Official NFL Free Agency Thread

[BlueSky]

Not that anyone in here really cares, but sometime in the past couple days Az-Zahir Hakim signed with the Dolphins.

Not that any of you care.

I only care in that it appalls me that people keep signing "Butterfingers the Great"

So I see I aint the only one who has a very clear and present image (or rather, video) in my head of Mr. Zakim bobbling that last kickoff in the 2001 (or whatever year it was) playoff game as the New Orleans Saints special teams unit was rushing towards him, causing him (or maybe he caused himself) to fumble the ball. Saints recover.

Ballgame New Orleans...for their first home playoff victory ever. (Or was it their first playoff win period? Skyaa1, bigdub81, help me here...)

Celebration all throughout the Gulf Coast region. (or at least between Pensacola and I'd say about halfway to Galveston...)

Scorched on my horrified retinas that particular play was...and yes...it was the Saints first playoff win ever.

(Needless to say I am happy that the Rams are now not the only team that has lost to them.)

Relive that golden moment in NFL history here. The video quality is poor but it's Jim "There is a God after all!" Henderson's play-by-play that's the best anyway.

[BBTV]

Not exactly free-agent related, but the Eagles get Takeo Spikes (and Kelly Holcomb for some reason) for *starts laughing*Darwin *still laughing* Walker and a *laughing harder*conditional 7th or 8th round pick *rolls on the floor laughing*

Okay, there has to be something wrong there, since the NFL Draft is only seven rounds.

Making it even more of a steal for the Eagles

I heard Buffalo was trying to get a better draft pick by packaging their nickel and one shade of blue, but the Eagles wouldn't budge.

Stop laughing. You aren't getting Takeo Spikes from 3-4 years ago. Don't get me wrong, he's still a good player and an awesome guy to root for, but he isn't a pro bowl level impact player anymore. He's injury plagued and will never fully recover from the Achilles injury (see Cowart, Sam). He's a big name, but he just hasn't been the same. You'll be lucky to get two good seasons out of him. He's certainly not worth the $9.5 million left on his contract ($4.5 million this year, $5 million option). So get off your high horse and do some research. This trade is a straight up wash.

I'm sure people outside of Buffalo (the doofuses on ESPN) see that the Bills lost Clements, Fletcher-Baker, McGahee and now Spikes and think that the Bills must be run poorly, but the fact is that those guys are overrated, over hyped, overpaid and didn't really want to be here. If you watched the Bills constantly you would know that Clements gets more penalties than interceptions, Fletcher-Baker gets a ton of tackles......10-15 yards down field, the Bills offense was more efficient without McGahee and Angelo Crowell outplayed Takeo Spikes last year. If Marv Levy pulls off another sold draft like last year (yeah Whitner was a reach but that's where the Bills were picking and he ended up having a great year) then the Bills will be much improved. That said...Super Bowl? Hell no. Division Champs? Not a chance. Playoffs? Probably not.

Get off my high horse and do some research? The Eagles get a player who despite the fact that he isn't the same as he was a few years ago is still undoubedly a big upgrade over what they had (probably their weakest position) for absolutely nothing (Walker was likely going to be released.) Do I follow the Bills every week? No. Why should I? but I do know that in the games I saw, Spikes played extremely well, and while he has injury problems, he seemed to show that he was recovered just fine in the second half of last season.

Was this a horrible trade by the Bills? If they get cap relief or have a guy ready to step in, then probably not. Was this a great trade by the Eagles? Absolutely. Is it a wash in that it may work out for both teams? Possibly. I don't care about that. I care that the Eagles got stronger at their weakest defensive position, so pardon me for being happy.

I'm not getting off this "high horse" any time soon. Go birds.

[BigEd76]

[jcjr81]

It doesn't really show up on t.v. but I really like the silver outlines on the Eagles numbers.

