🏈🏈 The American Football Discussion Thread 🏈🏈

[South Park]

@South Park. However, it was also mentioned by other news articles that Bill Belichick still is looking for a quarterback despite extending Cam Newton for another year. Jimmy Garoppolo was also mentioned to be wanted by the Patriots.

This is disappointing. I was speculating that Cam would transfer to the Redskins to be with Ron Rivera again and Garoppolo to be with Belichick again.

He better does, Cam is not going to be a solution for the long term, however assuming he can remain healthy he should play better after having a full year to learn the offence, but still it seems like the best option long term for Belichick is to draft a QB.

And in some other news, Drew Brees has finally retired, for a moment some speculated he could play for another year but now it is definitive, taking into account the salary cap issues of NO it seems they are about to enter a rebuild mode so this seems like the best moment for Brees to retire.

Source: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/drew-brees-retirement-breaking-down-the-saints-possible-replacements-for-legendary-qb/

Why does NE fans hate or disapprove so much of Cam being re-signed? Is Garoppolo the answer to everything? I mean he is not the second coming of Jesus, he will not magically bring you back to SB, at that price you are better off with Newton and a bunch of cap space left to work with, just my opinion.

Cam only had one good season, when you see the rest he is average at best, he had several injuries on his throwing shoulder and tried to change his trowing mechanics but that is always hard to do so late on your career, but at that price he is not a bad sign.

Garoppolo fits NE system better since he already knows the offence very well so there will be no problems in that front, but as we know the biggest problem for NE last year was their skill position players, they had no talent there and it is something Belichick is addressing right now.

Patriots finished last season with 7-9 record, not that bad considering everything that happened to them.
Cam in a new system coming off a significant injury with no weapons on offense, and basically their entire defense not reporting because of covid, they had like 8-9 opt-outs.

Agreed, he overachieved.

I could see Patriots make the playoffs with their defense back this season and maybe a few additions at key positions.

That is possible but it will be hard, the Bills and Dolphins improved last year and if they improve this year as well then even a wildcard spot will be difficult to achieve.

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[seek3r]

In addition to all of the Patriots' new signings, they also have one big departure to report. OLiner Joe Thuney moves to the Kansas City Chiefs and signs a 5 year contract.
Really exciting because both starting tackles were recently released and Thuney showed in the past, that he can also play as center or right guard in emergency situations.

And Gronk has signed a new 1-year contract. It really seems like the Bucs are doing everything they can to keep their SB team. As a Brady fanboy I like to see that.

Sources:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31071220/kansas-city-chiefs-agree-5-year-deal-joe-thuney
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31071981/rob-gronkowski-returning-tampa-bay-buccaneers-says-agent

[South Park]

The Deshaun Watson situation has gotten a lot more complex, he is being accused in two civil lawsuits of civil assault and emotional distress and two more cases are coming, in a nutshell he is accused of behaving inappropriately when receiving massages by two different woman on events that allegedly happened on March 2020 and August 2020.

News Sources :
https://www.nfl.com/news/texans-deshaun-watson-accused-of-indecent-conduct-in-civil-lawsuit-qb-denies-wro
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/massage-therapist-deshaun-watson-lawsuit-buzbee-16032560.php

Lawsuits Sources :
https://www.scribd.com/document/499181353/Deshaun-Watson-lawsuit
https://www.scribd.com/document/499204637/Georgia-woman-s-lawsuit-vs-Deshaun-Watson

[bbc.reporter]

The skeptical me is thinking that there is a conspiracy against Deshaun Watson to pressure him and force him to stay with the Texans hehe.

I predict the lawsuits will be dropped then Watson announces that he is very happy to stay with the Texans.

[bbc.reporter]

Will Bill Belicheck’s new players improve the team if Cam Newton is the quarterback? I am skeptical.

Also, who would trade for Deshaun Watson with 14 lawsuits? He is trapped with the Texans and he will be very thankful for playing for the Texans. He might also retire a Texan hehehehe.


The numbers keep increasing for Deshaun Watson, as his camp remains silent.

Lawyer Tony Buzbee told FOX 26 in Houston on Monday night that the total number of assault lawsuits against the Texans quarterback has reached 14, with 24 total claims now under consideration by Buzbee’s firm.

Source https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/03/23/deshaun-watson-lawsuits-up-to-14-with-24-accusers/

[seek3r]

Some news for the upcoming debut-season of the European League of Football.
The last few days there have been many announcements via social media. Many commitments and announcements of teams that already existed at the time of NFL Europe.

