NFL 2023 Offseason/Free Agency/Draft Thread

[Solecismic]

I'm used to games being unavailable because of Amazon and the cable channels. Kinda sucks that they'd move a playoff game, but I'm not a fan of the extra wild-card game, either.

It seems inevitable that network television will die at some point, and that will happen when the NFL and college football move entirely to cable and/or the boutique streamers. We've still got time, but this is one small step toward the end.

It's interesting that the streaming packages, which are starting to resemble cable both in size and cost, are starting to lose subscribers, too.

It would also be interesting to see what percentage of Paramount+ subscribers choose the no-ads option. Lots of change coming.

Oops, that was Peacock, not Paramount+. 22 million versus 60 million subscribers. That's an odd choice. Seems too soon for something that small to make that kind of play.

[Ksyrup]

Peacock ran a deal last August/September for $20 for the whole year (with ads). That was a no-brainer for me between EPL and Poker Face. I'm guessing they'll do something similar in conjunction with this game. Even for $50 when it renews, that's still worth it to me. And that's before I use any credit card offers to lower the cost.

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I'm sure it will be on their free service. You just have to deal with annoying ads.

Not a chance.

[stevew]

Brady joining the Aces and then immediately losing a first round pick and a coach suspension seems fitting.

(the Aces is a WNBA team)

That’s like the 4th 1st rounder lost to Brady related stuff

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Peacock ran a deal last August/September for $20 for the whole year (with ads). That was a no-brainer for me between EPL and Poker Face. I'm guessing they'll do something similar in conjunction with this game. Even for $50 when it renews, that's still worth it to me. And that's before I use any credit card offers to lower the cost.

I've subscribed, with ads, since the first year. $49 for what amounts to a season ticket to the EPL is worth it. Anything else I watch is just gravy.

They do run quite a few new movies and have pretty good programming too. For the movies most, that I've watched if not all(?), only have a 2-3 minute ad at the beginning and then you get the whole movie uninterrupted. I honestly don't watch enough to know how prevalent ads are in rerun tv shows like "The Office" etc. I think new shows like Yellowstone have all the ads you'd see watching on the network. IE it's better to dvr on Youtube-TV and be able to skip commercials rather than watch them on Peacock.

[albionmoonlight]

Dalton Kincaid is reportedly going to be utilized in a “similar fashion” to the way the Chiefs utilize Travis Kelce.

The Bills refer to Kincaid as a “weapon” rather than a traditional TE.

Josh Allen was reportedly “persistent” in his talks with GM Brandon Beane heading into the… pic.twitter.com/DObwwW656Q

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) May 17, 2023

Kincaid will probably be a good/great player. But I get nervous when I hear about star players starting to dictate who their teammates are going to be. That almost never ends well. Focus on being the QB, Josh, and trust your FO to manage the team.

[QuikSand]

...says a "Front Office Football" forum denizen

[albionmoonlight]

First look Stetson Bennett in a Rams uniform ��

(�� @Rams) pic.twitter.com/JLukImgX08

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 21, 2023

I love that he's just leaning into looking 45 years old.

[stevew]

Fair catches on NFL kickoffs to now be spotted at 25-yard line - ESPN

Another good rule change

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

I love that he's just leaning into looking 45 years old.

He looks like 70's era Elliot Gould.

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by stevew

Fair catches on NFL kickoffs to now be spotted at 25-yard line - ESPN

Another good rule change

The data that kickoff returns create an injury situation that's a lot worse than other play types is fairly convincing.

I'd rather see kickoffs eliminated than these tweaks that invite the sharper minds in the NFL to come up with their own ideas that might make the situation worse.

[stevew]

Bennett looks like the QB1 high school “Junior” cast in some 90s era sitcom. Strong Ian Ziering vibes.

[Ksyrup]

No, he's Screech!

[stevew]

Screech was related to the Harbaugh brothers in the SBTB universe.

