NFL Offseason Thread

[Blackhat]

Liked it on the weekend as well.   Being ready to be disappointed by Ted Thompson again.   I'm in the minority but I really think he may be in the bottom half of GM's in the league in assembling talent when you look at FA and draft.   Since he doesn't utilize FA in any meaningful way, he puts the franchise behind the 8 ball.   He's ushered in some pretty terrible defenses.   McCarthy is a phenomenal offensive qb coach, but if we didn't have Dave Redding as S&C with the introduction of Capers TT would have been on thin ice.   S&C had to have played a factor there is no other rationale explanation for a 30 ranking drop in defense with similar personnel.    

I'm pretty sure Murphy is a moron though who would never fire TT now.  


We are squandering MM's genius as TT fumbles on defensive personnel.

[RJax55]

Excited for the draft tonight, still don't like the new format, loved the all day Saturday rounds 1-3, but oh well.

Can't recall a draft with this much hot air, really ramped up this year. Bears probably go D end, Pack outside LB, Lions secondary, Vikes ??.

I actually like the new format, especially the 1st round. As great as Draft Saturday was, it was becoming ridiculous with how long it was taking for teams to pick.... An over 6 hour 1st round, that's insane.

I think the Bears will go with a DE, seems like there's going to be a run of DL picked somewhere between 12-20.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Excited for the draft tonight, still don't like the new format, loved the all day Saturday rounds 1-3, but oh well.

Can't recall a draft with this much hot air, really ramped up this year. Bears probably go D end, Pack outside LB, Lions secondary, Vikes ??.

They are willing to trade with CLE or Tampa for the right price.  They are hinting they will take Claiborne with the 3rd pick but they are saying that they would be happy with him, Kalil or Blackmon.  Tampa might want to trade up to 3 to get in front of CLE to get Richardson.  As long as the Vikings stink next year I am happy.

[Dish]

I'm a huge football fan, but can't stand how overhyped the draft is. I don't blame McShay or Kiper for doing what they do as I definitely would for the $$, but all the analysis is a joke. At least 1/2 of the guys picked in the 1st round won't amount to anything more than journeyman players in the league if that--those are just the odds, but those guys talk in such absolutes about everyone of them it's as if they can't imagine any of them being busts.

Agreed Dish, the Pack definitely needs to shore up the defense. Would be pretty surprised if it wasn't an OLB with the 1st pick. Hopefully they look for help on the DL and Safety the next couple days and maybe also pick up a RB late with some hidden potential.

Agree as well, maybe it's out there and I haven't looked hard enough for it, but would love to see a website created that went back and analyzed what experts like McShay/Kiper/Mayock said over previous drafts about guys, and how close they were. I'm sure that info is out there, but would love to see some analysis to see some type of "accountability".

Draft has great depth at the DL/OLB spot, Pack should get a pretty good player at 28.

[jesmu84]

i'd be ecstatic if Barron somehow fell to the Bears. Otherwise I'm pretty sure they're going with Coples or Mercilus. 

[RJax55]

I'm a huge football fan, but can't stand how overhyped the draft is. I don't blame McShay or Kiper for doing what they do as I definitely would for the $$, but all the analysis is a joke. At least 1/2 of the guys picked in the 1st round won't amount to anything more than journeyman players in the league if that--those are just the odds, but those guys talk in such absolutes about everyone of them it's as if they can't imagine any of them being busts.

Very true, but as I read yesterday, the NFL draft (1st round) has better TV ratings than the average MLB, NBA or NHL playoff game. The draft is all about selling hope to the different fan bases around league. So, of course, every player is labeled a difference maker... Just the nature of the beast.

[Dish]

They are willing to trade with STL or Tampa for the right price.  They are hinting they will take Claiborne with the 3rd pick but they are saying that they would be happy with him, Kalil or Blackmon.  Tampa might want to trade up to 3 to get in front of STL to get Richardson.  As long as the Vikings stink next year I am happy.

