The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Preseason

NFC West


San Francisco 49ers - Last Season 4-12

It wasn't too long since the 49ers went to a Superbowl, but it's been a downward trend ever since. Jim Tomsula was relieved of his duties after guiding San Francisco to 2nd pick in the draft, with the 49ers front office figuring the best way to replicate the success under Jim Harbaugh was to appoint Jim's brother John. The 49ers are better than they played last season, which is good news going forward for a new coach. Colin Kaepernick is in danger of drifting towards Matt Stafford territory of getting 6-8 wins a season without much better or worse, but Carlos Hyde is a solid runner in the backfield. Ironically, a result of Tomsula's time with the team lives on through an already strong O-line that is boosted by the signing of guard Louis Vasquez, but the 49ers could use some receivers on the outside to take attention of TE Vernon Davis. Defensively San Fran still enjoy the play of OLB Von Miller and MLB Navarro Bowman on a well above average unit.

Notable Resignings - FS Eric Reed
Notable Additions - RG Louis Vasquez
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - LT Zach Jose
New Coach - John Harbaugh


St Louis Rams - Last Season 7-8-1

The Rams dispensed with Jeff Fisher after continual mediocre play from a talented team. Joe Philbin has been appointed to bring his brand of football to St Louis and there is a lot to work with, especially on defence. The unit as a whole doesn't have any weaknesses, with solid players complimented by star power from guys like Aaron Donald, Chris Long and EJ Gains. On offence, Herschel Robinson is doing well under centre alongside RB Todd Gurley. The wide receiver position is still a black hole and in need of serious attention. The only real targets for Robinson are tight ends Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks.

Notable Resignings - OLB Alex Ogletree, DE Chris Long, SS TJ MacDonald
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - CB Evince Milliner
New Coach - Joe Philbin


Arizona Cardinals - Last Season 10-6

A year after their free agency spending spree, this off season has been significantly quieter for Arizona, but not a lot cheaper. Calais Campbell has resigned with the Cardinals in a deal north of the $100m mark. He anchors an intimidating defence though, which is strong across the front 7 and has very few weaknesses. Patrick Peterson is a top level corner but after him the Cb depth chart is a little weak. That really is the only knock on this defence though. On the other side of the ball, Russell Wilson and Chris Ivory will again feature heavily behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Losing a player like Larry Fitzgerald would hurt any offence, but such was his standing that it is sad for the league as well. If this team clicks, they could be very dangerous. After a year of playing together, that is a real possibility.

Notable Resignings - DE Calais Campbell, FS Tyrann Mathieu
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - WR Larry Fitzgerald (retired - age)
Draft Pick - OLB CJ Mincy


Seattle Seahawks - Last Season 10-6

Pete Carroll retired during the off season, throwing the Seahawks onto the coaching carousel. With Andrew Luck now on board, Mike Tomlin's style of tough defence and air raid offence should suit Seattle well. Although the Seahawks kept Luck in town, they had to tag him. That's created a significant cap squeeze that a long term deal for the QB would ease, but there is no guarantee of that on the horizon. Marshawn Lynch and Jimmy Graham continue to star on a strong offence that lacks quality on the line and at wide receiver. If Coach Tomlin wants to bring a pass heavy offence to the West Coast he is going to need some quality out wide. The defence remains largely unchanged from last season with a number of stars set to return.

Notable Resignings - QB Andrew Luck (franchise tag)
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - None
New Coach - Mike Tomlin

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Preseason

AFC North


Cleveland Browns - Last Season 6-10

The Browns have quietly assembled a reasonable and young offence with QB Johnny Manziel and RB Aundre Fuller. However, they have an old and poor core of receivers highlighted by Greg Jennings and Dwayne Bowe. Their offensive line may be a top 3 unit, with standouts LT Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack. Their defence is also quietly impressive with quality across the board. CB Joe Haden is a key player, as are safety duo Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson. This team should do a lot better than 6 wins.

Notable Resignings - None
Notable Additions - WR Dwayne Bowe
Notable Losses - OLB Barkavious Mingo (team), SS Bernard Pollard (team)
Draft Pick - DT Joey Jose


Baltimore Ravens - Last Season 7-9

With John Harbaugh moving over to San Francisco, the Ravens moved quickly to secure the services of Mike McCoy who was let go by San Diego after securing 21 wins and back to back trips to the playoffs. Still, San Diego's loss is Baltimore's gain and McCoy's first job will be to address the teams -9 TO differential from last season. The team needs significantly more from longtime QB Joe Flacco considering the cap number he currently carries. The stable of running backs on the roster should help Flacco with Deangelo Williams, Ronnie Hillman and Justin Forsett all set to spell in the backfield. The defence is more than adequate this season, with standouts Jimmy Smith and CJ Mosley. Baltimore could benefit from a few more pass rushers though, particularly at OLB.

Notable Resignings - None
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - LT Kevin Russell
New Coach - Mike McCoy


Pittsburgh Steelers - Last Season 7-9

The Steelers managed 1 less win than last season and moved up from 4th in their division to 2nd last season. Such are the quirks of the NFL, but the Steelers will move forward without Mike Tomlin, entrusting their team to another advocate of hard running and solid defence in John Fox. One thing the Steelers don't need more of is receivers, but they spent their first round pick on one anyway. This continues to be a loaded offence, with strength across the line. Their defence needs an overhaul though. Outside of line backers Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons, there isn't anywhere near a comparable level of talent on display compared to the offence.

Notable Resignings - RB Leveon Bell, MLB Lawrence Timmons
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - WR Sherard Quarles
New Coach - John Fox


Cincinnati Bengals - Last Season 10-6

Another season, another playoff loss. The Bengals may go down as one of those great teams that never grabs a ring and the Bengals are in danger of their window closing. Dalton, AJ Green and Hill are joined on offence by rookie receivers Brandon Riley and Kevin Dorsey. Their line is more than capable of helping this offence put points on the board. The defence in Cincinnati continues to rival Seattle for best in the league. The only question on this roster is how they will find a way not to win a Superbowl this season.

