February 11th, 2009 11:15pm PST
WEDNESDAY WATERCOOLER
The Other season is well under way...
For all the diehard football fanatics, there is no end to the season when it comes to the NFL. In just seven days the 2009 season actually starts with the scouting combine in Indianapolis. The seven day event will be covered by the NFL network with live broadcasts from February 21st to February 24th.
If your looking for the latest NFL drama, the place to start not long after the combine will be free agency. Some teams with plenty of cap space could decide to go on big spending sprees, when the Free agent market is scheduled to open on February 27th. There's no question that there will be plenty of big fish to fry when free agency starts, but the question is "which teams actually plan to use their big nets in the water?"
With today's economy where it is, there could be a sense of caution played by some GM's. Rather than put all of their eggs in the 2009 free agent market, some teams could opt to sit out the initial wave and follow a more cautious signing path. Always a possibility is the big ticket players getting caught up in some of the delayed movement and having to sign at a discount.
I would expect to see players like Albert Haynesworth, TJ Houshmandzadeh, and Julius Peppers to find new homes right away, seeing these level of players being able to sign on and make huge differences. It would also not surprise to see players that can still contribute with playing for new teams like Derrick Ward, Brandon Lloyd, Correll Buckhalter, and Zach Thomas, having to sign for less money.
Regardless of what is going to happen, there is no question that I, like the fans that bleed this game will be tuned in every moment to see what happens. Let the other season begin.
The GM Game.
Offseason starts with cleaning...
With just over two weeks until free agency opens, the fall-out continues around the league. The latest players to be served their pinks slips, WR Jerry Porter (Jax), and DB David Barrett (NYJ), and there are hints that more players like WR Ronald Curry (Oak) and QB Jeff Garcia could follow.
With the sudden rash of player releases, the pool of free agency gets deeper...
Let's Play GM...
Last week I took a look at four teams with a bundle of green to spend and considered some initial moves for them that made sense to me. So taking a look at a few more clubs this week, knowing more (well not that much more) today, than I did a week ago, how might free agency play for these teams;
In Kansas City ($33m under the cap)...
The saying is "what goes up, must come down." So what about what goes down (time to talk about football fellas)? When you are one of the leagues bottom feeders, really there is no other direction to go, unless you're the Detroit Lions (sorry Motor City). The Chiefs have a new "Chief" (Todd Haley) and rebuilding would make a lot of sense. With over $30 million dollars under the cap, Haley will have a lot to play with. Thigpen played well in the spread offense last season and it would seem that Haley could be bringing that type of philosophy with him to the Chiefs. He'll have some talent to start with in Thigpen and potential superstar receiver Dwayne Bowe. His first step and biggest dilemma will be, what to do about running back Larry Johnson. LJ wants out and doesn't really fit a spread style offense. If the team can move LJ, running back Jamaal Charles would make sense in the spread, but he's not an everydown back. The Chiefs really can't afford to cut Johnson and take a big cap hit. Trading him could be a possibility, but finding takers and orchestrating a sensible deal, chances are slim. What the Chiefs may need to do is the ole "NBA trade move." Take on some weight to unload their own cargo. Now that the Jets have some cap room, would trading Thomas Jones for LJ make sense? Ryan says he wants to run the ball and Jones is entering his 10th season. Just a thought.
The saying is "what goes up, must come down." So what about what goes down (time to talk about football fellas)? When you are one of the leagues bottom feeders, really there is no other direction to go, unless you're the Detroit Lions (sorry Motor City). The Chiefs have a new "Chief" (Todd Haley) and rebuilding would make a lot of sense. With over $30 million dollars under the cap, Haley will have a lot to play with. Thigpen played well in the spread offense last season and it would seem that Haley could be bringing that type of philosophy with him to the Chiefs. He'll have some talent to start with in Thigpen and potential superstar receiver Dwayne Bowe. His first step and biggest dilemma will be, what to do about running back Larry Johnson. LJ wants out and doesn't really fit a spread style offense. If the team can move LJ, running back Jamaal Charles would make sense in the spread, but he's not an everydown back. The Chiefs really can't afford to cut Johnson and take a big cap hit. Trading him could be a possibility, but finding takers and orchestrating a sensible deal, chances are slim. What the Chiefs may need to do is the ole "NBA trade move." Take on some weight to unload their own cargo. Now that the Jets have some cap room, would trading Thomas Jones for LJ make sense? Ryan says he wants to run the ball and Jones is entering his 10th season. Just a thought.
In Tennessee ($31m under the cap)...
