NFL Discussion Thread: Pats win SB XLIX. Offseason begins

[Chester McFloppy]

In the aerial NFL, where 300-yard games passing are commonplace, Andy Dalton earns a $100 million paycheck and the Cleveland Browns take a bust just about every other year...

I can't believe that Philip Rivers was actually on the market. I realize his age, trust me, I do. 33.

But...

... he's started 16 games every season since 2006.

... he is already in the Top-20 for passing yards in NFL history, at 33.

... he and Ben Roethlisberger are the youngest active QBs in the Top-20 for passing yards.

... You're thinking: Philip Rivers' past has little to do with his future - I agree with you, and still point out that in the last two seasons he's had the two best years of his career for completion percentage, 2013: 69.5 (also had a passer rating over 105 for just the second time in his career) and 2014: 66.5. There are no MVPs given out in September, but he would have been MVP if it was given out in September. No QB in football was better than him through four games.

... last year, he had his best TD-INT ratio in passing attempts 21-30 and 31-40 of the game than he had in 1-10 and 11-20 of the game (they're all pretty even for attempts).

I'm skeptical of the Titans even being close to the trade however, considering they stayed pat and took the guy who they'd essentially be trading in exchange for Rivers. A lot of faux leaks around draft time of course as we all know/media members being used for the benefit of teams/leaks by teams to see what kind of offers they may even get, etc.

A lot of it has to do with Rivers' apprehension about the team moving out of S.D. and the prospect of trading him in now for a No. 2 pick and a future at quarterback is an attractive option, but man... the three best years of Rivers' career were 2008 aaaaaand the last two seasons.

And consider the Titans' have started the likes of Rusty Smith at QB in the last three years... the thirst for any competence at QB is alive and well, and for the sanity of everybody involved I hope Marcus Mariota is at least competent.

#FreePhilipRivers

You ain't gonna win a SB in today's NFL without an above average QB. Period. The fact that both Phil and Eli could be FAs after this season is crazy to me.

 

[a55a5in11]

We love villians. Your avy and the 79 championship team were just as good at it
If only the mariners tried

That 05 team was very likable (outside of Stevans perhaps), maybe that was the issue

besides the refs. Maybe it helped. Joey Porter exposed the soft *** Stevens

 

[dmxfury]

Need Phil to get a ring and complete that 04 class

 

[100027]

You ain't gonna win a SB in today's NFL without an above average QB. 

 

[a55a5in11]

In the aerial NFL, where 300-yard games passing are commonplace, Andy Dalton earns a $100 million paycheck and the Cleveland Browns take a bust just about every other year...

I can't believe that Philip Rivers was actually on the market. I realize his age, trust me, I do. 33.

But...

... he's started 16 games every season since 2006.

... he is already in the Top-20 for passing yards in NFL history, at 33.

... he and Ben Roethlisberger are the youngest active QBs in the Top-20 for passing yards.

... You're thinking: Philip Rivers' past has little to do with his future - I agree with you, and still point out that in the last two seasons he's had the two best years of his career for completion percentage, 2013: 69.5 (also had a passer rating over 105 for just the second time in his career) and 2014: 66.5. There are no MVPs given out in September, but he would have been MVP if it was given out in September. No QB in football was better than him through four games.

... last year, he had his best TD-INT ratio in passing attempts 21-30 and 31-40 of the game than he had in 1-10 and 11-20 of the game (they're all pretty even for attempts).

I'm skeptical of the Titans even being close to the trade however, considering they stayed pat and took the guy who they'd essentially be trading in exchange for Rivers. A lot of faux leaks around draft time of course as we all know/media members being used for the benefit of teams/leaks by teams to see what kind of offers they may even get, etc.

A lot of it has to do with Rivers' apprehension about the team moving out of S.D. and the prospect of trading him in now for a No. 2 pick and a future at quarterback is an attractive option, but man... the three best years of Rivers' career were 2008 aaaaaand the last two seasons.

