2016 Free Agency/Retirements/Purge

[Heretic]

OL Matt Slauson signs two year deal with the Chargers:

 

[white lightning]

Despite the injuries I can't believe there is zero interest in Toby Gerhart for a 2nd or 3rd string running back.

Sad to go from the Doak Walker Award Winner & 2nd in the Heisman to out of the league in around 4 to 5 years.

 

[Westside]

Despite the injuries I can't believe there is zero interest in Toby Gerhart for a 2nd or 3rd string running back.

Sad to go from the Doak Walker Award Winner & 2nd in the Heisman to out of the league in around 4 to 5 years.

Hopefully GB or NE will pick him up and he can contribute to another SB for them.

 

[Toby Hillis]

Despite the injuries I can't believe there is zero interest in Toby Gerhart for a 2nd or 3rd string running back.

Sad to go from the Doak Walker Award Winner & 2nd in the Heisman to out of the league in around 4 to 5 years.

Running backs like Trent Richardson and Shaun Draughn (3.5 YPC for his CAREER) continue to find opportunities yet a legitimate starting running back, Toby Gerhart (4.2 YPC over his career) is ignored.

I was flipping through the TV the other day. I stopped on one of these NFL shows. They were talking about the under the radar free agents that are still unsigned. Of course, there was no mention of Toby. Does anyone on this site (or even the on-the-fence lurker) doubt for a second that the narrative would be completely different if Toby's name were Kunta? The "experts" would be talking about his stellar college career, his successful years with the Vikings, and what a gem some NFL team will find on the waiver wire; a RB in the prime of his career. No doubt, he'd be on every GM, coaches and DWFs radar. The sad reality is because he's White, he'll be labeled as somewhat of a bust, the "see I told you so" DWFs will be "right" about him, he'll disappear into obscurity. Sad.

In other news, Rob Gronkowski is the cover player for Madden 17.

 

[Riggins44]

Hopefully GB or NE will pick him up and he can contribute to another SB for them.

Oh man, if NE or GB picked up Toby that would be absolutely beautiful. And he would most likely thrive. If the Colts picked him up he would be reunited with Luck. That would be sweet also.

 

[Leonardfan]

Hopefully Gerhart gets picked up - I'm guessing as an early to mid season injury replacement signing. His injury issues cost him quite a bit. He proved to be a good runner when healthy and given a chance.

 

[jacknyc]

He might get picked up by someone by he will get buried on the depth chart and get few chances to carry the ball, as happened to Peyton Hillis a few yrs out from his break out season.
I loved Gerhart at Stanford. I was a huge fan and stayed up late to watch all his games.
But honestly, over the past 2 years he was dismal. Maybe it was due to injury, but when he played, he didn't play well at all.
So he'll be lucky to get picked up and he'll be really lucky if he gets much playing time.

 

[Romosexual]

He might get picked up by someone by he will get buried on the depth chart and get few chances to carry the ball, as happened to Peyton Hillis a few yrs out from his break out season.
I loved Gerhart at Stanford. I was a huge fan and stayed up late to watch all his games.
But honestly, over the past 2 years he was dismal. Maybe it was due to injury, but when he played, he didn't play well at all.
So he'll be lucky to get picked up and he'll be really lucky if he gets much playing time.

Same as happened with Hillis towards the end, tried to play through injury, wrecked his body, never ended up fit, injuries piled up. I know as a white rb his job is always on the line, but there is tough, and there is stupid, playing hurt is stupid.

 

[Don Wassall]

Unfortunately Hillis and Gerhart both were injury prone. Toby was locked in as the unchallenged starter when he signed with Jacksonville, but couldn't take advantage, and was also victimized by a terrible offensive line his first season there. But bad o-lines don't matter to the media and DWFs; a great example is how Ryan Tannehill is blamed for not "progressing" even though his line is atrocious. Same with Blaine Gabbert, who had about one second to get rid of the ball before defenders crushed him when he was thrown into the mix as a rookie starter with the Jaguars.

 

[dwid]

Most backs are injury prone,it's a tough sport and rb is a position where many are out of the league in a few years . If a White back manages to get a real shot he better pray he doesn't tweak anything ...Hillis got flack for not practicing through hamstring injuries and a being sick when he lost around 15 pounds.. His toughness questioned etc. Gerhart played through injuries as well and it got worse to where he was placed on ir

 

[Toby Hillis]

Just like there are great black running backs, awful black RBs, flash-in-the pan/2 great years then they're done black RBs, and the over abundant average black RBs, the same could be said about white NFL RBs. The problem is we'll never know if, for example, Peyton Hillis was a two years and done type of back or just had a down year. If his name was Shaun Draughn, Trent Richardson, Melvin Gordon, Alfred Morris, Stephen Jackson, Fozzie friggin Whitaker, and on and on, we would know for sure. He would've had SEVERAL opportunities to prove if anything was left in the tank. It's not that I think that all white RBs are destined to be great, it's just that if they show any sign--and I mean ANY sign--of slowing down, they're finished. They're rarely allowed to be average by NFL standards. If history is the judge, Toby is finished.