Notable Resignings - TE Tyler Eifert (franchise tag)
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - RB Giovanni Bernard (retired - injury)
Draft Pick - WR Brandon Riley

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Preseason

AFC South


Houston Texans - Last Season 4-12

There are still many questions in Houston, most of them relating to the QB position. There is still no answer for the time being, Geno Smith has been picked up but isn't the answer and neither is Colt McCoy who is also on the roster. There has also been a sighting of Peyton Hillis on the Texans roster, many thought his career was most likely finished. He is a vast downgrade from Arian Foster who the Texans finally cut loose after a poor injury record in recent seasons. Much fancied offensive coordinator Ryan Mack has been promoted to Head Coach and Bill O'Brien has been released. Deandre Hopkins was tagged and it remains to be seen if either side can work this one out. The defence is an improved unit and former #1 pick Clowney has been moved from OLB to DE. Safety is a strong position and JJ Watt is one of the best at what he does. This defence had a league best 60 sacks last season. They wont get better until they address the QB position though.

Notable Resignings - WR Deandre Hopkins (franchise tag)
Notable Additions - QB Geno Smith, SS Malcolm Jenkins, RB Peyton Hillis
Notable Losses - RB Arian Foster (injury)
Draft Pick - LT BJ Murphy
New Coach - Ryan Mack


Indianapolis Colts - Last Season 6-10

The Colts ended their dance with Andrew Luck, shipping him to Seattle for 3 draft picks. That leaves Indianapolis with a significant hole at QB, but the opportunity to strengthen across their roster going forward. Mike Glennon and Brian Hoyer are tasked with QB duties for now, but that is a short term solution. There are still major issues at both the WR and RB positions, but TY Hilton and the O-line are continuing their improvement. The defence could use play makers in the front 7, but the secondary is continuing to develop. Vontae Davis is already a star and rookies Morris and Caldwell will both start this season. Last season's first round pick safety Connor Blalock appears to be a solid selection now he has a year under his belt.

Notable Resignings - None
Notable Additions - RG Chance Warmack
Notable Losses - None
Draft Picks - CB Demarkus Morris, DT Dominique Caldwell


Tennessee Titans - Last Season 6-10

Tennessee continue to be a team unsure if it is really on an upswing or perilously close to a stretch of bad form. The former is a real possibility with their roster, the latter would probably see the end of coach Ken Wisenhunt. Marcus Mariota is a top level QB and potentially the best dual threat option in the league outside of Cam Newton. RB Rashaun Lauderdale had a promising rookie season but will need to continue that form in his 2nd year. Dorial Green Beckham is another player at a career crossroads, he needs to show why the Titans should invest in him long term. The defence is strong up front which covers for a less than stellar secondary. Defensive end Jurrell Casey is now a premier player at his position and commands significant attention. That frees up space for OLB due Brian Orakpo and newly acquired Barkavious Mingo to rush the passer.

Notable Resignings - TE Delaine Walker
Notable Additions - OLB Barkavious Mingo
Notable Losses - RG Chance Warmack (team)
Draft Pick - SS Rashaad Lewis


Jacksonville Jaguars - Last Season 9-7

Shocking the NFL world, the Jaguars went on a tear the second half of last season to show everyone what their roster was capable of. Unfortunately creative differences between HC Gus Bradley and their Jacksonville front office led to a staffing change and it remains to be seen if new coach Gary Kubiak will be able to get the same level of play out of this roster. One big help will be the free agent signing of Arian Foster to add a new dimension to this offence. The Jaguars haven't had this kind of quality in the backfield since Maurice Jones-Drew. Blake Bortles put his talents on display last season to help the Jaguars win this division, he will be hoping for more of the same going forward as he clearly has the ability. The defence is good in most spots, especially linebacker with Paul Pozluszny and Rolando McClain. Corner may be an issue for them, one that could be overcome by pressure created by 1st round pick DJ Winston and recently tagged DE Kroy Biermann.

Notable Resignings - De Kroy Biermann (franchise tag), LT Luke Joeckel
Notable Additions - RB Arian Foster
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - DE DJ Winston
New Coach - Gary Kubiak

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Preseason

AFC East


Buffalo Bills - Last Season 6-9-1

Rex Ryan continues his now considerable streak of picking defensive players in the first round of a draft, snagging defensive tackle Zac Davis from Penn State. This team is on the verge of needing a rebuild, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Buffalo continues to struggle in a very strong AFC East, and it is unlikely their current roster is going to get them over the top. Lesean McCoy is a good runner but beginning to show his age, much like Percy Harvin at receiver. Tyrod Taylor continues to divide opinion with his play but doubters have the upper hand due to the Bills lackluster record during his tenure. Defensively, there is still undoubted talent from Marcell Darius and MLB Preston Brown, but both CB and LB aren't good enough to keep pace with the offences in this division. A rebuild needs to be on the horizon.

Notable Resignings - QB EJ Manuel
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - DT Zac Davis


New York Jets - Last Season 7-9

The Jets couldn't offer Sheldon Richardson what he wanted, but they did keep him in town under the franchise tag. They paid the price to do so though, having to release long time left tackle Ferguson in order to free up sufficient cap room. All the Jets eggs are firmly with QB Jack Riley now that Geno Smith has been released, he never made an impact in New York. Riley's future appears much brighter after a reasonable rookie outing. The Jets continue to struggle replacing Chris Ivory, but 2nd round pick Desmond Tolliver is the next man in line to try. Another issue with releasing Ferguson is that the O-line was already poor and didn't need to be weakened any further. Defensively, the front 3 of the Jets continues to be amongst the best in the league but the pressure is certainly on them for serious production considering the amount of salary invested in them. OLB is probably the main weakness of this defence, but most other positions are covered, especially corner. New York may want to pick up a replacement for an aging Darrelle Revis before too long though.

