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about time this one has started off. a few key questions:
1) will there be football? or will the owners try to make a power move on the players (or vice versa)? 2) your thoughts on the draft? is this a stacked or weak draft? who do you think will be the best player out? bust? 3) will GB repeat? (as a Bears fan, it disgusts me to even ask that, but TRYING to remain unbias).
aaaannd....ACTION!
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1) I've been convinced since about this time last year that there wasn't going to be a 2011 season, Jerry Richardson (Panthers) has spent money from the start (we made the NFC championship game in our second year with a mercenary roster) and he virtually shut down the franchise after the 2009 season; no FAs, no coaching changes, everyone on one year contracts.
With the collusion with restricted FAs, the big ticket coaches sitting in the TV booths unwooed and owners making unusual choices (Garrett in Dallas, the SS Chargers still anchored by Norv) and the owners' posture at the current negotiations, I believe their plan is to hold to their demands and they expect the union to fold by the spring/summer of 2012. I also believe the only way that's not going to happen is if the union caves earlier.
2) As a Panther fan, I'm absolutely terrified that we're going to draft Fairley (+ Show Spoiler +). He could not remind me more of Albert Haynesworth. I hate bad character guys.
I hate mobile QBs in the NFL (as in more than 33% of their appeal is their running ability, not a Steve Young or Steve McNair), but I believe Newton has a chance to be more of a Roethlisberger than a Vick; Vick's greatest weakness is that he's so damned fast. Roethlisberger has two rings because he's a tank, he gets arm tackled and wrapped up around his ankle and stays alive until someone comes open. I'd take Brees or Rodgers 10 times out of 10 over Roethlisberger, but I'd rather have Roethlisberger or V.Young than Vick.
I feel like it's going to be a good draft, it just doesn't have as many big names as we're perhaps used to seeing. After I saw the Panthers and Bears live and in person I was rooting for us to get #1 overall and Andrew Luck for the entire rest of the season; Clausen/Moore vs. Todd Collins, perhaps the most awful thing I've ever seen in person and the definition of offensive offense. Now that we can't get him I'm disappointed we didn't win a couple more.
I love both Peterson and Amukamara (I'm a Husker fan, born in Lincoln). There's definitely no joy in having the #1 overall when there isn't a #1 talent on the board and if we draft Fairley or Bowers for no other reason than "you never take a gamble on a corner with the #1 pick" I will be disappointed. I love what a shutdown corner does for a team.
3) Repeating in the NFL is so hard, I'd make GB the favorites and if I had a gun to my head I'd pick them, but only because I don't have a stronger horse to pick.
Still waiting for Matty Ice and Whacko Flacco to take another step, if either of them ever do there's a chance it'll be Atlanta or Baltimore.
I really hope Bradford regains the form he had in the first half of the season, the Rams were so gutty early on. That division is so bad, the Rams could really make strides and provide some stability to the NFC West.
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Haha, never too early to start guessing right?
1) The owners have already tried to make a power move on the players. Current deal is a 16 game season, owners get the first $1B and the rest is split 60/40 in the players' favor. Owners want an 18 game season where they get the first $2B then split the rest 60/40 in the players' favor. Plus rookie salary limits (remember the average NFL player lasts only ~4 seasons). I usually view these disputes with indifference as it's millionaires vs billionaires, but in this case the owners seem to be asking for a lot without giving the players anything.
So what will happen? I honestly have no idea. But the NFL has capitalized on the MLB and NHL strikes to increase its market size (along with other factors, like great marketing of the league in general). I think the owners will have to weigh the risk of losing that versus getting concessions from the players; in the end they'll probably keep things close to the way they are now with 1 major concession from the players.
2) Seems like the draft is strong at WR and along the DL, weak at RB (or shallow, if you consider Ingram above the rest) and maybe C/G. At CB Peterson is top notch and should go 2nd or 3rd, Amukamara could go top 10. There's actually a couple good FBs in the draft (Havili and Marecic in particular), but NFL offenses are moving away from that...
I think Carolina will take Fairley. Sorry Quesa The talent is too much to pass up.
3) Probably not, if nothing other than the odds being against repeats in general. As long as the Patriots have Brady and Beli they'll be one of the favorites.
Aside from their formidable skill, the best thing the Pack has going is that the Patriots, Steelers, Colts, and Jets (even the Chargers if they fix their special teams/coaching issues) all play in the AFC.
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One name you might hear get called very early in the draft is Von Miller. He could go as high as #3 to Buffalo and he might be one of the most underhyped player in this year's draft. I also expect Jake Locker to fall late into round 2.
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I am a Seahawks fan, and if Locker falls to 25, i would happy if they could pick him up. But i agree, he could fall to the second round.
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On February 14 2011 15:53 Signet wrote:I think Carolina will take Fairley. Sorry Quesa The talent is too much to pass up.
+ Show Spoiler +
If he's topping all of the charts after the combine and the Panthers don't make any comments about 'character evaluation' in the run up to the draft I won't even watch, Ugh.
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I think the 2011 season is definitely in danger, the pre-season is as good as shut down, which will make the year very interesting if it does happen (ie players out of shape, offences/defences out of sync).
