NFL: NFL Offseason Thread

[Mr Janny]

This afternoon is the deadline for teams to give their impending free agents the franchise player tag. As reported over the weekend, the Cowboys will tag Dez Bryant and let Demarco Murray test the market. As of this morning, it's been reported that the Chiefs will tag Justin Houston, the Broncos will tag Demaryius Thomas, and the Lions will NOT use the tag on Suh.

Always a gamble on using the franchise tag. Sometimes it's just a precursor to the player signing a long term deal. Sometimes it just creates bad feelings. Apparently Justin Houston's agent has informed KC that he plans on holding out until week 10. That's probably a bluff, and mainly posturing for bargaining position, but still it's some ugliness that I'm sure the Chiefs would like to avoid. Just makes the stakes higher for getting a deal done. On the other hand, you've got Suh or Murray, who can go to whomever they like.

 

[Cy$]

LeSean McCoy traded to the Bills for Kiko Alonso. didn't expect that...

 

[fccy]

Well this is a surprise.

Breaking news: LeSean McCoy to Buffalo, LB Kiko Alonso to Philly (will be official with start of new league year, March 10th).

 

[CoKane]

Well, I'm glad I'm not an Eagles fan or I would be ****** right now. My brother is though, so that should be fun.

 

[cmjh10]

What is Chip Kelly thinking?

 

[jbindm]

What is Chip Kelly thinking?

Maybe clearing cap space to make a big splash in free agency or the draft? It's still a really surprising move but it does free up over nine million dollars in cap space for Philly.

 

[jbindm]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/04/andre-johnson-asks-texans-to-release-him/

Sweet. Go get him, Indy. That would fill a need for a reliable receiver to line up opposite T.Y. Hilton and he would get to stay in the AFC South and see the Texans twice.

 

[jbindm]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/lesean-mccoy-kiko-alonso-trade-philadelphia-eagles-buffalo-bills/

Good breakdown of the McCoy trade here. With this trade and all the vets the Eagles have released or will release soon, they just created almost thirty million in cap space. I don't know if Chip Kelly will succeed or fail in the NFL long term, but if nothing else he'll always be interesting.

 

[Mr Janny]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/lesean-mccoy-kiko-alonso-trade-philadelphia-eagles-buffalo-bills/

Good breakdown of the McCoy trade here. With this trade and all the vets the Eagles have released or will release soon, they just created almost thirty million in cap space. I don't know if Chip Kelly will succeed or fail in the NFL long term, but if nothing else he'll always be interesting.

Good article. It just speaks volumes about the value of running backs in the NFL anymore. They're just viewed as replaceable nowadays.

 

[VikesFan22]

Less than a week before free agency begins!

 

[Acylum]

Cassel and a pick to Buffalo for a pick. Don't know the specifics yet.

 

[Mr Janny]

Cassel and a pick to Buffalo for a pick. Don't know the specifics yet.

Just saw that. Curious to hear what the parameters were. I can't imagine much more than a 4th round pick for Cassel, and possibly even less. Good for him, though. He'll have a chance to compete for a starting spot. He wasn't going to do that in Minnesota. And good for Minnesota. His contract was a little high for a backup. Get something for him while he has some value.

 

[jbindm]

Cassel and a pick to Buffalo for a pick. Don't know the specifics yet.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for EJ Manual in Buffalo. What a bust that looks like for the Bills now. Didn't they move up to get him, too?

 

[Mr Janny]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for EJ Manual in Buffalo. What a bust that looks like for the Bills now. Didn't they move up to get him, too?

Actually, I think they traded back, but regardless, he hasn't been great. Although, it doesn't seem like he's been given much of a chance. He's only got 14 starts under his belt, after 2 seasons. I realize that part of that is due to injury, but it seems to me that a QB taken in the 1st round would be given a little more time than that to prove himself. He must just be a PITA in practice or something.

 

[VikesFan22]

I like Cassel but I like the move for the Vikings. Here are the specifics: Bills are giving their 1st 2015 5th round pick and a 2016 7th round pick for Cassel and a 2015 6th round pick.

 

[ISUCubswin]

I hate Rex Ryan.

 

[fccy]

Actually, I think they traded back, but regardless, he hasn't been great. Although, it doesn't seem like he's been given much of a chance. He's only got 14 starts under his belt, after 2 seasons. I realize that part of that is due to injury, but it seems to me that a QB taken in the 1st round would be given a little more time than that to prove himself. He must just be a PITA in practice or something.

Trading back sounds right (didn't move up). First season (2013) something like 3 different injuries. 2014 EJ started first four games and was regressing. Marrone threw Orton in there as an attempt to win and save his job (and then, of course, he took the money and ran).

 

[Mr Janny]

Trading back sounds right (didn't move up). First season (2013) something like 3 different injuries. 2014 EJ started first four games and was regressing. Marrone threw Orton in there as an attempt to win and save his job (and then, of course, he took the money and ran).

Yeah, there must have been stuff going on with Manuel that we don't know about, because while his numbers aren't great, they don't seem to be awful enough that you pull the plug on a QB drafted in the top half of the first round after a year and a quarter.

 

[Mr Janny]

I like Cassel but I like the move for the Vikings. Here are the specifics: Bills are giving their 1st 2015 5th round pick and a 2016 7th round pick for Cassel and a 2015 6th round pick.

That seems about right. Not to mention, the Vikings free up $4million in cap space. Good deal all around, I think.

 

[RING4CY]

Bears exploring trade options for Brandon Marshall