[tzach]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

The data that kickoff returns create an injury situation that's a lot worse than other play types is fairly convincing.

I'd rather see kickoffs eliminated than these tweaks that invite the sharper minds in the NFL to come up with their own ideas that might make the situation worse.

i like the new rule. i think they will achieve the same result with less public outcry. with only about 40% of the kickoffs being returned, they made sure that a good fraction of those 40% will be fair caught. based on the kick return data, maybe all of them should be fair caught, and the practice time would be better used on punt returns.



one key aspect is that the new rule still give the possibility for the team that's one score behind to attempt an improbable long kick return with 2 min left.

[Ksyrup]

I know this is a new rule for the NFL, but they've been doing this in college for several years. I'm surprised it took this long to get ported into the NFL. It's not all that big a deal.

I don't know what the data looks like in college, but I thought there were still too many returns attempted considering both guaranteed placement at the 25 and the possibility of a penalty even if you got off a good return. I suppose I can understand the risk if you need a quick score toward the end of the game - a chance to quickly flip the field - but otherwise, seems risky to end up at the 18 or get tackled at the 23 with a 10 yard block in the back penalty.

[Thomkal]

My beloved Cards release Deandre Hopkins. Surprised they weren't able to trade him for even a low round draft pick. I rate his time with the Cards as a 5 or 6 I guess. When he was healthy and had Murray to throw to him it was great, when they were injured or recovering it was meh.

[NobodyHere]

Add this to the "RIP NFL Careers" Thread

Isaiah Rodgers issues statement: I made an error in judgment - ProFootballTalk

Yeah, this guy just gave up a million dollar paycheck to place relatively small bets. He had a chance to be a starter and potentially earn himself an even bigger contract next year. Now he'll probably just get suspended for at least a year and forgotten about.

[albionmoonlight]

So it is just small sample size that makes it seem like it is disproportionally WRs who are getting dinged for gambling? Or is there something about the psychological makeup of the position that is causing that?

[albionmoonlight]

dola: And I just saw that I mis-read and Rodgers is a CB not a WR

[albionmoonlight]

double dola: This is clearly a bigger problem than people expected. If I were a team, I'd have multiple "you do this shit, you get suspended" mandatory workshops for the team and coaches. And I'd block all gambling sites from the team Wi-Fi.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

dola: And I just saw that I mis-read and Rodgers is a CB not a WR

I wonder if you subconsciously read it the way I did initially and thought of Isiah McKenzie?

[cuervo72]

Totally flood the airwaves with sports betting commercials, react with shock when people place bets.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Add this to the "RIP NFL Careers" Thread

Isaiah Rodgers issues statement: I made an error in judgment - ProFootballTalk

Yeah, this guy just gave up a million dollar paycheck to place relatively small bets. He had a chance to be a starter and potentially earn himself an even bigger contract next year. Now he'll probably just get suspended for at least a year and forgotten about.

I have liked this kid for a while, I hope he comes out on the other side okay, but... yeah, could be a legit vanishing act.

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Players I'm watching, and hoping my favorite teams select, in day three:


...and I think my favorite late-round pet of this draft, lightning-fast CB/KR Isaiah Rodgers from UMass. Didn't even get a combine invite, he's in the books as "too small" but the kid can fly, has guts, and plays tough. I soooooo want there to be room in the NFL for a dude like this.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

double dola: This is clearly a bigger problem than people expected. If I were a team, I'd have multiple "you do this shit, you get suspended" mandatory workshops for the team and coaches. And I'd block all gambling sites from the team Wi-Fi.

There should, also, be signs everywhere in team facilities reminding players about the rule.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

double dola: This is clearly a bigger problem than people expected. If I were a team, I'd have multiple "you do this shit, you get suspended" mandatory workshops for the team and coaches. And I'd block all gambling sites from the team Wi-Fi.

