Author Topic: Official NFL Thread (Read 522784 times)

kuro808 · « **Reply #1420 on:** February 28, 2010, 09:14:59 PM »

well i guess for playoffs it makes sense, but maybe for the regular season later on

RatBastich · « **Reply #1421 on:** March 01, 2010, 01:02:39 AM »

Bills decline to offer Owens contract

Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Terrell Owens is on the market after the Buffalo Bills announced Saturday they do not plan to offer him a contract.

The Bills also declined to offer contracts to defensive end Ryan Denney and wide receiver Josh Reed, allowing them to become unrestricted free agents at midnight on March 5.

"We wanted to inform all three players ahead of the start of the free agency period so they could begin making their plans," Bills general manager Buddy Nix said. "We just felt that was the right thing to do. All three have represented our organization with class and we thank them for their dedication and hard work."

Owens, who will turn 37 in December, caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns in his only season in Buffalo. He also ran for a touchdown.

"I would like to thank the great fans in Buffalo, Ralph Wilson & the Bills organization for all their supports this past season," Owens said on Twitter.

The six-time Pro Bowl receiver caught his 1,000th pass in Week 16 at Atlanta to become the sixth player in league history to reach the milestone. Owens then moved into third place on the career list with 14,951 yards receiving in a 30-7 win over Indianapolis in Week 17.

Denney and Reed were both second-round picks in the 2002 draft.

Denney made 318 tackles and 23½ sacks in his career, while Reed is fifth on the club's career receiving list with 311 catches for 3,575 yards.

kuro808 · « **Reply #1422 on:** March 01, 2010, 01:03:35 AM »

^ not surpised, well TO find another team who will at least keep you until you retire

Saburo · « **Reply #1423 on:** March 01, 2010, 02:06:02 AM »

Funny tweet I just read: millions of people in the USA will likely bypass the NHL product even after today's instant classic hockey match. On the other hand, 80 million people who watch the Super Bowl don't watch any of the regular season.

I assume the NFL gets by, somehow...

RatBastich · « **Reply #1424 on:** March 01, 2010, 07:52:33 PM »

Report: Pacman to work out for scouts

ESPN.com news services

Adam "Pacman" Jones will continue to try to get back on an NFL roster by holding a pro day-style workout for NFL scouts on March 19, a source told NFL.com.

The workout will be in New Orleans following Tulane's pro day, according to the report.

League sources told ESPN Insider Adam Schefter that Jones worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals on Feb. 11 in what was thought to be the cornerback's first workout with an NFL team since the Dallas Cowboys released him in February 2009.

Jones has avoided trouble since his last brush with the law in October 2008. He was involved in an alcohol-related incident with a bodyguard assigned to him by the Cowboys, and hotel employees called police. No arrests were made nor charges filed. But the NFL suspended Jones for four games because the incident was a violation of the league's personal conduct policy.

Jones began his time in Dallas under close league scrutiny after he was suspended for the entire 2007 season for multiple violations of the conduct policy while he was a member of the Tennessee Titans. The Cowboys traded for Jones before his suspension was over, and he was reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug. 28, 2008.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1425 on:** March 02, 2010, 01:54:19 AM »

RB Choice: 'I know I will land on my feet'

By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com

Dallas Cowboys running back Tashard Choice has heard some of the offseason rumors, and he said he wouldn't mind a trade if it meant more playing time.

"I heard a lot of rumors and speculation," Choice told ESPNDallas.com after a workout in his hometown of Atlanta on Monday. "It lets you know other teams want you and that they've noticed you. I want to stay here. It's a great place and a great organization to play for. It's just that the situation that I'm in, man, it's hard.

"I only get to actually run the football when the other two guys get hurt, and I don't want the other two guys to get hurt. I want them to play well and be on top of their games."

Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said during the NFL scouting combine that the team hasn't received any offers and that the team plans to keep its three main running backs -- Choice, Marion Barber and Felix Jones.

"We don't have any control, but God willing everything will be straight in the long run," Choice said. "If I land somewhere, I know I will land on my feet and I know I'll be cool."

In two seasons mainly as a backup, Choice has rushed 156 times for 821 yards and five touchdowns. During his career, Choice has never rushed for 100 yards in a game.

Barber and Jones have combined to miss 15 out of a possible 32 regular-season games the last two seasons. Barber played through thumb and thigh injuries last season to finish with 932 rushing yards on 214 carries.

"It's not pretty cool when you only get to play when those two guys go down," Choice said.

Trade rumors surfaced when San Diego started shopping cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was Cromartie's defensive coordinator in San Diego.

But it didn't make sense because Cowboys starting cornerbacks Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins both reached the Pro Bowl as alternates. Nickel corner Orlando Scandrick, who lost the starting job to Jenkins early in the 2009 season, is highly regarded in the organization.

The rumors left Choice perplexed. His agent, Ben Dogra, said recently he hasn't heard anything about a trade for his client.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1426 on:** March 03, 2010, 11:35:02 PM »

NFL, players union fight over pay cuts

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- In their latest round of bickering, the NFL and its players' association have exchanged prickly statements disputing whether players will have to take pay cuts as part of a new collective bargaining agreement.

