NFL Discussion Thread

[Appels]

Discuss all the NFL goings ons and stuff here, and even rant.rave about the sport!

[Tails]

Well I managed to find the NFL schedules for each team on NFL.com so here they are if anyone wants to take a look.

http://www.nfl.com/schedules/teams

[OMEN]

Thanks for posting this EDIT: TAILS it should be an interesting season for the Raiders as this is the first one of Art Shells return to the team.With Aaron Brooks as the new starting QB and the changes we have made on defense i hope we finally get a winning season,Starting at San Diego....

[Appels]

Being a San Diego fan, Im kind of unhappy with our poor schedule again this year. Another tough schedule for us, facing the two Superbowl teams, and the 2 worst teams. I guess it could be like last years tough schedule we had. , anyways, Rivers will have a disapointing season and we will miss the playoffs.

Question: Is Philip Rivers good enough to start in San Diego? and lead them to the Playoffs?

[digitalv]

Question: Is Philip Rivers good enough to start in San Diego? and lead them to the Playoffs?

Answer: Yes

Rivers is a pretty smart player, just needs the experience. Should have gotten plenty last year and will struggle, but its all for the good. He can't lose his job though, who they going to give it to, AJ Feeley? HA!

[digitalv]

Texans exchange proposals with Bush, Williams

In a move that further ratchets up their public stance of indecision over the first pick in the NFL draft, the Houston Texans on Friday exchanged contract proposals with the agents for Southern California tailback Reggie Bush and North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, ESPN.com learned through multiple league sources.

Because they own the first choice, the Texans are free to speak with any of the prospects and to conduct simultaneous negotiations. The aim of the Texans, it appears, is to have an agreement in place before the start of the April 29 draft.

Houston general manager Charley Casserly said earlier this week that the Texans would likely not settle on a top pick until next week. Like most teams, the Texans are deep into their draft evaluation meetings, which will continue this weekend. The choice, Casserly all but acknowledged this week, comes down to Bush or Williams, but the consensus in the league is that the Texans will choose the former Trojans star.

The Texans have yet to receive any firm offers from other teams trying to trade up to the top spot. Certainly they have the right, and ability, to financially leverage Bush and Williams against each other by negotiating with both at the same time and to strike a deal most advantageous to the team.

The events of Friday, at least with Bush, followed a Thursday evening discussion in which the two sides broached contract parameters for the first time. None of the sources contacted on Friday had knowledge of any of the financial details of the proposals exchanged earlier in the day. Bush said Thursday that rumors he was seeking $30 million in guarantees were erroneous and reiterated at the time that no numbers had been discussed.

It is not known when parameters were first suggested to Ben Dogra, the agent for Williams, a dominating pass rusher who is regarded as the premier defensive player in the talent pool.

Bush's agent, Joel Segal, told ESPN.com last week that "it would be the ultimate for both sides" to have an agreement in place before the draft begins. It does not appear, sources said, that an agreement is imminent with either player based on the Friday discussions.

Even with the recently approved extension to the collective bargaining agreement, there are still several restrictions that will call for creativity from the Texans and whoever is the first choice in the draft.

In the last 10 drafts, the top overall choice has reached a contract agreement before the start of the lottery on three occasions. Houston agreed with the top choice in the 2002 draft, quarterback David Carr, before the draft commenced. The other No. 1 overall selections who had deals in place before the draft began were Tim Couch of Cleveland in 1999 and Carson Palmer of Cincinnati in 2003.

ESPN.com

[Matthinho]

If you guys had the first round pick, who would you chose first out of:

Vince Young
Matt Leinhart
Reggie Bush
Mario Williams

? I'd pick Vince Young because he has all the tools to be a good Quarterback.

[digitalv]

If you guys had the first round pick, who would you chose first out of:

Vince Young
Matt Leinhart
Reggie Bush
Mario Williams

? I'd pick Vince Young because he has all the tools to be a good Quarterback.

Really all depends on what you really need. I can't say take Reggie Bush if you already have a proven veteran, likewise with QB's or DE's. Each player has aspects to their game that are better than some and some weaknesses.