And consider the Titans' have started the likes of Rusty Smith at QB in the last three years... the thirst for any competence at QB is alive and well, and for the sanity of everybody involved I hope Marcus Mariota is at least competent.

You ain't gonna win a SB in today's NFL without an above average QB. Period. .

well you read it right here folks

 

[a55a5in11]

Hank Baskett smashed a ******?
was her name Caitlyn?

 

[hymen man]

Xavier Rhodes, year three.

I trust Mike Zimmer to find a way to fit CB Trae Waynes into his scheme; something he's done so many times before with average DBs in Cincinnati/Dallas.

Terrence Newman's only played well WITH Mike Zimmer, and now they're back together again. My opinion is Newman's washed up, but we'll see. When you have Harrison Smith at one safety spot, I can deal with a Robert Blanton (who PFF loved)/Terrence Newman rotation and hope something comes out of that.

Eric Kendricks learning MLB from Chad Greenway, who only has a year or two left.

Everson Griffen was exactly what Zimmer needed him to be last year, and he performed up to the $ that Minnesota took a risk on paying him before the production came. Excited to see what year two brings.

Sharrif Floyd was GREAT in the second half of last year. Vikings got him in the 20s, and he was mocked in the Top-5 for most of the offseason in 2013 before he fell for having "gator arms." Didn't seem to affect him at the end of last year.

Linval Joseph and Brian Robison are both extremely dependable veterans, even if Robison didn't have the same type of impact last year that he had in 2013.

The starting offensive line will be LT Matt Kalil, LG Brandon Fusco, C John Sullivan, RG T.J. Clemmings (just watch), RT Phil Loadholt. Sullivan's really excited about Clemmings falling for an injury weirdly popping up at the combine even though he's always had it. Vikings swooped a first-round talent in the fourth because of it. I guess the offensive line looks tremendous with Fusco at LG because he was out all of last year and he was a big reason Kalil sucked, who was playing next to LG corpses in 2014.

And then the "ascension" of Teddy Bridgewater, who was good last year... WITHOUT Adrian Peterson as a threat in the backfield. I'm really interested to see Teddy's deep ball accuracy to Mike Wallace/Charles Johnson without the pocket collapsing due to AP's presence like it too often did in 2014.

Can't wait man. I'm not one to get up on a team unless they deserve it, but the pieces are all coming into place. I think the rise can happen as soon as 2015, but I'm preparing for it to be in 2016 after a 8-8/9-7 record in 2015.

Exactly this.

 

[nick.]

@PatMcAfeeShow: Dear younger Pat..

Stop kicking things.. Throw footballs till you're good and also figure out how to be 6'5"

Signed,
Non 100 mill. punter

 

[ognikehead85]

@PatMcAfeeShow: Dear younger Pat..

Stop kicking things.. Throw footballs till you're good and also figure out how to be 6'5"

Signed,
Non 100 mill. punter

 

[tripda6]

sherman is solid. there's a reason the smart QBs (TB12, AR12, etc) in the league avoid throwing his way unless there's a play to be made. and it's why the QBs that throw his way on the regular are dumb as rocks (Kap)

View media item 1563152

 

[The Glove]

really don't get why kaep continues to force the ball to whoever sherman is covering

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Thread has been HOT today

 

[joeyxfresco]

Cam bout to do work this year

 

[Hahahaha]

Cam bout to do work this year

Hear this every year. Looked great in the playoffs last year.

 

[trueprada]

 

OTAs are underway in Seattle and Russell Wilson is already finding a new target in the end zone... Jimmy Graham.

 

[The Glove]

 

[a55a5in11]

Im just waiting for Bevell to call his infamous screen pass for Jimmy

 

[licensed to ball]

Cam newton is paid more money than Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning.


Ha.

 

[mister friendly]

Aaron Rodgers still makes more

 

[jpzx]

Happy hour.

