NFL: Offseason Thread
- Thread starter Mr Janny
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- Mar 27, 2006
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It also helps to have 25 consecutive seasons of HOF quarterbacking. No other team in the league can boast that. That's got as much to do with Green Bay's overall success as anything. And, don't get me wrong, good for the Packers. That wasn't an accident. But, let's not pretend that their drafting strategy has been light years better than the rest of the league. Between Favre and Rodgers, their quarterbacks have covered up a lot of team blemishes. You only have to look as far back as last year to see what the rest of the team is without the star qb.
True.....but part of that drafting strategy was to draft Rodgers. Twenty-four teams had a shot at him, and didn't take him - and I understand that hindsight is always 20/20. But I recall many Packers fans questioning the pick: Why waste a first rounder on a QB when we have a Hall of Famer still playing at a high level?
Too, there was major house-cleaning this year. Capers, Thompson, several assistants relieved of duty. The replacing of Capers was long overdue, and Thompson's successor has shown that he knows there are other ways to build a roster.
I think there's an appropriate time to let guys walk and build through the draft and there's a time to splurge in free agency. Where you think your team is going into the offseason should dictate that strategy. Like the Colts are going nowhere this year barring a MVP-caliber comeback year by Luck. So they're investing heavily in the draft and plugging holes with low cost free agents. When the team is on the precipice of contending again, then there'll be plenty of cap space to load up. Makes sense. When the nature of free agency is to overpay, it makes no sense if your team is a year or two away.
But for a team like the Rams or what the Seahawks did when they still had Wilson on a rookie deal? That's when you mortgage your long term future and take your shot right now. The bill will come due later, but if your team is a player or two away then overpay and make a run.
That's true, too. People marvel at the Patriot Way, but that doesn't happen without Tom Brady taking one team friendly deal after another and Belichick being an all time great coach, arguably the greatest. Brady's been the best QB in the league for over a decade and I don't know if he's ever been the highest paid or even close. Getting stellar QB play at a discount is the best cheat code any NFL team could want.
- Mar 27, 2006
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And I give the Packers credit for drafting AR. It was a fantastic pick. But aside from that, I don't think their strategy of team building is significantly better than the average.
OK - but I'd argue the results certainly are. (Of course I realized I'm biased - but they have managed to be competitive for an awfully long time without becoming financially strapped.) Even Rodgers' new contract shouldn't handcuff their ability to be competitive.
Are you a Vikings fan, BTW? Just curious.
- Mar 27, 2006
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I am a Vikings fan, and realize that makes me a little biased, but look at the times where the defense has been bad, the running game non-existent, the o-line dinged up, and they still are a contender. But Rodgers gets hurt and they're suddenly average, average, average. Their QB play is so much better than the average team, which they should get credit for. But, I don't see exemplary play from many other units on the team.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ion-pro-football-hall-fame-induction-ceremony
Kind of a **** move by TO. I understand that it's his choice and attendance isn't mandatory for enshrinement, but respect the moment and respect the other inductees and be present. For once, don't make it all about you.
Kind of a **** move by TO. I understand that it's his choice and attendance isn't mandatory for enshrinement, but respect the moment and respect the other inductees and be present. For once, don't make it all about you.
- Mar 27, 2006
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I can't find anything wrong with your statement, but I love seeing him tweak the NFL, which deserves every bit of bad PR they get.
I can't argue with that. It's a QB-driven league, and we have been extremely fortunate. I think of the 49ers with Montana and Young, and what happened in the years following those two, and it's scary.
What do you think of Cousins? Is he worth that much money? I don't know if Keenum just played out of his mind, but it's tough to think Cousins could do significantly better. Spielman has certainly done a good job of assembling talent up there, at least on the defensive side.
That's fair. I understand that there isn't a "good guy" when it comes to T.O. vs The Shield. But to me it's disrespectful to the other inductees. It takes away from their moment, and they're no less deserving of the honor than he is. It's a selfish act on his part.
- Mar 27, 2006
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I was hoping they'd find a way to keep Keenum and Bridgewater. I'm fine with Cousins, though. They probably overpaid a bit, but free agent QBs like him just don't hit the market anymore, so overpaying was a given. He's set up to succeed. We'll see what happens, though. I think Spielman has been a great GM, but his legacy will be tied to what happens with Cousins.
- Mar 27, 2006
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Does it, though? He won't be there. No distraction. They barely have to mention his name. If the sports media chooses to focus on him, that's not TO's fault. They can just ignore him.
You and I both know that's not how sports media works. By not attending he becomes the story, and he knows it. I guarantee you his absence will be the dominant storyline for the HOF weekend.
- Mar 27, 2006
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Not really. Their job is to cover what's newsworthy or what will get the most readership. That would be the story of the guy who will be the first living inductee in the history of the HOF to skip the enshrinement. If he just shows up like everyone else then there's no story. He knows what he's doing. It's an attention seeking move, which considering his past isn't all that surprising. Great player, but me-first attitude all the way.
- Mar 27, 2006
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Look at his statement.
"I am so grateful for all of the support my family, friends, and certainly my fans, have shown me throughout my entire career in the National Football League. When it was announced that I was going to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the response received from my fans was overwhelming, and I am truly humbled. I am honored to be included among this group of fellow inducted individuals.
"While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton. I have already shared this information with the Hall. After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life, elsewhere. At a later date, I will announce where and when I will celebrate my induction.
"I would also like to thank the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals for the time I was granted with each organization. I am thankful for the relationships forged and the lessons learned while part of each team.
"I wish to congratulate all past, current and future inductees. It is quite an honor to be part of such elite company. This honor is something that I will cherish forever."
Doesn't seem disrespectful to me. Guy said thanks but no thanks to the ceremony. His reasons are his own. That's about it.
