The 2012 Off Season Thread

[Deebz]

Because the only thing as good as the NFL season is the NFL off season, and for 30/32 teams it's already started.

Key dates:

23-28/1 - Senior Bowl
20/2-5/3 - Franchise Tags can be applied to free agent players
22/2-28/2 - NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis
Feb & Mar - pro-day workouts at individual colleges
13/3 - Free Agency begins at 4pm
25/3-28/3 - NFL Owners Meetings
April - early OTA's begin
26/4-28/4 - 77th NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting (the draft :P)
May & Jun - more OTA's and rookie camps
mid/late Jul - open of training camps and the pre-season

[Deebz]

And we begin with the worst news of the NFL off season ...

Roger Goodell Gets 5-Year Contract Extension Good into 2019 | Bleacher Report

Le sigh. Seven more years.

[Indie]

What's this?

[drd23]

And we begin with the worst news of the NFL off season ...

Roger Goodell Gets 5-Year Contract Extension Good into 2019 | Bleacher Report

Le sigh. Seven more years.

I thought you were smarter than that

[Deebz]

I know it's Bleacher Report but they're linking to an actual piece of news, not a made up slideshow presented as fact. :P

[drd23]

It wasnt the Bleacher Report part I was referring to...

[Deebz]

What then?

You're pro-Goodell?

[drd23]

No, but I'm not anti-Goodell either.

For the most part, he does what he is supposed to do quite well. He is certainly not the worst NFL commissioner like some people would have you believe.

Probably the biggest think he cops flak for, the rules, is something he has little to no control over. The rules are made up by the competition committee (made up of coaches and GMs) and then voted on by the owners. Goodell doesnt really have an input. Its much the same with fines and suspensions. There is a separate committee that deals with them, although Goodell does have some input there iirc.

[r Kerrigan_DE]

Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli said Thursday that they want Matt Cassel to face some competition for the starting quarterback job.

"What happens in free agency remains to be seen," Crennel said, the Kansas City Star reported. "I know competition makes everybody better, and we’ll just have to see what kind of competition we’re going to have at the quarterback position."

Pioli was even more blunt. "We’ve been saying it for three years, and I’m going to continue to say it, because it’s a core part of our philosophy: There will be increased competition at every position, including the quarterback position," the GM said. "Who that is, I don’t know. Maybe it’s Kyle (Orton), maybe it’s another free agent, maybe it’s a draft choice, I don’t know.

"Very few people can perform at an extremely high level without competition."

Right now only Cassel and Ricky Stanzi are under contract.

Kyle Orton was Kansas City's starter when the Chiefs won two of their last three games. Orton is an unrestricted free agent.

"Kyle did a good job in those three games, and you can’t take that away," Crennel said. "I wouldn’t be sitting here if he didn’t do the job he did."

The coach also mentioned that he has interviewed quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders for the vacant offensive coordinator’s job, adding that he might interview another candidate or two

should ditch Cassel and keep Orton, he is much better. and also keep Stanzi as the back up/project QB. Orton is no star but I thought played pretty well in his stint as a Chief.

[r Kerrigan_DE]

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers believes his backup, Matt Flynn, might go to Miami to play for his old offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin, whom the Dolphins hired last week as coach.

"I think it's a strong possibility that they (the Dolphins) would make a run at him," Rodgers told ESPN Radio in Milwaukee, saying he had talked with his backup in the last few days.

"I think it kind of makes sense," Rodgers said. "Joe in that system, which I'm sure is going to be very similar to this system, and Matt having a great grasp of that and playing well in his recent opportunities. I think it would kind of make sense to bring Matt out there."

The Dolphins used Chad Henne and Matt Moore at quarterback this season, finishing 6-10.

Rodgers also mentioned the Seattle Seahawks as a possible landing spot for Flynn, since that team's general manager knows the quarterback from his time in Green Bay's front office.

"John Schneider knows Matt, and he's pulling some strings up there with them," Rodgers said. "I think that would be an opportunity for him up there. Those are probably, in my opinion, the two top dogs that would go after him."

The Seahawks started Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback this season, with Charlie Whitehurst as the backup.

With the Packers intent on resting Rodgers for the playoffs, Flynn received his chance to start in the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. The four-year veteran from LSU played spectacularly, completing 31 of 44 passes for 480 yards and a Packers-record six touchdowns. That performance figures to make Flynn one of the most sought-after players on the market if, as expected, he becomes an unrestricted free agent in March.

Rodgers also had kind words for his quarterbacks coach, Tom Clements, a possible successor to Philbin as Green Bay's offensive coordinator.

"I'm feeling a little selfish when it comes to Tom," Rodgers said. "I have a real good relationship with him. It's been a real good six years together. I want to keep it going.

"I think Tom deserves to take a jump, though. I think it would be a seamless transition to have him as the offensive coordinator in Green Bay as Joe has moved on now."

wouldn't mind this move as it allows us to target our pass rush which is our other big weakness. the only problem i have is that i cant see him ever being elite. while he looks like a decent qb, it would be great for once in our history to have a star QB. Dolphins still gotta be the favourites as im sure he'd be keen to continue working with Philbin.

[Deebz]

I'm actually looking forward to the combine this year, just to see what sort of 40 time RG3 runs. He's an Olympic class hurdler ffs.

[drd23]

I'm actually looking forward to the combine this year, just to see what sort of 40 time RG3 runs. He's an Olympic class hurdler ffs.

Was. Just like Jeff Demps was a potential Olympic class 100m sprinter.

The extra weight (in muscle) they put on for football means that they wouldn't be able to run an Olympic class time in their current shape. (fwiw Demps is trimming down down for the Olympic qualifiers but might still be running the 40 at the combine, so the combine 40yd dash record might get broken)

[ER20]

Ricky Williams has retired, a week after saying that he'd be returning. Still, he was great for us this season when utilised and should be congratulated for his 10,000 rushing yards.

Probably look to FA for a backup, although we do have Anthony Allen in the wings.

[r Kerrigan_DE]

Thats a shame, thought he played well as a back up for Rice. thought he could have gone another year considering how close the Ravens are to a Super Bowl. best of luck

[Deebz]

Who knows with Ricky Williams, he might change his mind and come back as training camp looms. It's not like he hasn't done this before.