NFL Offseason Thread

[Liep]

The real criminals here are the D-level celebrities.

[Neil]

This year, the question is whether Merriman will be able to play after allegedly assaulting a D-level television celebrity named Tila Tequila.

TILA TEQUILA? 

Wasn't that the girl juicing the Olympic swimming kid for all his cash?

[CountDeMoney]

This year, the question is whether Merriman will be able to play after allegedly assaulting a D-level television celebrity named Tila Tequila.

TILA TEQUILA? 

[Ed Anger]

I'd expect a man with his money to have better taste.

[CountDeMoney]

I'd expect a man with his money to have better taste.

Well, in all honesty, since he was busted for roids, he's been a D-level player.

[Neil]

I'd expect a man with his money to have better taste.

Well, in all honesty, since he was busted for roids, he's been a D-level player.

The best part of all this is Charger fans.  For years, they've been crowing like they have the smartest front office in the league, because they got Merriman and Rivers for Manning.  Merriman has, between his injuries, his inability to play without the juice, and now his probably suspension, taken himself out of that conversation.  Now, the trade was for Phillip Rivers, who has been a good QB so long as the other team puts 9 in the box to stop the Chargers' running game, for Eli Manning, who is a somewhat above average QB that for one night was the greatest QB in the history of the NFL.  I don't recall Rivers ever taking his team on his back to make an unbelievable drive that drove a stake through the heart of the most evil team in the history of professional sports.

[Strix]

The best part of all this is Charger fans.  For years, they've been crowing like they have the smartest front office in the league, because they got Merriman and Rivers for Manning.  Merriman has, between his injuries, his inability to play without the juice, and now his probably suspension, taken himself out of that conversation.  Now, the trade was for Phillip Rivers, who has been a good QB so long as the other team puts 9 in the box to stop the Chargers' running game, for Eli Manning, who is a somewhat above average QB that for one night was the greatest QB in the history of the NFL.  I don't recall Rivers ever taking his team on his back to make an unbelievable drive that drove a stake through the heart of the most evil team in the history of professional sports.

I'd say the trade was even at best (leaning towards the Chargers side). And I am not sure I'd say that Manning was "the greatest QB in the history of the NFL" for one night. The last drive was exciting and memorable but the Giants only scored 17 points. And the last drive to win the game was the result of an amazing catch by Tyree.

[Neil]

The best part of all this is Charger fans.  For years, they've been crowing like they have the smartest front office in the league, because they got Merriman and Rivers for Manning.  Merriman has, between his injuries, his inability to play without the juice, and now his probably suspension, taken himself out of that conversation.  Now, the trade was for Phillip Rivers, who has been a good QB so long as the other team puts 9 in the box to stop the Chargers' running game, for Eli Manning, who is a somewhat above average QB that for one night was the greatest QB in the history of the NFL.  I don't recall Rivers ever taking his team on his back to make an unbelievable drive that drove a stake through the heart of the most evil team in the history of professional sports.

I'd say the trade was even at best (leaning towards the Chargers side). And I am not sure I'd say that Manning was "the greatest QB in the history of the NFL" for one night. The last drive was exciting and memorable but the Giants only scored 17 points. And the last drive to win the game was the result of an amazing catch by Tyree.

Manning deserves a lot of credit for getting that throw off though.  Tyree made a showtime catch, but to me the most impressive part of that play was Manning avoiding the sack.

[Barrister]

I dunno, I think I would say that Rivers is a better QB than Manning, straight up, so I suppose that was a good trade.

But of course if any Charger fan tries to use that as proof of how smart their front office is, it's also clear that Brees is a better QB than either of them.

[Neil]

Hey CdM.  Guess which former Raven nicknamed Zeus got arrested for burglary?

Also, do you think the Ravens are going to sign Neal?

[CountDeMoney]

Hey CdM.  Guess which former Raven nicknamed Zeus got arrested for burglary?

Yeah.  Apparently he broke into his ex's house that was for sale, and took a dump in the toilet right before it was to be shown by the  realtor.  Too funny.  God Bless that crazy blind fuck.

Also, do you think the Ravens are going to sign Neal?

Yes, but not until after Week 1.  Unless the Jest get to him first.

[Strix]

Giants suspect spy motives as QB Woodson goes to 'Skins

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- There's nothing like adding a little intrigue, secrecy and skullduggery to a season-opening contest between two longtime NFC East rivals, the New York Giants and Washington Redskins.
   
