WR's are to the Patriots what CM's are to Man Utd.
NFL Thread 2014-2015
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss three 1-1 draws.
The first got us knocked out of the FA Cup, the next puts us in a good position in our Round of 16 Europa League game, and the latest was an actual decent performance against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
All hopes for the season now rest on the Europa League - does Amorim have the squad to win it?
Sam was a borderline player because of his physical attributes but I'm sure the old, often bigoted GMs didn't like that he's gay either. SI did a survey of them and a number said they didn't feel the NFL locker room was ready for it, despite the vast majority of players not caring. If he hadn't been drafted, it would have been a PR disaster for the NFL. Regardless of his talent and ability, the story wouldn't have been about that as the reason he wasn't drafted.
It would have been really interesting if Sam were a first/second round talent who had come out.
It would have been really interesting if Sam were a first/second round talent who had come out.
Jeremy Gallon is awesome though.
Pats also signed undrafted FA Justin Jones, a 6' 8" TE from East Carolina and a couple of other undrafted guys.
Wow. You have a link to this?
Thanks. The NFL draft process is more intricate than I previously thought.
I think Bortles sits in 2014 then assumes the role in 2015. Unless he lights it up in camp/preseason.
I was thinking he'd be a better fit in a 3-4 where he could be a potential pass rush specialist at OLB, ala Kevin Greene and Broderick Thomas.
That '64 class for Dallas - wow. And imagine if they had drafted Warfield along with Hayes. They may have won a few more conference championships and Super Bowls. Rhome went on to be a legendary offensive mind in the coaching ranks. Only that great Steelers draft class surpasses it, IMO.
Had Jerry & Jimmy not wasted a supplement first round pick on Walsh in 1989, they would have been in line to draft Kennedy in 1990. They would have drafted two HOFers in the 1990 first round (Smith). But that would have then altered the 1991 draft. However, I would take Kennedy over Maryland any day of the week and twice on gameday. Or, they may not have acquired Casillas in 1991 and still have gone for Maryland or retained Pritchett.
That said, they did trade Walsh early in the 1990 season for a 1st and 3rd in 1991, and a 2nd in 1992 (the 2nd would be upgraded to a 1st based on performance).
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Some football history for those interested. SI doing a feature for the 95th year of the NFL focusing on 95 objects that tell the story of the NFL.
http://mmqb.si.com/column/nfl-95/
It will be updated on a weekly basis over the next few months.
http://mmqb.si.com/column/nfl-95/
It will be updated on a weekly basis over the next few months.
Reading that article, I think it came out right after his announcement, doesn't come off as bad as you are suggesting. The only GM quoted , but not named, is a FORMER GM, so he is not even currently employed.
Initially he was rated as a 3rd or 4th rounder. Then had what many called a poor combine workout, something that will hurt any players draft status. he was rated as too small to play DE in the NFL and to slow to play LB. His pre-draft rankings were all over the place anywhere from teh 12th best DE to the 25th.
7th round does seem a bit of a large drop though. I still expected him to go in the 5th or 6th round. I would not doubt that his being openly gay played a part in the drop.
The article is right that the team that drafted him is going to have to deal with a lot of publicity. Not a bad thing, because in this case most of it will be good publicity. But it can be a distraction in that every press conference the coaching staff gives from now on will include questions about Michael Stam, far more than any other player on the team. A team he is unlikely to earn a starting spot on. He will get attention far beyond any other player drafted so late.
Worst case for St Louis would for Stam to be a total bust and they have to cut him before the season starts. Even if it is a 100% football decision, the questions in many people mind will be "Was he cut because he was gay?"
Read someplace else that of all the players drafted his was the 2nd biggest selling shirt, after Johnny Football. Not sure if that is true or not.
Everybody's third favourite NFL murderer has been indicted on a double homicide charge from 2012, adding to the 2013 one he's currently awaiting trial for
Ray Lewis?
