NFC North / NFL Thread 2018-19

[GGGG]

Was trying to decide which Panthers jersey I would add to my collection this season. Was leaning toward D.J. Moore, the No. 1 pick WR who has looked very impressive so far.

But then, this ...

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article217070340.html?#emlnl=Afternoon_Newsletter&id=bWlrZW5hZGVsQHNiY2dsb2JhbC5uZXQ=

I know everybody makes mistakes, and I was pleased to see the cop described him as “polite and cooperative,” but this is the kind of thing that always troubles me about "glorifying" athletes by wearing their jerseys.

That's why you always get the classic jersey.  The only Packer's jersey I now own is a Ray Nitschke #66.

I know that limits the Panther-fan to someone like...I don't know...Jake Delhomme or Muhsin Muhammad.  But you made your own bed there.

[JWags85]

Was trying to decide which Panthers jersey I would add to my collection this season. Was leaning toward D.J. Moore, the No. 1 pick WR who has looked very impressive so far.

But then, this ...

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article217070340.html?#emlnl=Afternoon_Newsletter&id=bWlrZW5hZGVsQHNiY2dsb2JhbC5uZXQ=

I know everybody makes mistakes, and I was pleased to see the cop described him as “polite and cooperative,” but this is the kind of thing that always troubles me about "glorifying" athletes by wearing their jerseys.

It was reckless and immature, but he was speeding on an empty highway at night.  The kind of thing that you'd be pissed at your kid for or say "man that was dumb" about an acquaintance, but in the realm of things a young athlete could be involved with pertaining to the law, it doesn't do much for me.  Not something you have to have a long talk with a young child about if they look up to #12.

I understand your point, but I was expecting something much worse before I opened the article.

[4everwarriors]

That's why you always get the classic jersey.  The only Packer's jersey I now own is a Ray Nitschke #66.

I know that limits the Panther-fan to someone like...I don't know...Jake Delhomme or Muhsin Muhammad.  But you made your own bed there.

Eye'd recommend only byin' jerseys of dead playas ta bee sure, hey?

[rocket surgeon]

         
        i've got a picture of Christ, saint joan of arc chapel, #66 framed, behind glass, hangin on my office wall next to a plaque of lombardi engraved with one of his greatest speeches, an aerial view of lambeau field at a monday night game, and a 3 x 5 foot MU warriors flag next to an iconic black n white picture of al-ray and rick.  it always feels very nice walking into my business office first thing every morning
   
        no worries about any of these guys making bad news going forward, eyn'er?
   

[cheebs09]

That's why you always get the classic jersey.  The only Packer's jersey I now own is a Ray Nitschke #66.

I know that limits the Panther-fan to someone like...I don't know...Jake Delhomme or Muhsin Muhammad.  But you made your own bed there.

Tim Biakabutuka is the only option here.

[MU82]

Tim Biakabutuka is the only option here.

I actually almost bought a Biakabutuka jersey as my very first Panthers jersey. Ended up getting Keyshawn Johnson instead.

Oh ... I'm a big believer in classic jerseys. Back when I was a sportswriter, I only wore jerseys of long-retired guys (Larry Csonka), dead teams (Minnesota North Stars, St. Louis Browns) or dead guys (Clemente).

But hey, I'm a Panthers fan, so, as sultan said, that's the cross I bear.

I might settle on Peppers - future HoFer, made his name with the Panthers, probably his last season.

I also agree that this wasn't the worst offense in the world by the young man ... but of course it could have been. Even though the road was empty, he could have lost control, crashed, killed himself and his passengers. I admit I'll still root for him, cuz that's what fans do, and I'll hope he has learned from this.

[GGGG]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/08/28/could-nfl-use-an-18-and-16-approach-to-the-regular-season/

Expansion to 18 game schedule might mean limiting players to 16 games.  Apparently kickers and punters would be exempt.  Possibly quarterbacks too.  (I wouldn't make quarterbacks exempt - more strategic that way.)

Likely means expanded rosters, which is a way to get the NFLPA involved.

[MU82]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/08/28/could-nfl-use-an-18-and-16-approach-to-the-regular-season/

Expansion to 18 game schedule might mean limiting players to 16 games.  Apparently kickers and punters would be exempt.  Possibly quarterbacks too.  (I wouldn't make quarterbacks exempt - more strategic that way.)

Likely means expanded rosters, which is a way to get the NFLPA involved.

It's hard to believe this would fly.

Will Patriots fans know in advance which 2 games Brady isn't playing? Will Texans fans know which 2 games Watt isn't playing? And that's just the start of why I'm not sure this will get serious consideration.

As a Panthers fan, I sure wouldn't be happy to pay full price for a ticket when Cam and/or Kuechly aren't playing.

But I will admit that I am for anything that reduces the number of exhibition games.

[Jockey]

It's hard to believe this would fly.

Will Patriots fans know in advance which 2 games Brady isn't playing? Will Texans fans know which 2 games Watt isn't playing? And that's just the start of why I'm not sure this will get serious consideration.

As a Panthers fan, I sure wouldn't be happy to pay full price for a ticket when Cam and/or Kuechly aren't playing.

