2009 NFL Off-Season Thread

[NEW.ERA]

The Vikings seem to be the front runner for TJ according to PFT and the Bengals are the other team in decision set for tomorrow.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/01/...g-until-monday/

[epper]

i was SHOCKED when i saw that Cutler was involved in any trade rumours. I think this guy has just scratched the surface. For Denver to give up on him would be insane.

[BaltimoreFan]

i was SHOCKED when i saw that Cutler was involved in any trade rumours. I think this guy has just scratched the surface. For Denver to give up on him would be insane.

Yea, I understand that they got a new coach, but Cutler is the kind of player you want when you take over a team. You could build a team around him.

[-(dp)-]

2 NFL Players missing off the coast of Florida

CLEARWATER, Fla.?Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper were among four boaters missing Sunday off Florida's Gulf Coast, the Coast Guard and Smith's agent said.

Smith and Cooper were on a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater Pass on Saturday morning for a fishing trip and did not return as expected, the Coast Guard said Sunday. Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot motor-life boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday.

Smith owned the boat and he and Cooper had been on fishing trips before, said Ron Del Duca, Smith's agent. The pair had been teammates on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004.

Smith, 29, had 30 tackles, including three sacks, and an interception in 12 games last season for the winless Lions. Smith, who is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, also played for the San Francisco 49ers and played college ball at North Carolina State.

Del Duca called Smith one of the "good guys" of the league and was planning to start visiting teams as a free agent this week. He said he has spoken with Smith's family and is also in touch with Coast Guard officials.

"They've assured me that they're deploying all available resources to look for these guys and get them back," he said.

Cooper, 26, has played sparingly in five seasons with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, Jaguars, Steelers and Raiders. Cooper, who is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, played college ball at Washington.

Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more. There were no thunderstorms in the area.

Davis said the water was "extremely rough and choppy" on Sunday afternoon.

Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said he had heard Smith was aboard a missing boat but hadn't been able to confirm it.

"We're aware of the media reports," Keenist said Sunday afternoon. "We're trying to find out what we can."

I know people would rather argue about how to spell Cassel, but here is an update on the missing players. Not looking good:

Coast Guard finds one man clinging to boat

By Emily Nipps and Brant James, Times Staff Writers

Posted: Mar 02, 2009 09:56 AM

12:53: Stuart Schuyler, the father of Nick Schuyler, just received confirmation from the Coast Guard that his son is alive and talking. Schuyler is being transported to Tampa General Hospital. Stuart Schuyler has been praying and frantically awaiting word since Sunday. Asked how he feels now, Schuyler said: "Like God heard me."

12:27: Nick Schuyler is the boater who has been found, according to the cousin of Marquis Cooper, Ray Sanchez, who is at the Clearwater boat ramp where the men were last seen and has been getting updates from family. He was found 38 miles west of Tampa Bay alive and clinging to a boat, Sanchez said.

The Coast Guard cutter Tornado found the boat and dispatched a smaller boat to rescue him.

12:10 p.m.: A man has been found clinging to a boat about 30 miles west of the Tampa Bay area, Bay News 9 has reported.

CLEARWATER ? The Coast Guard has searched over 16,000 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico and found no sign of four missing boaters or their vessel, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said this morning.

The survival of the boaters ? former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith and former University of South Florida football players Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler ? is the main question more than 48 hours since they set out on a fishing trip aboard a 21-foot boat. The Coast Guard has several crews still searching the area west of Clearwater Pass.

Clearwater's Seminole Boat Ramp, where the four men departed from early Saturday, was quiet this morning after a day of fret and panic Sunday. The families of the missing boaters were gone after pacing and praying at the site for much of Sunday.

Chris Mayes, 19, whose family owns Jaxson's Bait House near the boat ramp, said it was clear by sundown Sunday that something was wrong.

On Saturday morning people were "itching to get out" on the first day of perfect weekend weather of the new year, Mayes said.

By 6 a.m., all of the boat ramps were booked and people were complaining about the crowded parking lot, Mayes said. But by 2 p.m., boaters were scrambling to get back, spooked by the winds and choppy waters.

At an offshore location about 50 miles west of the Tampa Bay area on Saturday afternoon, waves were in the 4- to 6-foot range and "the winds were around 10 to 15 knots and some gusts up to 20 knots, which still makes it uncomfortable for most boaters," National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Barron said.

But the weather turned awful late Saturday and early Sunday as a front passed through.

"Waves increased from 4 to 6 feet to about 10 to 15," Barron said. By about 7 a.m. Sunday the offshore winds "increased to 30 to 40 knots."

With grouper and snapper season closed, officials think the four friends may have gone amberjack fishing.

During the winter months, these open-ocean predators are typically 20 to 50 miles offshore.

