NFL - Discussion Thread

Green Bay are a franchise which has had a lot of success, and rarely misses the playoffs. It makes sense that they had an eye on the future. I wasn't surprised at all that Green Bay drafted Love. It was a smart move. Love is a QB who needs time to develop; he's not going to take Rodgers' job any time soon.

Rodgers however, has a right to feel annoyed that they traded UP to select Love, thus losing a 4th round pick, and that they drafted ZERO WRs in one of the best WR drafts in recent history. There were still good value picks available with their 2nd and 3rd round picks, but Green Bay just drafted horribly. Had they drafted a WR with their 2nd round pick and an LB/OT with their 3rd round pick, their draft would've probably been a C or C+.

Quarterbacks being payed tens of millions of dollars every year need to put their egos aside and understand that the franchise comes before the individual.

It won't turn out to be a wise choice if Rodgers ultimately demands to be traded before the start of the year. Very small chance of that happening, but it could happen.

I don't think Rodgers will get traded this year but by next year he would have made so much noise about being upset with the Packers that Green Bay management will have no choice but to get rid of him. Where does he go though, his skills will have eroded even further by then?

The NFL has changed, I can see that now. Gone are the days where a quarterback spends their entire career at a franchise regardless if the team wins or not. Brian Sipe of Cleveland and Jim Hart of the Cardinals come straight to mind. In today's age if you can't prove you are a winner in 2-3 years you get replaced by a new talent. During the 70's it was unheard of for a rookie quarterback to start during their rookie season, today it appears to be the norm.

I see Jerry Jones has forced Ceedee Lamb to wear the 88 Cowboy jersey. Something to do with him having a friend called Lamb who was on the same team when he played ball at college an eternity ago. When I think of the 88 jearsey images of Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, and Dez Bryant come to mind. Talk about adding pressure to perform, that's the holy grail of Cowboy's jerseys.

Chase Young is number 99. He told the guy on the Redskins team who has that jersey he wanted it an he is now wearing number 96, I can't remember the player's name. Number 99 is also the same number worn by legends, Cortez Kennedy and Warren Sapp.

What jersey has Tua been given? I see it's causing a problem. Tua wants 13 which is his Alabama jersey number but it was also Dan Marino's number and the Dolphins have retired it. Very rarely do teams unretire a player's jersey. I know the Broncos did it recently so Peyton Manning could wear his number 18 but that is the only instance I know of. Dolphins fans will be outraged if Miami management give Tua the number 13 jersey. As fas as Dolphins fans are concerned Marion is the best player the franchise has ever had. I personally think Tua will have to settle for number 1 or 3 if another player doesn't already have those numbers.

I didn't realise jersey numbers could cause so many problems.

Warrior - Not sure if you heard, but we managed to get a 7th round pick from Atlanta in exchange for trading 1st round bust Charles Harris. In one aspect it's a good deal since everyone knew we were about to cut him, but then again we used a 1st round pick on him.

Dallas have also signed Andy Dalton as backup. I'd suspect this is a move to put pressure on Dak to perform like someone asking for 40M a season. This leaves New England as the only possible landing spot for Cam Newton.

Jacksonville and Chicago have also both declined the 5th-year option on Leonard Fournette and Mitch Trubisky respectively. If they fail to perform this season, their contracts are finished. It's hard to believe that Jacksonville were beating New England 20-10 with 15 minutes left in the AFC Championship game 2 years ago. Now they're probably the worst team in the NFL and are preparing to tank.

EDIT - We posted at the same time again Dennis...

Tua hasn't been given his number yet. Oddly the NFL Twitter account posted something with Tua wearing no.1, but Miami haven't made a decision yet. Options I've seen floating around are:
1 - One of the numbers in 13. Plus it's a common number for a QB to wear
2 - 2ua
3 - Also one of the numbers in 13
5 - The pick Tua was selected with in the draft
10 - Not sure of the reasoning, but it's one of the more common possibilities floating around

« Last edited by Matt77 on May 3rd 2020 »

Where I think Aaron Rodgers Will End Up...