But I will admit that I am for anything that reduces the number of exhibition games.

What about gamblers? When does info become available?

[MU82]

What about gamblers? When does info become available?

People might laugh at this, but now that pro sports leagues are going all-in on gambling, it's a legit point.

[SaveOD238]

WE'RE FREE!  The Packers traded Hundley!!  I'll never have to watch his stupid gum-chewing face again!

[GGGG]

WE'RE FREE!  The Packers traded Hundley!!  I'll never have to watch his stupid gum-chewing face again!

Eh.  Not like it's much better with Kizer.

[cheebs09]

Looks like they needed to trade Handley to clear some room for another QB contract. Glad this won’t be a distraction during the regular season.

[4everwarriors]

Sumwon wanted his ass, hey?

[Mutaman]

That's why you always get the classic jersey. 

Remember going to Farve's first game as a Jet. Literally 1/4 of the stadium were wearing #4 Jet Jerseys. Have always wondered what happened to them. 

[Skitch]

It's hard to believe this would fly.

Will Patriots fans know in advance which 2 games Brady isn't playing? Will Texans fans know which 2 games Watt isn't playing? And that's just the start of why I'm not sure this will get serious consideration.

As a Panthers fan, I sure wouldn't be happy to pay full price for a ticket when Cam and/or Kuechly aren't playing.

But I will admit that I am for anything that reduces the number of exhibition games.

You really think theres only going to be 2 games JJ Watt doesn't play in?

[wadesworld]

Are there any gum companies based out of Seattle? I need to invest if so. Between Hundley and Carroll gum sales are going to be through the roof.

[jesmu84]

NFL is a bizarro version of the real world. You get to keep your job if you assault a kid or woman or dog but get cut if you get accused of insider trading.

[RJax55]

NFL is a bizarro version of the real world. You get to keep your job if you assault a kid or woman or dog but get cut if you get accused of insider trading.

White-collar crime is reserved for the owners only. Jimmy Haslam definitely knows this.

[MU82]

NFL is a bizarro version of the real world. You get to keep your job if you assault a kid or woman or dog but get cut if you get accused of insider trading.

Or taking a knee.

[DegenerateDish]

I don’t know who this Zach Jacobson guy is, but spreading this unbelievably false info that the Pack freed up $15.5 mil in 2018 on the Rodgers deal is comical. The amount of people on Twitter buying into this info is amusing.

[GGGG]

I don’t know who this Zach Jacobson guy is, but spreading this unbelievably false info that the Pack freed up $15.5 mil in 2018 on the Rodgers deal is comical. The amount of people on Twitter buying into this info is amusing.

No in fact I've been reading it's front loaded.  So the Packers are trying to use cap space *this* year to free up space in the future.

[CreightonWarrior]

Does the $80M he's getting by end of March eliminate us from the Mack sweepstakes?

[GGGG]

Does the $80M he's getting by end of March eliminate us from the Mack sweepstakes?

If there was a straight trade for Mack right now, they couldn't fit him under the cap.  But if they traded for him and reworked his deal to turn salary into a signing bonus, they could spread it out over more years.

Of course we are assuming that the Packers are even interested in Mack at the Raiders' asking price.

[DegenerateDish]

Once the ink is dry, the Packers 2018 cap number looks like it will stay relatively unchanged after the Rodgers deal. The $15 million dollar number freed up is 100% false.

For clarity's sake:
Rodgers old deal base: $19,800,000 for 2018, bonuses $762,500, 2018 cap hit $20,562,500

Rodgers new deal base: $8,900,000 for 2018, signing/workout bonus $12,000,000, 2018 cap hit $20,900,000

For 2018, Rodgers cap hit is increased by roughly $300k. It did not free up any money, the Pack have roughly $6 million available for 2018 in cap space.

Because the Pack are not cutting Rodgers, as the ink is dry on the deal, they structured to give him the majority of the real signing bonus up front, hence his dead cap for 2018 is $57.5 mil. For cap purposes, they structured spreading out the actual bonus over the 5 years allowed by the CBA, that's why year 6 has no dead cap hit.

It's a fantastic contract for the Packers. In essence, it's really a 4 year deal, the Pack can walk away from Rodgers in year 5 with minimal damage if they wanted to.

Unless the cap goes up significantly (it may very well), on paper, 2021 poses a problem right now for them from a cap perspective. They'll need to re-up with Adams in the 2020 offseason to free up space, they'll have to probably cut Perry as well in that offseason. Assuming they cut Perry, Adams and Rodgers would together combine for (currently) almost 27% of the cap, and that's without new deals for Dix and Bakhtiari on the horizon (both will get paid top 5 at their positions).

If they cut Cobb, they'd free up $9 mil, so they could fit in Mack straight up for 2018 if he didn't agree to a new deal. They'd be hamstrung in using 2018 space to sign Dix or restructuring anyone else, but they could. A Mack deal would have to be structured to somehow ask him to play on his 2018 current deal, then boatload him $25 mil in 2019 and some heavy 2020 payment, and then they'd have some hard decisions to make in 2021. The problem is you'd let Dix walk and have little to no money in 2019 to spend elsewhere.