NFL Off Season (Draft, FAs, coaching carousel)
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Stafford to Detroit then methinks.
Put's Denver in an awkward position methinks. They need a QB now but the draft picks they've got will probably be too late for Mark Sanchez.
I don't think Cutler is anything special myself. I do think he is good for the Bears. They have had no solid quarterback play for the last few years. Cutler will have a much better supporting cast than in Denver, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Cutler put up pretty good numbers, with a mediocre offense last year. Expect him to do the same, but now he has a defense that can actually stop somebody.
Bears may challenge for a wild card.
Cutler put up pretty good numbers, with a mediocre offense last year. Expect him to do the same, but now he has a defense that can actually stop somebody.
Bears may challenge for a wild card.
Jay Cutler might be a knobhead, lads, but he is a good player.
Denver were utter gash this past season on defense, don't forget. When the D held the opposition to 21 or less - hardly the Doomsday crew - he was 13 - 1.
This boy will make Chicago a far better team, and quite quickly.
Also, they're in a weak division. They may challange for home field throughout the playoffs...
Denver were utter gash this past season on defense, don't forget. When the D held the opposition to 21 or less - hardly the Doomsday crew - he was 13 - 1.
This boy will make Chicago a far better team, and quite quickly.
Also, they're in a weak division. They may challange for home field throughout the playoffs...
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York nightclub.
Burress' four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl XLII against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it also was dogged by fines and suspensions.
Papa: Giants consistent
NFL Network and Giants play-by-play host Bob Papa believes the Giants proved to be consistent in their decision to release wide receiver Plaxico Burress, but the move was still a surprise.
"I don’t think the Giants felt like Burress was doing all he could to get his life squared up. I think they were really offended by the fact that they couldn’t reach a financial agreement with him based on the grievance he has against the organization, even after they felt that they had made significant process with his agent on several occasions." More ... Burress' status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh on Nov. 29 with an unlicensed gun he'd stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3 1/2 years if he's convicted.
Burress' case was adjourned Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court on June 15.
Burress, who was suspended by the Giants for the final four weeks of the season for conduct detrimental to the team and fined after the shooting, also faces possible NFL sanctions for violating its personal-conduct policy.
The delay in ending the case in court earlier this week appeared to play a role in the Giants' decision.
"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision. "We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico.
"It wasn't to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise."
Burress hasn't spoken publicly about the shooting. His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, noting that he is a Giants fan, called the team's decision to release the wide receiver a huge mistake.
"He is a good man, a good football player, and I only hope that with the benefit of hindsight, the Giants don't ultimately regret this decision," Brafman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
Brafman said he hasn't spoken to Burress since the move was announced.
The decision to release Burress might lead the Giants to look for a deep-threat wide receiver in this month's draft. The only current Giant who might fill that role is Mario Manningham, a second-year pro who did little during an injury-plagued rookie season. Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon have shown the ability to be deep threats on occasion, but neither is as consistent as Burress at stretching a defense.
The Giants recently talked with the Cleveland Browns about a trade for veteran wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Those talks either might heat up again with the release of Burress, or New York might make discuss a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for Anquan Boldin, who was unhappy with the NFC champions late in the season.
Burress' Giants teammates had been supportive about his possible return.
"It's an unfortunate situation for everyone involved," two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "(I'm) not surprised. He is a tremendous talent, and you never want to let a guy like that go for nothing, but I think the uncertainty of the court forced their hand."
A little more than a week ago, Umenyiora predicted that Burress would reach a plea agreement and not receive jail time.
However, the prosecution's reported desire to require Burress serve some jail time as part of any deal seemingly ended his chances of playing for the Giants next season.
Burress, 31, caught 244 passes with the Giants, which places him 12th on the franchise's career list, one ahead of Earnest Gray and three behind Aaron Thomas. Burress had 3,681 receiving yards and caught 33 touchdown passes for the Giants.
The Giants lost four of their final five games after Burress was suspended and placed on the non-football injury list, meaning he also couldn't appear in the playoffs.
The Giants finished 12-5, losing at home in the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Plaxico's contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He displayed tremendous determination throughout that season. Having said that, I have always been as concerned about Plaxico as a man as I have been about him as a player, and my hope is that everything that has happened over the past several months represents a turning point.
Plaxico Burress, WR
Career Statistics
Receptions: 505
Yards: 7,845
Touchdowns: 55
"He is a young man with a family who has a whole lifetime ahead of him, and I personally wish him and his family well."
The Giants signed Burress to a five-year, $35 million contract extension in September. However, the team failed to pay Burress a $1 million signing bonus after the shooting, and the NFL Players Association filed a grievance on the player's behalf.
The grievance, which contests whether teams can withhold guaranteed salaries and bonus money from players because of off-the-field conduct, was heard earlier this week by a special master, Stephen Burbank, at the University of Pennsylvania law school. His ruling is expected within a week.