Because I was not sure, I think it needs to be clear exactly what this shit is.

https://nflcommunications.com/Docume...0-%20FINAL.pdf

Obviously, NFL personnel need to know the rules and ignorance of the rules does not protect you from punishment for breaking the rules. I just have a hard time that all of a sudden a rash of NFL players just decided to break NFL gambling rules. To me, this feel like when MLB did steroid testing back in 2003 to see if there was a need for mandatory random drug testing in 2004. I think the NFL knew that players were breaking some of the rules before especially the rules about using gambling apps in the workplace. Then they sent out word to cut the shit because punishment is a coming. Now they are making examples out of people.

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Totally flood the airwaves with sports betting commercials, react with shock when people place bets.

This.


Its only a matter of time before another point shaving/throwing games scandal hits major sports.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Its only a matter of time before another point shaving/throwing games scandal hits major sports.

There's a somewhat counterintuitive theory, to which I subscribe, that bringing sports wagering more out into the open and under regulation actually makes this less of a concern, rather than more. With wagering more out in the open and subject to audits and reviews of regulators, if there were suspicious betting activity around an event or a series of events, there would be (a) a much clearer control group against which to contrast it, and (b) a far clearer way for the many line-watchers out there to capture the oddity directly.

I guess the "how do I find someone to take my $6 million action on that Seahawks game?" suggests that a big legal market is better than a smaller illegal one... but at another more practical level, legalization might prove to be a net disinfectant.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

There's a somewhat counterintuitive theory, to which I subscribe, that bringing sports wagering more out into the open and under regulation actually makes this less of a concern, rather than more. With wagering more out in the open and subject to audits and reviews of regulators, if there were suspicious betting activity around an event or a series of events, there would be (a) a much clearer control group against which to contrast it, and (b) a far clearer way for the many line-watchers out there to capture the oddity directly.

I guess the "how do I find someone to take my $6 million action on that Seahawks game?" suggests that a big legal market is better than a smaller illegal one... but at another more practical level, legalization might prove to be a net disinfectant.

See, e.g., Alabama Baseball Game Flagged For Suspicious Betting Activity

This looks like it was just some automated system that flagged the bets as suspicious and shut down wagering. Which, as Q notes, is actually the legality of the system working to help keep things clean.

[Solecismic]

If they tried to do another Back to the Future movie, McFly would have to take a job washing dishes. No one under 30 would believe the almanac trick could work. I guess they'd use Apple stock or something, but that's a slower burn.

Of course, after today's $3,500 phone-in-your-face rollout, maybe Apple stock will soon be a thing of the past.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I just have a hard time that all of a sudden a rash of NFL players just decided to break NFL gambling rules. To me, this feel like when MLB did steroid testing back in 2003 to see if there was a need for mandatory random drug testing in 2004. I think the NFL knew that players were breaking some of the rules before especially the rules about using gambling apps in the workplace. Then they sent out word to cut the shit because punishment is a coming. Now they are making examples out of people.

Or just better technology.

Inside the NFL's gambling policy and uptick in violations - ESPN

Why are these violations being discovered now?

Since the Supreme Court ruling, the NFL has embedded itself in the sports betting industry. The league beefed up its in-house technology, dedicating security personnel to the space and partnering with sportsbooks and integrity firms to create a network of sources that monitors the betting market and identifies improper bettors. The league now has more visibility of bets on the NFL, where they're placed and who made them.

Sportsbooks and state regulators use geolocation services to track where bets are placed. After the suspensions in April, the NFLPA sent an email to all agents, alerting them that some of the violations involved players placing bets while using mobile apps on their phones while at work or while traveling with their teams. "This is a violation of the NFL's gambling policy," Ned Ehrlich, the NFLPA's associate general counsel, wrote in the email obtained by ESPN.

"During the NFL's investigations," Ehrlich added, "we have learned that these apps [like FanDuel] are highly sensitive and very sophisticated at tracking, among other things, user location to be sure that people using the app are not 'prohibited gamblers' and/or that the person using the apps is in a location where they are allowed to place bets on the app."