As a Vikings fan, we obviously need a QB, but with no pre-season for them to gel with the team i think 2011 is going to be a lost season either way.
The draft doesn't seem to be as stacked as previous years. No consensus #1 QB nor talent it seems.
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Though it's kinda hearsay, if Richardson really was as belligerent toward Manning at the last meeting as I'm reading, it could indicate that breaking the players/union is a bigger priority for the owners than I thought. Doesn't bode well for a timely resolution to the labor dispute.
re: Vikings, I've seen a few mock drafts that have them taking Newton. Great fit imo. They already have Peterson and Gerhart at RB and a ton of receiving options, adding in Newton could make them really imba on offense in 2-3 years.
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On February 14 2011 20:12 Biggo wrote: I think the 2011 season is definitely in danger, the pre-season is as good as shut down, which will make the year very interesting if it does happen (ie players out of shape, offences/defences out of sync).
As a Vikings fan, we obviously need a QB, but with no pre-season for them to gel with the team i think 2011 is going to be a lost season either way.
The draft doesn't seem to be as stacked as previous years. No consensus #1 QB nor talent it seems. Pre-season won't happen next year you're right. The out of shape players thing will be big too; get to see who uses their time wisely and improves instead of slacking.
GL being a Vikings fan this season sir.
On a personal note, I just went snowboarding and wore a Dez Bryant jersey (Cowboys) snowboarding and had at least 5-6 conversations just from that. Dallas needs A GOD DAMN OL DRAFT PICK OR TWO. PLEASE.
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I hope the Ravens get some DBs. Like, a whole set. Le sigh.
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Ugh, I start frothing at the mouth as it is just to see preseason games which are terrible. And, considering the Pats loss to the Jets last season it compounds my angst even more. I mean, the bitterness of this loss is so intense I've already been contemplating how wonderful it would be to sweep the Jets this year. At this rate with the lockout it's looking even less likely.
It's funny because every year I declare I won't invest myself as emotionally in the Patriots as I have previously and then it slowly grows until I'm hanging on every god damn play. It's awesome and terrible at the same time.
I'm also disappointed because this year the Patriots are playing the NFC east and that means a game with the Giants (and Eagles) so this lockout puts that in jeopardy. Plus, if there isn't a 2011 season does that mean that 2012 is going to pick up here with the AFC East vs NFC East or just move on to the next year's scheduled rotation which would be the NFC West (bleh....)
Can't wait for the tease that will be the draft, especially if there isn't a season lol.
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On February 15 2011 02:35 Gryffindor_us wrote: Ugh, I start frothing at the mouth as it is just to see preseason games which are terrible. And, considering the Pats loss to the Jets last season it compounds my angst even more. I mean, the bitterness of this loss is so intense I've already been contemplating how wonderful it would be to sweep the Jets this year. At this rate with the lockout it's looking even less likely.
It's funny because every year I declare I won't invest myself as emotionally in the Patriots as I have previously and then it slowly grows until I'm hanging on every god damn play. It's awesome and terrible at the same time.
I'm also disappointed because this year the Patriots are playing the NFC east and that means a game with the Giants (and Eagles) so this lockout puts that in jeopardy. Plus, if there isn't a 2011 season does that mean that 2012 is going to pick up here with the AFC East vs NFC East or just move on to the next year's scheduled rotation which would be the NFC West (bleh....)
Can't wait for the tease that will be the draft, especially if there isn't a season lol.
I'm very interested to see how the Patriots approach the draft. You have like 6-7 picks in the first four rounds, but if the season is a lock-out, you are effectively getting some top youngsters who will miss out on up to a year of football and training. Not ideal at all.
The draft as a whole should be interesting and I don't expect there will be much trading as I won't expect many teams to want to move up unless they are in love with a player. Of course, this is all assuming there is a lock-out.
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glad to see this is moving. here's my $.02
1) honestly? don't know yet. my first instincts say no, but you never know. the pressure is on the owners because if they don't play this right, they'll look like the ultimate villains toward fans, further making the players look like martyrs. look, you can say the "these athletes make millions a year" argument, but those are only the superstars. what about the practice squad players that make diddly-squat to be virtual football dummies? the players who were cut, have nothing to fall back on, and have to pay out of the ass in medical bills to play a sport they love but didn't love them back? we're all entertained by the NFL, but player safety should be the #1 priority of these talks (and Goddell can suck a fat one for that 18-game season bull). owners are in the driver's seat (and have a LOT to lose on this), but we'll see...
2) very stacked draft at a lot of positions. lot of DL, OL, WR secondary...kinda of weak at RB and QB outside of Newton & Mallett since Luck didn't go (not sold on that Mizzou QB). sorry Quessa, Carolina's getting Fairley (especially now that Rivera's coaching), but i don't know what the "character issues" are. i'm an SEC fan (Univ. of Arkansas alum), so i saw plenty of Auburn ball. Fairley's more of an annoyance than he is Albert Haynesworth...he'll be fine in the league
as a Bears fan, want to see OL drafted, maybe Urlacher's replacement if it's out there, a CB, and a WR at a good spot (if FA doesn't start on time). time for Angelo to prove he's not a complete clusterfuck at the GM position.