View media item 1563251

 

[trueprada]

 $66,250,000 = Combined Amt. of $ that Steelers Ben Rothiesberger($35,250,000) & Panthers Cam Newton ($31,000,000) will mk this NFL season

 

[dmxfury]

Happy hour.

View media item 1563251

Tecmo Super Bowl legend


That spelling :x

 

[illoquent aka dsk]

Originally Posted by Chester McFloppy  

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...roger-goodell-to-nflpa-regarding-brady-appeal

Our Collective Bargaining Agreement provides that "at his discretion," the Commissioner may serve as hearing officer in "any appeal" involving conduct detrimental to the integrity of, or public confidence in, the game of professional football. I will exercise that discretion to hear Mr. Brady's appeal.

I have carefully reviewed the NFLPA's recusal motion of May 19 as well as Mr. Nash's response of May 22. (Neither party requested to be heard on the matter.) Based on the unambiguous language and structure of the CBA, as well as common sense, I conclude that none of the arguments advanced by the NFLPA has merit.

First, the NFLPA argues that I may not serve as hearing officer because Mr. Brady's discipline letter was signed by NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent rather than by me. I disagree. The identity of the person who signed the disciplinary letter is irrelevant. The signatory's identity does not influence in any way my evaluation of the issues; any suggestion to the contrary defies common sense. (I note that NFL executives other than the Commissioner have signed disciplinary letters in numerous proceedings in which the Commissioner or his designee later served as hearing officer. I am not aware of any objections by the Union to that practice. To the contrary, as Mr. Nash's letter points out, the Union has confirmed its acceptance of this procedure.)

There can be no dispute that this is an appeal ofCommissioner discipline: As the letter signed by Mr. Vincent explains in its first sentence, "The Commissioner has authorized me to inform you of the discipline that, pursuant to his authority under Article 46 of the CBA, has been imposed upon you ... ." I did not delegate my disciplinary authority to Mr. Vincent; I concurred in his recommendation and authorized him to communicate to Mr. Brady the discipline imposed under my authority as Commissioner.

Even if there were a procedural issue raised by the identity of the signatory to a discipline letter that I authorized, no reason or logic -- and certainly nothing in the CBA -- would support recusal as the remedy. After all, the CBA provides that "the Commissioner may serve as hearing officer in "any appeal" involving conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game.

Second, the NFLPA argues that recusal is required because it believes that I may be a "necessary" and/or "central" witness in the appeal proceeding. I have carefully considered this argument and reject its premise. I am not a necessary or even an appropriate witness, much less a "central witness" as the NFLPA contends.

I do not have any first-hand knowledge of any of the events at issue. (That fact makes this matter very different from theRice appeal, in which there was a fundamental dispute over what Mr. Rice told me in a meeting at the league office.) Nor did I play a role in the investigation that led to Mr. Brady's discipline. Furthermore, there is no reasonable basis for dispute -- or for any testimony -- about authority for the discipline reflected in the letter signed by Mr. Vincent. The letter itself is clear on this point. And there is no basis for my testifying about prior instances in which discipline was considered or imposed for similar conduct; if that were the case, the NFLPA could seek my recusal in every conduct detrimental proceeding, directly contrary to our agreement that I have the "discretion" to hear "any" appeal.

Regardless, my knowledge of any underlying facts in this matter would not provide a basis for recusal. The CBA contemplates such knowledge and expressly provides that the Commissioner may hear and decide "any" appeal of conduct detrimental discipline.

Accordingly, there is no basis upon which I could properly be asked to testify in the appeal proceeding, which under Article 46 of the CBA is designed to afford Mr. Brady an opportunity to bring new or additional facts or circumstances to my attention for consideration.

Third, the NFLPA argues that recusal is required because I have "prejudged" the matter and cannot fairly evaluate the potential testimony of league staff members. After carefully considering this argument, I reject it.

