NFL 2013

[HaemishM]

Then I am completely flummoxed. I can't see one reason they wouldn't want to resign Welker for at least a 2-3 year contract. Hell, the Packers are STACKED at wideout even without Jennings and I'd have taken him in a heartbeat. I think he may be the best possession receiver the NFL has ever had.

[Segoris]

Wow, that may be the steal of the year imo as it will be tough to find a better deal. NE's is now left holding a ticket in the Danny Amendola lottery. I like Amendola, but not more than I would have liked to have paid Welker $6-8mil or more to keep him with Brady/Hernandez/Gronk

[sickrubik]

Icing.

[Trippy]

They are bringing back Randy Moss

[Nevermore]

Then I am completely flummoxed. I can't see one reason they wouldn't want to resign Welker for at least a 2-3 year contract. Hell, the Packers are STACKED at wideout even without Jennings and I'd have taken him in a heartbeat. I think he may be the best possession receiver the NFL has ever had.

Early last season it seemed Belichick was trying to phase Welker out of the offense until the injury bug hit the Patriots, and Welker seemed to take some shots at him because of it.  My guess is the Patriots low balled Wellker due to bad blood.

[HaemishM]

I had seen his decreased production and heard rumors about them wanting to phase him out and even then I thought it was utterly retarded. He showed he can still catch the fuck out of the ball. If they truly offered him $10m for 2 years, that IS a goddamn insult. Welker's been one of my favorite wideouts since he was with the Dolphins even though I've hated the teams he's been on. I so hope Denver knocks New England out of the playoffs this year.

Titans signed Shonn Greene for 3yr/$10m. So now they'll have two overpaid running backs!

[sickrubik]

I think I may have a new avatar.

[Paelos]

$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.

Welker didn't play by the "Patriot Way." So now he's gone.

[Segoris]

Regardless, Brady didn't renegotiate his deal to free up $8.2 million in 2013 cap space so the Patriots could let his favorite target walk for less than what Brian Hartline is making.

Yeah, this puts things in perspective really nicely.

[Nevermore]

Apparently the entire contract is all guaranteed, though.

[Malakili]

You've got to wonder how much politics are involved.  It seems like the relationship with Welker and the Patriots has been strained over the last year or so and maybe they just decided to let him go.  Goodness knows the Patriots have let good players go before and ended up fine on the other end.

[sickrubik]

Apparently Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie is in Denver at the moment too.  

Patriots gave former Rams WR Danny Amendola's a five-year, $31 million deal that includes $10 million guaranteed.

 

[Paelos]

Well if that doesn't tell you it all you need to know about Welker and the Patriot Way, nothing will.

[Ingmar]

Well, he is 4 years younger and similar in many ways. We'll see just how much of it was the system soon enough.

[Hoax]

Amendola to Pats. There went any drop off from losing Welker. That kid is a talent.

[Segoris]

I'd say there's a dropoff in talent and in durability. I like Amendola, but he is not Welker. The good thing for the Pats though - Amendola is a good slot receiver who is now going to be there as long as they have Brady as both now have 5 years on their contracts left.

And yeah, Den just got even better, and more classy. So, Rodgers-Cromartie is a Bronco now and The Boss asked Manning if he was okay grabbing Welker since that would mean cutting his friend Stokley

[sickrubik]

Broncos reached agreement on a one-year deal with former Eagles CB Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie.

 

[Segoris]

And Sea keeps getting better, Avril to the Seahawks.

[shiznitz]

P. Manning should be a first round fantasy pick this fall.  He is going to have time in the pocket, 3 great targets and shitty division rivals.  He will have a 30+ TD season easily. 

[sickrubik]

P. Manning should be a first round fantasy pick this fall.  He is going to have time in the pocket, 3 great targets and shitty division rivals.  He will have a 30+ TD season easily.  

Just to make sure, you know he had 37 this last year, right?

Chiefs released QB Matt Cassel.

Inevitable, of course.

[MrHat]

P. Manning should be a first round fantasy pick this fall.  He is going to have time in the pocket, 3 great targets and shitty division rivals.  He will have a 30+ TD season easily. 

Just to make sure, you know he had 37 this last year, right?

Delicious.

It does lower the value of my fantasy stud keeper Demaryius this year though.

[sickrubik]

P. Manning should be a first round fantasy pick this fall.  He is going to have time in the pocket, 3 great targets and shitty division rivals.  He will have a 30+ TD season easily.  

Just to make sure, you know he had 37 this last year, right?

Delicious.

It does lower the value of my fantasy stud keeper Demaryius this year though.

Eh. It has much more impact on Decker and the TEs, really. Or TE rather, who needs a two TE set with those three.

[HaemishM]

Amendola gets 5-years and $31 million with $10 guaranteed and they couldn't resign Welker? Holy shit, that's bad GMing right there. How many games has Amedonla missed over the last 3 years? 20 games. How many has Welker missed? 1. While I do think Welker is going to miss more games in the future as he's older, he's not THAT much older. I think that's a really fucking stupid decision. I'd rather have Welker personally. While Amendola will be better for a few more years, I think Welker's going to have more production. Also, Denver is just a better fucking team. Their defense is light years ahead of the Pats. The Pats Way can go fuck itself and I hope they don't win another championship with Hobo Bill.

Denver's only problem is their offensive coordinator not letting Peyton be Peyton for 60 minutes a game. Other than that, I see them sailing into the playoffs barring big-time injury issues.

