The 2013-2014 NFL Offseason/Coaching/Free Agency (non-draft) Thread

[stevew]

Rob Chudzinski is a pretty good OC. Would make a great choice for the Browns.

[MacroGuru]

You gotta be kidding me...We sign Schwartz as a DC!!??

Ugh, Bills are cursed...

[Julio Riddols]

Schwartz is an excellent DC. I'd wager better than Pettine.

[Izulde]

Dolphins hire Dennis Hickey from Tampa Bay as the GM.

Stephen Ross Names Dennis Hickey As Miami Dolphins General Manager

Gotta say, I'm really underwhelmed by this hire at first blush, but we'll see.

[Matthean]

Monte Kiffin loses Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator title to Rod Marinelli - ESPN Dallas

I don't think adding coaches from the Lions is gonna help in the end.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

You gotta be kidding me...We sign Schwartz as a DC!!??

Ugh, Bills are cursed...

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

Schwartz is an excellent DC. I'd wager better than Pettine.

Just don't let him near head coaching duties.

[miami_fan]

Can Matt Cassel get more than $3.7 million as a free agent?

Matt Cassel of Minnesota Vikings to void option, test market - ESPN

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel, who emerged from a three-way QB derby to become the Vikings' starter for the last month of the season, might now be looking to see if his play in 2013 will earn him a bigger contract on the open market.


Cassel intends to void the 2014 option on his contract, a person familiar with the situation told ESPN,com, confirming multiple reports.

He was scheduled to make $3.7 million in 2014 with the Vikings, but both sides had an option on the deal; Cassel had to make his decision by Friday, while the Vikings had until the seventh day of the league year to cut Cassel or pay him a $500,000 roster bonus.

With a handful of teams looking for quarterbacks -- including the Vikings -- Cassel has evidently decided to test his options.

He saw action in nine games, starting six of them and throwing for 1,807 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Cassel threw for 382 yards in the Vikings' surprising 48-30 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 15, and started in three of the Vikings' five wins, replacing an injured Christian Ponder in the other two.

Cassel will be 32 in May, but might have a chance to take advantage of a market replete with teams that need quarterbacks. The Vikings have the eighth pick in the draft, and are behind several teams -- Houston, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and Oakland among them -- who need quarterbacks.

Cassel could still re-sign with the Vikings to give them a veteran option if they did bring in a young QB, but he might find a better offer to do that somewhere else, including in Houston, where new coach Bill O'Brien worked with Cassel in New England.

With Cassel about to hit the open market, Ponder is the only Vikings quarterback under contract.

[Logan]

Was this option fully guaranteed? If not, he may have been faced with getting cut prior to the season starting and only having $500K to show for it.

[Julio Riddols]

Cassel is a passable starter and top of the line backup. I'd say someone will give him at or near what he was getting in Minny.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

Cassel is a passable starter and top of the line backup. I'd say someone will give him at or near what he was getting in Minny.

he would be a decent guy to start a season for a team drafting a QB so the rookie can sit and learn the system.

[cartman]

CBS is going to start showing Thursday night games.

NFL, CBS partner on 'Thursday Night Football' in 2014 - NFL.com

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Can Matt Cassel get more than $3.7 million as a free agent?

Matt Cassel of Minnesota Vikings to void option, test market - ESPN

FWIW, I really think Cassel is a better QB than what he showed in KC. As we saw from the coaching change, it's pretty obvious that there were a lot of players who suffered from multiple years of poor coaching.

[rowech]

Cassel will end up in Cleveland and will start until whoever is ready in 2020.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by cartman

CBS is going to start showing Thursday night games.

NFL, CBS partner on 'Thursday Night Football' in 2014 - NFL.com

oh great more Phil Simms, just what I wanted.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

oh great more Phil Simms, just what I wanted.

This.

Gross.

[miked]

Why would Cassel stay? He was guaranteed nothing but 500k and that could have come after everyone else signed. Seems like his value is much higher now than the 7th day of the league year (whenever that is). If Freeman can make a prorated 2M getting dumber, there is hope for Cassel.

[Matthean]

Star Wars: NFL

[stevew]

Originally Posted by cartman

CBS is going to start showing Thursday night games.

