miami and Cleveland both seem to be backing up the Brinks truck to M&T Stadium today.  30+ Million dollars a piece for a situational pass rusher (Kruger) and a linebacker with durability issues (Ellerbe) is pretty 

[sickrubik]

Oh I agree it's stupid, but the cap limit as it stands right now is stupid. $123M for the most popular sport in the US for 53 guys? It's absurd. The cap has barely moved while the NFL has been raking in new revenues.

Indeed. Not sure we are in disagreement.

[Nebu]

I'm still laughing at the contract Flacco got. 

[Cyrrex]

LOL Onion

“Flacco just chucks every ball up for grabs and lucks out whenever his receivers catch one of his shitty throws,” added Krueger. “No wonder my pack of gum cost $850 yesterday.”

and

At press time, the Green Bay Packers were reportedly finalizing a six-year, $989 trillion deal with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

[sickrubik]

Ravens continue to bleed, losing Bernard Pollard.

[HaemishM]

Holy fuck. The Ravens appear to be completely dismantling what won them the Super Bowl in the first place. I mean, I expected them to lose some pieces but shit. They have like 2 linebackers left, they haven't signed Ed Red and are releasing their other safety, got rid of their best receiver by a mile. It really is rebuilding time in Baltimore. Maybe they think this draft really is stocked with defensive talent, but I don't think they have enough draft picks to make up for it.

With the Steelers crumbling under age, injury and cap pressure and the Ravens apparently doing the same thing, does that make Cinci-fucking-nnatti the favorite to win that division? I mean... CLEVELAND could be good this year with 6 games against teams that are probably at best mediocre now. Has the AFC North become the new NFC West?

Miami has spent but they got specific pieces that could help them a lot. Wallace gives them a credible deep threat receiver to augment Hartline over the middle, they got pass rush with the linebackers and their defense was already decent. The loss of Reggie Bush may be a concern but with the Jets guaranteed to suck and Buffalo's crappy D and INT-happy QB, they may certainly be in for a wild card this year.

[Paelos]

I think Baltimore is an indictator of what life will be like under the new cap. The second you win a Super Bowl, the QB gets paid, and the rest of the team gets dismantled to start over. The idea of "dynasties" occuring in a tight salary cap league anymore is laughable. The last dynasty we saw was the 2001-2004 Patriots. The reason was that the salary cap moved from $67m at the beginning of that dynasty to $80m at it's conclusion. That's over 16% in those 4 years.

You know how much the cap has moved since 2009?

0%

[HaemishM]

The salary cap seems like it's a poison pill the owners inserted in the CBA to get salaries down, only they forgot to tell themselves. The amount of cap juggling that is being done is getting ridiculous.

Ryan Fitzpatrick released by the Bills.

Ok, so he was a turnover machine (22 in all). And he was WAY overpaid on the basis of a good first half of the 2011 season. But their next best option which they re-signed is TAVARIS FUCKING JACKSON. Really? That's not even a sidegrade, that's a complete downgrade. And they want to hold an open competition for QB. So the Jets and Bills have pretty much ceded the East to the Pats and Dolphins then. All righty. Maybe they'll trade for Matt Flynn because that seems like the only option out there worth exploring. With no rookie QB can't miss prospect out there, you likely aren't getting a starter there. With all the money they pissed away on defense last year, they kind of have to give it a go this year but I don't see how they are going to be that competitive.

[Segoris]

Yeah, Bal is seemingly fucked. They have Smith and Jones left for WR. I mostly like both of them, but they are not enough to carry Flacco or make his salary seem less dumb. They did pick up Chris Canty, and that is okay but it is a piece of tape on a broken damn.
Mia is spending, a little too much for the talent imo, but they are doing something in free agency they haven't done in a while - guaranteeing they land some long overdue talent.
The Browns are improving their defense (beyond just Kruger), and may lose Cribbs. If NE picks up Cribbs, that would either drive down Welker's price if he really wants to stay, or he could become the top free agent immediately. His news has been quiet while trying to work with NE, from what I can tell, but that could change fast.
The Titans may get a bit better. Improved inner O-line, lost Cook but gained Walker, and may pick up Shonne Greene for a good second option to CJ. Though, that last addition could provide some lulz too. The need
The Raiders have done nothing but get worse, SD is getting worse, while KC improved. As expected, they picked up A. Smith, but also Daniels from NO as a backup. Will be sad if Smith loses the starting gig...again. They also may be picking up a #2 in Avery from the Colts. Still, not anywhere near enough to come close to Den who will actually be improving with or without Dumerville.
GB could improve at RB if they can get S Jackson cheap, and also may retain Jennings. Any news on them for the defensive side?
I don't think I'm allowed to be excited yet, but Chi picking up a TE and O-lineman? I need time for that reality to sink in.
The Colts are doing well on both sides of the ball, with the possibility of losing Avery being the only thing going wrong for them so far.