After the NFL wrote on its labor Web site last week that no player would take a cut as a result of its proposal, the NFLPA responded Tuesday by saying -- tongue in cheek -- that it was ready to sign a deal guaranteeing that the salary cap won't be lowered and there will be no reduction in retired players' or other benefits under the CBA.

The NFLPA says on its site that, based on the league's statement, it renewed its proposal to freeze the salary cap at the 2009 level and asked the league to meet with its representatives immediately to extend the current labor agreement.

The NFL released a statement in response, saying the NFLPA intentionally misstated the league's proposal and is simply trying to "preserve an unacceptable economic system."

The current CBA expires in March 2011 and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith has characterized the possibility of a work stoppage as a "14" on a scale of 1 to 10.

Without a new deal in place by Friday, 2010 will be the league's first uncapped season since 1993.

daigong · « **Reply #1427 on:** March 06, 2010, 06:34:34 AM »

WUUUUUUUUUUUHT

Arizona Cardinals have traded receiver Anquan Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens for third and fourth round draft picks!

And more NFL wheeling and dealings. Delhomme released! NFL Draft Day is looking juicier. Enough of The combine! I wonder who the Eagles are gonna pick up, Weaver getting locked up wasn't what I had in mind either.

kuro808 · « **Reply #1428 on:** March 09, 2010, 05:34:37 PM »

It was heartwarming when the long-downtrodden Saints won the Super Bowl. It didn't get any less heartwarming when Drew Brees made the media rounds in the weeks after the game, establishing himself as the sweetest and most humble man in America.

Scott good job

RatBastich · « **Reply #1429 on:** March 10, 2010, 12:45:00 AM »

Vick gets Ed Block Courage Award

Associated Press

BALTIMORE -- Dozens of protesters lined up outside a banquet hall where Michael Vick said he was "very humbled" to be honored as one of 32 NFL players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award.

The award is presented to players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Each NFL team selects a recipient, and most of the winners were on hand for the gala event Tuesday night.

Vick was picked as the Philadelphia Eagles' representative by a unanimous vote of his teammates. Once a star quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was convicted in 2007 for his role in a dogfighting ring and served 18 months in federal prison.

This was the first award Vick has received since being reinstated by the NFL in September 2009.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1430 on:** March 11, 2010, 07:19:58 PM »

Hall of Fame lineman Olsen dies

ESPN.com news services

Merlin Olsen, a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman who was part of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" line of the 1960s, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 69.

Utah State, Olsen's alma mater, said he died outside of Los Angeles early Thursday after battling cancer. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining, last year.

"This was the voice of a man who not only became one of our country's most decorated athletes, but also one of the most accomplished and respected people ever to hail from the state of Utah," said Stan Albrecht, president of Utah State.

The burley giant from northern Utah joined Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier on the Rams' storied "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line known for either stopping or knocking backward whatever offenses it faced. The Rams set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season in 1968.

Olsen was rookie of the year for the Rams in 1962 and is still the Rams' all-time leader in career tackles with 915. He was named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, a string that started his rookie year, and was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Olsen was also an established television actor with a role on "Little House on the Prairie," then starring in his own series, "Father Murphy," from 1981 to 1983 and the short-lived "Aaron's Way" in 1988.

Olsen was a consensus All-American at Utah State and won the 1961 Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. The Rams drafted Olsen third overall in 1962 and he spent the next 15 years with the team before retiring in 1976.

Utah State honored Olsen in December by naming the football field at Romney Stadium "Merlin Olsen Field." Because of his illness, Olsen's alma mater didn't want to wait until football season and made the announcement during halftime of a basketball game.

Olsen was well enough to attend, but did not speak at the event. He stood and smiled as he waved to fans during a standing ovation and chants of "Merlin Olsen!" and "Aggie Legend!"

Utah State is also planning a statue of Olsen at the southeast corner of the stadium.

The Rams also honored Olsen during a game Dec. 20, with a video tribute narrated by Dick Enberg, Olsen's longtime broadcast partner. Olsen did not attend because of his health. His name was already part of the Ring of Fame inside the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis along with other franchise standouts.

He was voted NFC defensive lineman of the year in 1973 and the NFL MVP in 1974.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1431 on:** March 13, 2010, 07:10:27 AM »

Tomlinson meeting with Jets

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- LaDainian Tomlinson's visit with the New York Jets is going to overtime.

The free-agent running back met with team officials at the Jets' training facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Friday and had dinner with coach Rex Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and others in New Jersey.

Tomlinson was scheduled to fly back home to San Diego but changed his flight after arriving so late Thursday night. Because of that, the Jets extended their visit with him Friday to include dinner. There were also no late-night flights to the West Coast available Friday night.

