NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Are you ever going to answer the question? I said I believed the Center market will remain stagnant based on what we've seen over the last 5 years. You said that was a "ridiculous assumption". Yes or no, is that how you feel? Is it a "ridiculous assumption" to believe that?

The cap has been rising at unprecedented rates but the average salary for the top center hasn't risen along with it:

2011: Salary Cap 120M - Ryan Kalil 8.2M per season
2012: Salary Cap 120M - Ryan Kalil 8.2M per season*
*Max Unger signs for 4yrs, 26M (6.5M per season)
2013: Salary Cap 123M - Ryan Kalil 8.2M per season
2014: Salary Cap 133M - Maukice Pouncey 8.8M per season
2015: Salary Cap 143M - Mike Pouncey 8.95M per season*
*Rodney Hudson signed earlier for 5yrs, 44M (8.90M)
2016: Salary Cap 155M - Travis Frederick 9.1M per season*
*Alex Mack signed earlier for 5yrs, 45M (9.0M) per season

The cap raised 13M from '11-'14 and the top center received 600k more per season.
The cap raised 10M in 2015 and the top center received 100k and then 150k more per season.
The cap raised 12M in 2016 and the top center received 50k and then 100k more per season.

In the last two seasons the cap rose by 23M per team. In that same time period 4 of the best centers in the league signed new deals that only rose by 100k, 150k, 200k, 250k per season.

If you go back to my original post you will see that I mentioned other positions that could see a significant increases. Center has just not been one of them and there is plenty of evidence over the last 3 years that support that.

Is it guaranteed? Certainly not. Is it it a logical conclusion, one that NFL execs could certainly conclude as they weigh the decision to sign now or sign a year from now? Yes.

Yes I did. Most people that follow the NFL and free agency knew that was going to happen. And he didn't sign a contract that made him "one of" the highest paid centers. He made one that made him the highest paid Center until Pouncey topped it a month later. That's what happens when really good football players hit free agency. They get paid.

Just like this year when everyone that follows the NFL and free agency predicted Kelechi Osemele would become the highest paid guard in the NFL. And Osemele has never made All-Pro or Pro Bowl either.

Max Unger isn't multi-scheme capable. He's strictly a ZBS guy which is why about 6 months after he was named 1st team All-Pro in 2012 he signed a new deal for 6.5M per season - significantly less than what Kalil and Mangold were making.

The answer is no, Max has no shot at becoming the highest paid center in the NFL.

Only if Dallas wants to again sign guys before they are due. Collins will be under his original deal next year and only eligible for restricted free agency in 2018. Martin will be in his 4th season and I think it's safe to assume the Cowboys will pick up his option for 2018. So the most natural extension point for both guys will be prior to their 2018 season.

The more likely scenario for a team projected to be at or over the '17 cap is that they immediately renegotiate the deal they just gave Frederick - something they couldn't have done had he been on his option year. I guess you could call that a positive depending on how you feel about restructures.

Except that they had the same opportunity next year to do the same. They could have structured his deal in '17 anyway they cared to.

How much would you care to wager that 12 months from now Travis Frederick is still the highest paid center in the NFL? $100? Paypal works. If it's such a ridiculous assumption you should be all over that.

 

The Seahawks are finally ready to admit that tight end Jimmy Graham's rehab might spill into the regular season.

Coach Pete Carroll had a hazy response to questions about Graham's readiness Wednesday, which seemed to dance around the central point: A ruptured patellar tendon is a rough thing to come back from quickly and there is a lot of work involved in doing so.


"We've had no issues at all in the work he's doing on the field," Carroll said, via ESPN.com. "That will continue to increase throughout the next few weeks. Really we're shooting for: Where is he at the start of the season? And we'll evaluate then on how much longer it may take, or he may be ready. We don't know that yet. But he feels good."

Carroll added: "There's some evaluation to be done going into next week, but I don't have any expectations for that right now. We'll just wait and see. We don't have a timetable for this; that he has to meet any schedule at all. We're just working him back, and he's gaining confidence, and it's really important not to have any setbacks. So we're being careful.

"With three really big weeks coming up here, we'll see how he goes. We'll be continuing to progress him more with the action around him and stuff. He's doing fine running routes and catching balls, and he looks good doing all that stuff."

Making a start on opening day matters dearly in the eyes of fans and fantasy owners, but the Seahawks are wise to play the long game here. With their offense humming on autopilot a year ago and Russell Wilson taking a massive leap forward skill wise, Graham represents the cherry on top and not the mortar holding this thing together.