If traded before 2020-2021 Season: Cleveland / Las Vegas / Dallas
If traded before 2021-2022 Season: New Orleans / Cleveland / Las Vegas / Dallas
If traded/released before 2022-2023 Season: Tampa Bay / Chicago / Detroit / San Fran / LA Rams
Most Likely: Stays & (Eventually) Retires with Green Bay

What Would've Made Miami's Draft Perfect (Based On Where Players Ultimately Were Drafted):

#5 (No Trade) - QB Tua Tagovailoa
#13 (Trade #18 & 2021 3rd Rounder) - OT Tristan Wirfs
#16 (Trade #26 & 2021 2nd Rounder) - WR CeeDee Lamb
#39 (No Trade) - S Grant Delpit
#53 (Trade #56 & #154) - DE AJ Epenesa
#70 (No Trade) - OT Josh Jones
#141 (No Trade) - G Solomon Kindley
#173 (No Trade) - DE Bradlee Anae
#185 (No Trade) - CB/S Geno Stone
#246 (No Trade) - RB/WR Malcolm Parry

Trade #153 For RB Matt Breida
Trade Josh Rosen To Tampa Bay For 2021 3rd Rounder

If Miami could've done all of this, it would've been a draft for the ages. Tua would be the next Franchise Signal Caller. Wirfs would play RT (Tua's Blind Side) and Jones would play LT, while Flowers and Kindley would protect the interior. Lamb would've given Tua a true #1 WR. Delpit would've filled the need at Safety, while Stone could've played Slot CB (which Igbonhene will actually be doing for us as a luxury). Epenesa and Anae would've given us two more edger rushers to complete our D-Line Rebuild (since we still would've traded Harris and cut Carlton). Perry will give us a project. Breida to pair with Howard. Trade Rosen to recoup the the 2021 3rd we traded to San Fran to nab Wirfs.

This would've been the best draft for the Phins.

« Last edited by Warrior13 on May 5th 2020 »

We traded up to pick 111 originally with two late 4th round picks. Hypothetically it could be done again though. Also I'm not sure SF would've been willing to drop to pick 18, since Kinlaw would've been picked by Atlanta or Dallas. And Rosen would go for at best, a 5th rounder unfortunately. It's not a bad draft above, but I don't know about trading away 2021 picks. The good thing about having those picks and not topping up this draft, is that it means we won't reach .500 and we will have higher picks next season.

Despite some reaches, I really like what Flores and Grier have done. They've drafted high-character guys who have fought separate battles in their lives, and have the attitude to give 100% every game. Zero locker room cancers will be found in this Miami draft. There will be a great locker room culture at Miami, and that's how you build a successful franchise. If these players are in a good environment, they are more likely to develop into NFL starters.

In the 2021 draft, that's where we can get some luxury players like a star RB or WR. This season is all about building a starting base.

« Last edited by Matt77 on May 3rd 2020 »

Don Shula has passed away, aged 90.

R.I.P

One of the best coaches ever. Him, Walsh and Belichick are the Top 3.

Looks like Jerry Jones has just gone and got himself some insurance against Dak Prescotts outrageous demands by getting Andy Dalton. It will be interesting to see what happens now in the lone star state. If Prescott doesn't cave-in with his demands Dallas will probably go with Dalton, he's easily the best backup quarterback in the league. The guy was putting up decent numbers and going to pro balls with a bad team in Cincinnatti, no telling what he could do in the Dallas offense. I'm loving this, the only thing that worries me now is that Prescott gets traded to the Patriots as Belichick has made it no secret that he would love to have the quarterback as he has all the intangibles he looks for in a player.

What is bizarre about this Prescott money demand is that all the players in the past like Michael Irvin who had 'special' relationships with the owner got paid the money they asked for. Dak Prescott who has made it clear he keeps Jerry Jones at arms length and playing for the Cowboys is a professional job isn't getting what he is asking for. Makes you wonder if Prescott had of made a few personal calls to the owner and socialised with him every now and again he would have the money he is asking for. Then again it may be a simple case of Jerry Jones not wanting to wreck the cap with one player which sounds more logical. I see the Cowboys have waived Cooper Rush, the backup Dallas quarterback who has only ever thrown three passes in his career as an NFL player.

Warrior13, not sure about Don Shula being top 3. I'd have Vince Lombardi at 3 behind Belichick number 1 and Bill Walsh at 2. Shula maybe 4 or possibly 5, can't decide between him and Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns. Vince Lombardi has won the equivalent of 5 Super Bowls and they named the trophy after him.