Bush-Phenominal athlete, but can he carry a full NFL workload by himself?
Leinhart-Very smart QB, somewhat struggles with the long ball.
Young-Another great athlete, but until he can take snaps from under center and rely on a RB to help him out rather than running out of the pocket all the time I just don't like him as my QB.
Williams-Gets compared to Peppers all the time, which means he has many tools to be a good DE. However, takes some plays off and doesn't work hard on some as well. Needs attitude adjustment and will be a stud.

I would personally take either Bush or Mario. Just all depends if my team needs a RB more or D help. In terms of the Texans and them drafting Mario, they did the right move and address the main problem they had last season.

[digitalv]

Marcus Vick agrees to deal with Dolphins

MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins saw enough potential in Marcus Vick -- both on- and off-the-field -- to believe he deserves a chance as a free agent.

Vick, the brother of Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick, signed with the Dolphins on Monday, agreeing to a free-agent deal after his many problems at Virginia Tech cost him a chance to be selected in the NFL draft.

"As an organization, we did an enormous amount of research, including consulting with professionals in detailed, in-depth analysis to feel comfortable that giving Marcus an opportunity as a free agent is a risk worth taking," Dolphins coach Nick Saban said in a statement released by the team.

"I want to make it very clear that we will not condone any behavior issues in the future relative to Marcus Vick. Marcus acknowledges that he has made some mistakes, all of which has resulted in severe consequences for him. They have helped him learn that he will need to make much better choices and decisions in the future or risk similar consequences that could jeopardize his career as a professional player."

"As an organization, we did an enormous amount of research, including consulting with professionals in detailed, in-depth analysis to feel comfortable that giving Marcus an opportunity as a free agent is a risk worth taking."
-- Dolphins coach Nick Saban

Vick, who participated in a three-day mini-camp with the Dolphins earlier this month, completed 177 of 289 passes for 2,393 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, leading Virginia Tech to an 11-2 record and berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game in 2005.

But his career with the Hokies included many transgressions. He made an obscene gesture to fans during a game at West Virginia, and stomped on Louisville player Elvis Dumervil's leg during the Gator Bowl.

Vick was suspended by Virginia Tech for the 2004 season because of legal problems, then was eventually dismissed from the team after being stopped for speeding and driving with a revoked or suspended license.

The Dolphins are listing Vick as a "wide receiver-quarterback-specialist," clearly indicating that he could be tried in a number of roles.

During the recent mini-camp, Vick spent at least one practice session at wide receiver, and probably isn't being looked at as a serious quarterback candidate -- not with newcomers Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington now at that position.

Miami signed three other free agents Monday: tight end Keith Heinrich, linebacker Keith Newman and cornerback Michael Lehan.

Heinrich was on Cleveland's injured reserve list for the entire 2005 season with a knee injury and has played in 18 games since being drafted by Carolina in 2002.

Newman has played with Buffalo, Atlanta and Minnesota in seven seasons, starting 76 of 92 games and recording 407 tackles, 23 sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and seven forced fumbles.

Lehan, like Vick, attended the rookie minicamp this month on a tryout basis. He spent the last three seasons with the Browns and made 32 appearances, including four starts.

Associated Press via ESPN.com

[F4L]

Good move by the Phins, gives them depth, he could develop into something good maybe, never know...

Additional Comment:
here's my prediction for next year's NFL Playoffs, seed order

NFC:
1-4 Divison Winners, 5-6 Wild Card
1. New York Giants
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Chicago Bears
4. St. Louis Rams
5. Washington Redskins
6. Dallas Cowboys

No seahawks you may say, can anyone say Superbowl SLump and no Steve Hutchinson, Jurevicious, poor Defense will cost them, and alexander will tail off since he got his $$$...

AFC:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. New England Patriots
5. Cincinati Bengals
6. Denver Broncos

AFC very tough, J'ville, San Diego, Miami, Cleveland could all make a run at the playoffs too