Ray Lewis didn't kill anyone thoNot recently, no.
nah, he's just being charged as an accomplice to Jerry Jones
Accessory to shiteness.
Mr. Allen West loves to use patriotism and military to push his agenda. Strangely, Mr. West didn't even bring this up until after the "kiss" incident, and well after Villanueva signed a free agent rookie contract. Surely, Mr. West should have been campaigning for Villanueva weeks leading up to the draft, am I right? Ah, but then he couldn't attack the gay man's kiss and stir up the supporting base. http://allenbwest.com/2014/05/sams-kiss-brave-villanuevas-bronze-star-now-thats-brave/
Whitlock shares his thoughts on the $am show. I'm not a fan of Whitlock but he does make interesting points here. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10937109/michael-sam-needs-send-message-making-roster-nfl
It's now being reported the "documentary series" (i.e. reality series) is off/postponed. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10944070/michael-sam-documentary-oprah-winfrey-network-postponed
Whitlock shares his thoughts on the $am show. I'm not a fan of Whitlock but he does make interesting points here. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10937109/michael-sam-needs-send-message-making-roster-nfl
It's now being reported the "documentary series" (i.e. reality series) is off/postponed. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10944070/michael-sam-documentary-oprah-winfrey-network-postponed
If they do make the documentary, its selfish on his part. He's just gonna harm future gay players prospects if teams think that they're gonna get a media circus (for a 7th round pick!!!). Even Manziel has shut up since the draft.
Peyton Manning arrested for drug offences in Tennessee. Did not see that one coming.
Since Peyton Manning burst onto the scene as a star athlete, there are many people who named their children after the Broncos quarterback. Sports Illustrated pointed that out in its Sportsman of the Year piece on Manning last year.
It doesn't always turn out that well.
In Nashville, an 18-year-old woman named Peyton Manning was arrested in a drug bust on Sunday, according to WKRN-TV. So was Kenneth Sowards, the station said, but that didn't draw any headlines because there are no "Kenneth Sowards" among the top 5 most famous athletes in North America. This Peyton Manning, the 18-year old who was arrested in the drug bust, happened to share the name with the NFL's only five-time MVP.
The woman's name probably isn't coincidental, considering she was in Nashville and about 18 years ago Manning was entering his junior season with the Tennessee Volunteers.
According to WRKN-TV (with a h/t to Yardbarker for the story), Manning and Sowards were pulled over and police noticed the smell of marijuana from the car. WKRN said according to an affidavit, two plastic baggies were found with a white powdery substance inside, and that substance field tested positive as cocaine. Police then found 44 grams of marijuana, a digital scale and a pill crusher, the story said. Since the incident happened with 1,000 feet of a church, both Manning and Sowards have felony charges for possessing drugs in a drug-free zone, too.
It also came with a lot more attention than usual because of her recognizable name.
Since Peyton Manning burst onto the scene as a star athlete, there are many people who named their children after the Broncos quarterback. Sports Illustrated pointed that out in its Sportsman of the Year piece on Manning last year.
It doesn't always turn out that well.
In Nashville, an 18-year-old woman named Peyton Manning was arrested in a drug bust on Sunday, according to WKRN-TV. So was Kenneth Sowards, the station said, but that didn't draw any headlines because there are no "Kenneth Sowards" among the top 5 most famous athletes in North America. This Peyton Manning, the 18-year old who was arrested in the drug bust, happened to share the name with the NFL's only five-time MVP.
The woman's name probably isn't coincidental, considering she was in Nashville and about 18 years ago Manning was entering his junior season with the Tennessee Volunteers.
According to WRKN-TV (with a h/t to Yardbarker for the story), Manning and Sowards were pulled over and police noticed the smell of marijuana from the car. WKRN said according to an affidavit, two plastic baggies were found with a white powdery substance inside, and that substance field tested positive as cocaine. Police then found 44 grams of marijuana, a digital scale and a pill crusher, the story said. Since the incident happened with 1,000 feet of a church, both Manning and Sowards have felony charges for possessing drugs in a drug-free zone, too.