[Segoris]

Re: Fitzpatrick.
There can be some openings besides TJax though who is just giving them time to find someone while not carrying Fitz's cap of $3mil which was due about now if they didn't cut him. Cassel and Flynn are their best options at this point imo. Though, they could also make a run for Kolb on the cheap if Ari can dump him, or Jason Campbell. I'm not saying they're the great options, but I think they shoud be considered. Which really is sad.

[sickrubik]

re: Ravens.

I think this almost gaurantees Ed Reed sticks in Baltimore.

[JWIV]

I think Baltimore is an indictator of what life will be like under the new cap. The second you win a Super Bowl, the QB gets paid, and the rest of the team gets dismantled to start over. The idea of "dynasties" occuring in a tight salary cap league anymore is laughable. The last dynasty we saw was the 2001-2004 Patriots. The reason was that the salary cap moved from $67m at the beginning of that dynasty to $80m at it's conclusion. That's over 16% in those 4 years.

You know how much the cap has moved since 2009?

0%

Crazy thing is - this isn't even all on Joe. For all the talk of $120 Million, his salary cap impact for this season is only 6 million.  The Pollard release is probably the most shocking.  I had expected the Ravens to lose Reed, but keep Pollard back there. Receiver wise, losing Boldin hurts, but his regular season production was mediocre (and completely eclipsed by his amazing post season), but after Smith and Jones, their depth chart is fairly mediocre with maybe 4 catches.

But yah, this feels like the Ravens decided it was time for some significant rebuilding.

[HaemishM]

GB could improve at RB if they can get S Jackson cheap, and also may retain Jennings. Any news on them for the defensive side?

I get the feeling GB won't do a damn thing in free agency. I'd love Jackson but I don't think they are willing to spend the kind of money he turned down in St. Louis so unless he takes a pay cut, that ain't happening. On the defensive side, they looked at Canty but obviously weren't that impressed. They let Walden go to the Colts ($16 MILLION... REALLY?) but I don't count that as much of a loss, especially if Nick Perry comes back healthy. I think they'll do most of their work on draft day. I'm ambivalent about Jennings - he could stay or go and I'd be ok so long as he doesn't go to a team in the division. I'd rather they work on extending Matthews and Rodgers with what salary cap they have left if they don't go after Jackson.

I forgot about Jason Campbell. He'd be an upgrade over Tavaris Jackson in Buffalo but not as sexy a pick as Flynn.

[Segoris]

GB could improve at RB if they can get S Jackson cheap, and also may retain Jennings. Any news on them for the defensive side?

I get the feeling GB won't do a damn thing in free agency. I'd love Jackson but I don't think they are willing to spend the kind of money he turned down in St. Louis so unless he takes a pay cut, that ain't happening. On the defensive side, they looked at Canty but obviously weren't that impressed. They let Walden go to the Colts ($16 MILLION... REALLY?) but I don't count that as much of a loss, especially if Nick Perry comes back healthy. I think they'll do most of their work on draft day. I'm ambivalent about Jennings - he could stay or go and I'd be ok so long as he doesn't go to a team in the division. I'd rather they work on extending Matthews and Rodgers with what salary cap they have left if they don't go after Jackson.

I forgot about Jason Campbell. He'd be an upgrade over Tavaris Jackson in Buffalo but not as sexy a pick as Flynn.

Yeah, at this point I just think Buf will need to find a good backup who's being wasted in a depth chart. Flynn is likely staying in Sea.