Many state gambling regulations require sportsbooks to obtain the services of an integrity firm. These companies act as a hub to report suspicious wagering, which is then investigated and often communicated to the sports governing bodies. In Ohio, for example, regulations require integrity monitors that receive reports of suspicious wagering to "provide a report to the commission, its contracted sports gaming proprietors, all certified independent integrity monitors and appropriate sports governing bodies." In addition, sources familiar with NFL partnerships in the gambling space say companies are generally obligated to communicate suspicious activity with the league.

"We have long focused on expanding our monitoring efforts, working with a variety of tools and resources while remaining in sync with the growing regulated market," David Highhill, a vice president and general manager who oversees sports betting for the NFL, wrote in an email to ESPN. "Our monitoring efforts include internal measures, along with resources and services provided by our partners to ensure we have the most comprehensive information possible."

I assume the apps would not allow a bettor to do so but Rodgers probably should have used some of his betting money to invest in a quality VPN. Yeah he could just not bet on the NFL but obviously he was ignoring that option. that

[molson]

Patriots fans are losing their minds over the 2-day Hopkins visit, and positive reports coming from that and all the social media teases he's dropping. I didn't think there was any way the Patriots would be the highest bidder, and thought he had issues with O'Brien, but I'm starting to think it's possible. He is exactly what they need.

[Solecismic]

Terrible news.

White Hall head football coach Ryan Mallett drowns in Florida – Deltaplex News

At one time, he was one of the highest-rated recruits ever to come to Michigan. He almost made his debut in the infamous Appalachian State game, then played the following week when Chad Henne was injured.

He wasn't a good fit with the RichRod system, so he transferred to Arkansas. He was eventually drafted by the Patriots, but didn't stick in the NFL. He was, until this week, a head coach for a Florida high school.

[GrantDawg]

I just put that in the famous people death thread. I had forgotten about his Michigan ties, but I did remember he was a big-time recruit.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[GrantDawg]

My wife just informed me a friend of ours had a relative that died Saturday drowning in Panama City. He was one of three that drown there Saturday because of a red flag warning. I wonder if that is what happened here.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[miami_fan]

Sources - NFL expected to suspend Isaiah Rodgers, others this week - ESPN

A handful of NFL players, including Indianapolis Colts cornerback and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers, are expected to receive season-long suspensions this week for violating the NFL's policy on gambling, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Sources - NFL expected to suspend Isaiah Rodgers, others this week - ESPN

[Solecismic]

Perhaps it's time for the league to sit down with the NFLPA and revisit this issue.

Noble goal: keeping organized gambling out of the league.

Implementation: clearly, players weren't paying enough attention when told about the new rules.

Time to call a mulligan and put together a presentation every player has to watch and individually acknowledge. Now is the best time for that. Existing suspensions should be reduced to one game.

[rjolley]

My initial reaction was the NFL is going overboard and needs to pare down the penalties. Then I was reminded that Ridley was suspended for a year for the same thing. So, the players knew it was a problem, didn't think they'd get caught, were caught, and got the established penalty. Can't see fault with that.

I do think the penalty is too much...thought that about Ridley's suspension as well. However, if that's what was agreed to, then shame on you for breaking the rule.

[Bobble]

I think I heard Jamo was betting from his hotel room on the road. So, not betting on his lunch hour at the practice field, not even in an obvious team facility. Should he have known better? Probably, but I can't call him out for being a little fuzzy on the specifics of the rule.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by rjolley

My initial reaction was the NFL is going overboard and needs to pare down the penalties. Then I was reminded that Ridley was suspended for a year for the same thing. So, the players knew it was a problem, didn't think they'd get caught, were caught, and got the established penalty. Can't see fault with that.

I do think the penalty is too much...thought that about Ridley's suspension as well. However, if that's what was agreed to, then shame on you for breaking the rule.

