NFL - NEWS & NOTES

I didn't think you were, and I understand where you are looking at it from.

Basically, you want to protect against losing Sam and guarantee having him on the roster for next season.

Completely reasonable, and I'm not trying to convince anyone otherwise.

I'm just viewing it from the viewpoint of having a set dollar amount for what you want to spend on Sam, likely less than that transition tag would cost, and being comfortable with him on another roster in 2025. The transition tag would put him right between Carr and Mayfield on a per year, and that's solid for a one-year trade off, IMO.

Multiple seasons at that price? Well, that makes me a little uncomfortable.

The franchise tag gets him into Josh Allen/Matt Stafford territory. That's a rugged pill to swallow.

The Vikings are in the position of likely wanting to retain Sam but not for the kind of deal he will try to command, coupled with a high first round pick that they probably want to have as the starter in 2025. This may put the dollar amount they are willing to place on Darnold at somewhere near $30mil, which would be above Geno Smith money but under the transition tag. I can't see them wanting to pay Baker money when, best case scenario, he would be the backup for the majority of a multiyear deal.

If Darnold can somehow get himself a bidding war with the Giants and Raiders (I think the Titans may be taking one at the top), that would be the only way he finds himself with a better one-year dollar amount than the transition tag, IMO.

 

Enjoyed this dialog between Tim and Joe about Sam, I still dont know what in Sam hell they should do. Maybe just sign Daniel Jones... he'd be cheaper than Darnold and ready to go in case of JJ not being quite ready for prime time.

 

That's an interesting angle.

Without much thought into it - You might be able to sell me on this idea.

I'm wondering what the market for Daniel is going to look like.

Reclamation projects are something that coaches love, so he might end up with a little bit of heat from certain circles.

 

It may turn into a crap shoot. Darnold's tag might be around 40 or 42 million, a multi-year deal with an option after 1 or two years might be better, but if Jones is cheaper, they might have a Darnold part 2 sitting right under their nose.

Once again, im perplexed, lol.

 

A lot of good back and forth..

My personal opinion dives right to the bottom and the final sentence of the final quote... $35M, imho, is the upper threshold of Darnold's worth, I don't think more than a couple of GMs will be willing to go above $30M, let alone enter into the $40M stratosphere. We are just disagreeing on what I believe the league will value him at after his decline the final few games of the year and ultimately, his poor play to lose out on a) division title b) #1 seed of the NFC c) a bye, then home game advantage throughout the playoffs... Leading to... a dismal exit in the Wild Card round. Point blank, he isn't a $30M a year guy... someone will still be willing to pay him $35, just because this is the NFL. I don't believe there will be a $40M market. Personally, if the Vikings used the transition tag, I think that would be the end of it for this year. If someone did try to sneak in a $36M 1-2 year contract, Minnesota could match it.

I don't see this as disrespect in any way.. Darnold must know his market value, if he is transitioned, he will find it out rather quickly... either he is, or he isn't worth more than $35M. that would be true whether he was a free agent or transitioned.

 

An interesting scenario.

I'm reminded of the fabled "QB reset" button. As legend goes once that button gets pressed GM's(anywhere outside Indy heh) are then on a ticking clock. Judgements will be made based on this QB pick and jobs are often kept/lost based on when the button is pressed and how the selection panned out. With exceptions of course, the theory goes that GMs will often delay committing to this button as long as possible unless they're in a position to make a large move they really love then they'll take their chances.

The button for Daniel Jones wasn't pushed by Shoen or Dabol, they inherited him. But the Giants HC/GM are now formally on the hotseat. The button must be pressed this offseason and it will, in order for the two to buy themselves time if nothing else(this is often a primary motivator) the question is who it will be.

I totally agree the Giants will draft a QB. I find it hard to believe Darnold would be part of that calculation, it feels like they will play it safe and go QB 1st round. But the scenario you lay out would tick multiple boxes. It would press the button while also buying time. Only risk to them(besides eval) would be the question of did they take things serious enough by going this way. A trade down for extra assets would help their case for sure.

 

This tracks similar with my basic take on most personnel strategy for GMs/HCs being built around protecting their job. They look to get as much guaranteed time to prove they are the right choice for it, which typically manifests in drafting a passer at some point to try and lock in at least two full seasons with that rookie. It's obvious at the tail end of a bad situation when these guys reach for a passer that should probably be left for someone else to take a shot on later in the draft.

They would also need to be able to sell the front office on the idea that neither of the passers at the top are going to be franchise changing assets. It would remove them from ownership wanting to force themselves into the top 2 picks and possibly shield them from harm for at least a full season.