The process by which discipline is imposed for conduct detrimental, and by which appeals of disciplinary decisions are heard, has been in place for many years and is well known to the parties. That includes the role of league staff in the proceedings and the likelihood that the Commissioner will have some knowledge of the underlying facts.

When the parties agreed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to continue the provisions confirming the Commissioner's "discretion" to hear "any" appeal of a player facing discipline for conduct detrimental, they clearly understood (a) that such appeals regularly involve testimony by league staff about the issues and events in dispute and (b) that if the Commissioner has taken some action against the player for conduct detrimental and given him notice of impending discipline, he necessarily would have reached an initial conclusion about the player's actions. Nonetheless, the parties' agreement that the Commissioner may serve as hearing officer in "any appeal" could not be more clear. Thus, neither of those two factors can serve as a basis for recusal.

Nor have I "prejudged" this appeal. I have publicly expressed my appreciation to Mr. Wells and his colleagues for their thorough and independent work. But that does not mean that I am wedded to their conclusions or to their assessment of the facts. Nor does it mean that, after considering the evidence and argument presented during the appeal, I may not reach a different conclusion about Mr. Brady's conduct or the discipline imposed. That is true even though the initial discipline decision was reached after extensive discussion and in reliance on the critical importance of protecting the integrity of the game. As I have said publicly, I very much look forward to hearing from Mr. Brady and to considering any new information or evidence that he may bring to my attention. My mind is open; there has been no "prejudgment" and no bias that warrants recusal.

I have considered the cases cited by the NFLPA, Morris, Erving, and Hewitt. I agree with Commissioner Tagliabue's reasoning in the Bounty proceeding, in which he denied the NFLPA's motion that he recuse himself. Those cases are not applicable in an appeal governed by a collective bargaining agreement, especially one that so clearly reflects the parties' intentions about the Commissioner's authority, discretion, and role. As Commissioner Tagliabue stated: "No change in the Collective Bargaining Agreements between 1977 and the present day has ever abrogated the sole authority of the Commissioner to preside" in appeals involving discipline for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game. This recusal motion, and others like it, represent nothing more than an effort by the NFLPA to renegotiate Article 46 of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, signed in August 2011.

Because protecting the integrity of the game is the Commissioner's most important responsibility, I decline to rewrite our Collective Bargaining Agreement to abrogate my authority and "discretion" to hear "any appeal" in a conduct detrimental proceeding.

The motion for recusal is denied. We will proceed with the hearing on June 23, as previously scheduled.

OK, Roger. You agree w/ Tagliabue so much that you stopped talking to him after he reversed your Bountygate decisions.

And since he wants to quote the old Commish...

Under pressure, Goodell appointed his mentor and predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, to conduct an independent appeals hearing. In December 2012, Tagliabue published a twenty-two-page decision that vacated Goodell's punishments. "I talked to him after I issued the bounty decision," Tagliabue told me. "I explained I was doing it and why. He didn't think I would vacate all the discipline. He said, 'I was surprised where you came out.' " 

[...]

Tagliabue sees Goodell's laser focus on profit and his combative stance toward players as key parts of the problem. "If they see you making decisions only in economic terms, they start to understand that and question what you're all about," he said. "There's a huge intangible value in peace. There's a huge intangible value in having allies." As for his relationship with his protégé, Tagliabue says, "We haven't talked much since I left. It's been his decision. Bountygate didn't help." In our conversation, Tagliabue seemed disappointed, and a bit sad, about the sorry state of the game he ran for seventeen years.

We all knew this was a formality and that letter up there from Roger was more for PR reasons just like everything else. Only real question now is if Brady is willing to take this to federal court and become a pawn in a much larger game. Or is he gonna be a company guy once again and not do what his union wants him to do.

 

[dmxfury]

Tags

Rozelle


1 game for TB, everyone wins

 

[DeadsetAce]

Tags

Rozelle


1 game for TB, everyone wins

Tags is a Georgetown guy

and i'll take 1 game for TB12