The Titans are an interesting situation. One of the leagues hottest free agents will likely be defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The early word was the Titans would not be interested in spending a lot of money to resign the impending free agent. If Haynesworth is looking for a big pay day, it is more than likely he'll be leaving town to sign one. Some football experts think that Haynesworth could be inking a contract as large as $100 million, something the Titans apparently have no interest in. With a lot of cap space and likely fewer headaches to consider, the team will likely focus and building for their future will remaining in contention. The first order of business will likely be resigning quarterback Kerry Collins to no more than a two-year deal. Let's face it Collins is no spring chicken and he will likely be in the saddle one more year to mentor and help develop our QB of the future (Vince Young). The team has too much money tied to the kid to give up on him just yet. Maybe another year of seasoning under Collins could prove valuable, but if KC wants big 'Kurt Warner' type money, the future with Young will likely come sooner rather than later.
Now on the other end of the spectrum, teams like the Saints and Jets will have some even bigger decisions to make considering that both are well over the salary cap. Both teams have some weight to shed, but aside from needing obvious help they are going to have to look at trying to resign some key players.
The Titans are an interesting situation. One of the leagues hottest free agents will likely be defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The early word was the Titans would not be interested in spending a lot of money to resign the impending free agent. If Haynesworth is looking for a big pay day, it is more than likely he'll be leaving town to sign one. Some football experts think that Haynesworth could be inking a contract as large as $100 million, something the Titans apparently have no interest in. With a lot of cap space and likely fewer headaches to consider, the team will likely focus and building for their future will remaining in contention. The first order of business will likely be resigning quarterback Kerry Collins to no more than a two-year deal. Let's face it Collins is no spring chicken and he will likely be in the saddle one more year to mentor and help develop our QB of the future (Vince Young). The team has too much money tied to the kid to give up on him just yet. Maybe another year of seasoning under Collins could prove valuable, but if KC wants big 'Kurt Warner' type money, the future with Young will likely come sooner rather than later.
Now on the other end of the spectrum, teams like the Saints and Jets will have some even bigger decisions to make considering that both are well over the salary cap. Both teams have some weight to shed, but aside from needing obvious help they are going to have to look at trying to resign some key players.
In New York ($7m over the cap)...
This now becomes a very interesting situation in the big apple with the recent announcement of Brett Favre retiring. While Favre's retirement won't get them a whole lot of spending cash, it does give the team some breathing space. As the GM, lets' finalize Brett's intent to retire before we start taking his numbers off the books. With Favre making his extended vacation plans and eventual trip to Canton, our next item on the agenda will be addressing our specific needs. The new Big Man on campus is head coach Rex Ryan and he plans to run the ball more in 2009. With Thomas Jones (or Larry Johnson?) and Leon Washington, that is the team's strength. Ryan brings in a defensive attitude and he'll have a strong nucleus to work with. The loss of Favre now creates a pressing need at the quarterback position. At 9-7, this is a team that is close to being a playoff contender and neither Clemens and Ratliff appear to be the answer to fill the gap. One possibility that has surfaced and would make sense to the GM is Derek Anderson. Even though Anderson did not play well in 2008, he has shown ability in the past and put up big numbers in 2007. With a team that will run more, Anderson will need to do less.
This now becomes a very interesting situation in the big apple with the recent announcement of Brett Favre retiring. While Favre's retirement won't get them a whole lot of spending cash, it does give the team some breathing space. As the GM, lets' finalize Brett's intent to retire before we start taking his numbers off the books. With Favre making his extended vacation plans and eventual trip to Canton, our next item on the agenda will be addressing our specific needs. The new Big Man on campus is head coach Rex Ryan and he plans to run the ball more in 2009. With Thomas Jones (or Larry Johnson?) and Leon Washington, that is the team's strength. Ryan brings in a defensive attitude and he'll have a strong nucleus to work with. The loss of Favre now creates a pressing need at the quarterback position. At 9-7, this is a team that is close to being a playoff contender and neither Clemens and Ratliff appear to be the answer to fill the gap. One possibility that has surfaced and would make sense to the GM is Derek Anderson. Even though Anderson did not play well in 2008, he has shown ability in the past and put up big numbers in 2007. With a team that will run more, Anderson will need to do less.
In New Orleans ($5m over the cap)...