The only way that angle would blow up on them is if Sanders or Ward were to come into the league and start ripping shit up on day one.

That would bring us back to the evals.

I know you posed the question to me first, but do you have a solid opinion on Ward or Sanders that you could share?

 

Rams’ Jared Verse: I hate Eagles fans, they’re so annoying

Rams linebacker Jared Verse isn’t afraid to incur the wrath of Eagles fans ahead of Sunday’s game in Philadelphia.

Verse, who grew up in Pennsylvania, told the Los Angeles Times that he has always despised fans of the Eagles.

“I hate Eagles fans,” Verse said. “They’re so annoying. I hate Eagles fans. . . . When I see that green and white I hate it. I actually get upset. Like I actually genuinely get hot.”

Verse said that when the Rams played the Eagles in Los Angeles in the regular season, he could hear the many Eagles fans in the stands at SoFi Stadium screaming obscenities at him.

“I didn’t even do nothing to ‘em,” he said. “It was my first time playing. Oh, I hate Eagles fans.”

If Verse thought the Eagles fans were rude to him at a Rams home game, that’s nothing compared to what he’s in for on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

PFT
________
__________________

This made me laugh. I wonder if there will be snowballs available in Philly... chances of Verse getting plunked upside his head are very high.

 

The NFL will play its first-ever game in Spain during the 2025 season and they announced the designated home team for that contest on Friday.

The Dolphins will be in Madrid for the game, which will be played at Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The stadium is the home of the famed Real Madrid soccer club, but other details like the date of the game and the Dolphins’ opponents will be announced at a later date.

“We are thrilled to play the NFL’s inaugural game in Spain, a country of rich history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fanbase,” Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a statement. “There is a hunger for football in this market, and we are proud to join with the NFL in growing the game internationally while engaging with old and new fans alike. With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe this is only the beginning for us in this incredible region and we look forward to bringing the excitement and community of Dolphins football to Spain in 2025 and beyond.”

The NFL will be playing five games in Europe during the 2025 season. The Jaguars, Jets, and Browns will be “home” teams in London while the Colts will be the designated hosts of the league’s first Berlin game.
______
______________

Goodell is also pushing for an 18 game regular season, with 2 preseason games. This needs approved by the NFLPA.

 

Matthew Stafford has experienced it. The rest of the Rams have not.

In 2013, Stafford’s Lions and Eagles played a snow game in Philadelphia. Based on the current forecast, Stafford’s Rams will play a snow game in Philadelphia.

As of now, temperatures will be dropping through the day from an overnight high of 36. The snow will be the strongest before and during the game. The total prediction is four to five inches.

The shifting forecast was a topic for Stafford and others who spoke to reporters on Thursday. And Stafford was typically low key about the growing possibility that snow and cold will be a factor.

“We’ll see when we get there,” Stafford said. “Every weather situation I’ve been a part of is kind of different. You go out there and see what you can do and what you can’t do. I’m sure that Sunday will be no different.”

“I haven’t played in a true snow game,” receiver Cooper Kupp said. “I played at Eastern Washington. We played in very cold games, but never anything with actual snow on the ground. We’ll see what ends up happening, but you just handle it. You handle whatever it’s going to be. A couple weeks ago we were watching the old famous snow game that Matthew played in and [Lions receiver] Calvin [Johnson Jr.] was hyperventilating with the snow. I was telling Matthew that’d be so cool. That’s such a unique thing to play in. All the games and all the stuff that goes into it comes down to who wants it or who’s going to find a way to get it done. That’d be cool. Who knows what’s going to happen. I’m excited whatever the conditions are. I know we’ll handle it the right way.”
For receiver Puka Nacua, snow will be a new thing, too.

“I can’t really think of how it’s going to affect me,” Nacua said. “We have the ability to wear your seven stud cleats out there. We’re going to be prepared in the ways that we can. It’s exciting. I think the game of football is meant to be played physically. I think that’s what Sunday will permit.”

The worst conditions he’s seen came just last month, in New Jersey against the Jets.

“Honestly, I don’t think I had feeling in my feet until halftime,” he said. “We went in for halftime and I was like, ‘Oh, there are my toes.’ I felt like I was running on four by fours the whole game. That one was pretty cool. Maybe some in youth football back in Utah where we played in a little bit of snow. They have the heat warmers and stuff that they were putting their seven studs in. We’ll be ready to run the ball and do whatever needs [to be done] to win.”

Coach Sean McVay has been monitoring the situation, and he’s confident the team will be ready.

