NFL: News and transactions

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
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I mean, he was much much better in '21 than he was in '20 when he was disastrous, & the Colts basically downgraded from a 1st to a 2nd in terms of trade compensation received.

Which doesn't make this a bad trade for them, but I can't imagine the demand for Wentz would be significantly worse this year than last year, so I think they definitely overpaid to begin with.
I agree the Colts overpaid a year ago, but Wentz is a depreciating asset. He is a year further removed from that stellar 2017 season, and while his 2021 performance probably exceeded median expectations, some upside is gone — there’s less to dream on now that he spent a year in a good situation and was just mediocre, losing the confidence of his coach along the way. Whereas Indy acquired Wentz thinking he might be the long-term solution, Washington is acquiring him knowing he isn’t.
 

JM3

often quoted
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Dec 14, 2019
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I agree the Colts overpaid a year ago, but Wentz is a depreciating asset. He is a year further removed from that stellar 2017 season, and while his 2021 performance probably exceeded median expectations, some upside is gone — there’s less to dream on now that he spent a year in a good situation and was just mediocre, losing the confidence of his coach along the way. Whereas Indy acquired Wentz thinking he might be the long-term solution, Washington is acquiring him knowing he isn’t.
Yeah, I think we're generally on the same page.

Side note: Are we sure Frank Reich is a good coach?
 

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
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Yeah, I think we're generally on the same page.

Side note: Are we sure Frank Reich is a good coach?
I mean, are you ever sure? I think his ability to achieve slightly above-average results with below-average QB talent is indicative of good coaching. I’m also a believer that O-line play at the NFL level can be coached up more than play at other positions can, so I’m especially inclined to give Reich and his staff credit for that.
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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I mean, are you ever sure? I think his ability to achieve slightly above-average results with below-average QB talent is indicative of good coaching. I’m also a believer that O-line play at the NFL level can be coached up more than play at other positions can, so I’m especially inclined to give Reich and his staff credit for that.
I feel very confident that Chris Ballard is a really good GM. I don't feel amazing about Reich, despite his reputation.

It's interesting that in 5 seasons he'll have had 5 different primary QBs.

2018 - Andrew Luck

Team went 10-6. Luck had an average season for him & then retired.

Beat the Texans 21-7 in Wild Card round before losing 31-13 to the Chiefs.

2019 - Jacoby Brissett

Team went 7-9, 7-8 in games Brissett started. Jacoby had a very similar statistical season to his 2017 year albeit slightly better & much less sacks).

2020 - Philip Rivers

11-5. Rivers had an average year for him & then retired.

Lost 27-24 to Bills in the 1st round.

Reich was panned for inconsistent playcalling & potentially leaving 10 points on the field.

2021 - Carson Wentz

9-8. Wentz had an average year for him. Blew a game against the Jaguars in Week 18 they didn't even show up for, keeping them out of the playoffs.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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Flowers should be cheap I assume? Only 300 snaps each of the last 2 years and his production tanked last year.
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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I wonder if Jared Goff was available. I think I would rather trade for him than Wentz & the Lions should be happy to get something for him.
 

JohnnyK

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May 8, 2007
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Mack is 31 and missed 10 games last season.
On the other hand, last season might've been a fluke since he barely missed any games due to injury before that, and at least his PFF grades (yes, I know) for the previous seasons were always around 90.
his total pressures declined in his last healthy season, so that's at least a little bit worrisome.

He is also very expensive cap-wise for the Chargers, 18 million this year and 23 million the next two years as he has large base salaries and roster bonuses.

I still like the trade for them, they have to cap space to risk it and the price in terms of picks seems reasonable
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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I think Matt Ryan, behind the Colts' offensive line, could be a Top 5 or Top 6 QB next year.

I also don't know how the Falcons can possibly afford to trade Ryan to anyone.
If they are truly ready to rebuild, even though they'd be eating $40m of dead money, they'd still be saving $8.1m this year by trading him.

They already have $20m of dead Julio money on the cap, & next year is a good QB draft. If they plan on rebuilding soon, I don't see why it's not doable.