Burress had caught a pass in 115 consecutive games, including 56 with the Giants, until he was shut out at Arizona on Nov. 23, his last game before the shooting incident. Burress started but left that game after one series with a hamstring injury and didn't return.
Burress' 23 postseason catches with the Giants leave him fifth on the team's career list, and his 310 postseason yards place him third. He had 35 receptions for 454 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games last season.
Burress joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent in March 2005 after spending five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Burress' four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl XLII against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it also was dogged by fines and suspensions.
Papa: Giants consistent
NFL Network and Giants play-by-play host Bob Papa believes the Giants proved to be consistent in their decision to release wide receiver Plaxico Burress, but the move was still a surprise.
"I don’t think the Giants felt like Burress was doing all he could to get his life squared up. I think they were really offended by the fact that they couldn’t reach a financial agreement with him based on the grievance he has against the organization, even after they felt that they had made significant process with his agent on several occasions." More ... Burress' status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh on Nov. 29 with an unlicensed gun he'd stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3 1/2 years if he's convicted.
Burress' case was adjourned Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court on June 15.
Burress, who was suspended by the Giants for the final four weeks of the season for conduct detrimental to the team and fined after the shooting, also faces possible NFL sanctions for violating its personal-conduct policy.
The delay in ending the case in court earlier this week appeared to play a role in the Giants' decision.
"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision. "We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico.
"It wasn't to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise."
Burress hasn't spoken publicly about the shooting. His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, noting that he is a Giants fan, called the team's decision to release the wide receiver a huge mistake.
"He is a good man, a good football player, and I only hope that with the benefit of hindsight, the Giants don't ultimately regret this decision," Brafman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
Brafman said he hasn't spoken to Burress since the move was announced.
The decision to release Burress might lead the Giants to look for a deep-threat wide receiver in this month's draft. The only current Giant who might fill that role is Mario Manningham, a second-year pro who did little during an injury-plagued rookie season. Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon have shown the ability to be deep threats on occasion, but neither is as consistent as Burress at stretching a defense.
The Giants recently talked with the Cleveland Browns about a trade for veteran wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Those talks either might heat up again with the release of Burress, or New York might make discuss a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for Anquan Boldin, who was unhappy with the NFC champions late in the season.
Burress' Giants teammates had been supportive about his possible return.
"It's an unfortunate situation for everyone involved," two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "(I'm) not surprised. He is a tremendous talent, and you never want to let a guy like that go for nothing, but I think the uncertainty of the court forced their hand."
A little more than a week ago, Umenyiora predicted that Burress would reach a plea agreement and not receive jail time.
However, the prosecution's reported desire to require Burress serve some jail time as part of any deal seemingly ended his chances of playing for the Giants next season.
Burress, 31, caught 244 passes with the Giants, which places him 12th on the franchise's career list, one ahead of Earnest Gray and three behind Aaron Thomas. Burress had 3,681 receiving yards and caught 33 touchdown passes for the Giants.
The Giants lost four of their final five games after Burress was suspended and placed on the non-football injury list, meaning he also couldn't appear in the playoffs.
The Giants finished 12-5, losing at home in the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Plaxico's contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He displayed tremendous determination throughout that season. Having said that, I have always been as concerned about Plaxico as a man as I have been about him as a player, and my hope is that everything that has happened over the past several months represents a turning point.
Plaxico Burress, WR
Career Statistics
Receptions: 505
Yards: 7,845
Touchdowns: 55
"He is a young man with a family who has a whole lifetime ahead of him, and I personally wish him and his family well."
The Giants signed Burress to a five-year, $35 million contract extension in September. However, the team failed to pay Burress a $1 million signing bonus after the shooting, and the NFL Players Association filed a grievance on the player's behalf.
The grievance, which contests whether teams can withhold guaranteed salaries and bonus money from players because of off-the-field conduct, was heard earlier this week by a special master, Stephen Burbank, at the University of Pennsylvania law school. His ruling is expected within a week.
Burress had caught a pass in 115 consecutive games, including 56 with the Giants, until he was shut out at Arizona on Nov. 23, his last game before the shooting incident. Burress started but left that game after one series with a hamstring injury and didn't return.
Burress' 23 postseason catches with the Giants leave him fifth on the team's career list, and his 310 postseason yards place him third. He had 35 receptions for 454 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games last season.
Burress joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent in March 2005 after spending five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
What would possess you to look at a little new-born baby and say "I know, I think I'll call him Plaxico"? I don't care the reason behind it, it sounds like a window company or something.
By the way, Cutler, great deal for the Bears, you'll see how good he is now. For the Broncos, shit.
By the way, Cutler, great deal for the Bears, you'll see how good he is now. For the Broncos, shit.
John Madden has retired from broadcasting.