As tough as it will be to squeeze Graham into a season already in motion, it will be just as difficult for teams to figure out how exactly Seattle will use him.

 

Some real fine games tonight...

 

Three NFL players have agreed to meet league investigators regarding steroid allegations stemming from a December report by Al Jazeera America.

Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers along with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison will acquiesce to NFL demands that the active players named in the report meet with investigators, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported the news.

The NFL previously cleared recently retired quarterback Peyton Manning, also named in the report.

Speaking to NFL Media's Aditi Kinkhabwala, Harrison said he agreed to do the interview because he didn't want to be put in a position that could ultimately hurt his team. He also said the NFL doesn't have any evidence related to the allegations directed at him.

"I just agreed to it ... so they can get their little 23 seconds or whatever," Harrison said. "They don't have credible evidence. Period. End of discussion."

Earlier this week, the NFL threatened the players with potential suspensions under the conduct-detrimental clause of the collective bargaining agreement for failure to cooperate with the investigation.

Last month, the NFL rejected player affidavits as reasonable cooperation in the investigation, leading to the demand for in-person interviews.

In a letter from the NFL Players Association on behalf of Harrison, obtained by Rapoport, Harrison agreed to make himself available at 5 p.m. on August 29 at the Steelers' facility. In the statement, Harrison and the NFLPA "agree that this interview is occurring on a non-precedential basis" and reserve the right to fight any punishment stemming from the investigation. (NFL.com)

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/t...-the-most-impossible-way-ever-during-warmups/

and you guys wonder why i get salty about being an eagles fan?

our kicker got a concussion from an errant punt hitting him in the head while he was on the sidelines not paying attention!!!!

come on Eagles! *WALL*

 

Meh. Parkey got his time to shine.

 

The big issue is our rookie LB Joe Walker tore his ACL. He was likely to get a shot at real playing time. Now we really need to get that LB via trade or FA.

 

Robert Griffin III continues to showcase deep ball​

It's bombs away by the shores of Lake Erie.

For the second straight week, Robert Griffin III connected on a beautifully thrown deep pass to Terrelle Pryor. This time it was a picture-perfect 50-yard hurl for a touchdown.

Pryor's conversion from QB to receiver continues to progress at an electric pace. It wasn't some third-string scrub Pryor burned for the score. It was Pro Bowl corner Desmond Trufant. Not many wideouts blow past Tru like Pryor did Thursday night.

The Pryor-RGIII connection isn't the only cause for optimism for Browns fans.

Griffin's performance had some electric highs and blah, annoying lows in his five first-half drives. However, the reclamation project showed he can be effective when he's not getting put on his butt every snap -- thank an impotent Falcons pass rush Thursday.

Griffin began a second touchdown drive with his feet, scampering for 22 yards (and he slid!!! #Progress). He ended it with a beautiful 29-yard dime to tight end Gary Barnidge. It was the type of pass that could make the ground move beneath coach Hue Jackson's feet.

"Those were two great plays," Griffin said after the game. "TP running by a guy and making a play and Gary making an amazing catch. We were able to get things clicking a little bit working the long ball."

Griffin wasn't perfect. Far from it. He still has some mental lapses and can hold the ball too long. But he avoided the crippling mistake.

 

Thursday Nights Scores... Preseason Week 2

PHI 17, PIT 0
CIN 30, DET 13
ATL 24, CLE 13
GB 20, OAK 12
NE 23, CHI 22
MIN 18, SEA 11

 

Friday Nights Schedule... Preseason Week 2...

 

Le'Veon Bell suspension is reduced to three games.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...uced-via-settlement-between-league-and-union/

 

That's good. I was worried it was going to be 2. lol

 

D Wil is enough to kick you guys ass.

 

I'll soak in that ugly preseason shutout win I don't give 2 shits about until then.

Eagles offense is going to more than likely be crap this year but the defense, like last year, will keep them in most games including vs great opponents.

 

Matt Jones left the game with an injured shoulder and took X-rays. Decent chance he broke his collarbone.

 

Like other good defenses that got shredded last season.

 

AC joint sprain. Dodged a bullet there.

 

Friday Nights, Week 2 Preseason Scores...

WAS 22, NYJ 18
DAL 41, MIA 14
SD 19, ARI 3

 

Week 2 Saturdays Preseason...

 

Dak Prescott looks ready to me.

Some of you might be eating some crow.