NFL 2014 offseason/draft thread

[Alferd Packer]

You're right, I skimmed the article about Aldon Smith the other day, and they were saying that he was looking the real possibility of a suspension, rather than a firing.

Of course, he may be in jail by then, so perhaps it's all moot. As I understand it, his trial starts in about 10 days or so.

As for cutting Ray Rice, why would cutting him after a date save money? I thought teams typically had to cut a player before a date to avoid having to pay them.

[Thanas]

The thing is, if we cut him now, all the boni and guaranteed money counts for the current year. After June 1st a new year for the purpose of counting happens, so only the guaranteed money from that year is still applicable. It is a way of spreading out the cap hit rather than taking it all at once. The downside is that the wifebeater will be on the books for the next year as well, but we got enough cap space to absorb that hit, if necessary.

Of course, if he gets his act together all will be moot, but if he is suspended for half or a quarter of the season and shows nothing in training camp I highly doubt Ozzie will pay him 9 mil.

[Havok]

Ray Rice choked out his wife on camera. Aldon Smith said bomb in an airport, probably sarcastically since he didn't actually have a bomb and had guns in his house that are illegal that the police found after he got stabbed breaking up a fight. He also got two DUIs which millions of Americans get every year.

Rice's issues are more dire than Smith's at this point regardless of the legal outcomes. Rice is a piece of shit that beat his girlfriend/wife. Aldon is a big idiot with too much money and bad judgement.

As far as on the field, Rice is a very good running back that either had a bad year or is already losing it that is due quite a bit.
Aldon Smith is a third year player that averages a sack every game a pace which puts him on HoF level caliber status if he can stay on the field.

Smith is going to be on the 49ers despite his problems because he is performing and all his problems are all pretty much only hurting him. Rice may end up off the Ravens because of his lack of performance and his problems are hurting other people.

[Elfdart]

The Niners would miss Smith more than the Ravens would Rice. Baltimore is switching to Mike Shanahan's offense, which churns out 1000-yard backs on a regular basis. I'll bet they could kick the wife-beating sack of shit to the curb and be just fine.

[Thanas]

So our hulking guy of a NT who hopefully will crack the starting lineup - you might remember him from his "Look, I weigh 340 pounds and walk on my hands" just did this:

http://instagram.com/p/mgAuMkMxpl/

[Thanas]

Playoff wins after 1997 (year the ravens were playing first):
https://i.imgur.com/Kuno9AJ.jpg

[Thanas]

Good god, the bills are scumbags.
http://deadspin.com/suit-bills-cheerlea ... 1566239771

[Thanas]

Hav, this one is for you:

THERE'LL BE NO HUG

[Thanas]

The star wars draft is here

I would say the Ravens got a great selection. Would have preferred Thrawn as OC though.

[Elfdart]

That article was obviously written by a Browns fan. Han and Lando? GTFOH!

[TheHammer]

The star wars draft is here

I would say the Ravens got a great selection. Would have preferred Thrawn as OC though.

Dunno how Revan slipped all the way to 30, but great pickup by the Niners there. Character issues maybe?

[Thanas]

http://extramustard.si.com/2014/05/06/askcommish/

This is gold. I especially like the Haslam digs.

[Thanas]

DRAFT TODAY.

My wishlist for the first round:
- Haha Clinton Dix
- Zack Martin
- Calvin Pryor
or better yet, trade down.

[Alferd Packer]

I just hope that Johnny "Shitweasel" Manziel doesn't go until, like, the fifth round. I know that's not gonna happen, but I hope nonetheless.

[Thanas]

I just hope that Johnny "Shitweasel" Manziel doesn't go until, like, the fifth round. I know that's not gonna happen, but I hope nonetheless.

I don't know, I love the idea of him going to the cowboys. Because while he might be better than Romo (might be) the cap will get even worse for them with having to pay Romo's boni when they trade him. Meanwhile, Dallas is the best organization for him to bust. Bad owner, bad gm, bad headcoach, no defence and an aging offence. All the while Jerruh micromanages him.

I find that trainwreck hilarious to watch. Though I fear he will go to the browns and actually improve them.

[Thanas]

WOW.
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/assets/i ... story1.jpg

Ozzie is a genius staying competitive with the worst draft position in the league overall.

[TheHammer]

I just hope that Johnny "Shitweasel" Manziel doesn't go until, like, the fifth round. I know that's not gonna happen, but I hope nonetheless.

Just curious, why the Johnny hate exactly?

[Block]

I personally didn't like that he clearly received illegal benefits, was let off by the NCAA for it, only got suspended for a half by his team, and then had the gall to include the "show me the money" motion in a touchdown celebration in his first game back. Someone ending his season with a helmet to the knee before he could earn any more of that money would've been justice.

[Elfdart]

I just hope that Johnny "Shitweasel" Manziel doesn't go until, like, the fifth round. I know that's not gonna happen, but I hope nonetheless.

I don't know, I love the idea of him going to the cowboys. Because while he might be better than Romo (might be) the cap will get even worse for them with having to pay Romo's boni when they trade him. Meanwhile, Dallas is the best organization for him to bust. Bad owner, bad gm, bad headcoach, no defence and an aging offence. All the while Jerruh micromanages him.

I find that trainwreck hilarious to watch. Though I fear he will go to the browns and actually improve them.

If Jerry's Kids brings in Manziel and he tanks, the biggest winner will be Romo. Not only will he be shipped to another team (aside from the Browns, anywhere in the NFL would be better for him than Dallas), but within weeks, the same mouthbreater Cowboys fans will go on and on about how great Romo was even though they booed him constantly. I remember how they booed Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman off the field. No, that's not a typo: The two best QBs in franchise history were crapped on by the fans -until their replacements came along.*

* Danny White was a very good QB who replaced Staubach, and was good enough to play in three straight conference championship games (80-82). Yet he wasn't Staubach, so he was mercilessly heckled even when he played brilliantly. Such is the collective douchiness of the Dallas fanbase.

[Thanas]

I agree with all you said, but: they can't trade Romo. That would get like 30 mil on their cap instantly, which means that about half their salary cap will be dead money (counting the current boni). They might just play the next few season with UDFAs entirely if that comes to pass. Unless Romo retires because his back injuries are worse than previously known....

Which is why I think this is just a smokescreen by Dallas.

[Thanas]

Thank you to all the pundits who just made me money with all the "clowney not #1" talk.

[Thanas]

draft reactions:
1. I don't understand the Bills. Give up two 1st rounders to move up 5 spots and draft a WR when Jake Mathews is available? WTF
Even worse, now the BROWNS have two drafts with two 1st rounders. URGH.

[Havok]

Paired with Steve Johnson though? Buffalo is gonna try to outscore New England.

[Thanas]

Yeah but they would have Evans or Ebron if they stayed put. Even then, is it worth giving up three picks, including two first rounders to get Watkins? Is the difference between him and Evans/Ebron/Matthews really a 1st and 4th?

[Havok]

Yes.