NFL - Random Opinions

DENVER BRONCOS

Question 1 - Are the Broncos still a good enough team to win it all with the right quarterback?

Question 2 - Does that make Denver the best landing spot available for Kirk Cousins?

In my opinion, these two questions go hand in hand as I'm sure John Elway would rather nail down the position for the next 5 season with a competent passer that could put them back in the Super bowl conversation immediately.

The Broncos are in a situation where they could make the numbers work but ultimately the decision will probably come down to where Kirk believes he can win.

I believe Denver will be high on that list and with Jimmy G heading to San Fran to be their answer at quarterback the market for Cousins will be an interesting one to track.

If I had to pick just one place to bet on Kirk landing, right now, I'm going with Denver.

 

I'd have to look it up again, but from my quick notes I believe the Ravens would only be on the hook for $4mil if they traded Flacco post June 1st this off-season.

EDIT:
If he is cut or traded post June 1st it would be
$12,750,000 dead cap
$12,000,000 savings

I think the original $4mil number I have scribbled down would be what the Ravens would owe over his contract for a pre-June 1st cut (additional money lost).

 

Actually, I think you're about right. The 4M might go to 2019 if he's a post June 1st cut (I didn't consider post June release). Main problem is keeping that full cap hit on the books until June while also adding a replacement's cap hit also.

 

That would be difficult to navigate. I'm not sure how the NFL handles potential handshake agreements or if the possibility exists to have something on paper that works around calendar dates.

 

Eating $12M? You might want a bottle (or two) of tequila to help wash that stack down the ol' gullet.

 

DETROIT LIONS

Matthew Stafford will be 30 years old for the 2018 season. He is one of the top 10 passers in the NFL and is the face of the Detroit Lions...

and he has never won a playoff game...

and he has only played in three playoff games in his 9 year career.

Right now the Lions are 6-5 and still have a chance to be in the playoffs. If Detroit fails to make it into the post-season or they slip in and go one and done again, should Caldwell be on the hot seat?

This is a bit tougher of a situation to gauge. Continuity may be the best course for Detroit but the type of growth that the Lions should be showing just isn't evident enough to warrant a ton of confidence in Caldwell moving forward.

Right now, I think Caldwell should be given another season no matter how this one ends.

But for the love of all things football, get Stafford a running back that the offense can rely on in critical situations. Spend a first round pick on a back and just fix it damn it!

 

They do it, I think. The whole "player x and team x have come to a mutual agreement" talk. But I doubt any player is going to wait from March to June on a verbal agreement that could be rescinded at any time (let's say someone better or cheaper becomes available for trade). That happens and the player loses out on the big dollars they could have gotten in March

 

DENVER BRONCOS

Question 1 - Are the Broncos still a good enough team to win it all with the right quarterback?

Question 2 - Does that make Denver the best landing spot available for Kirk Cousins?

If I had to pick just one place to bet on Kirk landing, right now, I'm going with Denver.[/QUOTE]
^^^THIS^^^ makes the most sense.

 

DETROIT LIONS
I like the history of Detroit Lions football. Billy Sims... Barry Sanders. Ironically, Detroit currently lacks that #1RB. It would be cool to see Detroit play in the Super Bowl. I'm not sure if this is the incarnation that can do it. They are just historically inconsistent. Its almost "Clevelandesque". When the offense is booming, the defense holds them back. When the defense if up, the offense tanks. Strange.

 

GREEN BAY PACKERS

How important is a franchise quarterback?

Just ask any Packers fan how much they enjoy watching Hundley instead of Rodgers on Sundays.

Green Bay's season went down the drain the moment that Aaron busted his shoulder. I know that Brett played well against the Steelers this past week but I believe that to be more of an outcome bent on circumstance than I believe that to be the arc for his future success and failures to be judged upon. Hundley may develop into a true starter but he has a lot of work to do before that happens.

The NFL has made such an issue of protecting the quarterback that it's to a point where some fans believe it's simply too much of a disruption to the natural flow of the game. Sometimes, I agree with this sentiment but the broader picture bears out just how much it destroys the season when one of the leagues stars goes down to injury.

Injuries will always be a part of the game, but trying to protect the most important players on the field may be something that continually grows in relevancy until the game is decidedly a different product than what we all grew up watching and loving.

As for the Packers, I'm sure any rule that would better protect Aaron Rodgers would be immediately accepted and praised.

As for the rest of us...


Maybe not so much.

 

HOUSTON TEXANS

Should the Texans continue to start Tom Savage in an effort to lose?

Yep, I'm talking the 'T' word, and that 't' don't stand for Texans...

I'm not an advocate for throwing in the towel, but without a first or second round pick, plenty of holes to fill and a potential franchise quarterback coming back to start the 2018 season, what is there to be gained by moving down in the third round?

To be sure, no one likes to lose and staying high in the third may not end up being worth much.

But how about this scenario - the Texans remain high enough in the third to snag a quarterback that happens to slip out of the second?