3) No, and here's why: Bears had a shit OL w/ diminutive WRs and were division champs, Detroit's getting better (Suh is a MONSTER and if Stafford can stay healthy for an entire game, they'll be a tough ball club to beat, and Minny's a QB away from being NFL relevant again). NFC North will be the hardest division in football bar none...don't think GB can get through that gauntlet.
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I'm curious to see where Gabbert will land. While this year seems to be lacking in talent at QB (since Luck decided not to go out) it should be interesting to see where he'll fall. While I think the top 3 are fairly decided at QB (or at least to not drafting a QB), teams 4-10 (minus Dallas at 9) certainly have a need/desire for QB.
I just hope the 49ers don't pick Gabbert or Newton.
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Dallas needs a QB, but Jerry is an idiot and doesn't recognize it. they won't win with Romo being the starting signal-caller...
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On February 17 2011 00:52 FQD1911 wrote: Dallas needs a QB, but Jerry is an idiot and doesn't recognize it. they won't win with Romo being the starting signal-caller...
Maybe so? I felt like Dallas' record is more a fault of their coaching (mainly Wade Phillips) than their QBing (Romo and Kitna).
I mean if Jason Garret can make Jon Kitna look like a winning QB, imagine what he can do with Romo at the helm...
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On February 16 2011 05:37 nemY wrote: I'm curious to see where Gabbert will land. While this year seems to be lacking in talent at QB (since Luck decided not to go out) it should be interesting to see where he'll fall. While I think the top 3 are fairly decided at QB (or at least to not drafting a QB), teams 4-10 (minus Dallas at 9) certainly have a need/desire for QB.
I just hope the 49ers don't pick Gabbert or Newton.
I don't understand why people are hyping Gabbert up so much. I see many mock drafts having him as the #1 QB and that I don't understand when 1) he did nothing at the collegiate level and 2) he wasn't even accurate.
I don't even really care much for Cam Newton but I would take his talent and arm over Gabbert anyday.
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I think Romo is fine. He's a top-10 QB and better than the likes of Flacco. People bashing on him are pretty stupid.
For instance, he got flak for that loss to the Ravens a while ago.
Are you serious?
He marches down the field with clock winding down. Touchdown! How clutch!
Then the Ravens get an 80 yard TD run. How clutch!
So Romo says fuck that, marches down the field again. Touchdown! So clutch!
Then the Ravens get another 70 yard TD run. So clutch!
But it's clearly Romo's fault, because he couldn't get a third touchdown drive in 6 minutes. That's retarded.
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Another thing, what QB do you see being able to replace Romo in this years draft? Gabbert? Newton? Mallet? Locker? Look at the draft order for the top 10
1. Carolina (2-14) (needs QB, but is probably going BPA which is not a QB) 2. Denver (4-12) (drafted QB in first round last year, not going to give up on him yet) 3. Buffalo (4-12) (seems content? With Ryan Fitzpatrick, will probably not draft QB) 4. Cincinnati (4-12) (Carson Palmer wants out, they probably need a QB) 5. Arizona (5-11) (Who was their starting QB last year? NEEDS QB) 6. Cleveland (5-11) (I'm not sure they're ready to give up on Colt McCoy yet, but they sort of need a QB) 7. San Francisco (6-10) (Needs QB) 8. Tennessee (6-10) (Needs QB) 9. Dallas (6-10) (sup guys) 10. Washington (6-10) (Needs QB)
Given the dearth of quality talent at the QB position, plus the fact that at least 5 teams need a QB before Dallas, I don't see QB being a big need for the Cowboys.
I don't remember a whole a lot about Dallas last year (I was happy they were losing), but wasn't their defense pretty bad last year? I could see the Cowboys drafting a corner, especially if Prince Amukamara falls that far.
Since it's before the combine, everything's really speculative...
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On February 17 2011 02:27 setzer wrote:Show nested quote +On February 16 2011 05:37 nemY wrote: I'm curious to see where Gabbert will land. While this year seems to be lacking in talent at QB (since Luck decided not to go out) it should be interesting to see where he'll fall. While I think the top 3 are fairly decided at QB (or at least to not drafting a QB), teams 4-10 (minus Dallas at 9) certainly have a need/desire for QB.
I just hope the 49ers don't pick Gabbert or Newton. I don't understand why people are hyping Gabbert up so much. I see many mock drafts having him as the #1 QB and that I don't understand when 1) he did nothing at the collegiate level and 2) he wasn't even accurate. I don't even really care much for Cam Newton but I would take his talent and arm over Gabbert anyday.
I don't get it either. Like I said I hope the 49ers DON'T draft Gabbert or Newton (or any other QB) in the first round this year. Nobody really looks to be worth it, but that said with so many teams NEEDING a QB, I can see QBs like Gabbert/Newton/Mallet/Locker/whoever-else-you-want-to-name being reaches and picked up earlier than maybe they should be drafted.
Again it's all speculative though, after the combine we'll get a better idea who where players might fall.
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