 

[FootballDad]

Zach Mettenberger was given the heave-ho by the Titans today. They are going with Mariota and Matt Cassell. He would be an excellent pick-up by any team looking for quality depth.

 

[Leonardfan]

Zach Mettenberger was given the heave-ho by the Titans today. They are going with Mariota and Matt Cassell. He would be an excellent pick-up by any team looking for quality depth.

Beat me to it. There are plenty of teams that could use him as a developmental guy IMO.

 

[celticdb15]

Mariotta and RG knee are 2 QBs I highly Doubt will play all 16 games, hell I'd be surprised if they make it past 10 games. Titans will be forced to play Cassell and yet another coach will be fired from Tennessee. Titans have been a revolving door of mediocrity since 1999.

As for the Browns despite their moneyball approach, which I support, I'll be cheering against them. All black coaching staff and front office led by black QB. Na I'm good. Browns are a joke. Any success they have will be heaped upon RG3 and Hue Jackson. Maybe I'd see it different if they had a white QB.

Plus I guarantee they phase out Hartline they just drafted 4 affletic WRs with room brightening smiles and infinite upside!!

**3 of the 4 coaches in AFC North are negroes now. I'll be cheering for the Ravens to dominate their division. And I'm holding out hope this is the year Marvin Lewis gets canned!!

 

[McCaffrey Dude]

Just like there are great black running backs, awful black RBs, flash-in-the pan/2 great years then they're done black RBs, and the over abundant average black RBs, the same could be said about white NFL RBs. The problem is we'll never know if, for example, Peyton Hillis was a two years and done type of back or just had a down year. If his name was Shaun Draughn, Trent Richardson, Melvin Gordon, Alfred Morris, Stephen Jackson, Fozzie friggin Whitaker, and on and on, we would know for sure. He would've had SEVERAL opportunities to prove if anything was left in the tank. It's not that I think that all white RBs are destined to be great, it's just that if they show any sign--and I mean ANY sign--of slowing down, they're finished. They're rarely allowed to be average by NFL standards. If history is the judge, Toby is finished.

Hey I like Fozzie Whitaker. He was very funny on the muppets. It has to be very tough to tackle a funny bear.

 

[Leonardfan]

It would be nice to see Mettenberger end up in Dallas.

 

[Extra Point]

Mariotta and RG knee are 2 QBs I highly Doubt will play all 16 games, hell I'd be surprised if they make it past 10 games. Titans will be forced to play Cassell and yet another coach will be fired from Tennessee. Titans have been a revolving door of mediocrity since 1999.

As for the Browns despite their moneyball approach, which I support, I'll be cheering against them. All black coaching staff and front office led by black QB. Na I'm good. Browns are a joke. Any success they have will be heaped upon RG3 and Hue Jackson. Maybe I'd see it different if they had a white QB.

Plus I guarantee they phase out Hartline they just drafted 4 affletic WRs with room brightening smiles and infinite upside!!

**3 of the 4 coaches in AFC North are negroes now. I'll be cheering for the Ravens to dominate their division. And I'm holding out hope this is the year Marvin Lewis gets canned!!

Whenever blacks get control of everything they hire only blacks and try to get rid of white people. It looks as if the Browns are following this trend.

The Browns signed Robert Griffin to a two year 15 million dollar contract. This was a terrible move. Griffin is always injured and didn't play well when he wasn't.

The Browns could have drafted Carson Wentz but instead traded out of the number two spot. This was a bad move. When you have the chance to take a guy who could become a franchise quarterback you take it. It makes you wonder if the Browns passed on Wentz because they want their starter to be black.

 

[Extra Point]

Zach Mettenberger was given the heave-ho by the Titans today. They are going with Mariota and Matt Cassell. He would be an excellent pick-up by any team looking for quality depth.

Another dumb move by a losing organization. Mettenberger had two years remaining on his contract at sixth round money. He was an inexpensive backup.

 

[Leonardfan]

The Chargers wisely signed Mettenberger.

 

[Riggins44]

The Chargers wisely signed Mettenberger.

Another good move by the Chargers.

 

[Toby Hillis]

Whenever blacks get control of everything they hire only blacks and try to get rid of white people. It looks as if the Browns are following this trend.

The Browns signed Robert Griffin to a two year 15 million dollar contract. This was a terrible move. Griffin is always injured and didn't play well when he wasn't.

The Browns could have drafted Carson Wentz but instead traded out of the number two spot. This was a bad move. When you have the chance to take a guy who could become a franchise quarterback you take it. It makes you wonder if the Browns passed on Wentz because they want their starter to be black.

