NFL - NEWS & NOTES

If thats what it takes to get stafford no one can afford rodgers

 

Lions new GM, Brad Holmes had a bunch to do with this, he drafted Goff when with the Rams. Apparently, Holmes feels Goff still has 'it' and can really help the Lions. At the same time the Rams just wanted out from Goff and his guaranteed contract. Im guessing the Rams feel Stafford is actually a better QB, hence all the draft picks given up.

 

I’m guessing that the Rams were smoking crack when they made the decision.

 

The Rams have been the epitome of All-In on a SuperBowl since they appeared in one last. This move just further makes that point.
If they think that Stafford increases their chances of winning one by even 5 percent, that’s all the motivation they need (I’m guessing they see him as at least a 10% increase on likelihood of winning).

My guess is the ransom in return was slightly inflated due to Goff’s contract. Maybe one of those 1’s would have been another 3rd rounder instead if his contract wasn’t so bloated

 

My main point of disagreement would be that this view only holds that trade value in the bubble of LA/DET without taking into account other suitors.

I would be willing to put a little cash up that more than one other team was willing to give up a pair of firsts for Stafford, and that those picks would have included at least a first in 2021 instead of everything being pushed to the future.

The kicker here is Goff. No one else could offer a pair of ones plus extras that would be enough of an offset to replace the need for a starting quarterback in motor city.

The Lions get the majority of picks they would have gotten else where, although they have to wait a year on that return, plus an immediate starter at passer.

 

I may not have stated it, but I agree.
The starting QB in return obviously helps.
But in this case the contract that comes with him doesn’t.

Supposedly it was reported last night that Washington made a “better offer”. What that was I’m not sure.

Of note is that the guy in charge in Detroit now was part of the collective that drafted Goff to begin with. Possible he believes they can turn him around based on what he’s seen in past. The consensus in media and internet chatter seems to largely be that Goff is done, but I don’t think all the front office guys in the league believe that

 

Yeah, I’m not buying it either. I think it’s far more likely that the young head coach that found instant success, and has shown a bit too much hubris, is probably more of an issue with the stalled growth of Goff than what some want to entertain.

We also don’t know how willing Goff is to rework that deal knowing he could get additional years/security by differing some cash to a later date.

The Lions made out pretty good here considering they were making this move primarily based on doing a solid for a veteran player that has been on that roller coaster for to long.

 

I don't buy that last part. It was just mutual once Detroit figured out their playoff appearance all the way back in 2017 was a fluke and they were getting worse with an aging asset.

Most people on the inside know that Stafford is great. Hopefully for the Rams it wasn't too late. The average guy doesn't know shit because it's the Lions.

 

Also who feels that the Rams are desensitized to the value of a 1st round pick since they've never had one since they gave up a ton for Goff?

 

LoL
If I had the job safe to say this situation never happens. 3 dynasty leagues and I have NEVER not had my first heading into the rookie drafts. That’s where you build perennial threats.

 

If Stafford doesn't request a trade (doesn't want to go through another regime change) what would be the incentive to move on from him?

Considering they just took on Goff's contract in the trade it definitely wasn't about money.

There's no certainty that they will be replacing Matt with the draft pick they have available, or that another team will be willing to trade down and let them take another passer they desired (highly unlikely). And, I think most people would quickly agree that Goff is not an upgrade over Stafford.

There's really no impetus to make this move unless you believe Stafford is done as a starting quarterback (still only 32) or that you are guaranteed to select the heir apparent in the draft (after Lawrence...).

From the outside looking in, this simply appears to be a team that decided to consider a player's wish to move on, before and during the interview process for a new staff, while accepting the idea that they are going to be rebuilding once again.

 

Just viewing this trade straight up, there's no other way to see it but horrific value for the Rams. Its so laughably bad its almost O' Brien territory. Yes, they are in total win now mode and this is commitment, and i agree they're aiming to improve their win chances by 10% potentially. But fuck what a lot to pay.

The real key to this thing is Goff though. The Rams have basically traded for Stafford and then had to pay them to take Goff lol. That is a measure of how bad his contract is. And its a very important lesson to others, not least the Browns. Tread carefully.

 

So I believe every team in the league has like a Cap Management expert, or someone who helps them look into the accounting of future years. At least if the GM requests it.

It seems the Rams might just have one of the worst in the business. You go from how quickly they had to fix the situation with Todd Gurley’s contract from the time they signed it, to now the situation with Goff. They apparently don’t know how to think beyond six months financially. It is a fairly good measure of incompetence, especially considering how well they’ve done other things it’s quite glaring in my opinion.

 

Stafford isn't great nor has he ever been. He's a good QB who brings a lot of experience and who will quite probably look very good playing for the Rams. But great, no way.

Can't be great when you've been to as many pro bowls as Mitch Trubisky despite having nearly a decade longer in the league. Or with ONE season with a rating of 100+. Speaking of rating, Stafford ranked 14th in the league last season. Yes he's better than that, but he's no more than a low end top10 QB imo.


And also, given what we've heard about offers for Stafford, i can only imagine what Watson's price just became. If it was 3 1st round picks before this is it now 4??

 

I wouldn’t argue he’s an upgrade, but in any given healthy season, I’m not so sure he’s much of a step down either. His contract is probably about where it should be considering where QB contracts are now and heading over the next few years.

 

I do not believe they think he is done. I believe that they think that with 2 years left on his deal that unless they want to Franchise him they are going to have to ship him while there is value. Goff can be cut after next year and it would be just like they kept Stafford except they can get assets for him now with a chance to try Goff out or trade him again. The Lions were in no position to be great in the next 2 yeats and they would have been screwed with losing Stafford or paying a lot with the team likely still going nowhere.

 

I'm not disagreeing with the possibility of any of that premise (with the caveat that they still could have viewed him as the face of the franchise until he no longer was), but the discussion of trading Stafford started with Matt approaching the front office and requesting it.

It proceeded by the front office including that option in interview discussions for the coaching staff, and ultimately Matt sat in on the final discussions, had his opinion heard throughout and signed off on being traded to the Rams.

 

Couple side notes -

The Packers are adamant that Rodgers is not on the block.

The Colts may not be in the quarterback trade market at all. The decision may have already been made that they will be going into 2021 with Jacob Eason as the starter.

J.J. Watt could end up next to his brothers in a Steelers uniform. There's a rumor floating that he is willing to take a significant pay cut (immediate extension) in year one to make it happen.

And the last one - There's discussion that Jimmy Garoppolo could end up back in a Patriots uniform. The 49ers would have to be willing to take less than what they gave to get him but seeing Jimmy G takeover for the Patriots after all of the discussion about Bill wanting to keep him and move on from Tom would make for some interesting press.

 

Rumor mill continues to crank out noise -

@Willie , the 49ers may have made an offer for Kirk Cousins that Minnesota finds agreeable.

 

Just saw a 'trending' thing on Twitter...



Probably mostly hot air for now, but damn, i gotta think about this and keep an eye out. If the Vikings were to get Jimmy G, would he be an upgrade over Cousins in your opinion @Tim ?

Cousins has a very good passer rating over the last few years... good amount of TD's to INT ratio also. But, I suppose Spielman will weigh all the possibility's, but getting out from that horrific Cousins contract might be the catalist that makes this happen.