Matt, I make you right on what you say about Miami building their team this year. Next year I expect the Dolphin to pick up the best edge rusher or running back in the draft now that the base for building on has been sorted. Just have to hope they don't throw Tua in early and he gets injured. Dolphin fans need to be patient and give Tua a year to recover and learn the system.


« Last edited by Sanzano on May 5th 2020 »

Could you imagine if Dak chokes in the early part of the season, Dallas fall a few games behind Philly, Mike McCarthy puts Dalton in as the starter, and he leads the team to the NFC Championship game? It's not as unlikely as you'd think. That's what Tannehill did for Tennessee after Mariota started 2-4. And Dalton took Cincy to 5 consecutive playoff appearances at one stage, including starting with an 8-0 record once. No doubt Dallas's offense is better than that Cincy offense, not to mention the elite o-line and RB.

With the talent Dallas have on their roster, there is no excuse for them not to be the #1 seed in the NFC. I'm being serious. The NFC West is stacked, and there's a chance each team could finish with at least an 8-8 record. Then there's the NFC South, with possibly the 2 best teams in the NFC going head to head in New Orleans and Tampa Bay, and Atlanta are also a tricky opponent in there. And the NFC North has 2 above average, but not quite good enough teams in Green Bay and Minnesota. I'd expect Dallas to go 5-1 in their weak division, at a minimum. The other contenders will beat each other, while Dallas get 4 games against NY Giants and Washington.

I'm quietly optimistic that Flores will start Fitzpatrick for all or most of the season. Last season he picked Fitz when there was little point, instead of giving Rosen a prove-it year. He values locker room culture, and clearly Fitz brought that.

Do any of you guys know anything about this World NFL Draft. From what I gather each year one division in the NFL gets to choose the best talent from around the world.

I see that last year the Dolphins got the player below from this draft:

Durval Queiroz Neto, defensive tackle, (Brazil), Age: 25
Played domestically in Brazil for the past four seasons on the two best teams in Brazil. A judo champion prior to playing football, he is known for his tremendous athletic ability and a willingness to learn.

This year it's the NFC Easts turn to pick from the available talent.

« Last edited by Sanzano on May 5th 2020 »

Yes I do. In fact, I posted about it this time last year, since Miami was able to pick someone up. I was also interested, because elite Australian Rugby League player Valentine Holmes was one of the options. NY Jets eventually signed him. The problem is that players on that pathway are only allowed on the practice squad in their first year, and he became homesick while also realising that since he was 6th on the RB depth list, he had virtually no chance of success. So after one year, he quit and joined Rugby League again.

It really showed how brutal the NFL is. Holmes is one of the world's best Rugby League wingers, and even scored a combined 11 tries in the quarter final and semi final of the most recent world cup, yet he was 6th on NY Jets' RB depth list.

Basically, whoever Washington select with their pick will either be cut or will quit within 1-3 seasons.

« Last edited by Matt77 on May 5th 2020 »

Looks like Tua is going to wear the number 1 jersey for the Dolphins. Thankfully it's not going to be 13, it would have been wierd seeing him in the retired 13 jersey of Dan Marino.

Matt your Dolphin logo in your profile is out of date. I'm pretty sure that's been updated with a Dolphin that is not wearing that silly helmet.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are now favourite to sign Cam Newton. If that happens I doubt the team will be tanking for Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields. The question is now, who is the most likely landing spots for those two quarterbacks next year. My list of teams that will be looking to get either of these two are:

Las Vegas Raiders
Chicago Bears
Carolina Panthers.

Tampa Bay, Washington, and Jacksonville will be sniffing about to replace Brady who is only short term, replace Haskins if he doesn't improve, and be the face of the franchise if the Jaguars don't pick up Cam Newton like I am predicting.

2021 NFL Draft Simulator

Based on current Power Rankings and Projected 2021 Prospects Big Board.

Just select your team for all seven rounds. If you want to initiate trades, it's best to do a slow simulation. If you want no trades, do a fast simulation. have fun.