I know he said some really weird stuff during his time, but I always thought he was one of the best out there. The game has lost two legends recently in the booth with him & Summarall (sp) ...
I know he said some really weird stuff during his time, but I always thought he was one of the best out there. The game has lost two legends recently in the booth with him & Summarall (sp) ...
Too soon to tell, I may have to work Thanksgiving as we are open every day of the year. If off, for sure.
John Madden was the best announcer ever, the guy lived breathed ate and slept, the game.
John Madden was the best announcer ever, the guy lived breathed ate and slept, the game.
Speaking of which I hear you may be paying a visit soon?
We should be moved in by then.
i believe the week after Thanksgiving or the week before Dallas plays the Chargers, that is the game I am looking forward to. We are going to expose Rivers for the gutless coward he is.
i believe the week after Thanksgiving or the week before Dallas plays the Chargers, that is the game I am looking forward to. We are going to expose Rivers for the gutless coward he is.
Seems like (although they won't announce it officially) Stafford to the Lions is a done deal.
I think it's the right pick, though if there's one team that can get it wrong...
I think it's the right pick, though if there's one team that can get it wrong...
Falcons have got Tony Gonzalez for a 2nd round pick ...
I think this is a very good pick up for them. Gonzo isn't the player he was a few years back but he's still an imposing and most importantly, hungry for a super bowl, player. The Falcons are a very strong outfit and if they can repeat last year's regular season form and learn from their short playoff run, they could be a very interesting dark horse.
I think this is a very good pick up for them. Gonzo isn't the player he was a few years back but he's still an imposing and most importantly, hungry for a super bowl, player. The Falcons are a very strong outfit and if they can repeat last year's regular season form and learn from their short playoff run, they could be a very interesting dark horse.
Yes!!!
Matthew Stafford will be the Detroit Lions' No. 1 overall draft pick after agreeing Friday night to a six-year deal that NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports will pay the quarterback $41.7 million in guarantees and could be worth as much as $78 million.
Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, who both represent Stafford, confirmed the terms of the deal to The Associated Press.
Quarterback Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick in last year's draft, received a six-year, $72 million contract, with $34.75 million guaranteed, from the Atlanta Falcons.
Mock draft central
Now that Matthew Stafford has agreed to a deal to be the Lions' No. 1 pick, find out how all of NFL.com's experts think the rest of the first round will unfold by checking out their
mock drafts. More ... The Lions desperately need a quarterback to help turn around the NFL's first 0-16 team, which has had the worst eight-year stretch in the league since World War II, and is turning to Stafford after he was a starter in each of his three seasons at the University of Georgia.
The Lions will formally take Stafford with the No. 1 pick in the draft Saturday. They also will have more chances to rebuild their roster with the 20th overall selection, one second-round pick and two third-round selections.
Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said earlier in the week the chances were "very good" that an agreement would be reached with the No. 1 pick before the draft begins.
On the eve of the draft, the lucrative deal was done.
Stafford always seemed to be Plan A, but Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry and Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith apparently were backup options.
Stafford will not be able to fix all the problems associated with a franchise that has been bad enough to go 31-97 since 2001 in what has been the worst eight-year stretch by an NFL team since the Chicago Cardinals won 23 percent of their games from 1936 to 1943. But the Lions can't afford to draft another bust.
"Obviously, the draft is the biggest crap shoot there is," Stafford recently acknowledged.
George: It's the right move
Matthew Stafford, a cool and confident quarterback from the University of Georgia, gives the Lions something they have missed during their struggles, Thomas George writes. More ...
» Video: Lions coach Schwartz on Stafford
» Video: Film session with Stafford
» Video: Stafford's draft journey
» Video: Stafford's combine workout Recent No. 1 picks have proven that. Eight of the past 11 players taken first overall in the NFL have been quarterbacks, and half of them either haven't or didn't pan out for the teams that took them. For every Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer, guys such as Tim Couch and David Carr have shown there are no guarantees.
Stafford might have a chance to initially learn from the sidelines in Detroit, backing up veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
First-year Lions coach Jim Schwartz has said his staff extensively studied Stafford on film.
"We've seen every pass he's thrown in the last two years, and that's where you learn about his decision-making ability," Schwartz said last month.
The Lions also interviewed Stafford, attended his pro day at Georgia and had a private workout with him to learn more about him as a person. Apparently, they're convinced that Stafford is the man to be the face, voice and arm of perhaps the biggest rebuilding project in NFL history.
Just before Schwartz was hired in Detroit this offseason, he joked that it was about time to replace Bobby Layne, who starred at quarterback for the Lions when they were an NFL power in the 1950s. In a coincidence, Stafford and Layne both played at Highland Park High School in Dallas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Now a LT at #20 and a DT or MLB at #33 and we'll be getting there...