[Nick 1733]

Broncos ink Bly to an extension:

Wednesday, March 28

Ending weeks of speculation about whether he could be traded for a second time this offseason, Denver cornerback Dre' Bly reached an agreement in principle with the Broncos on a five-year, $33 million deal that includes $16 million in guaranteed money. Bly is expected to report to the Broncos' offseason training program Monday in Denver, whereas there previously had been questions about whether he would be there. But in the past 24 hours, contract talks between Bly and the Broncos escalated to the point where an agreement was struck Wednesday morning. Other teams such as the New Orleans Saints that thought they could perhaps pry loose Bry from Denver now will have to focus on other cornerbacks to help their teams.

[tBBP]

It doesn't really show up on t.v. but I really like the silver outlines on the Eagles numbers.

Not that I'm 100% certain about that, but I think the team actually refers to that color as "charcoal" or "charcoal gray".

Maybe PANTONE can help me out here...I could be dead wrong...

[Nick 1733]

It doesn't really show up on t.v. but I really like the silver outlines on the Eagles numbers.

Not that I'm 100% certain about that, but I think the team actually refers to that color as "charcoal" or "charcoal gray".

Maybe PANTONE can help me out here...I could be dead wrong...

Philadelphia Eagles Charcoal

[TFoA]

Not that anyone in here really cares, but sometime in the past couple days Az-Zahir Hakim signed with the Dolphins.

Not that any of you care.

I only care in that it appalls me that people keep signing "Butterfingers the Great"

So I see I aint the only one who has a very clear and present image (or rather, video) in my head of Mr. Zakim bobbling that last kickoff in the 2001 (or whatever year it was) playoff game as the New Orleans Saints special teams unit was rushing towards him, causing him (or maybe he caused himself) to fumble the ball. Saints recover.

Ballgame New Orleans...for their first home playoff victory ever. (Or was it their first playoff win period? Skyaa1, bigdub81, help me here...)

Celebration all throughout the Gulf Coast region. (or at least between Pensacola and I'd say about halfway to Galveston...)

Scorched on my horrified retinas that particular play was...and yes...it was the Saints first playoff win ever.

(Needless to say I am happy that the Rams are now not the only team that has lost to them.)

Relive that golden moment in NFL history here. The video quality is poor but it's Jim "There is a God after all!" Henderson's play-by-play that's the best anyway.

I think I mentioned this the last time we talked about this, but I was at that game as more of a neutral party with my uncle because my Unc had season tickets. Needless to say, even though you know where my allegiances lie, I was laughing my ass off when Az muffed that kick. The Saints avoided a sure collapse by benefiting from a mental collapse.

Anyways, poor Az though. That's probably the only thing he'll be remembered for.

[BigEd76]

Kevin Curtis

Did anyone start the usual "new jerseys for players on new teams" thread for the NFL, or is this it?

[tBBP]

Not that anyone in here really cares, but sometime in the past couple days Az-Zahir Hakim signed with the Dolphins.

Not that any of you care.

I only care in that it appalls me that people keep signing "Butterfingers the Great"

So I see I aint the only one who has a very clear and present image (or rather, video) in my head of Mr. Zakim bobbling that last kickoff in the 2001 (or whatever year it was) playoff game as the New Orleans Saints special teams unit was rushing towards him, causing him (or maybe he caused himself) to fumble the ball. Saints recover.

Ballgame New Orleans...for their first home playoff victory ever. (Or was it their first playoff win period? Skyaa1, bigdub81, help me here...)

Celebration all throughout the Gulf Coast region. (or at least between Pensacola and I'd say about halfway to Galveston...)

Scorched on my horrified retinas that particular play was...and yes...it was the Saints first playoff win ever.

(Needless to say I am happy that the Rams are now not the only team that has lost to them.)

Relive that golden moment in NFL history here. The video quality is poor but it's Jim "There is a God after all!" Henderson's play-by-play that's the best anyway.

I think I mentioned this the last time we talked about this, but I was at that game as more of a neutral party with my uncle because my Unc had season tickets. Needless to say, even though you know where my allegiances lie, I was laughing my ass off when Az muffed that kick. The Saints avoided a sure collapse by benefiting from a mental collapse.