"Marquis likes to fish for A.J.s," said Bill Hamilton, who operates Reel Deal charters out of the Clearwater Marina. "I had taken him fishing a few times and he had e-mailed me a while back looking for some numbers."

Hamilton said he gave cooper GPS coordinates for several well-known fishing spots, including the location of the natural gas pipeline and some deep-water springs, from 15 to 50 miles offshore.

Cooper and his friends were aboard an Everglades 211 CC, a small, deep-vee offshore boat that he purchased in 2005 from Sun Ray Marine in Largo.

"It is a good offshore boat, virtually unsinklable," said the dealership's owner, Robert Tronio. "In five to seven foot seas, the size could be an issue."

Tornio said that Cooper like to run far offshore in search of fish. "He told us that he liked to bring along extra fuel to extend his range," Tronio said.

By sundown Saturday, the ramp parking lot was empty except for a lone GMC truck, belonging to Cooper. That's the truck the missing four boaters arrived in. A one-day parking pass was still on the windshield.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Sondra-Kay Kneen said the search will carry on throughout the day, and she could not say if and when the search would end. Vessels and planes searching the gulf have covered 16,000 square miles, she said. The search area stretches from Cedar Key in Levy County to Boca Grande in Lee County.

Word of the men's disappearance spread quickly throughout the Tampa Bay area, and especially among those who regularly frequent the same waters.

Mike Miller owns a diving charter business and was also out in the gulf the on Saturday. He wondered how the men could have stayed in the water, knowing Saturday's weather forecast of strong winds from the arriving cold front.

"Anything over 10 knots, that's really dicey," Miller said. "The forecast Friday night I saw said 10 to 20 knots, 4- to 6-foot seas. So if just one of those four guys would have read the report, they would have said, 'We're not going 50 miles offshore in a 20-foot boat.' "

Meanwhile, friends and family of the four men are awaiting updates.

Bleakley, 25, grew up in Citrus County and played football at Crystal River High School. The school's faculty members are being kept abreast of the situation via e-mail and hoping for good news.

"Everyone is sitting back and waiting for good news," athletic director Tony Stukes said. "Obviously, there is concern for Will's safety, and concern for his family. It's a tight-knit community."

Bleakley, a 2002 graduate, was a standout baseball and football player. As a senior, he helped lead the school to the state baseball final four, which was played at Tampa's Legends Field.

Bleakley's parents are well known in the community and are part of the chain crew at Crystal River home football games, Stukes said.

Bleakley and 24-year-old Schuyler live in Tampa. Cooper, who turns 27 next week, is a linebacker with the Oakland Raiders, and 29-year-old Smith is a free agent defensive end who most recently played for the Detroit Lions. Both Cooper and Smith own homes in the Tampa Bay area.

Cooper owns the boat the men left on Saturday, and friends and family described him as an experienced boater who had life jackets and flares onboard.

The Lions and Raiders teams each released statements expressing concern for all of the boat's passengers.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and are in the process of gathering more information," a press release from the Raiders said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the passengers, their families and those involved in the search efforts."

The temperature in the gulf was in the mid 50s early this morning, according to the National Weather Service.

[rams80]

i was SHOCKED when i saw that Cutler was involved in any trade rumours. I think this guy has just scratched the surface. For Denver to give up on him would be insane.

Yea, I understand that they got a new coach, but Cutler is the kind of player you want when you take over a team. You could build a team around him.

What if the team you are building ends up hating his guts? I've gotten the impression that he's a huge jackarse.

[McCall]

Man, Cutler's kind of a little whining bitch.

Just read the latest article. Sounds like they got calls, not made them, and that they really didn't have any interest in trading him. He's so highly sensitive and full of himself that he makes it into this big ordeal and claims they've hurt his feelings. Grow the f*** up! It happens. They have to have the teams best interest, it's their jobs. None of the talks were serious and were initiated by the other teams. And his agent's statements regarding the Broncos and how Cutler has every right to be upset is frickin laughable.

I hate the Broncos, but I don't even think I'd wish this 3-year-old kid on anybody. I'm now kind of glad the Rams traded that pick to the Broncos right before they made a selection.

[See Red]

Man, Cutler's kind of a little whining bitch.

Just read the latest article. Sounds like they got calls, not made them, and that they really didn't have any interest in trading him. He's so highly sensitive and full of himself that he makes it into this big ordeal and claims they've hurt his feelings. Grow the f*** up! It happens. They have to have the teams best interest, it's their jobs. None of the talks were serious and were initiated by the other teams. And his agent's statements regarding the Broncos and how Cutler has every right to be upset is frickin laughable.

I hate the Broncos, but I don't even think I'd wish this 3-year-old kid on anybody. I'm now kind of glad the Rams traded that pick to the Broncos right before they made a selection.