It also came with a lot more attention than usual because of her recognizable name.
I imagine a few Broncos fans in the states had a brief moment of shock, possibly a few had heart attacks.
Their new signing, TJ Ward, has a warrant out for his arrest for an incident in a bar.
Their new signing, TJ Ward, has a warrant out for his arrest for an incident in a bar.
This season would have been so much fun.....
@AdamSchefter: Colin Kaepernick and 49ers reached agreement on 6-year extension worth over $100 million tying him to team through 2020, per sources. Colin Kaeprnick's 6-year deal is worth $110+ million, per sources. Heavy guarantees, too. Record guarantees.
That's a lot.
I love it. For the other teams.
I wonder what Wilson is gna get next year?
Happy that we have signed up Kap for the long term. Huge contract, but I think he has the potential to justify it.
He still needs to develop his reads and his progressions, but he still has a higher ceiling than almost any other QB, in my opinion. He has taken the Niners to the SB and to 2 NFC title games in 3 years - not too shabby.
The additions at WR will hopefully make a huge difference - we started last season with Crabtree injured and Boldin as the only proven receiver. This year with have a healthy Crabtree, Boldin back, a year's more development from Patton (who was also injured for part of last year and looks extremely promising), plus the additions of Stevie Johnson, Brandon Lloyd and the rookie Bruce Ellington. That is more depth at WR than we have had for years.
My biggest hope is that our OC Greg Roman also develops and calls better games offensively. We have perhaps the most talent-laden roster in the NFL - now he has to find ways to utilise it.
He still needs to develop his reads and his progressions, but he still has a higher ceiling than almost any other QB, in my opinion. He has taken the Niners to the SB and to 2 NFC title games in 3 years - not too shabby.
The additions at WR will hopefully make a huge difference - we started last season with Crabtree injured and Boldin as the only proven receiver. This year with have a healthy Crabtree, Boldin back, a year's more development from Patton (who was also injured for part of last year and looks extremely promising), plus the additions of Stevie Johnson, Brandon Lloyd and the rookie Bruce Ellington. That is more depth at WR than we have had for years.
My biggest hope is that our OC Greg Roman also develops and calls better games offensively. We have perhaps the most talent-laden roster in the NFL - now he has to find ways to utilise it.
Just saw that EA have released the first image from Madden 15 - Kap finally gets to have his tattoos in the game:
Can't wait to get this - will be getting the PS4 at the same time for it.
Can't wait to get this - will be getting the PS4 at the same time for it.
Just saw that EA have released the first image from Madden 15 - Kap finally gets to have his tattoos in the game:
Can't wait to get this - will be getting the PS4 at the same time for it.
How much of that is bullshot? Still, should be immense.
Apparently (!) that is from in-game. One of the mods on the site I saw that on said they had seen in-game footage. From the responses, it seemed as though people trusted him.
Still won't believe it until I see for myself - also its not a view you ever use in-game, so not too bothered by that! But happy they have made him look more like the real thing.
Yeah, afterwards I was thinking, I'll never actually see a scene like that anyway, 
Just found this tread. I always forget to check the Other Sports thread. As a Packers fan I'm very much looking forward to the coming season!
Also, that screen shot of NFL15 is surely too good to be true, not sure if anyone played NFL25 but it's not great visually. Hopefully this time EA are taking advantage of the consoles.
Also, that screen shot of NFL15 is surely too good to be true, not sure if anyone played NFL25 but it's not great visually. Hopefully this time EA are taking advantage of the consoles.
It seems as though the first Madden on a new platform is never all that impressive - the second one they release usually starts to look much improved.
Saying that, the image above is a huge jump forward if it is really in-game...but happy to wait and see on that one!
How do you think your Packers are going to fare this year?
The game isn’t bad but it doesn’t look all that great and isn’t really a jump up in the sense that NBA 2K14 was, even though that had its problems.
