NFL offseason (abbreviated) thread

[InvincibleCakeEater]

Tavaris Jackson blows.

So does Matt Hasselbeck. Obvious sample size issues with Jackson, but they're awfully close to the same player.

Sample size? This is the NFL, not baseball. Tavaris has gotten plenty of playing time. He is awful. Hasselbeck was once great, is now okay, and has been fighting injuries for the last couple of years.

Hasselbeck has never been great and hasn't been okay in years. There is almost no difference in their career completion rates, interception rates etc. Hasselbecks awfulness has somehow gone unnoticed for years.

[Schlich]

Wow, ok, really? From 2002-2007, he averaged 3,840 yards per 16 games started. His completion percentages have been consistently high 50's-low 60s his entire career. He has posted two consecutive 3,000 yard seasons on awful, awful seahawks teams despite missing a couple of games from both and no [expletive] running game at all. Meanwhile, in Jackson's only two significant seasons, he averaged 2,792 yards per 16 games started and fumbled the ball like crazy on a team with a stout O-line, talented (yet not superstar) receivers, and an A+ running game. I'm not going to go too far in the "eyeball test" category since obviously that can't be proven... But I have watched almost every game Tarvaris has played in, and have caught my fair share of Seahawks game as well. Hasselbeck is absolutely terrific at game management. Jackson is terrible at it.

I'd be willing to gamble that Jackson doesn't keep the starting job throughout the entire season. Hasselbeck will be the quarterback that Tennessee has been needing for a couple of years now. He'll give Locker adequate time to develop. He'll put up solid but not spectacular numbers.

Pretty much the only advantage Jackson has is that he already has a rapport with Rice. But that's nothing a double team can't fix.

[Faceman]

I agree 100% cowbell.

I can't stand Hasseldouche, and do think he's overrated (as in the past he's been though of as top tier), but he's certainly still league average at QB.

Jackson had an offense ready to go in Minnesota (Favre proved that) and he showed very little.

[InvincibleCakeEater]

Rookies must be pissed.

Newton got 22 million all guaranteed.
Bradford got 78 million 50 guaranteed.

[BigDCardlvr]

Wow! Eagles are moving into SB favorite mode with these moves.

[InvincibleCakeEater]

Wow! Eagles are moving into SB favorite mode with these moves.

They look really tough.

[cpebbles]

So are we moving into an NBA-type situation this year where the salary cap structure limits what teams can offer players so much that the elite free agents all end up signing with a couple of haves and the rest of the league ends up giving similar dollars to whoever the Gilbert Arenas of the NFL is?

[Swingingbunt]

So are we moving into an NBA-type situation this year where the salary cap structure limits what teams can offer players so much that the elite free agents all end up signing with a couple of haves and the rest of the league ends up giving similar dollars to whoever the Gilbert Arenas of the NFL is?

I don't think so...not this year at least. I've heard a couple times that there is a loophole that said teams don't have to hit the minimum cap until next year, giving them time to draft again and evaluate their own players and give them extensions.

[BigDCardlvr]

So are we moving into an NBA-type situation this year where the salary cap structure limits what teams can offer players so much that the elite free agents all end up signing with a couple of haves and the rest of the league ends up giving similar dollars to whoever the Gilbert Arenas of the NFL is?

I don't think so...not this year at least. I've heard a couple times that there is a loophole that said teams don't have to hit the minimum cap until next year, giving them time to draft again and evaluate their own players and give them extensions.

The rosters are probably too big for it to play out quite like the NBA, but you will have aim organizations now overpaying some people to reach cap. Doesn't Tampa have like $67 million to go and they aren't signing any one?

[Fat Strat]

I like the Breaston signing, but I think the bigger news for the Chiefs could be the loss of both their nose tackles -- Ron Edwards and Shaun Smith. Neither were great players, but they were players and legimiate starters who knew the system. Now all we have at that position is a 6th round pick this year. It's a good opportunity to upgrade the position on the FA wire, but I doubt this was the plan. With the short signing period, we could be out in the cold and the 3/4 defense is built around a big 'ol nosetackle.

I think the offense should be very good. I think TT nailed it when he called Cassel a "game manager". He's an above average quaterback in this league. What he might lack in arm strength he makes up for in decision making, which should only continue to improve as we upgrade our offensive skill players and he matures. The Chiefs main issue will be their schedule, which is among the most difficult in the NFL.

I don't have high expectations for this season. I think our path will follow the Falcons. They surprised and won when Ryan was a rookie -- 11-5. Then got a hard schedule -- 9-7. Then made the final step up to 13-3 and a perennial contender with an easier schedule. 8-8 or 9-7 this year is about what I expect. Some will see that as a step back, but by my count we have one easy game -- at home against the Bills. Our non-division games include the Pats, Steelers, Dolphins, Packers, Jets, Colts, and Bears.