I think the Vikes think the same thing I think, who the hell do you take at 3? They have a ton of needs, and a lot of people think Claiborne could be the second/third best CB in this draft. I love Michael Floyd, I think he'll be a better pro than Blackmon. Kalil is safest pick, but my sense is since it's not sexy, the Vikes don't want to do it. They're pretty much begging for someone to make them a decent offer.

Have heard from a guy in the know that if Coples is there, he's 100% the Bears pick, FWIW.

[reinko]

The Vikes should take Trent Richardson, that should open the floodgates for a handful of teams that need a RB.  Richardson is the real deal.

[GGGG]

Liked it on the weekend as well.   Being ready to be disappointed by Ted Thompson again.   I'm in the minority but I really think he may be in the bottom half of GM's in the league in assembling talent when you look at FA and draft.   Since he doesn't utilize FA in any meaningful way, he puts the franchise behind the 8 ball.   He's ushered in some pretty terrible defenses.   McCarthy is a phenomenal offensive qb coach, but if we didn't have Dave Redding as S&C with the introduction of Capers TT would have been on thin ice.   S&C had to have played a factor there is no other rationale explanation for a 30 ranking drop in defense with similar personnel.    

I'm pretty sure Murphy is a moron though who would never fire TT now.  


We are squandering MM's genius as TT fumbles on defensive personnel.

So the guy who completely remade the roster into a Super Bowl winner and a 15-1 regular season team last year is in the "bottom half of GMs in the league?"

I fully understand what you are saying about disappointing defensive personnel...and yeah I wish they were more aggressive in the FA market...but man...give the guy his due.

[reinko]

I think the Vikes think the same thing I think, who the hell do you take at 3? They have a ton of needs, and a lot of people think Claiborne could be the second/third best CB in this draft. I love Michael Floyd, I think he'll be a better pro than Blackmon. Kalil is safest pick, but my sense is since it's not sexy, the Vikes don't want to do it. They're pretty much begging for someone to make them a decent offer.

Have heard from a guy in the know that if Coples is there, he's 100% the Bears pick, FWIW.

You think the Bears could be leaning toward Fleener if Coples doesn't fall to them?

[GGGG]

The Vikes should take Trent Richardson, that should open the floodgates for a handful of teams that need a RB.  Richardson is the real deal.

Running backs have become a commodity...no need to draft one that high.

[Dish]

The Vikes should take Trent Richardson, that should open the floodgates for a handful of teams that need a RB.  Richardson is the real deal.

I know his knee is hurty, but I don't think Peterson would be too thrilled with that pick. I know you "should" take best player available.

I like Richardson, he has outstanding field vision for a RB, Cleveland needs to take him assuming he's there at 4.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Very true, but as I read yesterday, the NFL draft (1st round) has better TV ratings than the average MLB, NBA or NHL playoff game.

Speaking of ratings, the Pro Bowl has such bad ratings that they are talking/going to suspend the game indefinitely.

[Dish]

You think the Bears could be leaning toward Fleener if Coples doesn't fall to them?

I can't see them going after Fleener. I understand the need, but no way they go after him in Round 1. I'm not a Coples fan, I think he's very overrated personally. I don't know if the Mercilus talk is just smoke since he's Illinois kid, really not getting any feel for what the Bears will do, other than go DE. Heard they worked out Cox, which didn't make much sense because he'll be long gone, and I (could be wrong) can't see the Bears moving into the top 10 for him.

[Dish]

Speaking of ratings, the Pro Bowl has such bad ratings that they are talking/going to suspend the game indefinitely.

Pro Bowl actually gets really solid ratings. Going to be cancelled because it's not much of a "game", NFL doesn't like how big of a joke it is. Be interesting to see if the owners agree though. Pro Bowl is a televised game that makes NBC/NFL a decent amount of cash.

[jesmu84]

I can't see them going after Fleener. I understand the need, but no way they go after him in Round 1. I'm not a Coples fan, I think he's very overrated personally. I don't know if the Mercilus talk is just smoke since he's Illinois kid, really not getting any feel for what the Bears will do, other than go DE. Heard they worked out Cox, which didn't make much sense because he'll be long gone, and I (could be wrong) can't see the Bears moving into the top 10 for him.