As for the Packers, well I’m hoping very well! NFC North is going to be competitive this season with both the Lions and Bears seemingly stronger but I think the Packers are in a strong position of their own. I was happy with the draft picks, especially the first round pick of Clinton Dix. He can hopefully earn a starting spot and produce in a area we were so bad at last season. The other players picked can all contribute and talk of the practices that Devante Adams is looking really good and could compete for the 3rd receiver spot
The one big thing is injuries. I’m not sure what it is but the Packers always seem to have more injuries than most and we’ve got quite a few players coming back off the back of bad/serious injuries. If the key players on defence can stay fit and do a job, which to be better than they were last season, then I think the offence with Rodgers is always possible to win you games. A few question marks still, TE being one with the Finley situation. I’d really like to see Finley back if he’s cleared. I worry it won’t happen though as if he does come back he’ll be demanding big money as he has a $10million insurance policy. Tough decision for him.
@AdamSchefter: Colin Kaepernick and 49ers reached agreement on 6-year extension worth over $100 million tying him to team through 2020, per sources. Colin Kaeprnick's 6-year deal is worth $110+ million, per sources. Heavy guarantees, too. Record guarantees.
Type of deal that eats up a lot of cap space.
Apparently it doesn't when you break down the numbers - we won't know all the detail yet, but reports are is that it is not as dominating a contract as it may first appear:
http://www.ninersnation.com/2014/6/...t-extension-includes-12-million-signing-bonus
And:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...s-agrees-six-year-deal-worth-more-110-million
The deal ties Kaepernick to the 49ers through the 2020 season and puts him among the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. His signing bonus will be $12 million, sources told Schefter, unique in that most big contracts for quarterbacks are in the range of $24 million to $40 million. Kaepernick was scheduled to make $1.073 million this season.
When signing the contract, Kaepernick specifically requested that it allow the 49ers the flexibility to negotiate extensions with other players such as wide receiver Michael Crabtree. According to one source, Kaepernick specifically asked, "So this structure gives us room to try extensions with my teammates, right?" He was told yes.
Also, Adam Schefter tweeted that "Colin Kaepernick specifically requested his deal allow 49ers flexibility to negotiate extensions with players such as WR Michael Crabtree."
Another article on the contract:
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2014/06/04/for-starters-kaepernicks-deal-reportedly-team-friendly/
As the details of Kaepernick’s contract are trickling out, however, it’s becoming clear what he meant about the 49ers being able to sign other players, at least in the short-term.
Kaepernick’s deal includes a modest $12 million signing bonus, which will be pro-rated over the life of the contract, and actually lowers his 2014 base salary from $973,766 to $645,000, CBS’ Jason La Canfora reported. As a result, Kaepernick, the $100 million-plus man, will have a no-big-deal $3 million cap number this season.
As for future seasons? The salary cap is expected to continue rising after it jumped from $123 to $133 million this season, but the 49ers will eventually have to make some hard decisions because of their substantial investment in Kaepernick.
In the short-term, however, the structure of his contract could be good news for Crabtree and/or Iupati, or two unhappy-with-their-contract campers: tight end Vernon Davis right guard Alex Boone.
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2014/06/04/for-starters-kaepernicks-deal-reportedly-team-friendly/
As the details of Kaepernick’s contract are trickling out, however, it’s becoming clear what he meant about the 49ers being able to sign other players, at least in the short-term.
Kaepernick’s deal includes a modest $12 million signing bonus, which will be pro-rated over the life of the contract, and actually lowers his 2014 base salary from $973,766 to $645,000, CBS’ Jason La Canfora reported. As a result, Kaepernick, the $100 million-plus man, will have a no-big-deal $3 million cap number this season.
As for future seasons? The salary cap is expected to continue rising after it jumped from $123 to $133 million this season, but the 49ers will eventually have to make some hard decisions because of their substantial investment in Kaepernick.
In the short-term, however, the structure of his contract could be good news for Crabtree and/or Iupati, or two unhappy-with-their-contract campers: tight end Vernon Davis right guard Alex Boone.