Notable Resignings - DE Sheldon Richardson (franchise tag)
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - QB Geno Smith (team), LT D'Brickershaw Ferguson (salary)
Draft Pick - FS Demarcus Griffin


Miami Dolphins - Last Season 8-8

The Mike McCarthy tenure continues in Miami. The former Packers coach needs to get the best out of this offence despite the majority of its players underwhelming for the most part. Ryan Tannerhill is still an above average but not great QB, but Jonathan Dwyer is a serviceable runner at best. There is little outside at receiver, but the offensive line is at least stout. The strength of this 'Fins team continues to be on the defensive side of the ball and their defensive line is very strong. With Wake and Suh now joined by free agent signing Sharrif Floyd, a strong unit has become even stronger. Corner continues to be a concern, but the safeties behind those DBs are solid.

Notable Resignings - SS Reshan Jones, DE Cameron Wake, TE Jordan Cameron
Notable Additions - DT sharrif Floyd, CB Logan Ryan
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - MLB James McCray


New England Patriots - Last Season 13-3

The Brady Belichick era is over and it is time for the Patriots to turn to Jimmy Garoppolo. His transition to regular starter will be helped by a strong offensive line that is boosted by the addition of stand-out left guard Josh Sitton from the Packers. Lamaar Miller and Legarrette Blount are useful backs to have to take the pressure off the young QB. Defensively the Patriots continue to struggle at multiple positions but possess enough star power to get them by. McCourty, Chandler Jones and the newly resigned Jamie Collins will hopefully paper over the considerable cracks at corner and DT, especially. Previously this New England team could beat most people on Brady's shoulders. Those days are gone, and what is to come? Nick Saban will be poised to find out.

Notable Resignings - OLB Jamie Collins
Notable Additions - RB Darren Sproles, LG Josh Sitton
Notable Losses - DT Vince Wilfork (retired - age), QB Tom Brady (retired - age), WR Brandon Lafell (roster)
Draft Pick - DE Cesar Carter
New Coach - Nick Saban

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

AFC West


Denver Broncos - Last Season 6-10

Gary Kubiak finally left Denver after hardly being given a fair run, especially towards the end of his tenure. Peyton Manning's first job after playing in the NFL is trying to turn around a franchise that has recently struggled since his tenure there as a player. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been retained for another year at QB whilst the franchise decides what to do at the position, but long time Giants backup Ryan Nassib was picked up during free agency and could be in contention to start under centre. Everything else in Denver remains relatively similar from Manning's time there as a player. Demarcus Ware's retirement will hurt a defence that finished 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed last year. The main question mark on this side of the ball is the development of Shane Ray, a former first round pick who has struggled to make an impact since entering the league. Expect Demaryius Thomas, Chris Harris and Aqib Talib to once again excel for the Broncos.

Notable Resignings - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Emmanuel Sanders
Notable Additions - QB Ryan Nassib
Notable Losses - OLB DeMarcus Ware (retired - age)
Draft Pick - DT Eric Jennings
New Coach - Peyton Manning


Oakland Raiders - Last Season 9-7

This Oakland team continues to develop into a strong force within the AFC. Their offence is geared towards passing the football effectively and may only be hindered by the development of David Carr at quarterback. Receivers Josh Gordon and Amari Cooper are dangerous at all times, and pass-catching back Theo Riddick is a nice addition. Their offensive line provides plenty of time in protection and is anchored by impressive centre Rodney Hudson. The success of Oakland's defence could rest on it's ability to stop the pass, their CB group looks weak. First round draft pick Kevin Bernard will most likely start on the outside from week 1. Khalil Mack, Eric Weddle, Aldon Smith and Dont'a Hightower should all provide the Raiders will quality on defence.

Notable Resignings - None
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - RB Latavius Murray (team), FB Marcell Reece (staff)
Draft Pick - CB Kevin Bernard


San Diego Chargers - Last Season 11-5

The Chargers continue to be a well rounded team with few weaknesses and enough talent to be a force each season, though they require more top tier talent if they want to move up to the next level. QB Philip Rivers is a continual top 10 player at his position despite his age. The offensive line is both deep and strong, with no real glaring areas of need. San Diego were fortunate to keep Keenan Allen in town this off-season, he is a solid receiver. Defence is a similar story to the offence with no immediately identifiable positions that need addressing. The main issue on defence is the lack of depth that the offence enjoys. Behind their standouts Barry Church, Brandon Flower and Corey Liuget, the rest of their starters should do well but if injuries hit there could be problems.

Notable Resignings - WR Keenan Allen, MLB Mani Te'o
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - LT Eric White
New Coach - Brady Leland


Kansas City Chiefs - Last Season 12-4

Defence was what drove the Chiefs to last year's Superbowl and that unit has remained intact. They ranked 1st in the NFL in yards allowed and will hope to continue that formula utilising the skills of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, though the latter is beginning to show signs of decline. Sean Smith is still an elite corner and this Kansas defence should continue to dominate games. On offence, the team appear to have made the tough decision to bench Superbowl winning QB Aaron Murray for long time starter Alex Smith. However, Drew Carter was drafted in the 1st round this past off-season, suggesting that the plan for succeeding Smith may well be underway, one way or another. Jamaal Charles remains the key to the Chiefs moving the ball, but Travis Kelce is still a top level TE.

