NFL Offseason Thread

[jesmu84]

Also rumored that the Bears like DE Nick Perry from USC - strong, athletic freak but natural abilities don't translate to the field.

I'd like to see Barron or OT Jonathan Martin.

i don't see them taking an OT - they think Carimi is the real deal and Tice is obsessed with Webb (i can't figure out why)

[Spotcheck Billy]

from what I've read it sounds like Coples could be a bust cuz he's an underacheiver via effort on every down

[jmayer1]

I tend to value defense in football and basketball.    

I tend to value wins, especially Super Bowls!!

Just curious, were you a fan of Ron Wolf?

The defense obviously needs some work. I think TT definitely undervalued the loss of Jenkins last year and losing Collns was huge--not just because he is pro bowl caliber but because Peprah is so gawd awful.

Of GB's 12 picks-I think around 8 should come on defense. OLB first then DL and S with the next two in some order. Throw in at least one developmental CB, ILB, RB, and a couple OL and call it a day. I know TT likes to go best player available, but they really look pretty solid on Offense, hope he gets some more toughness on Defense.

[Blackhat]

I was a Ron Wolf fan but I was also in elementary and middle school during his reign.   

He was a magician, Timmerman, Brooks, Freeman.   Hired an offensive qb stud in Holmgren (TT got that part right in McCarthy).   Used high profile FA's  in Reggie White, Sean Jones, Eugene Robinson, Santana Dotson etc and got the tools.  He didn't use some macho rigid philosophy of not using all avenues (like all the other GM's and his Woodson pickup are myopic).   He knew how to put a team together from what I can remember.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

The LA Vikings traded down to the 4th pick with Cleveland and got the Browns 4th, 5th and 7th round picks.  Browns are taking Richardson.

[jesmu84]

I've never understood why they need so long to pick, especially in the first round. Maybe Round 5, 6, 7 cause they have to figure out who is left. But in 1, don't you pretty much know right away?

Also, regardless of what's been said, I'm hoping the "mad tweeter" (jim irsay) is crazy enough to confuse everyone and take RG3.

[GGGG]

And yet thompson has put together as many super bowl winners as wolf. And the only free agent that wolf paid big bucks for was white. Dotson, jones, etc were all value adds like woodson and pickett.

[MUMac]

The LA Vikings traded down to the 4th pick with Cleveland and got the Browns 4th, 5th and 7th round picks.  Browns are taking Richardson.

Really a strange trade, IMHO, by Holmgren.  Good trade by Minnesota.

[MUBurrow]

no one other than me has so little of a life as to want to gameday chat this, right?

[Hards Alumni]

I've never understood why they need so long to pick, especially in the first round. Maybe Round 5, 6, 7 cause they have to figure out who is left. But in 1, don't you pretty much know right away?

Also, regardless of what's been said, I'm hoping the "mad tweeter" (jim irsay) is crazy enough to confuse everyone and take RG3.

to allow time for trades.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Really a strange trade, IMHO, by Holmgren.  Good trade by Minnesota.

Holmgren was competing vs STL and he probably made a little bit of a better offer since he had the most picks in the draft before making the trade (I think).

[MUMac]

Holmgren was competing vs STL and he probably made a little bit of a better offer since he had the most picks in the draft before making the trade (I think).

That is a lot to move up one spot.  I guess he does not value middle round picks like Wolf did.

[Blackhat]

And yet thompson has put together as many super bowl winners as wolf. And the only free agent that wolf paid big bucks for was white. Dotson, jones, etc were all value adds like woodson and pickett.

Wolf maintained championship level play on both sides of the ball.  GB was top 10 in Total Defense from 93-99 and only had one year outside the top 15 in Total Defense during Wolf's tenure.  93-99 top 10 every year in Total Offense.

Not this up and down neglect one side one year roller coaster.   Now we've got Thompson's Oops draft this year with 7 D picks (better be) after selecting O with his top picks last year.

[GGGG]

Wolf maintained championship level play on both sides of the ball.  GB was top 10 in Total Defense from 93-99 and only had one year outside the top 15 in Total Defense during Wolf's tenure.  93-99 top 10 every year in Total Offense.

Not this up and down neglect one side one year roller coaster.   Now we've got Thompson's Oops draft this year with 7 D picks (better be) after selecting O with his top picks last year.

You are seriously picky.  They were 15-2 last year.  Yeah the defense sucked...but they only lost one starter from a team that came off a Super Bowl victory going into the season.   

[jesmu84]

Glad the Bears aren't going to have to deal with Coples. Reilly Reif and DeCastro falling quickly - love either pick for Bears.

Bust estimate: Tannehill, Poe, Irvin (what the f**k was that Pete?!)

[jesmu84]

DeCastro and Reif available - Bears go with a hybrid OLB in Mclellin. Emery impressed me in FA. Disappointed me so far in the draft.

[MUMac]

McLellin was thought by many to be TT's top choice.  He fits a 3-4.  Not sure where he fits with the Bears 4-3, DE or OLB?

[jesmu84]

McLellin was thought by many to be TT's top choice.  He fits a 3-4.  Not sure where he fits with the Bears 4-3, DE or OLB?

OLB, i think. stand up pass rusher on passing downs. Emery said he has a great motor and is a 4 down player. But it feels like a Lovie Smith pick more than Emery.

Also - Patriots trading up all over the place. Totally not their style.

Edit: Just Kidding. He'll be a DE.

[MerrittsMustache]

McLellin was thought by many to be TT's top choice.  He fits a 3-4.  Not sure where he fits with the Bears 4-3, DE or OLB?