NFL, CBS partner on 'Thursday Night Football' in 2014 - NFL.com

I had heard that ABC was going to try to buy these games. Seems like CBS was wise to block them from doing so. Wonder what this does to the early season schedule on CBS. They might have some trouble spots next year and they're currently getting reamed on slots like Mon & Tues at 10pm. Plus HIMYM ends and 2.5 Men has to be getting expensive as hell. I'm not sure if Mom has the mass appeal to anchor a comedy night like what might be needed next fall.

[BillJasper]

Seems like Cromartie is determined to damage his market value...

Cromartie on smoking weed: “We’re just going to do it anyway” | ProFootballTalk

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

Seems like Cromartie is determined to damage his market value...

Cromartie on smoking weed: “We’re just going to do it anyway” | ProFootballTalk

"Random" drug test for Cromartie in 3...2...1

[stevew]

Imagine if they knew how many dudes probably do coke. That clears in like 2-3 days while pot takes a month.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by cartman

CBS is going to start showing Thursday night games.

NFL, CBS partner on 'Thursday Night Football' in 2014 - NFL.com

I'm fine with this. I didn't mind Nessler and Mayock at all, quite liked them, but for whatever reason the NFL broadcasts always felt cheap and weird. I could never figure out why. I mean, the NFL usually excels at production values and marketing its product, but they just couldn't figure out how to do a strong game day telecast.

[Warhammer]

I won't watch if it's Simms calling it. I already turn off Sunday games if he is calling them.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

I won't watch if it's Simms calling it. I already turn off Sunday games if he is calling them.

More times that not, I watch football on mute with music playing or I'll read between plays and during commercials (never realized how much time I lost between plays!). So if Simms is calling it, good, I'll get to read even more. And I'm pretty sure the Super Bowl was the first time all year I heard Joe Buck's voice.

On the NY Giants front, they voided CB Corey Webster's contract as well as TE Brandon Myers' contract. Webster got paid big a few years ago because his stock rose quickly from 1-2 great years but has been a disappointment ever since. Myers I thought had an "okay" season receiver and looked lost in run blocking and the times he was kept in for pass protection. He was not worth the cap hit he was about to become. Should clear out a decent chunk of cap space for them.

[stevew]

Simms and Nance are bad enough once a week. Twice will be unbearable. I actually like Mayock. The only crew I like a lot is the NBC Sunday night crew. Michaels and Collonsworth work great together. Although I bet Michaels would make anyone look good. He's a national treasure.

[Kodos]

I enjoy Michaels and Collinsworth too. I know a lot of people don't like Collinsworth, but I enjoy him.

[BishopMVP]

Kodos put this in the other thread, but it's too awesome to get lost - See Every NFL Team's Helmet Re-Imagined "Star Wars" Style | Co.Create | creativity + culture + commerce

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I enjoy Michaels and Collinsworth too. I know a lot of people don't like Collinsworth, but I enjoy him.

I might be slightly misremembering stuff but I think Collinsworth would do some of the regional Bengals games in the late 90s and just the way he broke the game down was so different than the norm. He really needs a HOF push at some point for lifetime contribution to the game.

[stevew]

So one of the Thanksgiving games is either going to be Detroit hosting Miami or Detroit hosting Buffalo. This sounds like a great way to spend thanksgiving.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I enjoy Michaels and Collinsworth too. I know a lot of people don't like Collinsworth, but I enjoy him.

Collinsworth is the only ex-player commentator that really seems to use that experience to enhance how he talks about the game. He spots things I never would have seen. Aikman and Simms could be any two guys off the street. I don't hate them, I don't find anyone unlistenable, but Collinsowrth actually adds something to a game.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I enjoy Michaels and Collinsworth too. I know a lot of people don't like Collinsworth, but I enjoy him.

Yeah, I've come completely around on Collinsworth. Used to hate him, now I actually find I enjoy him more than most.

[nol]

For any team looking to grab a late-round steal in the draft, Michael Sam, SEC Defensive POY, has announced that he is gay.