Notable Resignings - TE Travis Kelce (franchise tag), DT Haloti Ngata
Notable Additions - None
Notable Losses - None
Draft Pick - QB Drew Carter

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 Week 1




Daniel Grainger, NFL

Spanos "Chargers" Out Of Town, Sells Team To Tom Gores

Sensational news coming out of San Diego is that Alex Spanos has sold the San Diego Chargers to former Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, though the fee is yet to be announced publicly. The move now only requires approval by the league and it that is expected to be nothing more than a formality.

The 95 year old Spanos acquired 60% of the Chargers franchise back in 1984 before spending the next 10 years buying out various minority stakeholders to take his holding in the team up to 97% by the mid 90's. Since 1993, Alex's son Dean has run the franchise on his behalf. During that tenure the team has been to the playoffs 8 times, including a Superbowl loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 1994. More recently, the team made it to the AFC Conference game in 2007 off the back of Ladainian Tomlinson, but the franchise has not reached those heights since.

Tom Gores, former owner of the Detroit Pistons is now in an elite circle of people that own one of the most profitable and illustrious sports teams in America. Rumoured to be worth over $3bn, Gores made his wealth in private equity through his 1995 founded company Platinum Equity LLC. More recently, the 53 year old purchased NBA franchise the Detroit Pistons before selling them last year, presumably with the aim of raising capital for this latest venture. Gores and his family do have ties to the area, Platinum Equity has owned the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper and he owns a house in Beverly Hills.



More important for Chargers fans was the signaled intent by Gores to keep the team in San Diego during his initial press conference: "I am delighted to be able to stand in front of you today as the owner of this proud franchise. I bought this team because it is in San Diego and that is where it will remain. The intent is here to win a Championship as soon as possible and to match that ambition, work will soon begin on a new stadium in the area. Our current stadium has served us well for 50 years, but in order to take this franchise forward, we need to think that way and this new stadium is a step in that direction"

It is thought the new stadium will be open by the start of the 2018/19 season. Gores transformed the Detroit Pistons during his tenure with free-spending, continual development and noticeable improvement. The city of San Diego and fans of the Chargers will be hoping he can do the same for them.

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 3


The Worldwide Leader in Sport


Ed Shakespear, NFL Analyst

Manning Leading Broncos As He Did As A Player, By Winning

As a player, Peyton Manning was an illustrious leader, a clear thinker and an undeniable winner. After 3 weeks of his new job as the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos, all signs suggest that these are traits that will follow him into the front office as well.

The Broncos still have plenty of questions from their roster, but at the moment Manning and his staff have the answers. Convincing wins over Superbowl winners Kansas, plus San Diego and Houston have Denver at 3-0 and top of the AFC West. By virtue of their last place finish in that division last season, the schedule is not as demanding as it could be as the season progresses.



Manning was eager to deflect praise onto his players whilst reminding them of what they're paid to do. "The guys are playing well. I can't fault them, they are all executing and doing what we are asking of them. The intensity and desire is there in practice, that is carrying over to game days and I think everybody at this club wants that to continue. Nothing is a given in this league. You must prepare right, you must execute and you need to go about your business the right way."

Aside from the focus on Manning's transition to coaching, another noteworthy story is the transition of Ryan Nassib from longtime backup to currently unbeaten starter at QB. A situation Manning knows well, he has been impressed by his signal caller, "Ryan is a great guy. I've crossed paths with him a number of times as a player and he has a tremendous respect for the game. We are pleased we could give him an opportunity and he is enjoying what he's doing. We will continue to support him and hopefully these results will continue as well".

Ed Shakespear
ESPN

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Apologies for the recent lack of updates, life getting in the way again!

I've now simulated to the start of season 5, and I'm really happy with how the league looks. Perhaps it's because of the depth I've covered things in, but I have a good feel for how things have evolved since the start of the game. Very immersed in things.

My plan right now is to find a player in the year 5 or year 6 draft that I really like and "live"as them (using player lock and super sim during games), follow their career in detail and write about what happens. I still plan to cover what is happening in the league, just in less depth.

Still really enjoying writing this and I hope people are enjoying reading. I just need a bit more free time!

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 4

Gridiron Scoop Dot Net

Everything NFL on the Down Low, Yo!

NFL Free Agents - Viva La Mexico Time!


Dexter - @DexterScoop247

Hola readers! I'm back once again with my awesome free agent primer, and what better angle to take than to embrace all my new Mexican visitors to the site (I see you, I've got Google Analytics!). Mexico is the newest home boy to rock up to the NFL house party, and they are having a BLAST! Shots all round, but for these players below, lets gets going on the Chilli Pepper scale! Too hot? Then they gotta go!

Keepin' It Real Mild



MLB Luke Kuechly - Carolina Panthers

Kuechly is the best there is at his position in the NFL. Hell, you might even be able to say he's the best defensive player in football! That one is a tougher discussion, but one thing is simple, LUUUUUUUUUUKE will be staying in Carolina.
Rating?


WR Sammy Watkins - Buffalo Bills

Simply put, the Bills don't have anyone to replace Watkins if he leaves town. Percy Harvin is past it, and Watkins is the only answer. There are some serious receivers who could hit free agency this summer. My guess is a few of the weaker ones choose not to get caught up in mix. And if Watkins is on the low end of the FA scale, get ready until you see the top!
Rating?


QB Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

Tom Gores has the keys to the caddy that is San Diego, and he wants to stay true to the city. Worst way to start your time at the top? Let your long time franchise quarter back leave town. At this stage, Rivers IS San Diego!
Rating?


Ouch! Pass The Water!

WR Julio Jones - Mexico City Diablos

Julio has been loyal to the team, be it Atlanta or Mexico. But when does he look in the mirror and take stock of what the team has done for him? Things look brighter this season, but he might want a winner and a shot at a deep post season run sooner rather than later.
Rating?