The Saints have loads of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but there defense is such a huge liability unless big changes are made, this may remain the same. Brees is still youthful enough to keep serving up the big numbers and he has plenty of targets to throw to, but if the offense is going to continue to get better then it will need to find help for the backfield. Bush is not the short yardage answer, something that handcuffed the team considerably last season. The first move will be to empty the cupboards on the defense and start from scratch through the draft. While there are some serviceable players worth keeping, high priced salaried players like DE Charles Grant, DE Will Smith, DB Jason David, and DB Mike McKenzie could hit the cutting room floor, unless some are willing to rework their current deals. Since cap space will play a big part in any lateral movement with free agency or trades, as the GM the first place I'll start with is the release of Deuce McAllister (more than $4 million off the books) and Jeremy Shockey (if there is any savings value).
The NFL is a tough business.
Of course I won't expect to receive any calls soon from any team owners for my brilliant football insight, but I have to remind, this is all simple conjecture and....if I were the GM.
Just as I have done here, next week I'll take a look at more team's current situations and consider recent transactions when addressing what I believe should be their next move.
So once again stay tuned.
(Wink)
My Football Notes:
No more waiting...
It was highly anticipated and much speculated, but now the waiting is over. The New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre has decided to call it a day and hang up his cleats. While his career is long and distinguished, Favre will be no more missed in New York than he will be remembered for the one and only season he played in the Big Apple.
It was rumored shortly following the end of the 2008 regular season that Favre was expected to again, announce his retirement. After 18 seasons and 269 consecutive starts as an NFL starting quarterback it became time for the Golden Boy to walk away. Behind him, Favre leaves a long legacy of greatness that should not be overshadowed or clouded by his change of mind and return to football in 2008. While his final season was not a complete success, what it stood for was Favre great will to compete and love for a game he gave so much to.
Favre had a great run in Green Bay and a accomplished career. He will undoubtedly be a first ballot hall of famer, which will reflect the great player that he was. Hopefully all of the folks in Green Bay will remember all the great things he did for their team, their city and this game.
Congratulations Mr. Favre, you will be missed.
The Saints have loads of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but there defense is such a huge liability unless big changes are made, this may remain the same. Brees is still youthful enough to keep serving up the big numbers and he has plenty of targets to throw to, but if the offense is going to continue to get better then it will need to find help for the backfield. Bush is not the short yardage answer, something that handcuffed the team considerably last season. The first move will be to empty the cupboards on the defense and start from scratch through the draft. While there are some serviceable players worth keeping, high priced salaried players like DE Charles Grant, DE Will Smith, DB Jason David, and DB Mike McKenzie could hit the cutting room floor, unless some are willing to rework their current deals. Since cap space will play a big part in any lateral movement with free agency or trades, as the GM the first place I'll start with is the release of Deuce McAllister (more than $4 million off the books) and Jeremy Shockey (if there is any savings value).
The NFL is a tough business.
Of course I won't expect to receive any calls soon from any team owners for my brilliant football insight, but I have to remind, this is all simple conjecture and....if I were the GM.
Just as I have done here, next week I'll take a look at more team's current situations and consider recent transactions when addressing what I believe should be their next move.
So once again stay tuned.
(Wink)
My Football Notes:
No more waiting...
It was highly anticipated and much speculated, but now the waiting is over. The New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre has decided to call it a day and hang up his cleats. While his career is long and distinguished, Favre will be no more missed in New York than he will be remembered for the one and only season he played in the Big Apple.
It was rumored shortly following the end of the 2008 regular season that Favre was expected to again, announce his retirement. After 18 seasons and 269 consecutive starts as an NFL starting quarterback it became time for the Golden Boy to walk away. Behind him, Favre leaves a long legacy of greatness that should not be overshadowed or clouded by his change of mind and return to football in 2008. While his final season was not a complete success, what it stood for was Favre great will to compete and love for a game he gave so much to.
Favre had a great run in Green Bay and a accomplished career. He will undoubtedly be a first ballot hall of famer, which will reflect the great player that he was. Hopefully all of the folks in Green Bay will remember all the great things he did for their team, their city and this game.
Congratulations Mr. Favre, you will be missed.
(photo by Nick Laham / Getty Images)
(photo by Julie Jacobson / AP Photo)
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer A. Villalovos/Released)
Keep checking back for more football....
By David G. Ortega
2 comments:
Very nice article. The Jets I believe have the most interesting situation. With Favre gone many believe Clemens would take the reigns. Now Anderson looks to be the pick. But if Rex wants a run game, keep Clemens and forget about everyone else.
Just my take http://www.bettorfan.com
Thanks for the comment.
I agree, I think they do have the most interesting situation, but I believe if any viable options become available....the Jets will make a play.
If the run is going to work, they need an arm...
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