NFL Offseason Thread

[MerrittsMustache]

Bears passed him up for a FB/TE? and then he was picked next.  Agree completely about the NFL Network, why does ESPN have so many people on the draft show?

Emery impressed me in free agency but his draft has been pretty ugly.

1st: McClellin - projected to be an OLB in a 3-4 scheme, which the Bears obviously don't run.
2nd: Jeffery - high risk, high reward. I actually like this pick.
3rd: Hardin - injury-prone safety who didn't play last season and projects as a special teamer. WAY too high for a pick like that.
4th: Rodriguez - tweener TE/FB when Massey was available? Makes no sense.

So far, this draft tells me that the Bears feel confident with their o-line. They also have yet to address their lack of depth at LB...

[Blackhat]

Nothing but defense again for the Packers.  This draft is reminding me of '99 when, coming off a terrible season of pass defense, the Packers spent their first three picks on cornerbacks....Antuan Edwards, Fred Vinson and Mike McKenzie.

Edwards was a bust...Vinson after a strong rookie year as a nickle-back, was traded to Seattle straight up for Ahman Green, and blew out his knee...McKenzie was an All-Pro.

Remember that year.  Showed best player available is a luxury.   Liking TT's draft so far.  I'd get use 5th round oninside LB and use seventh round for OL and RB.

[Hards Alumni]

I guess TT must figure that the defense needs help everywhere, why not assume regardless of round some guys pan out and some guys bust.  If three of the guys drafted contribute reasonably well the defense will be significantly better for a team that only lost one regular season game last year.  They don't have to be great defensively, they just can't be among the worst in the league.

Offense has a few holes to fill (still not sure how good line will be losing Scott Wells and Clifton), but was historically good last year. Hopefully Saturday pans out at center. 

saturday is old but is better than wells

[Blackhat]

TT got another LB in the 5th in Terrel Manning, he's a little on the short side.   Seen one scouting report say he could be a smaller ILB in a 3-4 D.   Mostly projected as OLB.  Regardless good to get depth in our linebacking corp.

[mugrad2006]

saturday is old but is better than wells

More talented, yes, but he is 36.  Very un-TT to sign a lineman that old. I'm gonna hope that you're right and he's a solid player for the Packers, which he should be if he continues his relatively injury free career.  Center's a thinking man's position as well, and his experience should help the rest of the line.

If nothing else, maybe we can get some funny Aaron Rodgers - Jeff Saturday commercials out of it a la his work with Peyton.  I loved that Mastercard commercial where Peyton gives Saturday a football as a Christmas present ("You'll never guess what it is!")

[Hards Alumni]

More talented, yes, but he is 36.  Very un-TT to sign a lineman that old. I'm gonna hope that you're right and he's a solid player for the Packers, which he should be if he continues his relatively injury free career.  Center's a thinking man's position as well, and his experience should help the rest of the line.

If nothing else, maybe we can get some funny Aaron Rodgers - Jeff Saturday commercials out of it a la his work with Peyton.  I loved that Mastercard commercial where Peyton gives Saturday a football as a Christmas present ("You'll never guess what it is!")

it's a 2 year deal. saturday will just be a stop gap

[MUMac]

I guess TT must figure that the defense needs help everywhere, why not assume regardless of round some guys pan out and some guys bust.  If three of the guys drafted contribute reasonably well the defense will be significantly better for a team that only lost one regular season game last year.  They don't have to be great defensively, they just can't be among the worst in the league.

Offense has a few holes to fill (still not sure how good line will be losing Scott Wells and Clifton), but was historically good last year. Hopefully Saturday pans out at center. 

The line saw how to play without Clifton.  Going into last year, I thought it was his last year.  It sounds like Sherrod's recovery is going well.  They have the people to replace Clifton.  He was losing it anyway, and really cost the Packers in the Giants game.

They do not have many holes in the O.  Saturday will more than replace Wells.  They do need to find his replacement.  I am guessing that comes in the later picks.

I am really pleased with this draft.  Filled major holes and filled them well.  Add Hargrove to the DL picks and the Packers have quality and quantity this year.  The pass rush will be much improved.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Emery impressed me in free agency  

1st: McClellin - projected to be an OLB in a 3-4 scheme, DE which the Bears obviously don't do run.

Fixed.

He can basically play any position except for CB.

[MUMac]

Fixed.

He can basically play any position except for CB.

While he can, most projected him as a OLB in a 3-4 scheme as the best fit.  He will be an undersized DE.  Probably only in passing situations.

[Blackhat]

Packers two seventh rounders are coming up.   I'd take Taylor Dever OT out of Notre Dame for one pick.   Build depth behind Sherrod and Bulaga.


Had a terrible combine only benched 19 reps but played well and helped ND have two 1,000 yd rushers this year.

[MUMac]

Packers two seventh rounders are coming up.   I'd take Taylor Dever OT out of Notre Dame for one pick.   Build depth behind Sherrod and Bulaga.


Had a terrible combine only benched 19 reps but played well and helped ND have two 1,000 yd rushers this year.

OL is one pick, I agree.  Is the other pick a QB?

[Blackhat]

qb or rb I hope.   Although I won't argue against drafting any D position after last year. 

[Blackhat]

Pack picked Andrew Datko OT Florida State.


FSU's o line sucked last year but Datko got injured. their o line coach likes lineman skinny.   Maybe if Datko puts more mass on he can get more anchor which is a weakness according to scouting reports.