WR AJ Green - Cincinnati Bengals

Brother, did I tell you we were going heavy on these receivers or what?! Green is a monster, and the Bengals are a strong team consistently. But when does it get too much? When does Green start glancing around, like Julio might? I think he has itchy feet.
Rating?


QB Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints

Ok, so I struck out on this one last year. I had the Saints letting Brees go but the player not retiring. I was 50% right, but Drew stayed in N'Orleans for 1 more year. New prediction....whatever dude!! Brees plays until he's 50! He's never leaving the Saints!!! Or not. The end is near.....
Rating?


Tap Out! Tap Out! My Head Is On Fire!!!

WR Antonio Brown - Pittsburgh Steelers

So before you all get jumpy in the comments section, hear me out! For one, the Steelers don't have much cap space. Right now they have 2 options, resign Brown, or resign Shazier, Arthur Moats, and keep Bryant out wide instead. So, keep 1 great player or 3 good ones. Here's the kicker. Pittsburgh have been drafting quality receivers for years now, and I think Bryant is ready to shine. Can't wait to see the bidding war for Brown tho!
Rating?


QB Andrew Luck - Seattle Seahawks

Man, I STILL LOVE this one!! So, new team, same problem. Luck is on the tag in Seattle and it's crippling them. This might not be so much about Luck, but someone from this Seahawks team is going to get the chop as they try to keep and pay every star they have. We saw it happen to Wagner, and to Wilson. Who gets the bullet this year? Jimmy Graham? Marshawn Lynch? Michael Bennett? It's always a bad time to be a pending FA in Seattle. Unless they pay you.
Rating?
For Luck, for another Seattle star



OLB Khalil Mack - Oakland Raiders

This one is all about money. But in the NFL free agency game, what isn't?! I like Mack, he is a proven stud at what he does. All those sacks, and consistently to. He could do what he does anywhere. That fact alone might make Mack test the market. And you know what, the market might explode!! He's like J.J Watt 2.0, when Watt is still killing fools!
Rating?


That was great, but I've got a go take a lie down after thinking about BOTH Mack and Brown on the open market, brain melt!

Peace Out!

Dexter

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 5


Your One Stop Shop For Everything Pro Football!



Carson Dietrich, Senior Writer

Week 5 Power Rankings

RK (LW)	Team	Record
1 ()	Detroit Lions	4-0
2 ()	Cincinnati Bengals	4-0
3 ()	Buffalo Bills	4-0
4 ()	Denver Broncos	4-0
5 ()	Kansas City Chiefs	4-0
6 ()	Mexico City Diablos	3-0-1
7 ()	Jacksonville Jaguars	4-0
8 ()	New York Jets	3-1
9 ()	New England Patriots	3-1
10 ()	Carolina Panthers	3-1
11 ()	Green Bay Packers	2-2
12 ()	Dallas Cowboys	3-1
13 ()	Minnesota Vikings	3-0
14 ()	Seattle Seahawks	3-1
15 ()	Baltimore Ravens	3-0-1
16 ()	St. Louis Rams	2-2
17 ()	San Francisco 49ers	3-1
18 ()	Arizona Cardinals	2-1-1
19 ()	Oakland Raiders	3-1
20 ()	New Orleans Saints	2-2
21 ()	Tennessee Titans	2-2
22 ()	Pittsburgh Steelers	2-2
23 ()	Philadelphia Eagles	2-1
24 ()	Chicago Bears	2-2
25 ()	Indianapolis Colts	1-2-1
26 ()	San Diego Chargers	2-2
27 ()	Washington Redskins	1-2
28 ()	Houston Texans	0-3
29 ()	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1-3
30 ()	Cleveland Browns	0-4
31 ()	New York Giants	0-4
32 ()	Miami Dolphins	0-4

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 6



Your Path To The Hottest Draft Talent!


Lloyd Bowerman, Senior Draft Writer

Draft Preview - Offence

I'm excited to bring this break down to you, I think readers are going to be really interested for it. For me, this draft could live up to the hype. It might not be the class of '83 (for those of you that can remember that far back), but it sure does have a lot of people talking, me included.

OFFENCE

QB

• Last year I tabbed 4 QBs to watch. 1 (Drew Carter) went in round 1 to Kansas. Tyson McBride is winning games for Dallas and Nate Gray is working hard in Cleveland. This class blows that one out of the water.
  
• I have 6 players with a first round grade on them. It is hard to split them, it might be a team by team preference. In my opinion, Will Phillip has the strongest arm, but Claude McDonald may be the most accurate.
  
• Alongside McDonald and Phillip, Arryn Carroll, Bryson Tracy, B.J Blake and Zach Nelson all grade out very highly for me. This is a draft class that GMs have been waiting for.

RB

• Even a strong RB class last year wasn't enough to buck the trend and see a runner taken in round 1. This class isn't as strong, so the streak will no doubt continue.
  
• The pick of the bunch is probably Keithen Dotson. The former Aggie has an impressive blend of strength and speed, with a Darren Sproles type 5'10" frame.
  
• Another back to watch is Jesus Bell from Florida. He may lack the top end speed to become a truly elite player, but the tools at his disposal should be more than enough to keep him in the league.

WR

• There has been a reduction in talent in recent receiver classes. This is corrected here as I have 4 players with a 1st round grade, more than the last 2 years combined.
  
• The top dog of this group is sure to be Rodnell King. The Fred Biletnikoff Award winner is 6'4", creates great separation and has solid hands. His route running could use some polish at the next level, but he is a legitimate talent.
  
• Don't sleep on Shadd Farrell, Rainey Lamb or Darion Easley though. Lamb especially should be monitored, he had 138 catches last season, breaking the FCS record from 2012.

TE

• This is a less exciting class than recent seasons. There are sure to be players that leap out once they reach the NFL, but it is tough to see who may do that right now.
  