The Seahawks defense is going to be monstrous next year with Avril. Fuck. That's going to be a team you do not want to face down the stretch or in the playoffs. Indy upgraded their defense with Landry. They are looking pretty strong as well. It's kind of refreshing that this draft doesn't have a lot of big-name skill position players sucking up all the spotlight. Seeing O lineman and defensive guys going in the first round is going to create a different feel. I'm actually getting excited for the draft.

[Nebu]

Amendola to Pats. There went any drop off from losing Welker. That kid is a talent.

That was my exact thought.  In the right system Amendola will shine.  The fact that he's younger makes him a good investment for the future.

[Cyrrex]

No knock against Amendola, but I can't agree.  Welker is pure money, and Amendola will probably only be a shadow of what Wes gave them.  Welker is an HOFer in my opinion.  Amendola hasn't really proved much other than that he is fragile as all hell.

More importantly, how pissed do you think Tom Brady is right now?  Probably mentioned up in the thread somewhere, but didn't he give up millions for the exact reason of keeping guys like Welker around?  It might not have any long term impact on his performance, but who the hell knows.

[sickrubik]

More importantly, how pissed do you think Tom Brady is right now?  Probably mentioned up in the thread somewhere, but didn't he give up millions for the exact reason of keeping guys like Welker around?  It might not have any long term impact on his performance, but who the hell knows.

Yes it was. Yes he was. Yes he did. And yes it will.

[Segoris]

Really good free agency transaction summary as of last night: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/42765/310/nfl-hot-stove-day-3

As for Cassel, his best spots are what, Buf, TB, and maybe Minn? He'd improve any of those teams (arguable for TB but still likely), with Minn being the best available for him if they can grab Jennings from GB as well.

With Laron Landry to the Colts, them talking with Ricky Jean-Francois today, and they've already improved their O-line as well, they may be my favorites for the AFC South (if they get RJF). More so if they can grab a RB to help take even more pressure off of Luck. Plenty of cheap RB improvements available, but getting in on the SJAX bidding would be good. Also, plenty of cheaper WR with lots of upside left if they don't want to draft one of the taller prospects to develop under Wayne in the draft (someone like Danario Alexander, Domenik Hixon, Edelman, DHB, etc. would be cheap investments who are young enough to improve quite a bit with mentoring and a good QB).

[Segoris]

No knock against Amendola, but I can't agree.  Welker is pure money, and Amendola will probably only be a shadow of what Wes gave them.  Welker is an HOFer in my opinion.  Amendola hasn't really proved much other than that he is fragile as all hell.

More importantly, how pissed do you think Tom Brady is right now?  Probably mentioned up in the thread somewhere, but didn't he give up millions for the exact reason of keeping guys like Welker around?  It might not have any long term impact on his performance, but who the hell knows.

Brady actually got more money by a couple of million, but less of a hit to the cap by more than what Amendola is receiving. Think the reduction in Brady's cap number was something like $6.3mil

[sickrubik]

No knock against Amendola, but I can't agree.  Welker is pure money, and Amendola will probably only be a shadow of what Wes gave them.  Welker is an HOFer in my opinion.  Amendola hasn't really proved much other than that he is fragile as all hell.

More importantly, how pissed do you think Tom Brady is right now?  Probably mentioned up in the thread somewhere, but didn't he give up millions for the exact reason of keeping guys like Welker around?  It might not have any long term impact on his performance, but who the hell knows.

Brady actually got more money by a couple of million, but less of a hit to the cap by more than what Amendola is receiving. Think the reduction in Brady's cap number was something like $6.3mil

$8.2M

[Segoris]

Or that number, thanks. Point being it was more than enough to keep his favorite target happy and it's understandable he's a bit upset at what has happened. Especially since Welker went right to the top contender in the AFC

[sickrubik]

Or that number, thanks. Point being it was more than enough to keep his favorite target happy and it's understandable he's a bit upset at what has happened. Especially since Welker went right to the top contender in the AFC

Oh, I wasn't disagreeing with you. Brady has every reason to be pissed. And his tears are delicious.

Almost as delicious as the hidden tears from Tennessee. Reminder, we beat them out for Manning last year.

[Segoris]

Didn't believe we were disagreeing, I was just restating my point in a more clear way and thanking you for the more accurate number. The Tenn thing is sad because that is (what seems like) a class-act organization, trying to do well for the team and city, but keeps getting left behind. Though, it's funny because the misery happened to someone else....repeatedly now

[sickrubik]

So that we agree that we agree. Good to go. 

[sickrubik]

Tuck rule change proposal.

[Segoris]

The hits keep on rolling - Colts signed RJF, meanwhile the Chiefs picked up both Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson giving them one of the best defensive backfields. KC has been somewhat quiet due to all the other news, or well... due to all the Denver news anyways, but their acquisitions are piling up fast which will go nicely with their high draft picks if they use them wisely. I can honestly see them fighting for a wild card if they stay healthy after improving just about all of their areas of concern while the AFC North and East end up only sending one team to the post-season

Cassel to the Vikings.

Along with the Tuck rule, there are some others like preventing runners from dipping their helmets into tacklers.
Edit: also, the anticipated change to the challenge rule so if a play is supposed to undergo an automatic challenge, no matter what it will still be reviewed even if a red flag is thrown when unneeded.