Matthew Stafford will be the Detroit Lions' No. 1 overall draft pick after agreeing Friday night to a six-year deal that NFL.com's Steve Wyche reports will pay the quarterback $41.7 million in guarantees and could be worth as much as $78 million.
Tom Condon and Ben Dogra, who both represent Stafford, confirmed the terms of the deal to The Associated Press.
Quarterback Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick in last year's draft, received a six-year, $72 million contract, with $34.75 million guaranteed, from the Atlanta Falcons.
Mock draft central
Now that Matthew Stafford has agreed to a deal to be the Lions' No. 1 pick, find out how all of NFL.com's experts think the rest of the first round will unfold by checking out their
mock drafts. More ... The Lions desperately need a quarterback to help turn around the NFL's first 0-16 team, which has had the worst eight-year stretch in the league since World War II, and is turning to Stafford after he was a starter in each of his three seasons at the University of Georgia.
The Lions will formally take Stafford with the No. 1 pick in the draft Saturday. They also will have more chances to rebuild their roster with the 20th overall selection, one second-round pick and two third-round selections.
Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said earlier in the week the chances were "very good" that an agreement would be reached with the No. 1 pick before the draft begins.
On the eve of the draft, the lucrative deal was done.
Stafford always seemed to be Plan A, but Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry and Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith apparently were backup options.
Stafford will not be able to fix all the problems associated with a franchise that has been bad enough to go 31-97 since 2001 in what has been the worst eight-year stretch by an NFL team since the Chicago Cardinals won 23 percent of their games from 1936 to 1943. But the Lions can't afford to draft another bust.
"Obviously, the draft is the biggest crap shoot there is," Stafford recently acknowledged.
George: It's the right move
Matthew Stafford, a cool and confident quarterback from the University of Georgia, gives the Lions something they have missed during their struggles, Thomas George writes. More ...
» Video: Lions coach Schwartz on Stafford
» Video: Film session with Stafford
» Video: Stafford's draft journey
» Video: Stafford's combine workout Recent No. 1 picks have proven that. Eight of the past 11 players taken first overall in the NFL have been quarterbacks, and half of them either haven't or didn't pan out for the teams that took them. For every Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer, guys such as Tim Couch and David Carr have shown there are no guarantees.
Stafford might have a chance to initially learn from the sidelines in Detroit, backing up veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
First-year Lions coach Jim Schwartz has said his staff extensively studied Stafford on film.
"We've seen every pass he's thrown in the last two years, and that's where you learn about his decision-making ability," Schwartz said last month.
The Lions also interviewed Stafford, attended his pro day at Georgia and had a private workout with him to learn more about him as a person. Apparently, they're convinced that Stafford is the man to be the face, voice and arm of perhaps the biggest rebuilding project in NFL history.
Just before Schwartz was hired in Detroit this offseason, he joked that it was about time to replace Bobby Layne, who starred at quarterback for the Lions when they were an NFL power in the 1950s. In a coincidence, Stafford and Layne both played at Highland Park High School in Dallas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Now a LT at #20 and a DT or MLB at #33 and we'll be getting there...
Today
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=30752.msg852374#msg852374 date=1240647733]
When is the draft.
[/quote]
starts in an hour or so ... 3 rounds today, 4 tomorrow.
When is the draft.
[/quote]
starts in an hour or so ... 3 rounds today, 4 tomorrow.
Just been e-mailed this from the Lions store trying to get me to buy one...
Yet they don't have it in my size 😉
Yet they don't have it in my size 😉
LT with #20 pick.
Another OL, or MLB/DT with #33 pick.
*prays*
Another OL, or MLB/DT with #33 pick.
*prays*
http://public.wmv.mobitv.com/wm44-320
if anyone wants to watch it (it used to be on nasn, why did they stop it?)
if anyone wants to watch it (it used to be on nasn, why did they stop it?)
news to make my favorite cowboys hater happy:
Jets trade up and take Mark Sanchez at #5
Cost them 3 players and their top 2 picks.
Cost them 3 players and their top 2 picks.
Poor Whad ... The Raiduhs go for a WR with their pick ... and he's not even one of the top 3 rated in the country ... Yikes, Raider fans need a new GM more so than us!
Crabtree doesn't look too pleased.
[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=30752.msg853269#msg853269 date=1240693752]
Crabtree doesn't look too pleased.
[/quote]
it's all ego ... he may pull a 'Moss' and take it as motivation the rest of his career to embarrass the Raiders.
Moss wanted to go to the 'Boys, I think we drafted Greg Ellis in the 1st round that year - ever since then, he destroyed us.
Crabtree doesn't look too pleased.
[/quote]
it's all ego ... he may pull a 'Moss' and take it as motivation the rest of his career to embarrass the Raiders.
Moss wanted to go to the 'Boys, I think we drafted Greg Ellis in the 1st round that year - ever since then, he destroyed us.