Here who I have for the Phins (with trades):
5. Gregory Rousseau EDGE Miami
6. Micah Parsons LB Penn State (Traded #14, 2020 2nd, and 2021 2nd w/Jets)
46. Walker Little OT Stanford
69. Kenneth Gainwell RB Memphis
101. Josh Myers OC Ohio State
133. Elijah Molden S Washington
184. Jack Sanborn LB Wisconsin
185. Ventrell Miller LB Florida
205. Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR Iowa

Here who I have for the Phins (no trades):
5. Ja'Marr Chase WR LSU
14. Jaylen Waddle WR Alabama
37. Justyn Ross WR Clemson
46. Najee Harris RB Alabama
69. Kyle Pitts TE Florida
101. James Skalski LB Clemson
133. Pete Werner LB Ohio State
184. Jordan Williams EDGE Clemson
185. Ventrell Miller LB Florida
205. Donovan Stiner S Florida

Review: I don't agree with the Big Board 100%, but I followed it for now. in my first draft with trades, I focused more on Defense. Somehow Rousseau and Parsons made it to #5, so I decided to take one with #5 and then trade for #6 with the rival Jets. Little fell to me in the 2nd Round of my first simulation, so I went with him to pair with Jackson. Basically went best available after that. As for my second simulation with no trades, both Rousseau and Parsons were taken in the Top 4. With no other options, I went with the best available WR in Chase. At #14, somehow WR Waddle fell to me, so I picked him as well. For my first pick in the 2nd Round, WR Ross fell to me, and I couldn't pass up drafting him. If Miami can get Chase, Waddle and Ross with their first three picks next year, that would be crazy (doubt it) and would give Tua so many targets. From there, I gave Tua even more weapons with RB Harris and TE Pitts (but I think they will go earlier than that next year). Addressed the defensive issues on the third day in my second simulation.

I like both for given reasons, but my second simulation had all the right prospects fall to me. lol

What do you think?

Dennis - Yeah, I know I have the old logo. I couldn't find an image of the current one that would fit into my signature, without making it smaller and thus making it blurry.

Jacksonville taking Newton would be so pointless. I hope those rumours aren't true. He's got maybe 2 more years left, since he's injury prone. And Jacksonville won't be contending for playoffs for a minimum of 3-5 years.

Warrior - I don't know enough about prospects who's names don't end in Lawrence or Fields. Besides, this time next year at least 75% of the current projected 1st rounders will actually be drafted in later rounds. All I'll say is, I can't see Houston finishing with a 7-9 record next season, especially since they will face Jacksonville and Indy 2 times each. But in terms of positions of need, edge rusher is probably the best bet.

Why can't you just do the simulator and follow the Big Board? You don't love me. ;_;

Oh, I didn't realise it was a simulator...lol.

I only did the no trades one, since I'm a bit busy:
5 - Ja'Marr Chase, WR
14 - Micah Parsons, LB
37 - Chuba Hubbard, RB
46 - Jackson Carmen, OT
69 - Isaiah Loudermilk, EDGE
101 - Cade Mays, OT
133 - P.J. Mustipher, DT
184 - Ventrell Miller, LB
185 - Christian Tutt, CB
205 - Tutu Atwell, WR

I only remembered later in the draft that we needed an edge rusher, and I probably should've selected a safety with pick 185. But the focus was upgrading the linebacker position, and helping Tua by adding a WR, RB, and two more OTs.

Same here, I don't know any college players at the moment either. Just Lawrence, Fields, and now Sewel who came up in that simulation link Warrior13 posted for the Redskins at pick 3. Not sure how the website can figure out the likely position of each team without a down being played yet this year. Interesting though, I will keep an eye on Penei Sewell. He sounds like the perfect replacement for Trent Williams, he is listed as a once in a generation player, pretty much like Chase Young was at this point last year.

Rumours are starting to emerge that Andy Dalton was promised by Jerry Jones that he would start for the Cowboys. Dalton claims five teams were after him and he accepted Dallas' offer even though it was less money because he was promised an opportunity to start.

I just read about that rumour you mentioned. It actually seems plausible. Jerry Jones has huge power in the NFL, so you can guarantee he has full control of his own team. My thinking is that potentially Dalton was promised game time in the 2021/22 season, after Dak gets traded/cut at the end of the 2020/21 season. Perhaps Jones knows Dak won't perform like a $160M QB, and will not be worthy of such a contract, so he's got Dalton in as a bridge QB for when they draft a rookie QB.