I don't remember all of the details with the Ridley suspension but my perception at the time was his case was all about him betting on his own team. I thought that was the no no as opposed to him gambling at all, where he gambled or even betting on the NFL games that did not involve his team.

The league are putting out these six key rules of the gambling policy.

1. Don't bet on the NFL.

2. Don't gamble at your team facility, while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel.

3. Don't have someone bet for you.

4. Don't share team "inside information."

5. Don't enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season.

6. Don't play daily fantasy football.

They all seem simple enough now. It will be interesting to see how 3 and 4 are policed. To use a polarizing example just for the sake of being extreme, how will we know if Jackson Mahomes is not placing bets for Patrick or if Patrick did not share inside information with Jackson.

[albionmoonlight]

Report: Isaiah Rodgers won a $1,000 prop bet on a teammate's over/under rushing yards - NBC Sports

You can't bet on games involving your own team.

Win $1,000. Lose your career.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Perhaps it's time for the league to sit down with the NFLPA and revisit this issue.

Noble goal: keeping organized gambling out of the league.

Implementation: clearly, players weren't paying enough attention when told about the new rules.

Time to call a mulligan and put together a presentation every player has to watch and individually acknowledge. Now is the best time for that. Existing suspensions should be reduced to one game.

Take this FWIW but from the couple of sports talk shows I've seen former NFL players talk like this is presented every year in a "in your face" "you can't misunderstand" way. Every year, every camp.

Not going to pretend I know about how meetings are run to know how accurate that is, but it is what they said. If that is the case and someone still gambles I'm not sure what you can do other than enforce the rules? I've known plenty of people in my life that thought rules didn't apply to them and were butt hurt when they found out different. I've also known those that thought rules didn't apply to them, and they were right.

My best guess is these guys knew the rules and for whatever reason (doesn't apply, won't get caught, etc. etc.) ignored them.

[JPhillips]

When the message is:

GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE not you GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE

it's inevitable that there will be problems.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

When the message is:

GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE not you GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE

it's inevitable that there will be problems.

This post has been brought to you by sportsgambling.net*

*Please gamble responsibly. But do gamble. We'll even point out some helplines for your addiction after you lose your house. Remember to double all losing bets.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

When the message is:

GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE not you GAMBLE GAMBLE GAMBLE

it's inevitable that there will be problems.

Totally agree.

[molson]

I don't think it's that complicated that something that is advertised to the NFL's massive audience is off limits to its players, and I definitely think players making millions of dollars are professionals that are capable of understanding a few simple gambling rules (and the vast majority do).

Plus players get a % of league revenue per the NFL. They can't gamble on the league either way, but they get a cut of of these sponsorship deals.

And even besides the money, the NFL and other sports leagues have an interest in having relationships with these apps, so they can have access to the real time data and monitor for suspicious trends and player involvement. Those apps were going to be huge regardless of the league's involvement, and burying their heads in the sand about how sports gambling has changed in the U.S. wouldn't be in their best interest either (I remember when they used to be mocked for pretending gambling didn't exist, and for advocating against the spread of legal sports gambling).

[JPhillips]

The game relies on young men putting themselves at risk for the chance to win. It's just inevitable that some small number of them are going to take a risk with gambling when they are pummeled by an endless pro-gambling message.

And I'm sure the NFL and other pro leagues understand this is just the cost of doing business with sports books.

[molson]

I don't think league not having relationships with the betting app companies would stop players from using the apps (though it might stop them from catching the players that do).

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by Sweed

Take this FWIW but from the couple of sports talk shows I've seen former NFL players talk like this is presented every year in a "in your face" "you can't misunderstand" way. Every year, every camp.

I have read pretty much the exact opposite in an article quoting current players...something along the lines of "Yeah, they told us, but it was team officials relaying the information in the middle of a third day of 6-hour meetings...it was easy to miss"