Anyways, poor Az though. That's probably the only thing he'll be remembered for.

Right along with Scott Norwood's missed SB kick, Earnest Byner's fumble, Bert Emanuel's catch in the 1999 NFC Championship (against Az's Rams) during with Bert Emanuel (you remember HIM, don't you?) CAUGHT the ball, but since the tip of the ball touched the ground WHILE IT WAS IN HIS HANDS it was waved off, thus allowing Ricky Proehl to haul in that game-winning catch?oh :censored:, sorry...how'd that come outta me?

(Could I, after 7 years, still be bitter about my Buccaneers being robbed of what coulda been their first NFC Championship--led by a ROOKIE QB no less, Shaun King?)

[Telemundo219]

Did David Carr get released?

[Nick 1733]

Did David Carr get released?

Yes he did, and it was a little while ago too. Don't know if there's anything in this thread about it though.

[rams80]

Not that anyone in here really cares, but sometime in the past couple days Az-Zahir Hakim signed with the Dolphins.

Not that any of you care.

I only care in that it appalls me that people keep signing "Butterfingers the Great"

So I see I aint the only one who has a very clear and present image (or rather, video) in my head of Mr. Zakim bobbling that last kickoff in the 2001 (or whatever year it was) playoff game as the New Orleans Saints special teams unit was rushing towards him, causing him (or maybe he caused himself) to fumble the ball. Saints recover.

Ballgame New Orleans...for their first home playoff victory ever. (Or was it their first playoff win period? Skyaa1, bigdub81, help me here...)

Celebration all throughout the Gulf Coast region. (or at least between Pensacola and I'd say about halfway to Galveston...)

Scorched on my horrified retinas that particular play was...and yes...it was the Saints first playoff win ever.

(Needless to say I am happy that the Rams are now not the only team that has lost to them.)

Relive that golden moment in NFL history here. The video quality is poor but it's Jim "There is a God after all!" Henderson's play-by-play that's the best anyway.

I think I mentioned this the last time we talked about this, but I was at that game as more of a neutral party with my uncle because my Unc had season tickets. Needless to say, even though you know where my allegiances lie, I was laughing my ass off when Az muffed that kick. The Saints avoided a sure collapse by benefiting from a mental collapse.

Anyways, poor Az though. That's probably the only thing he'll be remembered for.

Right along with Scott Norwood's missed SB kick, Earnest Byner's fumble, Bert Emanuel's catch in the 1999 NFC Championship (against Az's Rams) during with Bert Emanuel (you remember HIM, don't you?) CAUGHT the ball, but since the tip of the ball touched the ground WHILE IT WAS IN HIS HANDS it was waved off, thus allowing Ricky Proehl to haul in that game-winning catch?oh :censored:, sorry...how'd that come outta me?

(Could I, after 7 years, still be bitter about my Buccaneers being robbed of what coulda been their first NFC Championship--led by a ROOKIE QB no less, Shaun King?)

Got your chain of events mixed up on the '99 game...It was Proehl hauling in the touchdown, something sounding like a small explosion coming out of the tv room with my screaming (my parents were out shopping and on the phone with my sister at the time and they said that's what it sounded like.) then the Rams defense tries to give the game away including the Burt Emanuel thing.

[BlueSky]

I think I mentioned this the last time we talked about this, but I was at that game as more of a neutral party with my uncle because my Unc had season tickets. Needless to say, even though you know where my allegiances lie, I was laughing my ass off when Az muffed that kick. The Saints avoided a sure collapse by benefiting from a mental collapse.

Anyways, poor Az though. That's probably the only thing he'll be remembered for.

You know, that's sad but true. The Saints damn near gave away a 31-7 4th quarter lead. The ghosts of '79 were prowling the Superdome (on MNF that year against the Raiders, the Saints led 35-14 late in the 3rd quarter and lost). I was at the Saints-Rams game with my girlfriend and when the Saints went up 31-7, she said, "I thought you'd be happier." And I said, somewhat clairvoyantly as it turned out, "I've been watching these guys since 1969 and I'm not going to celebrate until the last second is off the clock." Thanks, Az...