Agreed on Coples. I'd be okay with a CB - Kirkpatrick/Gilmore maybe? Also read a few places that they liked Brockers. Wishful thinking: DeCastro, Barron, Kuechly

[Blackhat]

So the guy who completely remade the roster into a Super Bowl winner and a 15-1 regular season team last year is in the "bottom half of GMs in the league?"

I fully understand what you are saying about disappointing defensive personnel...and yeah I wish they were more aggressive in the FA market...but man...give the guy his due.

TT's had his good and bad moments, I won't blindly follow the guy now though. Relying on an oft injured Neal for Jenkins was ridiculous as was only having Barbre groomed as OT replacement, big contract for Hawk, etc.  But to see how atrocious we were on D, there's something systematically wrong.   If that same crap defense is on display next year heat should be on.  

I will admit, the dude does get my blood boiling for some reason. I guess just the utter incompetence on D displayed last year did it.   I tend to value defense in football and basketball.    

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Pro Bowl actually gets really solid ratings. Going to be cancelled because it's not much of a "game", NFL doesn't like how big of a joke it is. Be interesting to see if the owners agree though. Pro Bowl is a televised game that makes NBC/NFL a decent amount of cash.

I honestly have no idea what the ratings are at all.  I just read this.... ESPN.com reports: The Pro Bowl may have seen its final kickoff: The game, often a low-rated afterthought of an NFL season, is likely to be suspended this season and beyond, league sources said.

[Blackhat]

As far as the draft I'm hoping TT can get OLB Chandler Jones from Syracuse.

[MUMac]

I am one who liked the old, old format of Tuesday.  Starting at 7:00am central time and going all day long.  It was great!

I used to work for a company who recorded the vacation year from 5-1 to 4-30 and you could not carry days over.  I "saved" a couple for "just in case".  And when I knew I was going to lose them, well, I had to take a day off and that just happened to be the last Tuesday of the month of April.  Coincidentally, that also happenned to be the day of the NFL Draft.  At least, that is the rationale I gave my wife!

ESPN has to produce everything now.  I don't like the current set up.  Made for prime time draft.  Splitting it into 3 days allows the weaker personnel departments to compensate for their shortcomings.

[JWags85]

Also read a few places that they liked Brockers.

I saw this as well, but I figure he will be gone by the time they pick.  There was alot of buzz about Kendall Wright, but that seems to have died down in the last few days.  More areas of need elsewhere

[MerrittsMustache]

The Draft always reminds me of one of the great sports quotes of all time, compliments of Bill Tobin.

"Who in the hell is Mel Kiper anyway?...He's never been a player, he's never been a coach, he's never been a scout, he's never been an administrator, and all of a sudden, he's an expert."

I honestly believe that if Kiper and McShay were all that good at talent evaluation, an NFL team would be paying them BIG money to be part of their front office.

That said, being a draft "expert" (much like being a Bracketologist) is a completely useless yet lucrative career that I wish I had thought of.

[MerrittsMustache]

Agreed on Coples. I'd be okay with a CB - Kirkpatrick/Gilmore maybe? Also read a few places that they liked Brockers. Wishful thinking: DeCastro, Barron, Kuechly

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.

[Blackhat]

The Draft always reminds me of one of the great sports quotes of all time, compliments of Bill Tobin.

"Who in the hell is Mel Kiper anyway?...He's never been a player, he's never been a coach, he's never been a scout, he's never been an administrator, and all of a sudden, he's an expert."

I honestly believe that if Kiper and McShay were all that good at talent evaluation, an NFL team would be paying them BIG money to be part of their front office.

That said, being a draft "expert" (much like being a Bracketologist) is a completely useless yet lucrative career that I wish I had thought of.

Kiper made his bones a long time ago and has been tight with GMs from the get go.  

McShay, I have no friggin clue where that kid came from and find him annoying.

Mike Mayock is a good one if you're looking for former "football guys" who analyze.

[nyg]

i'd be ecstatic if Barron somehow fell to the Bears. Otherwise I'm pretty sure they're going with Coples or Mercilus. 

Barron will not go past the Cowboys at 14 or the Jets at 16.