The (Un)official 2008 NFL Off-season Thread

[tBBP]

It's a little late in posting this thread here...but I guess ain't no time like the present. So let's start with a review thus far (of what I can remember):

So far, neither Randy Moss nor Donte Stallworth has been franchised or re-signed, so they are now free agents.

The Atlanta Falcons, in further illustrating their--well, let's just say they are who they are--cut like five or six players, among them one of their best players period in Alge Crumpler, and other notable linemen and such. (Not at all surprised that Byron Leftwich got cut...he'll be lucky to see playing time on an NFL field anytime soon--well, at least when that playing time actually counts for something.)

The Miami Dolphins, in yet another show of presumed (dis)loyalty to one of their key stalwarts, cut ties with Zach Thomas, who is now--or was--a free agent. Depending on how trustworthy one is of ESPN's "reports", Thomas has agreed in principle on a contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Imagine that.

Those were the bigger events that have happened thus far. Here are a few that may be up under a few redars within the community...

...At some point after the season, DeShaun Foster of Carolina was released. Guess who's targeting him? Tampa Bay. (and suddenly I really do wonder if there's more going on with Carnell Williams than what my Buccaneers are letting on...)

And speaking of the Buccaneers, it also appears that they have a rooting interest in Javon Walker of the Broncos. Hmmm...wonder how that one might turn out.

For those of you Falcon afficionados, ya boy DeAngelo Hall is running off at the mouth again. Seems as if he doesn't think he'll be a Falcon come pre-season time. (And I don't doubt that half if not most if not all of Falcon nation won't miss him one bit if he do end up going elsewhere.)

And it also seems that Matt Millen is shopping Big Baby Shaun Rogers. Again...it is what it is.

And finally (for now), for all the Cardinals fans out there, Larry Fitzgerald appears to be staying out in the desert. Good for him. The Cards need him.

That's about all I have/can think of right now. Anything else...Fa signings, trades, combine notes...throw it all in here.

[BlueSky]

I was a bit surprised by the Crumpler move here in Atlanta. But as you said, they are who they are and we'll see how it works out. They won the coin toss and thus have the #3 overall pick. Let's see if they can manage to blow THAT.

Byron Leftwich is probably hanging out somewhere with Aaron Brooks. Did Brooks fall off the face of the Earth or what? His reputation must be dirt around the NFL, 'cause it's not like it's easy to find NFL QBs and yet not one of 32 teams showed the slightest interest in him whatsoever, at least that I heard of. He could be on Mars for all we know.

I cannot STAND that bigmouth cheapshot artist DeAngelo Hall. He's Jeff George playing defensive back...me, me, me, it's all about MEEEE!!!! Plus all the 'experts' blab on about how great he is but living here in the Atlanta area I see most of the Falcons' games and he gets torched rather regularly.

Let's see, what else? Zach Thomas did sign with the Cowboys. Saints desperately need defense (there's a news flash!) but they should be able to draft a top CB at #10.

[NJTank]

The Miami Dolphins, in yet another show of presumed (dis)loyalty to one of their key stalwarts, cut ties with Zach Thomas, who is now--or was--a free agent. Depending on how trustworthy one is of ESPN's "reports", Thomas has agreed in principle on a contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Imagine that.

I rather see Zach in Dallas then in Foxboro

[pcgd]

If it wasn't for the fact that the Bears already have 2 pretty good tight ends (Clark and Olsen) I'd love to see Crumpler with the GSH on his sleeve. He's always at the top of a very thin TE pool in the NFL.

The Bears are bringing Rexy Back for one more year. This year however he won't be given the starting job. Reports say its Kyle Orton's to lose. I think you'll see Griese released sooner than later and let a drafted QB be the 3rd stringer this season. I wouldn't hate to see a veteran i n there, but I don't want a veteran backup again. If they bring one in it should be of the McNabb variety, a guaranteed starter. But those aren't available this season so I guess I''m ok with Orton/Grossman/rookie. Just throw abunch of crap at the wall and hopefully something has got to stick.

In other Bears resigning news, they recently just inked the aforementioned Desmond Clark to an extension and are finalizing a deal with Kyle Orton as well. Next up? Robbie Gould.

Seems like Benard Berrian is on the way out. They've offered a contract but based on previous offers for "star" players, I'm sure this one is well short. Seems like Lovie Smith wasn't lying when he said Devin Hester would be a number 1 reciever in the NFL someday. Someday could be next year as they don't have anyone left.

Briggs is gone and most likely heading to San Fransisco which will create one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL.

Moose got released and I guess has some interest from the Panthers.

There's your Bears report.

[TFoA]

There were some rumors that Hall would be traded to the Giants for another player I can't remember at the moment & their #1.

Personally, I'd be all for it. We get two #1 picks for a decent CB? That would be a fantastic trade.

But yeah, I'll be fine with anybody the Falcons draft at #3, except Matt Ryan...idk why, but I just have a real bad feeling about Ryan, he just gives off the vibes of a bust.

[rams80]

Nothing much thus far from St. Louis outside of a coaching reshuffle. That should change this week, because the Rams are going to be having some veterans such as Little and Bruce restructure their contracts, or cut them to avoid cap hits.