• Parker Milton is potentially the best tight end available. His hands aren't great but he shows exceptional instincts to get open and find space at the 2nd level. A true QBs best friend, I think Milton will spend a career being that "safety net" on an offence.
  
• This isn't a deep class either. I would expect perhaps 5 meaningful picks to come from this position, after that we are getting to late round flyer territory.
  
• Blocking tight ends are now a thing of the past. Teams appear to prefer selecting a receiving threat and working on their blocking.

T

• Tackle has not been the top of the draft position it once was, but we are moving back that way in recently. Zach Jose went at #2 last year, and I can see another tackle cracking the top 5 this year as well.
  
• That player is likely to be Derrick Barkley or B.J Scruggs. Both are solid all round players, but Barkley posses a slightly better pass blocking technique, where as Scruggs does the same with the run. It could purely depend on team preference as to which player goes higher.
  
• Alex Joyner from LSU is a sleeper to keep an eye on. Some have him as low as the 3rd or 4th round. For me he deserves in the back end of round 1.
  
• A.J. Tucker is a disappointment. He joined Utah as the top prospect out of High School 2 years ago and has done nothing since to justify that position. He has declared early and I don't like his chances at al.l

G

• I haven't assigned a 1st round grade to any guard for 3 years now. The league is sure to find ways around this by moving players around, but it is a trend worth monitoring.
  
• Alex Scott from Oklahoma is head and shoulders above his peers in this class. I have in the 2nd round area, but someone might fall in love with him if their need is great enough.
  
• Although players are being selected later, there is also a drop off in back end talent with these classes. Once the best are gone, there isn't much to choose from. A tough situation for GMs to work out.

C

• Whilst I still have no players with a 1st round grade, I do have 2 with a high 2nd. That would qualify this as a stronger than usual class!
  
• Will Riley may be the best all round centre on show, the Miami man is above average in a lot of areas. Uche Howell is a more explosive prospects however, if you are looking for boom or bust. He's just as likely to pancake a guy as he is to let him get by.

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 7


The 24-Hour Home of CBS Sports


Jeff Hardy-Grant, Contributor

The Future Is Here, And It's Pretty Impressive

Player turnover is a constant cycle within the NFL. The shelf life for a player can be short, injuries can occur at any time, and there is a staunch philosophy of "next man up". When you get your shot, you'd better be ready to not only take it, but to excel.

2 teams, the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots recently had to move on from long time franchise quarterbacks, entrusting their future to new blood. Others, such as the New York Jets, Washington Redskins and St Louis Rams, have selected players in recent drafts that they hope will stabilise the position after considerable turmoil.

At present the undoubted winner appears to be the Jets and Jack Riley. Entering his 2nd season in the league, he currently has 17 touchdown passes and zero interceptions, an impressive feat for any player, let alone one so young. As a former #2 draft pick, the Jets will be pleased with how he has progressed so far.

2 other players taken in the same draft as Riley were Herschel Robinson (R2 P5) to the Rams, and Mike Stark (R2 P6) to the Redskins. Stark led his team to 8 wins as a rookie, but has struggled this season with just 2 wins and 8 interceptions. Robinson wasn't far behind Stark in his first year, collecting 7 wins and a tie, and although the St Louis passing attack currently possess few weapons, the Rams have 4 wins. Both these Stark and Robinson should continue to develop into solid franchise players despite these setbacks.



There is a smaller body of work for Garoppolo in New England. Replacing Tom Brady would be tough for any player, but 4 wins, 1,400 yards and 11 TDs is a good place to start. A similar output has come from Tyson McBride, the young gun slinger selected out of North Texas. The home town crowd have warmed to the rookie and he is reciprocating with some promising performances.

With a bumper QB class on the horizon and some GMs looking to wave the white flag and select one immediately, these players are under pressure to perform. The NFL is a tough place to play, and patience is not a plentiful commodity amongst fans and those in front offices across the country. By the start of next season, the league could look very different, but the players above have done well to date with their opportunities.

JHG
CBS Sports

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 9


Your One Stop Shop For Everything Pro Football!



Carson Dietrich, Senior Writer

Mid Season Power Rankings

Week 9, so 8 games are in the books. I love how these power rankings look (apart from one franchise....), new teams up near the top, I love the NFL!

32) Miami Dolphins 0-8
This team isn't good and already Mike McCarthy will be on a short leash. It isn't even close to good. They rank bottom or bottom 3 of nearly every offensive stat that there is. The crazy thing, they're 3rd in sacks on defence! Suh has 7.5, but it's irrelevant with how bad this offence has been. A new QB could be on the horizon, and McCarthy would relish shaping that player if he is still around.

31) New York Giants - 1-7
Has it been a lean spell for the Giants. #1 pick last season, they might get it again at this rate. They can't stop anyone, 32nd in points allowed, 31st in rushing yards allowed, and Kellen Moore isn't exactly the savior at QB. This isn't going to end well, but hopefully it ends soon. Marvin Lewis is 4-20 since being appointed as Head Coach.

30) Cleveland Browns - 2-5
Cleveland need to take the safety off this season and just let Nate Gray show what he can do. Manziel had a go this season, and isn't getting it done. Even Mark Sanchez has had a go this season, we all saw how that went. At this point, see what the kid can do. That's why they drafted him, right?!

29) San Diego Chargers - 2-5
Having Rivers and Gordon injured isn't going to help any franchise, but the Chargers are really in a bad spot. You get the feeling they may pick up once both return, but until then the offence will continue to stutter.

28) Houston Texans - 2-5
The bright spot is the Texans have 26 sacks on defence, 2nd in the NFL. The downside is they are job sharing at QB between Geno Smith and Colt McCoy(!). Maybe J.J. Watt can play at QB? Someone has to. Ryan Mack wont be surprised by what he has inherited in Houston, but he is sure to want a new QB as soon as possible.