These are the eight teams for the first season that have been official announced:
Frankfurt Galaxy
Hamburg Sea Devils
Stuttgart Scorpions
Barcelona Dragons
Wroclaw Panthers
Berlin Thunder
Cologne Centurions

The Hamburg Sea Devils, for example, have signed Kasim Edebali, one of the few German NFL players who has unfortunately been out of action for the last two years.
The new head coach could also prove himself in the NFL: Ted Daisher, Ex-Special Teams Coordinator for the Eagles, Browns and Raiders.

I think we can expect some interesting announcements in the next few days. If the interest exists I can gladly keep you up to date 
Most of the info I could find is unfortunately only on german social media channels, but it looks like the official website is already under construction. You can find it here: europeanleague.football

[DireWolfM14]

These are the eight teams for the first season that have been official announced:
Frankfurt Galaxy
Hamburg Sea Devils
Stuttgart Scorpions
Barcelona Dragons
Wroclaw Panthers
Berlin Thunder
Cologne Centurions

That's very interesting.  Most of those teams share names with teams from the defunct NFL Europa.

Amsterdam Admirals
Barcelona Dragons
Berlin Thunder
Cologne Centurions
Frankfurt Galaxy
Hamburg Sea Devils
London/England Monarchs
Rhein Fire
Scottish Claymores

I imagine there's some connection to the old league, the NFL is usually pretty stingy about naming rights.  Also interesting that six of the eight teams are from Germany, which is also reflective of the old NFL Europe league.  I know football is popular there, so maybe this league has a chance to succeed.

[seek3r]

That's very interesting.  Most of those teams share names with teams from the defunct NFL Europa.

Amsterdam Admirals
Barcelona Dragons
Berlin Thunder
Cologne Centurions
Frankfurt Galaxy
Hamburg Sea Devils
London/England Monarchs
Rhein Fire
Scottish Claymores

I imagine there's some connection to the old league, the NFL is usually pretty stingy about naming rights.  Also interesting that six of the eight teams are from Germany, which is also reflective of the old NFL Europe league.  I know football is popular there, so maybe this league has a chance to succeed.

Yeah they are very blessed to have the NFL cooperating with them like this. I really hope that the league will be a success and we might even see several European teams following to the league.
You're right, fortunately it's becoming more and more popular here in Germany and is finding more and more people interested.
But you can thank "ran Football", which has been broadcasting selected NFL games on free TV for a few years now. And its growing year by year.

The commissioner of the new league, Patrick Esume, has also always done a lot for it. He has, for example, hosted many games on ran Football and always looked for competent reinforcement.
For example, the former DE of the Colts, Björn Werner, followed him and has since been commentating on NFL games alongside Patrick Esume and, since last season, also on college football.
Really nice to see, especially since the first round of 2013 had to end his career way too early due to injuries.

[morvillz7z]

17-game regular season is a go:

"NFL Reportedly to Announce 17-Game Regular-Season Schedule 'This Week'"
source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2938564-nfl-reportedly-to-announce-17-game-regular-season-schedule-this-week

Some key takeaways from the article:

There will be no extra bye week—there will be 17 games across 18 weekends.

The Super Bowl—scheduled for Feb. 6—will likely be pushed back one week to Feb. 13.

The two conferences are expected to alternate hosting the extra week of the season every year

In a nutshell, more money for the owners, casual fans will certainly approve of the added game, and for me an extra week of football to bet on.

I don't think players would dig the change as much, extra game they can get injured, especially tough for teams poised for deep playoff runs trying to keep their rosters healthy.

@DireWolfM14 

Which QB will the 49ers draft at No. 3? Do you have any preference between Justin Fields, Mac Jones, or maybe even Trey Lance?... and what are you doing to do with Garoppolo, trade him to the Patriots? 

[DireWolfM14]

@DireWolfM14  

Which QB will the 49ers draft at No. 3? Do you have any preference between Justin Fields, Mac Jones, or maybe even Trey Lance?... and what are you doing to do with Garoppolo, trade him to the Patriots?  

Actually, I'm thinking it might be Zack Wilson.  Robert Salah (our former DC) has the number 2 pick with his new team, the Jets. Maybe ShanaLynch have some inside knowledge about Salah's plans.  That was an expensive trade, so I'm sure they're eying a quarterback.  If the Jets do take Wilson at #2, I like Lance but I HIGHLY doubt that Shanahan and Lynch would make such an expensive trade for anyone south of Wilson.