Would drafting another quarterback early as possible in 2018 be the way to go?

A torn ACL, Tom Savage and T.J. Yates all say - yes, definitely a yes.

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

With Andrew Luck's future in question it looks like the possibility of Jacoby Brissett being their long term answer at quarterback could be a reality...

and I'm good with that.

A lot of people have commented on the sacks Jacoby has taken, especially in this last loss to the Titans, but coming off of a concussion I am willing to cut him a bit of slack.

Brissett has shown the ability to play at a starters level as a pro. I tabbed him as a potential starter prior to the draft and felt like his best situation would be to get a couple years of bench time to develop some nuance to his game. Right now, it appears that Jacoby may get a chance to continue to learn on the job for at least this season.

But, what if Luck doesn't come back to start 2018?

The way Luck's contract is set up could make it possible for the Colts to move on from Andrew if his rehabilitation continues to stall or if his simply not cleared medically to play in 2018. It does open up the door for Indy to potentially look to move on from Luck if they are weary of his return and want to get back a chunk of cap space.

That brings it back to Brissett and whether or not they believe he can be the future if needed.

I've read Colts fans that have complained to the point of wearing their fingerprints off that Jacoby is the problem and not the answer.

I disagree, and to the furthest extent possible.

 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

There's a comic out there somewhere that used to do a skit where he walked around the stage like a hunter calling out, "SHOE SALE!..... DISCOUNT SCARVES!..... FREE PEDICURES!..... " in the hopes of landing a date.

Right now, I'm imaging Tom Coughlin walking in circles around his office desk with his head turned towards the heavens, "CRANBERRY MUFFINS!..... FRESH COFFEE!..... ECO WATCHES!..... " in the hopes of landing a certain quarterback from New York.

Coughlin would love to ship out Bortles and bring in a competent veteran to make up a new version of Brunell, Smith and Taylor. Having Robinson, Fournette and Eli would be just that.

Eli would probably jump all over that situation as he wouldn't have to be the focal point of the offense. The ground game is there, the defense is there, all they need is a quarterback to get them over the hump.

If I were a betting man, and it just so happens I am from time to time, I would place my money on the name 'Manning' being across the back of a Jaguars jersey.

 

GREEN BAY PACKERS
To win right now, Green Bay needs Aaron Rodgers right now. Hundley is not a shabby QB, so future-wise, they're not in a hard place. He played pretty well vs Pittsburgh. A reliable RB would be good for the Packers. Their defense is giving up 24 pts per game and without a big gun to mitigate that, plus the competition in the NFC, this season is pretty much lost. And we don't need another "tuck rule" or some other feeble HQ mandate to further "protect" a quarterback.

 

Unless something happens before then I see Carson Palmer starting the season as #1 in his final season with the team. I think they are leaning that way with Fitz back for possibly his final year.

 

HOUSTON TEXANS
I say play to win. Its good for the soul. It creates a much more positive team vibe. Your veterans will see it and will want to stay. Let Cleveland or NY Giants lead the tank brigade. Tom Savage had a decent game vs arguably a really good Ravens defense. Without the 2 INTs, Savage and the Texans had a chance to win that one. You have Watson in your pocket, no worries. Build team morale with what you got left.

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Unfortunately, luck is running out on Luck (was momentarily confused where to capitalize there). I like Oliver's kid and wanted him to have a great NFL career, but I don't see him coming back from this injury. It seems really bad for Luck. Indy, though, has Jacoby Brissett (I wanted Pittsburgh to trade for him when he was in New England) and that is good for the Colts. Indianapolis needs help in a lot of places, but the QB situation is under control. The OL is shambles and the defense (27 pts/g) is even more terrible in every possible way. Those two areas are where Indy should be looking in the upcoming draft.

 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
I wanted Bortles to be that "underdog" that made it. He looks really good some days, but mostly, he doesn't. I can see Eli going to J'ville. Anything is better than the NY Giants at this point... even that Rust Belt town in northern Ohio. This move really makes sense (for Eli/the Jags) and win or lose, its a good football story.

 

Half the league's #1 QBs will be safe to start next year. All the rest are in danger of losing their job, could be injured or are walking away from the team. Normally I would leave Ben off the list as I would be shocked if he retires this year but if he wins the Super Bowl he could walk away on top. And well one of them already is happening this week with the 49ers.

AFC
East
Bills: Tyrod Taylor
Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill
Jets: Josh McCown

North
Browns: DeShone Kizer
Bengals: Andy Dalton
Ravens: Joe Flacco
Steelers: Ben Roesthlisberger

South
Colts: Andrew Luck
Jaguars: Blake Bortles

West
Broncos: Paxton Siemian
Chiefs: Alex Smith


NFC
East
Giants: Eli Manning
Redskins: Kirk Cousins

North
Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater

West
Cardinals: Carson Palmer
49ers: Not Jimmy G

 

Why is Jimmy G not the man in SF?