27) Washington Redskins - 2-5
This is problem with starting young QBs, they are going to hit a wall at some point. Mike Stark impressed me last season, but he has 8 picks so far, and Washington can't stop anyone on defence, especially against the pass. Bad combination. The defence looks terminal, but Stark should recover.

26) Chicago Bears - 3-4
This is a high spot for the Bears! Unfortunately, that high spot is still 26th in a 32 team league. They lack talent on both sides of the ball. That is a tough thing to rectify quickly.

25) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 2-6
I like these Buccs. Don't ask me why though. If Tampa can just keep Winston on his feet, he will be able to help them win games. 32 sacks in 8 games is bad news. I feel they could be close to turning a corner though.

24) New Orleans Saints - 3-4
Shoulda hung em up Drew! In fairness, I think he is trying too hard to carry this team. 1,800 yards and 17 TDs is nice, but the 8 interceptions have hurt. What hurts more is a defence that has 10 sacks in 7 games, and 0 fumbles forced. Not exactly a lot of support.

23) Indianapolis Colts - 3-4-1
I don't think this upcoming QB class can come quickly enough for the Colts. Sorry, Mike Glennon, but it just isn't going to end well for you. It doesn't help they are 1st in the league in penalties and penalty yards. That's on Coach Single for me though, he has to get discipline restored.

22) Tennessee Titans - 3-3-1
The Titans are doing well on some fronts, and I think they may end up being a competitive force before long. They are the best team in the league defending the run, they just need the rest of their roster to develop. Mariota could do with pushing on, his 1,334/8/3 output is fair but not spectacular.

21) Oakland Raiders - 3-4
The real story here is the emergence of rookie passer Max Shaw out of Washington. 1,034 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. A 101.8 passer rating. Derek Carr wasn't getting it done and the Raiders needed him to step up. Harsh, but that's how the NFL can be.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers - 3-4
This team is better than their record. Close losses and blow out wins. 2nd in total offence, and a QB with nearly 2,000 yards. If Pittsburgh cut down on the flags (60 in 7 games), they should get the breaks that will see them grab more wins in the 2nd half of the season. Credit to John Fox for breaking his mould as a defence driven coach. That unit is doing well, but it is the offence that shines for Pittsburgh right now.

19) Philadelphia Eagles - 3-4
So, RG3 is still getting it done! Well, as much as you can when you only have 3 wins. He's been a useful short range passer, moved the chains with his legs, and spent the bulk of his time handing the ball off to Murray (who has 110 YPG on the ground). The play of wide receiver Latevin Preston will have made the Eagles happy, it's about time he started to show why the organisation drafted him.

18) Seattle Seahawks - 4-4
Losing Earl Thomas would hurt any team. He probably won't be back until a few weeks before the end of the regular season. Will that be too long for Seattle? You feel that the Seahawks are due a run, they usually do when things look bleak. If they do, one thing in their favour is a 2nd best in the league +15 turn over differential. This defence is suiting Mike Tomlin pretty well.

17) Dallas Cowboys 4-4
Damn it, I wanted to put these guys so much higher and I just can't. McBride is the future, he is quality. 2,177 yards, 17TDs. If he can reduce the interceptions, and get some support from the defence, this team is legit!

16) San Francisco 49ers - 4-3
A surprise package after last season's efforts. I'm impressed they are this high. Kaep is being steady, nothing spectacular, and the backfield duo of Carlos Hyde and Knile Davis have quietly been getting it done. If Von Miller would just show up and earn his pay now, maybe things would continue to improve.

15) Minnesota Vikings - 4-3
The Vikings shouldn't have 4 wins. To get 50% of your wins off missed last second field goals, both of which HIT THE UPRIGHT?! Not buying it, but I can't slide them much lower. Their -6 turn over differential will get them found out before too long. Peterson looks to be slowing down as well, which has to happen eventually. His 6 fumbles haven't come back to bite them, yet.

14) St Louis Rams - 4-3
The Rams defence continues to keep themselves competitive, particularly a fearsome secondary that Coach Philbin must be proud of. As a unit, they have helped St Louis to a +14 in the turnover battle. If only Robinson could get some help at QB! Just spend one off season signing receivers and this team could be so good!

13) Arizona Cardinals - 4-2-1
Things were starting to click in the desert for the Red Birds, but then the wheels came off. They blew that big lead and limped to a tie against the Ravens, and lost Russell Wilson and Malcolm Floyd. Both will probably be out a month, what shape will the team be in by the time they return? Matt Moore will be the man to keep an eye on if you want to find out, what an opportunity for the journeyman signal caller because this team has a lot of pieces.

12) Baltimore Ravens - 4-2-1
The other side of the coin from that Cardinals tie mentioned above, Baltimore dug themselves out of a hole and got something from a game they had no right getting anything from. It's been a real kick starter to their season to, and they're building momentum. Flacco's 19TDs and 2 interceptions is a real nice split at the half way stage.

11) Green Bay Packers - 4-3
So, is this Packers team tucked in waiting for another push to the playoffs, or is this a sign of a drop off? I'm going with the former, purely because this season has the same blueprint as all their other post-season runs. 1st in points for, 1st in points per game, 24 touchdowns for Aaron Rodgers. We will score more points than you, even if you score 50.

10) New York Jets - 5-3
The fairy tale season of Jack Riley continues! When will he throw an interception?! He's up to 19/0 and his security with the football has led the Jets to an NFL best +17 turn over differential. Even losing Eric Decker hasn't slowed Riley down. Wilkerson is beginning to show some return on investment to, he has 7.5 sacks.

