2013 NFL Off-Season Thread

[chuckymack]

I can't think of a single team that wouldn't benefit from having a healthy Darrelle Revis on the field.

[Kramerica Industries]

While I would love to see the Bucs make a serious run at Darrelle Revis, that is one that I'm just not feeling the FO is willing to make. They still need more pieces to be a legit playoff team, and that includes their pass rush getting better (which there is hope for, because the DL is composed almost entirely of 2011 and 2012 picks, but their inability to get sacks is the reason why so many QB's, including Nick friggen Foles, were able to pick them apart in 2012).

And Josh Freeman has to get over being an inconsistent annoyance. He'll go two months and only throw 4 INT, and then throw 4 INT in back-to-back games afterwards. It's not a good thing.

[tBBP]

While I would love to see the Bucs make a serious run at Darrelle Revis, that is one that I'm just not feeling the FO is willing to make. They still need more pieces to be a legit playoff team, and that includes their pass rush getting better (which there is hope for, because the DL is composed almost entirely of 2011 and 2012 picks, but their inability to get sacks is the reason why so many QB's, including Nick friggen Foles, were able to pick them apart in 2012).

And Josh Freeman has to get over being an inconsistent annoyance. He'll go two months and only throw 4 INT, and then throw 4 INT in back-to-back games afterwards. It's not a good thing.

Which is precisely why it sucks that this upcoming draft has one of thr weakest QB crops in several years. I've been saying for the longest time that part of Free's problem is that he basically has no competition behind him, so there's no fear of getting yanked. If Tampa had even a half-decent veteran or a seriously promising younger cat pushing him, I'd bet dollars he'd straighten up hid act, or end up like Alex Smith just did.

But then...the timing of this draft class probably workd out for the best, because Tampa needs defensive help and FAST. Ronde can only soldier on for so much longer, and beyond him the DB corps is, well, weak, to say the least. Get some more help there, at LB, and some more depth on the D-line (you can never have enough depth there—the late '90s-early 2000s outfits proved that), along with some guys who know how to coach them, and we may be working with something here in a little while.

Whatever the case, this much must be done: somebody better issue an ultimatum to Free during minicamps, that either he puts up this year or risk being shut up the next.

[BlueSky]

While I would love to see the Bucs make a serious run at Darrelle Revis, that is one that I'm just not feeling the FO is willing to make. They still need more pieces to be a legit playoff team, and that includes their pass rush getting better (which there is hope for, because the DL is composed almost entirely of 2011 and 2012 picks, but their inability to get sacks is the reason why so many QB's, including Nick friggen Foles, were able to pick them apart in 2012).

And Josh Freeman has to get over being an inconsistent annoyance. He'll go two months and only throw 4 INT, and then throw 4 INT in back-to-back games afterwards. It's not a good thing.

Which is precisely why it sucks that this upcoming draft has one of thr weakest QB crops in several years. I've been saying for the longest time that part of Free's problem is that he basically has no competition behind him, so there's no fear of getting yanked. If Tampa had even a half-decent veteran or a seriously promising younger cat pushing him, I'd bet dollars he'd straighten up hid act, or end up like Alex Smith just did.

But then...the timing of this draft class probably workd out for the best, because Tampa needs defensive help and FAST. Ronde can only soldier on for so much longer, and beyond him the DB corps is, well, weak, to say the least. Get some more help there, at LB, and some more depth on the D-line (you can never have enough depth there—the late '90s-early 2000s outfits proved that), along with some guys who know how to coach them, and we may be working with something here in a little while.

Whatever the case, this much must be done: somebody better issue an ultimatum to Free during minicamps, that either he puts up this year or risk being shut up the next.

You have a great point. I think having Mark Brunell as a backup helped Drew Brees a lot, not that there was any competition but just a veteran guy for Brees to talk to and Drew being willing to listen. Two experienced QBs discussing how to attack a D is better than one. I think say a Matt Moore coming in or another veteran backup who would accept that role and be a team guy in mentoring Freeman for the common good would be a smart move for TB. If he happens to seriously press Freeman for the job, all the better because it might light a fire under young Josh's a**.

Reminds me of Tony Robbins' great line: "Most people don't change because they see the light, they change because they feel the heat."

[CS85]

Adam Schefter's indicating that the biggest contract in NFL history belongs to Joe Flacco.

[dfwabel]

While I would love to see the Bucs make a serious run at Darrelle Revis, that is one that I'm just not feeling the FO is willing to make. They still need more pieces to be a legit playoff team, and that includes their pass rush getting better (which there is hope for, because the DL is composed almost entirely of 2011 and 2012 picks, but their inability to get sacks is the reason why so many QB's, including Nick friggen Foles, were able to pick them apart in 2012).

And Josh Freeman has to get over being an inconsistent annoyance. He'll go two months and only throw 4 INT, and then throw 4 INT in back-to-back games afterwards. It's not a good thing.