He's a Pro Bowl QB in his second full year as a starter. While it takes most QB's three or four years to figure the league out, he managed to throw for 4,500 yards his third year in -- and he did it in a one dimensional offense with 7 RB's on the injured reserve. I don't care if he kicks puppies on his way to the stadium, I'll take him on my team any day of the week. And I'd be pissed too, if I was Cutler. The Broncos may not have started any talks, but they clearly tried to come up with a way to get Cassel out of these talks.

edit: That's not to say Cutler shouldn't man up and deal -- but this should have never happened to begin with and it's the Broncos fault it did.

[BrySmalls]

The Vikings seem to be the front runner for TJ according to PFT and the Bengals are the other team in decision set for tomorrow.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/01/...g-until-monday/

Correction, he's going to Seattle.

[Brendan]

Moneys a little high for Housh but it come close to what a first round pick would ask for. The one thing I do like is I can get a Seahawks jersey with one of the best names in sports.

[rams80]

Rams resign Ron Bartell.

*fist pump*

[Seadragon76]

Moneys a little high for Housh but it come close to what a first round pick would ask for. The one thing I do like is I can get a Seahawks jersey with one of the best names in sports.

I would get one too, but they don't make jerseys in 6X.

See... They needed a good wideout and voila. Now, the Seahawk fanbase can learn how to say his last name.

[WSU151]

Moneys a little high for Housh but it come close to what a first round pick would ask for. The one thing I do like is I can get a Seahawks jersey with one of the best names in sports.

I would get one too, but they don't make jerseys in 6X.

See... They needed a good wideout and voila. Now, the Seahawk fanbase can learn how to say his last name.

Most of the Seahawk fanbase should be able to say his name after his years at Oregon State.

[FiddySicks]

There is a God!!!

The team with the most salary cap room entering the free-agent signing period will be allocating some of it to Derrick Ward.

A source told FOXSports.com that the New York Giants running back has agreed to a four-year, $17 million contract with Tampa Bay. Ward will earn $6 million guaranteed in 2009 and salaries over the next two seasons that would raise the three-year value to $13 million.

That's a great payday for a running back with only eight career starts in five seasons with the Giants. Tampa Bay could afford it, having entered the signing period with $61 million in cap space available.

Ward blossomed on the Super Bowl-champion 2007 Giants as part of the "Earth, Wind and Fire" running-back rotation with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Ward and Jacobs were the workhorses in 2008. Ward rushed for 1,025 yards and two touchdowns with a gaudy 5.6-yard average.

Ward had drawn strong free-agent interest from Cincinnati and Denver. Despite a low number of career carries, Ward's age may have tempered their contract offers. He turns 29 in August, an age when the performance of many running backs begins to slip.

With the Bucs, Ward is likely to form a one-two running back combination with Earnest Graham, who is coming off an injury-shortened 2008 season. It's uncertain when Cadillac Williams will rejoin the running back corps after having suffered a second major knee injury late last season.

Ward wasn't expected to stay with the Giants. New York recently signed Jacobs to a four-year contract extension and still has Bradshaw on the roster.

The Ward acquisition is yet another Bucs offseason move to bolster an anemic offense under former coach Jon Gruden, who was replaced by assistant Raheem Morris in mid-January following a surprise firing. The Bucs have acquired tight end Kellen Winslow in a trade with Cleveland and re-signed wide receiver Michael Clayton and quarterback Luke McCown.

I'm definitely stoked. Maybe this off season can be salvaged after all.

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

Rams80 will like this story.

more pats controversy:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_...?urn=nfl,144951

Source: random made up story.

[Cujo]

There is a God!!!

The team with the most salary cap room entering the free-agent signing period will be allocating some of it to Derrick Ward.

A source told FOXSports.com that the New York Giants running back has agreed to a four-year, $17 million contract with Tampa Bay. Ward will earn $6 million guaranteed in 2009 and salaries over the next two seasons that would raise the three-year value to $13 million.

That's a great payday for a running back with only eight career starts in five seasons with the Giants. Tampa Bay could afford it, having entered the signing period with $61 million in cap space available.

Ward blossomed on the Super Bowl-champion 2007 Giants as part of the "Earth, Wind and Fire" running-back rotation with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Ward and Jacobs were the workhorses in 2008. Ward rushed for 1,025 yards and two touchdowns with a gaudy 5.6-yard average.

Ward had drawn strong free-agent interest from Cincinnati and Denver. Despite a low number of career carries, Ward's age may have tempered their contract offers. He turns 29 in August, an age when the performance of many running backs begins to slip.

With the Bucs, Ward is likely to form a one-two running back combination with Earnest Graham, who is coming off an injury-shortened 2008 season. It's uncertain when Cadillac Williams will rejoin the running back corps after having suffered a second major knee injury late last season.