[mugrad2006]

Pack picked Andrew Datko OT Florida State.


FSU's o line sucked last year but Datko got injured. their o line coach likes lineman skinny.   Maybe if Datko puts more mass on he can get more anchor which is a weakness according to scouting reports.

How bad was he injured?  Every time I see TT draft an injured player, I think Justin Harrell.  Then again, he made a similar play with James Starks and it looks like that might play out well.

[Blackhat]

They shut him down this year after a shoulder injury requiring surgery.   Had a shoulder injury in high school too so.......



Good call Mac on qb.  B.J. Coleman qb from chattanooga.  Has the measurables but a jacked up throwing motion, it's a cannon though.  Needs work.

[MUMac]

McCarthy knows how to break a QB down and rebuild.  Did the same with Rogers.  I like the pick. 

[Spotcheck Billy]

sorry JaeBee 

Percy Harvin requests trade
Updated: June 20, 2012, 10:16 AM ET

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Star receiver Percy Harvin wants out of Minnesota.

One day after expressing frustration over several unspecified issues with the Vikings, Harvin has requested a trade, sources confirmed to ESPN.com's John Clayton. Harvin's demand had been earlier reported by The Associated Press.


Seifert: What's Harvin's Problem?
By implying there are multiple sources of conflict, Percy Harvin opened himself up to questions. If it's not his contract, the WR could have a problem with the Vikings' rebuild or his role on the offense, Kevin Seifert writes. Blog


Harvin voiced frustration with the Vikings on Tuesday at the first day of mandatory minicamp. He did not say what his specific issues were with the team, only saying that he was unhappy with several things and wanted them addressed before training camp begins at the end of July.

"I just put it this way, there's a lot of different things that have to be sorted out," Harvin said Tuesday. "Just haven't been really happy lately. We've got a couple of things to work on. I'm here in the classroom. We'll go from there."

Given Harvin's status as a 24-year-old rising star and one of the team's top players, the request is unlikely to be granted. Coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday that he was confident any issues Harvin had could be resolved well before training camp.

"I really feel like when he and I sit down and talk in depth," Frazier said, "whatever is in his heart or on his mind, we'll get through it."

Harvin, who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, worked out with the team during an afternoon practice Tuesday and said later in the day that he did not want to be a distraction and would only wanted to talk about football issues.

He has two years left on his rookie contract, but it was not immediately clear how much that had to do with his displeasure, if at all. The Vikings are coming off of consecutive last-place finishes in the NFC North and have entered a rebuilding phase centered on Harvin, Peterson, who is recovering from a torn ACL, and second-year quarterback Christian Ponder.

Harvin was the team's first-round draft pick in 2009 and has quickly emerged as perhaps the team's most versatile and dynamic player. He is the team's only proven commodity at receiver heading into his fourth season and is coming off a year in which he posted career highs in receptions (87), yards (967) and total touchdowns with nine.

Harvin has shown the ability to play in the slot as an inside receiver, on the perimeter as a deep threat and has become one of the most dangerous kick returners in the league. He also rushed for 345 yards last season, helping to spell Adrian Peterson in the run game.

Migraine headaches and a few other bumps and bruises from Harvin's physical and punishing style of play led to some concerns about his durability, especially in his first two seasons. But Harvin played in all 16 games last year while fighting a painful rib injury and became a respected veteran in the locker room.

Requesting a trade now would be a curious move if he does want a new contract, with the normal protocol for similar situations being to holdout from training camp to spur negotiations.

Earlier this offseason, Harvin pledged to be a team leader and showed up at several voluntary practices despite still recovering from having bone chips removed from his shoulder. With a receiver corps that includes rookie fourth-rounders Greg Childs and Jarius Wright and unproven veteran Jerome Simpson, who will be suspended for the first three games, Harvin is the only proven game-breaker at the position for the Vikings.

"I'm going to be honest with you guys. I've been watching tape, but it's just working on things from last year," Harvin said when asked about the offense. "I'm into it, but like I said, I'm not happy with things, so I haven't really been in tune to (personnel) and stuff right now.

"Overall, just watching game film and breaking down quarterbacks, breaking down myself, defenses I may face that I faced last year, things like that."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8076348/sources-percy-harvin-requests-trade-minnesota-vikings

[MU B2002]

He can request a trade all he wants, no way they trade him.

[jesmu84]

Finally!

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8170553/matt-forte-chicago-bears-agree-4-year-32m-contract-source-says

[🏀]

Finally!

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8170553/matt-forte-chicago-bears-agree-4-year-32m-contract-source-says

Stupid move.

[MU B2002]

Stupid move.

Por que?

[🏀]

Por que?

No NFL team should be allowing a player to force their hand when they can be franchise tagged. It's ridiculous.

Why would you ever pay more for a player than you have to?

[MUBurrow]

at this point, it kind of seems more like a reward of gratitude for the past couple years than an actual investment in the next four years.

[damuts222]

He is 26 years old and will be 30/31 when his contract comes up. Perfect length of the contract.

[MU B2002]

No NFL team should be allowing a player to force their hand when they can be franchise tagged. It's ridiculous.

Why would you ever pay more for a player than you have to?

It doesn't seem ridiculous to pay him $8m per year vs the $7.749MM the tag would have paid for 1 year.
Now, the contract might not be broken down to an even $8M each year, I don't know.

Maybe they felt if they tried to tag him they would damage the chances of him ever signing with the team again. Does the new CBA prevent franchising the same player more than once?