I think Jackson would take a paycut for a contender, which is why I think there is good reason to believe that GB has a shot. That, and it is the one piece on the offensive side they need. I forgot about Walden, and also Woodson was cut.

On a different note, and the plus side, someone just send me a link to ESPN's tracker, which is awesome. Enjoy all: http://espn.go.com/nfl/freeagency/?year=2013

[Paelos]

I get the feeling the Falcons are going to try to fix their defense in the draft. They have no pass rushing at all.

[WayAbvPar]

Bush to the Lions. That might make them slightly more likely to convert on 3rd down at least. Bush will be the 2nd leading receiver pretty easily.

[01101010]

If the Browns buy into the 3-4 and they get a compliment to Haden on the opposite corner, they will be pretty scary on the defensive side of the coin. Not sure anything on the offensive side will make teams pause, but that is another issue. As for Cribbs... fuck him. Glorified return guy that is mediocre at best when placed into the slot. I was on the side that thought he should just get released after all that contract crying he did. Either way, they still need a legit no.1 receiver at some point of else they'll just keep sitting in the top ten draft pick slot year after year.

[sickrubik]

Mendenhall snatched up by Arizona before he could get to Denver. WOO!

Hopefully now we can focus on SJAX.

Edit:

Per Schefter, Broncos hammering out deal with Welker. Yes, please. Thomas and Decker with Welker in the slot? Yes.

Now, go get Dansby and/or SJAX and plunge towards the Draft.

[Segoris]

Dashon Goldson to the bucs, 5 yrs and for a pile of money that is more than I'll make in a lifetime so I stopped reading

[sickrubik]

Niners snag Dorsey.

[HaemishM]

Welker, Decker AND Thomas with Manning throwing to them, a good running game and defense? Shit. And oh yeah, in a shitty division with only the Chiefs having shown any signs of life.

[Nevermore]

Miami has spent but they got specific pieces that could help them a lot. Wallace gives them a credible deep threat receiver to augment Hartline over the middle, they got pass rush with the linebackers and their defense was already decent. The loss of Reggie Bush may be a concern but with the Jets guaranteed to suck and Buffalo's crappy D and INT-happy QB, they may certainly be in for a wild card this year.

Dolphins aren't really concerned with letting Bush go since they're really high on Lamar Miller.  The AFC in general is looking pretty wide open.  Denver should be far and away the favorites but after that it's a whole lot of meh.  Even the Patriots won't look so good on paper if they let Welker defect.

[Trippy]

I think Baltimore is an indictator of what life will be like under the new cap. The second you win a Super Bowl, the QB gets paid, and the rest of the team gets dismantled to start over. The idea of "dynasties" occuring in a tight salary cap league anymore is laughable. The last dynasty we saw was the 2001-2004 Patriots. The reason was that the salary cap moved from $67m at the beginning of that dynasty to $80m at it's conclusion. That's over 16% in those 4 years.

You know how much the cap has moved since 2009?

0%

Dynasties can still happen as long as your QB is married to a supermodel who makes way more money than he ever could so doesn't need the money and is willing to sign a long term contract for way under market value.

[sickrubik]

Wes Welker has agreed to terms with Denver Broncos.

[Segoris]

Oh shit son. :Mother of God.gif:

Yeah, that's all I got at this point.....holy hell.

[sickrubik]

I am freaking the fuck out.

If you had told me two years ago that Peyton Manning would be our QB and Wes Welker would be a WR I would have called you a drunk.

Edit: Deal is 2 years/$12 Million. GREAT.

[Segoris]

This will get lost, but props to Brandon Stokely for being a true class act about this.

And oh yeah, Den is also making a play for Nmandi, and still could end up with Dwight Freeney.

Edit by Trippy: fixed your messed up tags.

[sickrubik]

yeah, Stokley is just a fantastic guy.

[HaemishM]

$6 million a year for Welker and the fucking Pats wouldn't match that? Or better it? The fuck? That is NOTHING unless the team has cap issues, especially not for the amount of production he's likely to bring.

[sickrubik]

$6 million a year for Welker and the fucking Pats wouldn't match that? Or better it? The fuck? That is NOTHING unless the team has cap issues, especially not for the amount of production he's likely to bring.

And they don't have an issue. that's what Brady's whole deal was about.