9) New England Patriots - 5-3
An unfamiliar position for the Patriots, constant top 5 dwellers! Jamie Collins is now on IR with a torn rotator cuff and will be a huge loss for this defence. Jimmy Garoppolo is playing pretty well considering the scrutiny he is under, he's got north of 2,000 yards passing and 16 touchdowns. 8 of those touchdown passes have gone to his favourite target Doug Baldwin. He is thriving since leaving Seattle.

8) Jacksonville Jaguars - 5-2
You have to feel bad for Gus Bradley. I feel he put the work in to build this team then got the axe before he had a chance to enjoy it. With Gary Kubiak in charge, the Jags are succeeding with a real mix of offence and defence to. 3rd in points scored per game, but 1st in the league with 27 sacks on defence, great combo! Doug Martin has 10 rushing TDs, Arian Foster has 642 yards, and 10 different players have at least 1.5 sacks this season. It all suddenly looks very bright for the Jags!

7) Buffalo Bills - 5-2
I am at a loss with this one. Percy Harvin has been injured. Tyrod Taylor has been injured. Even LeSean McCoy has been injured! Yet the Bills have 5 wins. I don't know how they have managed it, but they have consistently found a way to come out with more points than the other guys each game. Sometimes, that's all it takes!

6) Cincinatti Bengals - 5-3
What more is there to say about the Bengals? They are 90% sure to go to the playoffs and 100% sure to lose. They look really good again. Andy Dalton is a proven 10+ game winner each season and has a lot of support around him. Carlos Dunlap has 6 sacks on a loaded defence. I want them to win a Super Bowl just so I can write something different about them.

5) Carolina Panthers - 5-2
3rd in points for, 3rd in points allowed. Those are two stats that when the same team can combine them will lead to success. The fun thing for this Carolina team? They might end up being a trivia question some day. They have 14 rushing touchdowns so far, shared between Ahmad Bradshaw, Mike Tolbert and Rex Burkhead. What a bizarre trio! Effective though.

4) Denver Broncos - 5-2
All Hail Peyton Manning! It is great to have the Sheriff back in the mix. The league is better for it, and he has managed something remarkable so far with this Denver team. Backed by a truly solid defensive unit, the Broncos look solid. When they get Demaryius Thomas back, they could really start stringing things together.

3) Kansas City Chiefs - 5-2
The Chiefs have managed to keep their core together and look primed for another run. This may be Alex Smith's last season as the starter with Drew Carter waiting in the wings. The most impressive thing is they are winning right now with Jamaal Charles out injured, Chris Johnson is enjoying the twilight of his career in Kansas.

2) Mexico City Diablos - 5-2-1
What a way to start for the fans in Mexico. Everyone is talking about their franchise, and they are producing on the field. Even without banged up marquee linebacker Bobby Wagner, the Diablos look strong. 2nd in points for is a good start, Julio Jones is producing in his contract year, 819 yards and 7 TDs.

1) Detroit Lions - 5-1-1
Anyone remember that great Lions team with Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson that dominated teams by....***nning the ball?! Abdullah is the hot name right now, and Detroit are the #1 rushing offence in the NFL. On defence, the Lions are imposing their will on their opponents with that strong group of linebackers. Running the football and playing solid D. That always gets you to the top of my power rankings!

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 10


Bringing You The Hottest NFL News Since '99!


Kai Waters

”It’s Just Like The Thrashers, But So Much Worse”

Back in 2011, not too many people batted an eyelid when the Atlanta Thrashers shut up shop and moved to Winnipeg. Atlanta had tried hockey before with the Flames in the 70’s, they lasted less than 10 years before moving north to Calgary. The fact the Thrashers lasted a little longer was surprising, but their departure for “Hotlanta” was anything but. The relocation of the Falcons was another body blow to the sporting culture of the city, but this is so much bigger than anything that has gone before.



”It’s a damn disgrace. I’ve been watching the Falcons since I was a boy. A damn disgrace”

The mood around the area is still understandably raw. Streets that were once lined with thousands of fans lay largely empty. Businesses that relied on game day footfall struggle to stay open. The whole place is just, quiet.

George is a local business owner and a lifelong Falcons fan. The 45 year old has similar views to a lot of fans I spoke to. "I watched them at Fulton County. I was there when they moved to the Dome. And for what? Gone. It sucks. It’s all about money, and it’s not fair on the fans who gave a lot to this team. It’s a damn disgrace. I’ve been watching the Falcons since I was a boy. A damn disgrace”

Atlanta Falcons favourite Tony Gonzalez is a man that has been in high demand in the last 12 months. With Mexican heritage on his mother’s side, plus being born and raised in California, the 14 time Pro Bowler understands every side of the argument better than most.



"It’s a tough one for me, if I’m honest. I loved my time in Atlanta, it will always hold a special place in my heart. The fans were great, so passionate and knowledgeable. I can imagine what they are going through is hard. When I was back home, growing up (in California), I’d have been about 18 or 19 when the Raiders moved back to Oakland, and the Rams left to. It was hard for the fans there to. I grew up watching those teams and when they left I had an empty feeling for a long time."

When asked about the move to Mexico, Gonzalez was understandably hesitant but pleased the country had been given such an opportunity. "To their credit, the fans in Mexico have embraced the team and the game. The support since the announcement of the move has been off the charts, and the noise and atmosphere at each home game....it’s crazy! I think there is a perception from people within the US that this is “their” game, but with the International Series in London, and now this, that perception just isn’t the case. This is a global game.”



But for all the noise of “The Fire Pit”, there is a constant reminder situated at 1 Georgia Dome Drive that in the NFL there are winners, but there has to be losers as well.

”Yeah, big fat losers!” George said. ”What am I going to do? Watch baseball?! This just sucks, and it’s not fair."

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 3 17/18 - Week 11