Log In - The New York Times

[Shkspr]

Originally Posted by nol

For any team looking to grab a late-round steal in the draft, Michael Sam, SEC Defensive POY, has announced that he is gay.


Log In - The New York Times

...and was immediately named to the US delegation in Sochi.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by nol

For any team looking to grab a late-round steal in the draft, Michael Sam, SEC Defensive POY, has announced that he is gay.


Log In - The New York Times

good for this kid and shame on any team that passes up on him because of his sexual orientation, although I do think the distractions that come with it could be Tebowesque.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by nol

For any team looking to grab a late-round steal in the draft, Michael Sam, SEC Defensive POY, has announced that he is gay.

Log In - The New York Times

Good for him. He's going to be a helluva player, so the NFL is going to have to take this thing on whether they like it or not.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Shkspr

...and was immediately named to the US delegation in Sochi.

I'm sad this is still a story, but good for him. It'll be pretty tough to sugarcoat it if he falls in the draft at this point, so this could go a long way toward making this no longer a story.

[claphamsa]

found it telling that all the teams knew he was gay... but the COMING OUT is what hurt him.

players dont care only the media cares.

Green bay will pick him.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

players dont care only the media cares.

I don't think you could be more wrong.

The culture of the NFL is so macho I think the majority of players would want nothing to do with an openly gay player in the locker room. Most are either smart enough not to admit it or have been coached up enough not to.

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I don't think you could be more wrong.

The culture of the NFL is so macho I think the majority of players would want nothing to do with an openly gay player in the locker room. Most are either smart enough not to admit it or have been coached up enough not to.

so his college team didnt care... Im sure there would be one or 2 assholes who would have an issue with it, but the deterrent (read the article) was the media, not the players

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

Green bay will pick him.

Could be a distraction for A-Aron...

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by claphamsa

players dont care only the media cares.

Um, wasn't there a stir recently about someone on San Fran that made some rather strong anti-gay statement about how gay players wouldn't be welcomed?

That doesn't have to be the common point of view to be something that can cause a problem.

[EagleFan]

With all that said, more power to him. Who cares who someone sleeps with (as long as they are consenting adults)?

[RainMaker]

I feel like if Riley Cooper could somehow fit in this year this guy won't have a huge problem.

[claphamsa]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I feel like if Riley Cooper could somehow fit in this year this guy won't have a huge problem.

perfect answer. win, and players will accept anything.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I don't think you could be more wrong.

The culture of the NFL is so macho I think the majority of players would want nothing to do with an openly gay player in the locker room. Most are either smart enough not to admit it or have been coached up enough not to.

Which is all the more reason why what he's done here is so important. I do think this is going to be a world of good in general for people who want to come out in the NFL. Yes, there are some ignorant people who will judge, but I think there will be more that are more than happy to come to his defense and support him. Things are much different than they were 5-10 years ago.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

dola

I'll add that I'm just as proud of the other Mizzou players and the university in how this was handled. Most of the players knew before the season even began that he was gay. Was it a distraction? Did they harass him for his sexual orientation? No and no. Sam went out of his way to talk about how accepting the players and staff were of his situation. They also posted a fantastic Facebook post saying that we as a university accept our students 'no matter what stripes they wear'. While obviously not the main motivation, this is a huge boost to the university and shows true character.

Loved this comment from Sam in the article in the NY Times. This is a kid who can handle the situation.



Deadspin posted some of the reactions from NFL players........

Here's How The NFL Reacted To Michael Sam Coming Out

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Good for him. He's going to be a helluva player, so the NFL is going to have to take this thing on whether they like it or not.

Good to know. I look forward to it!

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I feel like if Riley Cooper could somehow fit in this year this guy won't have a huge problem.

The two situations couldn't be any more different.

One situation is someone making a mistake. The other is about someone's lifestyle. The first can be changed to be looked past. The second will always be the 800 pound elephant in the locker room.

I would hope that it can be accepted but we are talking about testosterone fueled meat heads so nothing will surprise me.

[Dutch]

They are grown ass men making millions of dollars, deal with it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I could also see it as a situation where it could galvanize a team behind a player. The first time someone tries to cheap-shot him, you could see a situation where the team and the fan base use it to rally themselves behind that player.