RatBastich · « **Reply #1432 on:** March 15, 2010, 12:29:59 AM »

NFL, union clash over retirees' benefits

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- The NFL and its players union are bickering again, this time over benefits for the league's retired players.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter posted on the league's labor Web site Saturday that the NFL is committed to its former players, and that no new collective bargaining agreement will be made without improving things for them.

He also said the union's recent proposal to strike a new deal included no improvements for retired players.

Goodell's letter, dated March 9, was addressed to Rep. Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat, who recently asked the commissioner what the league was doing for former players.

"I have said publicly that there will be no agreement without improvements for retired players," Goodell wrote. "On the contrary, when the union last week informed us that it was willing to make a new deal under certain conditions, there was no mention by them of increased benefits for retirees. The union leadership was willing to make a deal without any improvements for retired players."

Goodell said the league proposed to the union several months ago a plan to reduce salaries and bonuses for rookies, and use the first $100 million of that to cover pensions and other benefits for former players.

"The union to this point in our discussions has not agreed to that proposal," Goodell wrote.

The NFLPA executive committee, holding its annual meetings in Hawaii, responded by releasing a statement on its site. It said "truth becomes a casualty" when it reads Goodell's letter because its plan is being labeled "disingenuous."

"Neither the NFL nor its NFL Alumni have decided to get into the real game to improve retiree pensions and give players more than five years of health care when they retire, if they are lucky enough to play four years," the statement said. "When will the NFL start paying the former players who built this game for the legacy it sells?"

dorobo · « **Reply #1433 on:** March 20, 2010, 01:18:39 PM »

What do you guys think about the Jets signing LT? I'd love to see him back to his old form but after seeing his past few seasons with the Chargers, I think its not only due to injuries that have caused his numbers to decline, imo I think he has run out of gas and is going to further decline in the years to come. He seems to no longer have the speed and agility that he once had and by joining the Jets he's not going to get that many touches as the no2 back and the chance to restart his career which I believe he's trying to do. I hope all the best to him but I honestly don't see him doing much with the Jets.

kuro808 · « **Reply #1434 on:** March 20, 2010, 02:09:33 PM »

Well IMHO LT maybe the spark needed for them to help Sanchez, If Ryan was going to be smart, he would first use LT as Sanchez's safety blanket on 3rd down, maybe not as a RB per say but as a scat back like what they did with Sporles in SD

genkimikan · « **Reply #1435 on:** March 21, 2010, 04:54:56 AM »

I think it's a great signing for them. I wouldn't be surprised if LT had a comeback type of year. He's not going to have 28 TDs again, but he'll definitely have a more productive year running behind that o-line.

daigong · « **Reply #1436 on:** March 23, 2010, 01:27:14 AM »

Chris Johnson is the fastest man in the NFL, with the baddest ride on the road

genkimikan · « **Reply #1437 on:** March 23, 2010, 08:36:27 PM »

^ lol that's awesome.

According to NFL Network, the passing of new Playoff Overtime rules just happened. From what I understand, it's no longer sudden death. If the team that wins the coin flip scores a FG on the opening possession, the other team has the opportunity to match it. If they opposing team does match it with a FG, then it goes into sudden death and first to score wins. Also if either team during anytime scores a TD, then the game is over.

Thoughts?

kuro808 · « **Reply #1438 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:06:32 PM »

well its more confusing taking college rules and mixing it with nfl rules, IMHO it feels like constipation, no matter what shit will come out sooner or later

EDIT: I think couple might want the college basketball rule where a smaller time period and let them play football, first off why not try that?

RatBastich · « **Reply #1439 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:57:07 PM »

Vikes will wait on Favre, Childress says

ESPN.com news services

Brad Childress says if Brett Favre decides he wants to return for another season, the Minnesota Vikings coach is comfortable waiting as long as he did last summer for Favre to join the team.

"We've been able to see at what point he's been able to enter the situation and still be productive," Childress said Monday in an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. "Obviously with that as a known with a 40-year-old quarterback -- there wasn't a big book on that before we started, now we have at least a pamphlet -- we have an idea of where that's at."

Favre signed with the Vikings on Aug. 18 last year -- after the team had already broken its training camp in Mankato, Minn., and had already played its first preseason game.

Favre signed and then played three days later in the Vikings' second preseason game, against Kansas City.

"As a coach, you're a mother hen, you'd like him to be there for all of it," Childress said. "But I'm enough of a realist to know that's probably not going to be the case."

Childress visited Favre in Hattiesburg, Miss., early this month and said their talks did not focus on the upcoming season.

Childress said he didn't "think for a minute he's trying to hold us up. I think he's got to mull it all over and chew on it."

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf appears willing to let Favre set the pace, as well. He will reach out to Favre "in due time," according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but for now is remaining in the background as Childress keeps open the lines of communication.

"There were a lot of people who questioned us last year both with the decision of bringing him on board and him coming on so late, but it turned out to be a great decision," Wilf said at the owners' meetings, according to the Star Tribune. "We're looking forward to having him come back this year. We understand it could work either way, but certainly with the team that we have I would expect that he and everyone else is excited to come back to fight for a championship again."