OLB, i think. stand up pass rusher on passing downs. Emery said he has a great motor and is a 4 down player. But it feels like a Lovie Smith pick more than Emery.

Also - Patriots trading up all over the place. Totally not their style.

Total reach by the Bears. Jones, Mercilus, Reiff, DeCastro, Glenn, Massey or Upshaw all would have been better picks.

On the bright side, at least the Bears didn't take Nick Perry or Harrison Smith.

[Blackhat]

Perry definitely disappears in games for his measurables.   For our sake I hope they light a fire under his azz.

[Dish]

Feel kind of "meh" on the McClellin pick. Bears plan to use him opposite edge off Peppers, then maybe eventually moving him to LB as he ages. I know guards aren't sexy, but really thought DeCastro should have been the pick there.

Like others, thought if McClellin was there when GB picked, he'd have been their pick. I can't blame the Pack for picking Perry, he's been tremendously inconsistent, shows explosive bursts, but takes too many plays off. That said at 28, and looking for a pass rusher that has explosive potential from a blue chip program like USC, makes sense.

Trading up for Harrison Smith made zero sense to me. I don't get it at all. He's an alright player, but with so many needs for the Vikes, and trading back into the first round again to get him? Don't get it.

[Blackhat]

Feel kind of "meh" on the McClellin pick. Bears plan to use him opposite edge off Peppers, then maybe eventually moving him to LB as he ages. I know guards aren't sexy, but really thought DeCastro should have been the pick there.

Like others, thought if McClellin was there when GB picked, he'd have been their pick. I can't blame the Pack for picking Perry, he's been tremendously inconsistent, shows explosive bursts, but takes too many plays off. That said at 28, and looking for a pass rusher that has explosive potential from a blue chip program like USC, makes sense.

Trading up for Harrison Smith made zero sense to me. I don't get it at all. He's an alright player, but with so many needs for the Vikes, and trading back into the first round again to get him? Don't get it.

I think for Vikes they were so bad at safety last year, they wanted to ensure they got the last bonafide safety in the draft.

Smith will be a top half safety imo.  Not spectacular but slightly above average which is a huge improvement for Minny.

[NavinRJohnson]

Feel kind of "meh" on the McClellin pick. Bears plan to use him opposite edge off Peppers, then maybe eventually moving him to LB as he ages. I know guards aren't sexy, but really thought DeCastro should have been the pick there.

Like others, thought if McClellin was there when GB picked, he'd have been their pick. I can't blame the Pack for picking Perry, he's been tremendously inconsistent, shows explosive bursts, but takes too many plays off. That said at 28, and looking for a pass rusher that has explosive potential from a blue chip program like USC, makes sense.

Trading up for Harrison Smith made zero sense to me. I don't get it at all. He's an alright player, but with so many needs for the Vikes, and trading back into the first round again to get him? Don't get it.

I think you are pretty much right on.

McClellin pick seems a little strange at that spot with the guys that were still there. I would say they could have done better, but he looks like he can play a little.

I actually like the Perry pick a lot. Give me a guy with all kinds of ability who took plays off in college now and then over a guy with a 'motor' any day. It's the Brett Favre rule...when you are looking at a young player (particularly at QB), see how good he is when he's good, because that's the player he can be. Of course you are gonna get your Albert Haynsworth types now and then, but the best players in the NFL are the guys with the superior physical ability. Julius Peppers has been accused/known to take it easy now and then, but I'll take him over guys who 'bring it every down' like JJ watt or Aaron kampman any time.

Largely due to where they were picking, but I think the Vikings had a real nice night. Actually, the Lions did as well. Division is shaping up to be very tough.

Now onto the later rounds, otherwise known as Thompson-time! How many (soon to be extinict) pro-bowlers will the Packers add this year?

[JWags85]

The thing that bothers me about the McClellin pick is the best responses from talking heads in Chicago and online are "You never know, he could turn out really great".  Well lovely, you could say that about alot of people, that doesn't make me feel any better.  Especially when Melvin Ingram was taken the pick before, sigh...

Interestingly enough, Harrison Smith is extremely close with my roommate and his family from his HS days.  As in, still does Thanksgiving at their house would come up from Chicago to visit from SB whenever he could.  So despite him being both a Domer and now a Viking, both dirty words, I wouldn't mind seeing him have some success.

[MerrittsMustache]

I think you are pretty much right on.

McClellin pick seems a little strange at that spot with the guys that were still there. I would say they could have done better, but he looks like he can play a little. Given the track records of the team involved, the fact that the Patriots traded up for Jones and the Steelers took DeCastro makes me think that Bears missed a golden opportunity.

I actually like the Perry pick a lot. Give me a guy with all kinds of ability who took plays off in college now and then over a guy with a 'motor' any day. It's the Brett Favre rule...when you are looking at a young player (particularly at QB), see how good he is when he's good, because that's the player he can be. Of course you are gonna get your Albert Haynsworth types now and then, but the best players in the NFL are the guys with the superior physical ability. Julius Peppers has been accused/known to take it easy now and then, but I'll take him over guys who 'bring it every down' like JJ watt or Aaron kampman any time.

Largely due to where they were picking, but I think the Vikings had a real nice night. Actually, the Lions did as well. Division is shaping up to be very tough.

Now onto the later rounds, otherwise known as Thompson-time! How many (soon to be extinict) pro-bowlers will the Packers add this year?

The McClellin pick is especially strange considering he projects as a 3-4 OLB, not necessarily a DE.

Harrison is a safety who always seems to be around the football. Unfortunately, the football is typically in the hands of a guy who's running past him.