[BBTV]

*nothing to see here.*

[tBBP]

Not that anyone cares (nor is this exactly a "free agent" transaction, per se), but Olindo Mare of the Dolphins got traded to the Saints for a 6th round pick.

Second coming of Dempsey?

Ehh...probably not. But dude was a pretty good kicker with the Dolphins for all that long time, plus now he'll be kicking at least half his games indoors, so...)

[FiddySicks]

Not that anyone in here really cares, but sometime in the past couple days Az-Zahir Hakim signed with the Dolphins.

Not that any of you care.

I only care in that it appalls me that people keep signing "Butterfingers the Great"

So I see I aint the only one who has a very clear and present image (or rather, video) in my head of Mr. Zakim bobbling that last kickoff in the 2001 (or whatever year it was) playoff game as the New Orleans Saints special teams unit was rushing towards him, causing him (or maybe he caused himself) to fumble the ball. Saints recover.

Ballgame New Orleans...for their first home playoff victory ever. (Or was it their first playoff win period? Skyaa1, bigdub81, help me here...)

Celebration all throughout the Gulf Coast region. (or at least between Pensacola and I'd say about halfway to Galveston...)

Scorched on my horrified retinas that particular play was...and yes...it was the Saints first playoff win ever.

(Needless to say I am happy that the Rams are now not the only team that has lost to them.)

Relive that golden moment in NFL history here. The video quality is poor but it's Jim "There is a God after all!" Henderson's play-by-play that's the best anyway.

I think I mentioned this the last time we talked about this, but I was at that game as more of a neutral party with my uncle because my Unc had season tickets. Needless to say, even though you know where my allegiances lie, I was laughing my ass off when Az muffed that kick. The Saints avoided a sure collapse by benefiting from a mental collapse.

Anyways, poor Az though. That's probably the only thing he'll be remembered for.

Right along with Scott Norwood's missed SB kick, Earnest Byner's fumble, Bert Emanuel's catch in the 1999 NFC Championship (against Az's Rams) during with Bert Emanuel (you remember HIM, don't you?) CAUGHT the ball, but since the tip of the ball touched the ground WHILE IT WAS IN HIS HANDS it was waved off, thus allowing Ricky Proehl to haul in that game-winning catch?oh :censored:, sorry...how'd that come outta me?

(Could I, after 7 years, still be bitter about my Buccaneers being robbed of what coulda been their first NFC Championship--led by a ROOKIE QB no less, Shaun King?)

:BANG!!!:

I just punched my wall.........

[BlueSky]

I'm not sure what's up with the Saints on this one. Carney's going to be 43 years old but the guy's been money the last couple of years. Well, except for that extra point in Jacksonville.

(In case you don't know the story, this was followed by this. It was probably almost 10 minutes before the extra point try because of an extensive replay review of the touchdown but still...)

[HedleyLamarr]

That's what I was thinking.

Though, how does Carney fare on kickoffs?

[BlueSky]

That's what I was thinking.

Though, how does Carney fare on kickoffs?

Good call, you're right. Carney hasn't handled the kickoffs and last year they had to use a roster spot on a kickoff specialist.

Updated: Well, that's that... Saints Release Carney

Carney issued a statement through the New Orleans newspaper:

"To the Faithful of New Orleans:

My time of wearing the Fleur de Lis has come to a close. For six seasons, I have been blessed and privileged to represent the most faithful, loyal fans that the NFL has to offer. This was never so evident than during this magical season of 2006. Monday night football will never reach the pitch and purpose it met on the night of September 25th.

I leave New Orleans a far better man, looking for a team in need of a wrinkled foot, sure to soon be missing great friends of the South, with the knowledge that my taste buds will always yearn for one more Drago's charbroiled oyster!

Best wishes and Godspeed,

John Carney"

Wow, what a class act. Thanks and good luck, John.