[HedleyLamarr]

There were some rumors that Hall would be traded to the Giants for another player I can't remember at the moment & their #1.

Personally, I'd be all for it. We get two #1 picks for a decent CB? That would be a fantastic trade.

I would hope the Falcons trade that second #1 pick for a couple later-round picks. It doesn't make a lot of sense to tie up first-round pick money on two players for a team that's got a lot of holes to fill. Talent-wise, there's not much difference between #31 and #34(?).

[Telemundo219]

Anyone have news on the Chiefs? I don't live nor ever did in Kansas City (I'm an East Coast guy).

[FiddySicks]

A few rumors I've heard about the Bucs so far:

Asked recently by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his future with the Falcons, Dunn wasn't sure. He mentioned that he would like to stick with the Falcons, win a division title, and make a run for the Super Bowl. He said that if he wasn't a Falcon come next season, he would gladly go back to Tampa Bay. Saying that it would become "full circle," Dunn would end his career with the team that started it all. Dunn wouldn't be a bad asset to have, especially if the Bucs lose Michael Pittman and Michael Bennett to free agency, and if Caddy is lost for good. If they all come back, then the Bucs are already set with four running backs.

As badly as we'd all like to see the A-Train come back, chances are he won't. Alstott was offered the job of running backs coach for the Bucs, but he declined. Instead, Earnest Byner, the Redskins running backs coach, will interview. Keep an eye out for Alstott though. He might be taking some time off, but don't rule out a return to coaching.

Plummer may be thinking twice about bailing on the Bucs. I say stay retired Jake, we dont want you.

Bucs are bringing back DQ Monte Kiffin. WHEW!!!!

[TFoA]

There were some rumors that Hall would be traded to the Giants for another player I can't remember at the moment & their #1.

Personally, I'd be all for it. We get two #1 picks for a decent CB? That would be a fantastic trade.

I would hope the Falcons trade that second #1 pick for a couple later-round picks. It doesn't make a lot of sense to tie up first-round pick money on two players for a team that's got a lot of holes to fill. Talent-wise, there's not much difference between #31 and #34(?).

You know what, that's a good point.

Especially considering that this year's draft isn't looking too deep, IMO. (Well, maybe at RB, which might be a need if we let Dunn go.)

Anyone have news on the Chiefs? I don't live nor ever did in Kansas City (I'm an East Coast guy).

And yet you're a Chiefs fan? How'd that happen??? (Even though I have a friend who has never even been in the state of Missouri but he's a DIEHARD Chiefs fan.)

[hormone]

My .02 out of Bucville

A-Train...retired

Pittman...won't be resigned because Bennett was.

Kelly...injured ass bought out of contract. Now a CB is in need.

Becht...bought out his contract so he's gone too

Stevens...won't be resigned. Now we need a TE (ahem Alge?)

Need DT depth.

Need a CB

Need a WR.

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

Let's see, what else? Zach Thomas did sign with the Cowboys. Saints desperately need defense (there's a news flash!) but they should be able to draft a top CB at #10.

interesting move, i'll be interested on how it works out.

[Jigga]

We should have 32 team correspondants to report solely on their teams' comings, goings, and doings. It'd be fun, like we were beat reporters or something.

[JustForFun]

We should have 32 team correspondants to report solely on their teams' comings, goings, and doings. It'd be fun, like we were beat reporters or something.

I'm actively ignoring my team's offseason at this point.

[gingerbreadmann]

We should have 32 team correspondants to report solely on their teams' comings, goings, and doings. It'd be fun, like we were beat reporters or something.

I'm actively ignoring my team's offseason at this point.

Why? Asante got you down?

(or is it Spygate?)

[JustForFun]

(or is it Spygate?)

[BCBoy]

Javon Walker may be released by the Broncos as he has a roster bonus coming in March, plus the 5 million.

EDIT: I see Bucco's beat me to this one. Here's some additional info about teams that could be looking at him.

Yahoo: "One team thought to be very interested in his services is Tampa Bay. Others who could inquire about Walker include Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Chicago and the Jets."

[DG_ThenNowForever]

How come Buffalo is never a team interested in anything? I'm all for the Derrick Dockerys of the world, but couldn't the Bills put in offers for a guy like Chad Johnson? The Drew Bledsoe deal worked out pretty well a few years back.

[Billy B]

Javon Walker may be released by the Broncos as he has a roster bonus coming in March, plus the 5 million.

EDIT: I see Bucco's beat me to this one. Here's some additional info about teams that could be looking at him.

Yahoo: "One team thought to be very interested in his services is Tampa Bay. Others who could inquire about Walker include Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Chicago and the Jets."

I'd like to see if the Bears can get hime. They are losing Berrian and Moose, so they need a #1 receiver. And as much as Lovie wants Hester to be a #1 receiver he never will. All that he can do is run straight (I actually heard that he is hardly literate, so that doesn't surprise me) and he still needs to work on his hands.

[Shumway]

If anyone cares, the Lions released their best cornerback in Fernando Bryant. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, as the Lions' secondary seems to be quite an issue.