Ward wasn't expected to stay with the Giants. New York recently signed Jacobs to a four-year contract extension and still has Bradshaw on the roster.

The Ward acquisition is yet another Bucs offseason move to bolster an anemic offense under former coach Jon Gruden, who was replaced by assistant Raheem Morris in mid-January following a surprise firing. The Bucs have acquired tight end Kellen Winslow in a trade with Cleveland and re-signed wide receiver Michael Clayton and quarterback Luke McCown.

I'm definitely stoked. Maybe this off season can be salvaged after all.

Huh?

Sure you're not confusing Derrick Ward with Hines Ward?...

[Riot!]

Man, Cutler's kind of a little whining bitch.

Just read the latest article. Sounds like they got calls, not made them, and that they really didn't have any interest in trading him. He's so highly sensitive and full of himself that he makes it into this big ordeal and claims they've hurt his feelings. Grow the f*** up! It happens. They have to have the teams best interest, it's their jobs. None of the talks were serious and were initiated by the other teams. And his agent's statements regarding the Broncos and how Cutler has every right to be upset is frickin laughable.

I hate the Broncos, but I don't even think I'd wish this 3-year-old kid on anybody. I'm now kind of glad the Rams traded that pick to the Broncos right before they made a selection.

He's a Pro Bowl QB in his second full year as a starter. While it takes most QB's three or four years to figure the league out, he managed to throw for 4,500 yards his third year in -- and he did it in a one dimensional offense with 7 RB's on the injured reserve. I don't care if he kicks puppies on his way to the stadium, I'll take him on my team any day of the week. And I'd be pissed too, if I was Cutler. The Broncos may not have started any talks, but they clearly tried to come up with a way to get Cassel out of these talks.

edit: That's not to say Cutler shouldn't man up and deal -- but this should have never happened to begin with and it's the Broncos fault it did.

Yeah, Cutler has every right to whine about this. Is he whining a little too much? Of course, but he isn't in the fault here.

[rams80]

Man, Cutler's kind of a little whining bitch.

Just read the latest article. Sounds like they got calls, not made them, and that they really didn't have any interest in trading him. He's so highly sensitive and full of himself that he makes it into this big ordeal and claims they've hurt his feelings. Grow the f*** up! It happens. They have to have the teams best interest, it's their jobs. None of the talks were serious and were initiated by the other teams. And his agent's statements regarding the Broncos and how Cutler has every right to be upset is frickin laughable.

I hate the Broncos, but I don't even think I'd wish this 3-year-old kid on anybody. I'm now kind of glad the Rams traded that pick to the Broncos right before they made a selection.

He's a Pro Bowl QB in his second full year as a starter. While it takes most QB's three or four years to figure the league out, he managed to throw for 4,500 yards his third year in -- and he did it in a one dimensional offense with 7 RB's on the injured reserve. I don't care if he kicks puppies on his way to the stadium, I'll take him on my team any day of the week. And I'd be pissed too, if I was Cutler. The Broncos may not have started any talks, but they clearly tried to come up with a way to get Cassel out of these talks.

edit: That's not to say Cutler shouldn't man up and deal -- but this should have never happened to begin with and it's the Broncos fault it did.

Yeah, Cutler has every right to whine about this. Is he whining a little too much? Of course, but he isn't in the fault here.

For all of his gaudy offensive numbers, the Broncos have a losing record in games he starts and have yet to make the playoffs under his tenure. Those are two of the more important ways of measuring a QB, and he is quite deficient in both. Perhaps Jay should shut his mouth, especially since I think his mouth put him on the block to begin with.

[rams80]

Rams80 will like this story.

more pats controversy:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_...?urn=nfl,144951

Source: random made up story.

OK...that entire "conspiracy" is stupid to the n-th degree. 1. Belichick prefers 2nd rounders to 1sts (about the same talent, since the Patriots draft mid-round or later, but far cheaper). 2. It allowed the Patriots to take $17 million off the books-which can now be spent on useful free agents, such as Fred Taylor.

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

Jason Taylor to Redskins: I do not and will not show up for your offseason work out program.

Redskins to Taylor: fine, [cues Mr. McMahon] your fired!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-r...p&type=lgns

Jason Taylor joins the long list of Redskin busts. I'm sorry but i get a sick pleasure of watching these high priced deadskin busts every year.

[TFoA]

Jason Taylor to Redskins: I do not and will not show up for your offseason work out program.

Redskins to Taylor: fine, [cues Mr. McMahon] your fired!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-r...p&type=lgns

Jason Taylor joins the long list of Redskin busts. I'm sorry but i get a sick pleasure of watching these high priced deadskin busts every year.

Exactly. That right there is why nobody was too impressed with the Redskins signing Haynesworth and re-signing D-Hall.