“The weather [forecast] has changed in the last couple of days,” McVay said. “We’ll see what it is, but we are aware of that. I think the biggest thing is just being mindful of, if the surface is affected, that our cleats aren’t an issue. That’s a big part of it. [Senior director of equipment] Brendan Burger does a great job with that. Matthew has had experience handling that ball. I know this, if it does snow or if it does rain, we have to be mindful of what we need to do to adjust and adapt, but there’s no way it can be as cold as it was at the Jets game.”
From; PFT

 

Ravens list WR Zay Flowers (knee) as doubtful vs. Bills

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens did not rule out Zay Flowers for Sunday's divisional playoff game at the Buffalo Bills, listing him as doubtful even though the Pro Bowl wide receiver did not practice all week.

"I think he'll have a chance," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after Friday's practice.

Flowers hasn't practiced since injuring his right knee during Baltimore's regular-season finale on Jan. 4 against the Cleveland Browns. He was the only Ravens player who did not participate in Friday's practice.

But Flowers is making progress. He held a workout before Friday's practice where he did some running while wearing a brace. The Ravens later posted part of that workout on their social media, which is something the team doesn't typically do.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said it would be a "huge challenge" if Flowers can't play.

"He is a guy that has been with us all season long [and has] been making things happen for us," Jackson said, "What he brings to the game -- we're going to miss that. But we have guys who are locked in and are ready to step up to the plate for us."

In his second season, Flowers led Baltimore with 74 receptions and 1,059 receiving yards. With Flowers sidelined in the wild-card round, Jackson completed 16-of-21 passes (76.1%) for 175 yards passing and two touchdowns in a 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson spread the ball around, completing multiple passes to five different players.

If Flowers can't play, it will mark the first time that he will miss consecutive games.

"Hopefully, Zay will be able to go, but if not, we have a lot of really good players," Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. "We're fortunate. We have a lot of really good players, and we anticipate them playing well."

ESPN

 

Rams TE Tyler Higbee has no injury designation

Eagles Dallas Goedert returns to practice, good to go Sunday

 

May see 2 blowouts... I wouldnt be surprised.

 

yeah.. the Texans and Redskins are really good this year.

 

Joe Mixon is good to go later today.

 

No problem, but as i say pretty much every year, i am not the informed opinion when it comes to college football. I just don't get to watch enough of it over here and its why i tend to read more than comment re this.

From the little i've seen and the things ive read tho it feels like this has the potential to be a very weak QB class, at least re the 1st round. Its why i liked your Giants take so much. A still top10, blue chip player + an extra 2nd rounder + taking an QB in the 2nd where there will prob be better value, just ticks so many boxes. The concerning part about all that for me would be Darnold tbh, i think he needs a good roster around him, i'd worry about him on that Giants O.


On that note, never got round to chipping in but i think a really good dark horse team(pun intended) for Darnold would be the Colts. Ballard must surely have to provide at least serious competition for Richardson and there's exactly the kind of support on the Offense that would help Darnold thrive like he did in Minny. A strong OL, a really good back, drop off at WR but there's enough to work with. And a weak division. Anyway its an idea.

 

This is an interesting angle.

I think the obvious issue would be that the management team and coaching staff would be admitting (in ownership's eyes) they fucked up taking AR. This could create a falling window that would slam on someone's knuckles if Sam were to struggle, because he would likely only sign with the Colts if he were a) getting legit starter's money, and b) getting the first team reps in camp and the preseason.

That would also put Richardson in a situation of entering year 3 with less than one year's worth of game experience.

Now, here's where I think your idea may hold more weight than what some might think at first glance - Ballard is on record saying Anthony needs to change his entire approach to game prep.

Ballard: "Sometimes with your kids -- and look, he's a young man -- but you expect them to do things and they don't do them. 'Clean your room.' 'OK.' And they don't do it," general manager Chris Ballard said. "He was voted by his team a captain, but he wasn't doing the things consistently that need to be done.
"That's part of the learning. That's part of the growth and learning. Do you wish they all came in here and were perfect pros from the get go? Of course you do, but that's not the case. And we have to help him grow."

Having a guy like Sam come in on a 2- or 3-year deal and forcing Richardson to work to earn the spot may not be a bad approach.

 

KC 6 Houston 0 Will Anderson is country strong

 

That was an entertaining 1st quarter for a field goal game.

 

In my opinion, about 6 or 7 teams (maybe 8 if you throw in the Vikings), should seriously consider Darnold for various reasons according to whom the team is. I think the Raiders, Giants, Browns, Titans, Colts, Seahawks, Vikings and the Rams ought to do their due diligence in 2 or 3 year offers to get Darnold. This in and of itself, might create a more lucrative deal for Darnold, pending on the GM's desperation and really create some interesting moves in the upcoming draft.