I hope it is Wilson, I link him better than Trevor Lawrence.  That would make up for the last 16 years of bitterness for not drafting Rodgers.

[bbc.reporter]

The 49ers might not trade Jimmy Garoppolo because they might not get Deshaun Watson after his lawsuits.

@morvillz7z. 49ers might pick someone like Justin Fields and if Garoppolo gets injured again and put Fields, they might discover their own Deshaun Watson hehehe.

[seek3r]

The 49ers might not trade Jimmy Garoppolo because they might not get Deshaun Watson after his lawsuits.

@morvillz7z. 49ers might pick someone like Justin Fields and if Garoppolo gets injured again and put Fields, they might discover their own Deshaun Watson hehehe.

If I remember correctly, Jimmy G as a no-trade clause in his current contract with the 49ers.

This 3rd pick makes things really more interesting as before, Mac Jones really impressed me on the pro day in Alabama and could be a good choice for them since Trevor Lawrence should be picked by the Jags.

[Hueristic]

    #Patriots are not pursuing #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per sources. Cap space isn’t there and obviously Cam Newton will return. Additionally, the draft is flush with QBs. No Jimmy GQ reunion for the Pats in foreseeable future.— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 28, 2021

[DireWolfM14]

If I remember correctly, Jimmy G as a no-trade clause in his current contract with the 49ers.

I don't know about that.  There's been plenty of talk of trading him, so I doubt that's the case.

Assuming the 49ers really are going to draft a QB I would keep Garoppolo until his contract expires after the 2022 season.  Draft a rookie and let him play under Garoppolo, next year maybe he competes for the starting job.  The 9ers' salary cap space is in decent shape, so there's no financial need to get rid of Garoppolo. He's been a good QB when he's healthy, and I really don't see a better option on the market.  A bird in hand.

    #Patriots are not pursuing #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per sources. Cap space isn’t there and obviously Cam Newton will return. Additionally, the draft is flush with QBs. No Jimmy GQ reunion for the Pats in foreseeable future.— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 28, 2021

I don't see the Patriots pursuing Garoppolo, not right now.  Things may change before the season begins, and wouldn't count out a late off-season trade.  But if things remain as they are today I think the Pats are better off drafting a prospect and keeping an affordable veteran on the roster for the next couple of years.

[South Park]

@DireWolfM14  

Which QB will the 49ers draft at No. 3? Do you have any preference between Justin Fields, Mac Jones, or maybe even Trey Lance?... and what are you doing to do with Garoppolo, trade him to the Patriots?  

Actually, I'm thinking it might be Zack Wilson.  Robert Salah (our former DC) has the number 2 pick with his new team, the Jets. Maybe ShanaLynch have some inside knowledge about Salah's plans.  That was an expensive trade, so I'm sure they're eying a quarterback.  If the Jets do take Wilson at #2, I like Lance but I HIGHLY doubt that Shanahan and Lynch would make such an expensive trade for anyone south of Wilson.

I hope it is Wilson, I link him better than Trevor Lawrence.  That would make up for the last 16 years of bitterness for not drafting Rodgers.

Agreed, to pay such a high price they need to be quite sure about who they are going to get and in my opinion such a high price can only be commanded by Wilson, I understand why Lawrence will be the first pick on the draft but just like last year to me it seemed as if Herbert was better than Burrow but Burrow was the pick, and something similar could happen in this draft as well.

Also the fact Wilson comes from BYU a college with a good story of QBs on the league and the same college where Steve Young came from, which has obvious ties with SF makes this and even more obvious choice for them, but at the end they will depend on what the NYJ do with their pick but I could see them picking Fields instead of Wilson and everyone walks away happy with their QB.

Do you think we will see 4 QBs picked with the first 4 draft picks? Atlanta is picking fourth and Matt Ryan is the most expensive QB this year and they are going through a rebuild anyway so it could be a good time to pick his replacement.

[DireWolfM14]

Do you think we will see 4 QBs picked with the first 4 draft picks? Atlanta is picking fourth and Matt Ryan is the most expensive QB this year and they are going through a rebuild anyway so it could be a good time to pick his replacement.

I doubt it.  I'm even doubting that the Jets will draft a QB at #2, they have Sam Darnold, who's young and looks like he'll have a promising career.  It wouldn't make financial sense for the Jets to have two high-draft QBs on their roster.  If I was in the Jets position I would trade down and grab as many bargains as I can.  Build up the offensive line and add some depth.  If the Jets don't trade down I suspect Robert Salah will draft a break-out WR or TE.  That would be the smart thing to do.