The Redskins' signing of former Giants quarterback Andre' Woodson to their practice squad on Sunday has New York coach Tom Coughlin and players thinking the move is as sinister as a twist in a Tom Clancy novel. Or some plot hatched by the Skins' northern Virginia neighbor, the CIA.

Woodson spent all of last season on the Giants' practice squad and was among New York's final cuts this weekend. He knows all the plays and, even worse, all the audible calls.

Coughlin was blunt in saying it was obvious why Woodson was signed.

"I have been a part of it," Coughlin said Monday when asked whether he has ever signed a player released by a team he was about to play. "I have seen it done. A guy doesn't get in the door two seconds, and he is in a classroom being grilled."

The cloak and dagger decision will force the Giants to change some audible calls for Eli Manning, Coughlin said.

Redskins coach Jim Zorn insisted Woodson wasn't signed just for this week.

""Oh, yeah. Yeah," Zorn said. "And that's something that I would be frustrated with, too, and I do understand that, that it makes it look like we're jumping on that, but that wasn't the major issue with the find."

Zorn said the Redskins scouted Woodson coming out of college and decided to take a chance on him after New York let him go.

"He might be able to help us a little bit," Zorn said. "He knows their stuff. He certainly knew their snap count and just the obvious things, but we're not trying to glean every little [detail], we're not going to put him under the microscope."

Giants backup quarterback David Carr smiled when asked about the signing, and acknowledged he sent a text message Woodson early Monday.

"Don't give out our secrets, Wood," Carr said. "That's what I told him. I haven't got a message back. I'm sure he is in meetings. I'm sure I'll hit him up this afternoon."

Carr then quipped he told Woodson that he didn't know any of the Giants' plays, anyway.

"We'll see how Woody handles it," Carr said. "I'm sure he'll handle it the right way. We'll find out early on if they know what is going on. I'm sure we'll have a plan. We're not going in there without having an answer for them knowing any of our checks, because we do do a lot of that stuff."

Standing in front of a locker that did not have his nameplate on Monday, Woodson said that he didn't hesitate to sign with the Skins after they called.

Washington's move, however, was suspicious.

When Chase Daniel was cut on Saturday, he said he was told he would get the quarterback spot on the practice squad if he cleared waivers. Instead, the Redskins went with Woodson. Daniel was signed to the Saints' practice squad.

While disappointed and frustrated, Woodson said he had no hard feelings toward the Giants. He also said he knows the Giants' playbook and realizes who is paying him now.

"I'm definitely a little bit familiar with it," he said. "Right now, anything to help the Redskins out, I'm willing to do."

Giants offensive tackle David Diehl said the move was part of the game.

"We're going to have to change a few things verbiage-wise, like we do each and every week," Diehl said. "We play this team two times a year and every time we play them we come up with little different things, a little different terminology to keep them on edge."

Defensive end Justin Tuck was coy at first when asked he if knew what the Giants' offense was going to run in training camp after hearing Manning bark out the same audible calls day after day.

Then he got serious.

"Think about it with our offense. We know what some words mean, but we don't know when it's a live word," Tuck said. "He can say (something) and tell everyone in the huddle to disregard it when he says it."

Manning downplayed the signing. He said the Redskins don't know what plays the Giants are running and that the audible calls -- which can change a play entirely or the direction it is being run -- might be hard to decipher.

"I don't know if they will be able to hear everything we're doing, and we're at home, so I'm not real concerned about it," Manning said.

The mystery will play out Sunday.

Coughlin is so full of shit. He did this every year when the Jags played the Steelers back in the day (probably twice a year).

[Savonarola]

And it's desperation marketing time in Detroit:

We are excited to introduce to you our ALL NEW
"All You Can Eat" Seat!

Come enjoy Detroit Lions football with all the Eckrich hot dogs, bratwursts, nachos and cheese, chips, popcorn and soft drinks you can tackle!

The seats are $15 more than the non "All you can eat" seats.  It's a good ploy, now the Lion's fan won't know if it is indgestion or the Lion's performance that makes him feel sick to your stomach.

[Neil]

So a team picked up a player from a division rival, with the intention of getting the inside scoop?  Stop the presses.  Someone alert Tim Ortiz so he can tell the world.  This is certainly something that has never happened at least a two dozen times every season.  It is not, I repeat, not routine.

[crazy canuck]

I have to say that watching my son learn fundamentals of football gives me a whole new appreciation for the sport and the athleticism needed to play it.