Colts 2nd this year + '23 1st + whatever else. Cheap players/late round picks this year to fill out roster.

Obviously it would be bad for this season, but I think they are too hamstrung to be particularly competitive this season without just kicking this can down the road & making it even worse in the future.
 

Jungleland

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Aug 2, 2009
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Ryan on the Colts would be interesting. At this point, might as well make the AFC NFC qb talent divide even more hilarious.
 

BigJimEd

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Jan 4, 2002
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If they are truly ready to rebuild, even though they'd be eating $40m of dead money, they'd still be saving $8.1m this year by trading him.

They already have $20m of dead Julio money on the cap, & next year is a good QB draft. If they plan on rebuilding soon, I don't see why it's not doable.

Colts 2nd this year + '23 1st + whatever else. Cheap players/late round picks this year to fill out roster.

Obviously it would be bad for this season, but I think they are too hamstrung to be particularly competitive this season without just kicking this can down the road & making it even worse in the future.
Yeah, certainly doable from a cap situation if the Falcons are willing to punt on the season. Ryan has a 7.5M roster bonus due on the 19th so any move would likely be before then.
 

JM3

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Dec 14, 2019
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With Brady done, the NFC South quarterback situation is so bad, the Falcons may well think that they can win the division before blowing everything up. That's why I think they won't trade Ryan.
There were only 4 teams with a worse point differential than the Falcons (-146) last year:

Jets, Giants, Jaguars & Texans.

Even the 3-13-1 Lions had a better pd.

They have minimal cap room & minimal path to improvement. I think they are kidding themselves if they think they are winning anything this year. No matter how bad their division may be.

Of course, I thought they should blow it up last year, so I may be irrationally high on blowing up the Falcons, but they were my 2nd favorite team growing up & I only want to break them up out of love.
 

snowmanny

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Dec 8, 2005
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JM3’s argument is more convincing but I do get the idea that as long as you think you have the best QB in the division you think you have a chance. Carolina, TB and NO don’t have much right now, though I suspect someone will get a decent starter.
 

JM3

often quoted
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Dec 14, 2019
14,292
JM3’s argument is more convincing but I do get the idea that as long as you think you have the best QB in the division you think you have a chance. Carolina, TB and NO don’t have much right now, though I suspect someone will get a decent starter.
Yeah - I mean the issue is the Saints & Panthers already had awful QB situations last year & were still better than the Falcons last year (Panthers only in pd not in record), & the Bucs would probably still be favored over the Falcons with Blaine Gabbert at QB.

But teams can talk themselves into anything. & moving on from a franchise cornerstone is never easy.
 

Awesome Fossum

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Jul 20, 2005
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Dozens of accusers and they couldn't even get an indictment? Is this surprising, or have network television dramas lied to me about the difficulty of securing an indictment?
 

Cellar-Door

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Aug 1, 2006
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Dozens of accusers and they couldn't even get an indictment? Is this surprising, or have network television dramas lied to me about the difficulty of securing an indictment?
Sexual Assault is harder to prove than most crimes, but also.....
getting an indictment depends a lot on how much the DA wants to get one, versus wanting to seem like they tried.
So this could be one of two things:
1. Not a ton of evidence to work with
2. The old "police brutality" playbook of putting together a grand jury then tanking it so you can tell the voters you tried but not piss off rich and or politically powerful people.
 

soxhop411

news aggravator
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Dec 4, 2009
46,278
Wow. Fuck you Schefter. What truth came out? He truly is an NFL employee.
that's a copy paste from the agent's email, he's an equal opportunity groveler
Here comes the attempt at a cleanup
This was a poorly worded tweet that deserves a proper response. It was intended to provide insight into the strategy of Watson’s legal team from its POV. I should have been clearer. As legal experts have explained, a lack of an indictment alone does not mean someone is innocent.
View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1502431088458842119
 

Seels

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Jul 20, 2005
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Blocked him years ago. I'll find the news elsewhere. He's terrible, and even the most charitable look is that he's a grimey water carrier for owners.