Matt Ryan is aging, and I can see the Falcons wanting to plan for the future QB, so they may take a QB at #4.  But again, I think they have other pressing needs like an entire pass-defense, lol.

There are so many good QBs in this year's draft some are bound to fall to the lower first round, and many will be bargains in the latter rounds.  That's another reason I believe the 9ers have Wilson in mind with the trade they made.  It really wouldn't make sense for any of the others, including Lawrence, in my opinion.

Historically and statistically speaking a QB is the worst player to draft with the first over-all pick, or any high draft pick.  Tom Brady just put the nail in the coffin for first-round QB draftees.  It'll be decades before anyone can match his accomplishments and it's no guarantee that the one who does will have been a high draft-pick, or even a first-rounder.  The position requires so many intangible attributes to be successful.  Speed, athleticism, and intelligence are the easy metrics to assess, which is why more highly drafted wide receivers enjoy successful NFL careers than highly drafted QBs.  There's so much more that goes into being a good QB, and many of those attributes have yet to be defined, let alone metered.  

Think about the best QBs in the league right now; Aaron Rodgers should have been picked fist by the 49ers, but that fumbling dumbass Mike Nolan chose Alex Smith instead.  Brady was a sixth round pick, selected to carry water for the practice squad.  Mahomes was passed up by nine teams before KC chose him, and Trubisky was selected before him.  There's no rhyme or reason for it.  If you take (arguably) the two best QBs to ever play the game; Montana and Brady try to mimic what Walsh and Belichick did to make those choices...  Where would you start?  Both coaches reputedly said that it was dumb luck.

[South Park]

snip

All very good and solid points and I do not find a flaw in the argument you make, but I have two problems with this, I will let the first to be made by Hueristic.

We are talking about the Jets and everything is possible when it comes to them.

My second point is that the draft is a market just like this one and FOMO can take place, GMs can panic just as a trader or investor and I think there is the possibility teams will try to overreach and try to get their QB no matter the cost, lets see what imposes itself if reason or emotion.


And in something we knew was coming 17 regular-season games were approved by the owners a few days ago, this will inflate stats during the regular season and make way easier to break records imposed during the 16  regular-season games era while at the same time making it more difficult for good teams to be in good health during the post-season.


Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-season-to-feature-17-regular-season-games-per-team

[DireWolfM14]

We are talking about the Jets and everything is possible when it comes to them.

God damn Jets is right.  I'm sure you've all heard the news by now; they traded Sam Darnold to the Panthers.  It's absolutely certain they'll draft a QB now, and very likely they'll pick Wilson.  All the local professional talkers have the Niners picking Mac Jones at 3.  I'm not sure myself.  Jones wouldn't be a bad choice, but is he worth three years' worth of first-rounders?

And in something we knew was coming 17 regular-season games were approved by the owners a few days ago, this will inflate stats during the regular season and make way easier to break records imposed during the 16  regular-season games era while at the same time making it more difficult for good teams to be in good health during the post-season.

Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-season-to-feature-17-regular-season-games-per-team

Pre-season is reduced from 4 to 3 games, so the effective length of the season is about the same.  I think the league has been talking about this ever since the Patriots won all 16 regular season games in 2007.  The last thing the NFL wants is one team to dominate enough to have a "perfect season."  They've been trying to achieve "parity" in the effort to give each team an equal chances of winning the championship.  A 17^th game (a 5^th inter-conference one,) could have the desired effect. 

It might also help offset their steadily declining revenues, lol. 

[bbc.reporter]

NFL experts of this thread, is there a chance for Jimmy Garoppolo to return to the Patriots and reunite with Bill Belichik? I am quite certain Cam Newton will not be their starting quarterback if they want to play in the playoffs.

I speculate that Jimmy Garoppolo might have a better expectation to be NFL regular season MVP if he plays for the Patriots. 91.82 odds in sportsbet.io, more than 10x than an ICO from 2017 hehehe.

[suchmoon]

It might also help offset their steadily declining revenues, lol. 

I know that's most likely why they're doing it but I could never understand how exactly they're expecting it to work out. Renegotiate TV contracts? Are the advertisers actually going to pay more? For what exactly? Am I supposed to drink more beer than usual just because there is an extra NFL game?

It seems to me that it's a zero sum proposition, same money will get spread a bit thinner, there won't be hordes of new fans bringing new money, and existing fans may be more likely to skip one or two games because there will be more of those where top players are resting before playoffs etc.