Which is precisely why it sucks that this upcoming draft has one of thr weakest QB crops in several years. I've been saying for the longest time that part of Free's problem is that he basically has no competition behind him, so there's no fear of getting yanked. If Tampa had even a half-decent veteran or a seriously promising younger cat pushing him, I'd bet dollars he'd straighten up hid act, or end up like Alex Smith just did.

But then...the timing of this draft class probably workd out for the best, because Tampa needs defensive help and FAST. Ronde can only soldier on for so much longer, and beyond him the DB corps is, well, weak, to say the least. Get some more help there, at LB, and some more depth on the D-line (you can never have enough depth there—the late '90s-early 2000s outfits proved that), along with some guys who know how to coach them, and we may be working with something here in a little while.

Whatever the case, this much must be done: somebody better issue an ultimatum to Free during minicamps, that either he puts up this year or risk being shut up the next.

You have a great point. I think having Mark Brunell as a backup helped Drew Brees a lot, not that there was any competition but just a veteran guy for Brees to talk to and Drew being willing to listen. Two experienced QBs discussing how to attack a D is better than one. I think say a Matt Moore coming in or another veteran backup who would accept that role and be a team guy in mentoring Freeman for the common good would be a smart move for TB. If he happens to seriously press Freeman for the job, all the better because it might light a fire under young Josh's a**.

Reminds me of Tony Robbins' great line: "Most people don't change because they see the light, they change because they feel the heat."

You had me until you failed to mention that Mark Sanchez regressed faster following Brunell's departure than Brunell's personal investments.

[Cujo]

Adam Schefter's indicating that the biggest contract in NFL history belongs to Joe Flacco.

So :censored:ing overpaid. HEZ NOT EVEN ELITE!

[rams80]

Adam Schefter's indicating that the biggest contract in NFL history belongs to Joe Flacco.

"Wow, you people really have too much money."

[dbadefense1990]

Adam Schefter's indicating that the biggest contract in NFL history belongs to Joe Flacco.

And so goes the Ravens' championship hopes.

Seriously, one Super Bowl win and all of a sudden, you're an elite, hall of fame quarterback? If there's one thing I hate about today's NFL, it's the God-like stratification of quarterbacks at the cost of teammates.

[dfwabel]

OTOH, if he was given a franchise tender, it would have cost BAL $15M (non-exclusive tender and could lose him regardless) or $20M (exclusive tender and would have to do the same tender the following year).

To be 28, and receive slightly greater money than Brees over the first three years is market value and seems right to me. For someone who has never missed the playoffs should be compensated. Flacco's 63 total wins are the most by a starter since 2008, when he entered the league, and his 93 starts are the most to begin a career by any quarterback in NFL history.

[Kramerica Industries]

Pompous blowhard Chad Finn is enjoying this.

WELCOME TO FOXBORO, KRUGS AND REED!!1!

[HedleyLamarr]

Adam Schefter's indicating that the biggest contract in NFL history belongs to Joe Flacco.

Matt Ryan's agent just smiled big at that.

[Gothamite]

No comparison - one's a repeat playoff choker and the other just won the Super Bowl.

[NEW.ERA]

More like Aaron Rodgers and his agent are salivating at this contract.

[HedleyLamarr]

No comparison - one's a repeat playoff choker and the other just won the Super Bowl.

Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl and Dan Marino didn't. By god, Dilfer was woefully underpaid.

Sure, the two have had different postseason results, and Flacco's putting himself in pretty elite company when it comes to postseason accomplishments. Flacco's also been the beneficiary of having a much better defense than Ryan's ever had.

But in terms of putting their teams into contention for the postseason, Ryan's been doing it with better stats.....more passing yards per game, more TD's, fewer turnovers, more regular season wins.

Ryan and Flacco have been compared to each other since they were both announced as Week 1 starters in their rookie season of 2008. Ryan's got Flacco beat on regular season accomplishments, and Flacco's postseason accomplishments trump Ryan's. I'm not saying Ryan should get an equal contract as Flacco just got, but now Ryan's agent can aim higher with "a number" now that the QB Ryan's been compared to the most during his career has a done deal, and "a number" that's higher than both parties were probably expecting entering negotiations.....

[chuckymack]

Three people think Joe Flacco is worth the money: Joe Flacco, his agent, and his mother.

[HedleyLamarr]

Three people think Joe Flacco is worth the money: Joe Flacco, his agent, and his mother.

Four: The guy that owns the Ravens.

[dbadefense1990]

Three people think Joe Flacco is worth the money: Joe Flacco, his agent, and his mother.

Four: The guy that owns the Ravens.

Five: Ray Lewis*

*doesn't really care for the Flacco contract; is still on that "God/holy divinity" crusade from the start of the playoffs

[chuckymack]

Guess that fourth guy is the one who counts, huh?

[CS85]

The team with the least twitter followers in the NFL is...the Arizona Cardinals.