It's funny you mentioned that, they showed clips of the Browns OTAs on ESPN this morning. Every assistant coach down to their waterboy was black. They should have the Lombardi Law in place when a black coach takes over--black head coaches must interview at least one White assistant coach (sans offensive and defensive coordinators, black HCs aren't stupid enough to hand those jobs over to blacks!) and try out at least one qualified White starring QB.

 

[Don Wassall]

I found two encouraging tidbits about Jake Kumerow today. The Bengals pretty much have no proven talent at WR after A. J. Green; Rex Burkhead could also be in the mix to be their slot receiver:


Tidbit number one: 73. As the Bengals look for a complement to top receiver A.J. Green, expect 2015 practice squad WR Jake Kumerow to get a lot of action this summer. He and rookie Tyler Boyd will be heavily used in the preseason. -- Coley Harvey
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...yan-fitzpatrick-eddie-lacy-jj-watt-von-miller

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tidbit number two: One reader question still focused on wide receiver, but it was an internal option that triggered the query. And, as always, Bengals fans are looking at how to improve the center position. One specific free agent was on the mind of another one of our readers. We start at internal receiver options.



Follow
Thomas Bryant ‎@thomasbryant650
@CincyJungle @Josh_Kirkendall Does Kumerow Help Bengals this year. Got a feeling the kid is going to kill it




It's hard to say. Some fans are making the radical proclamation that he's ready to step in and assume No. 2 receiving duties this year, while others still have him as an afterthought. Regardless of one's current feelings on the big kid, he's deserving of conversation because of what he flashed in last year's Training Camp.

On one hand, Kumerow was making plays left and right as Training Camp began, and fans were loving his hands and size. A guy who is 6'5", 210 pounds and made plays along the sideline, as well as across the middle, was deserving of the praise he received. His 33 touchdowns at Wisconsin-Whitewater in his final two collegiate seasons proves his red zone abilities too.

But, the kudos for Kumerow faded after the first week or so of camp and the big stars then came out to shine. His early success in practices and scrimmages only translated to six catches for 65 yards in preseason play, and he was deemed expendable by the time final cuts rolled around. His chances of making the 2016 roster hinges on three facets: attrition at the position, another solid camp and more opportunities in preseason play. The first of the three has already occurred.

It's a difficult stance to have with Kumerow and fellow wide receiver James Wright. Rely on the potential, extremely limited sample sizes and trust your scouting at very deep levels with players who were late picks and/or undrafted free agents? Or, bring in some more proven, albeit expensive options in free agents or higher picks in the draft?

Here's my thing: Wright has just five catches in two professional seasons and Kumerow has zero in his first professional season. Are these the players you really want to give the nods to for starting or heavy rotational roles--especially right after the productive duo of Sanu and Jones? Personally speaking, that idea makes me very uncomfortable.

On the flip side, we have seen the Bengals bury promising young players on the depth chart for veterans they had more faith in. It hinders their development and leaves many thinking what could have become with some of these guys. A player can only show what they can truly do when given a fair shake at opportunities, and they can get better with actual game experience. It's why one should point to two seventh round receivers who had incredibly productive careers in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Marques Colston, once given the chance.

Still, those are the outliers and not the norm. Kumerow and Wright have uphill battles to climb in 2016, but have flashed enough to give the coaches and fans hope for 2016. I actually think both make the final roster this year, but with a new addition or two added to the mix, it all may once again come down to what they do with Brandon Tate.

I don't think Kumerow "kills it", but I think he shows the team enough to be a back end of the positional depth chart guy on the final roster. Special teams and impending additions will play a role, but I think he'll be improved enough to ultimately stick around com September. http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/3/1...and-the-center-position-nfl-draft-free-agency

 

[Leonardfan]

oh no Giants Fans - the best tight end on your every blackening roster looks to be a white UDFA!!! In all seriousness I hope Lacosse takes the starting job from the collection of crappy blacks that are loaded on the depth chart.

Giants second-year TE Matt LaCosse has been working with the first-team offense at OTAs.

LaCosse was raved about by TEs coach Kevin Gilbride Jr. at this time last year, but the UDFA out of Illinois suffered a hamstring injury in training camp and missed much of the year. Beat writer Jordan Raanan calls LaCosse "already the best blocking tight end on the roster," and also notes he's "consistently been making plays" while receiving a large chunk of the first-team reps.

 

[Leonardfan]

It looks like Nick Foles is on his way out in St. Louis and the Fitzpatrick situation remains at a standstill.

Personally I would love to see Foles end up in Dallas or Green Bay as a legitimate backup for two teams that need one.

 

[Riggins44]

Foles in Green Bay would make so much sense. Much more than the two black quarterbacks they have now.