NFL News, Rumors and Musings

[Leonardfan]

Newton's deal turns out to be much closer to that of a backup:

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports Cam Newton's one-year contract with the Patriots includes $5 million in base value.
It's vastly different language from the initial report that stated Newton had re-signed for $14 million. He'll receive a $2 million signing bonus and $1.5 million in guaranteed money and per-game bonuses, but the remaining $9 million will have to be accrued via longshot incentives for the playoffs, Pro Bowl, All-Pro, MVP, Super Bowl MVP, etc. The Patriots still have the third-most cap space ($68.64 million) in the NFL and will likely look to address its offense with a majority of that number, quarterback included.

I wouldn't put it past the Patriots to draft one of the two black quarterbacks in the first round and have Scam be the "mentor" and initial starter. The Patriots offense was a joke last year but with pretty much the same offense a year before Brady was more than serviceable. At least they are crumbling - the defense is older, the offensive line has been bad and the trade for Trent Brown won't do much, Thuney will hopefully move on, the receivers have been terrible since their peak. The god-awful drafting has caught up to the Pats as well. I have no faith that Belichek will right the ship.

 

[NEP01]

Disapointed with the signing of Newton. Thought the Patriots should have shown more patience to see if the 49ers would try to replace Garoppolo with Darnold or a 1st round QB. There's been very little talk about Kyle Trask, still think he would be a good option in the 2nd round or 3rd round.

 

[Snowplow]

Lions cut Jesse James. Was a big signing but then they got Hockenson. Expect Josh Hill to sign there to be their TE2, due to his relationship with Dan Campbell.

Jets LG Alex Lewis has removed Jets from his Insta bio. Could be moved. Would be a solid LG on quite a few teams. Vikings and Falcons are good fits. Jets are expected to make a push for Thuney, but I’d prefer Bengals for him.

Bills unfortunately extend their sumo RT for 3 years. Did okay at times but got destroyed vs the Chiefs in the championship game. Would have loved them to swing for the fences and pull a blockbuster for Ramczyk. Hope Boettger stays at LG, he was really good and improved the line. Do not want bust Cody Ford at RG. If their line is majority sumo it will make it much harder for me to support them despite an otherwise solid roster with great pieces. Hopefully the line lightens over the next few years.

 

[Extra Point]

The Patriots should go after Mitch Trubisky. I think he's one of the gems of free agency.

 

[white is right]

I wouldn't put it past the Patriots to draft one of the two black quarterbacks in the first round and have Scam be the "mentor" and initial starter. The Patriots offense was a joke last year but with pretty much the same offense a year before Brady was more than serviceable. At least they are crumbling - the defense is older, the offensive line has been bad and the trade for Trent Brown won't do much, Thuney will hopefully move on, the receivers have been terrible since their peak. The god-awful drafting has caught up to the Pats as well. I have no faith that Belichek will right the ship.

BB always fondly talks about his dad coaching Navy, well it's the Navy playbook again for New England.

I remember when Angelo Dundee was viewed as a genius when he had Ali and Leonard, but after that he only trained B to C level fighters and as far as I know he never trained another champion. This situation has a similar look at the moment for BB.

 

[Westside]

BB always fondly talks about his dad coaching Navy, well it's the Navy playbook again for New England.

I remember when Angelo Dundee was viewed as a genius when he had Ali and Leonard, but after that he only trained B to C level fighters and as far as I know he never trained another champion. This situation has a similar look at the moment for BB.

He trained George Foreman on his improbable KO victory over Michael Moore in 1994. To win the Heavyweight Title.

 

[white is right]

He trained George Foreman on his improbable KO victory over Michael Moore in 1994. To win the Heavyweight Title.

Yes I forgot, I guess Newton could be his Foreman? ROFLMAO...

 

[Leonardfan]

Eric Fisher still has one 2-3 year contract left him. He was a good LT for the Chiefs and they missed him in the super bowl. The Chargers, Bills, Giants should all look at signing him rather than drafting or signing an overrated sumo.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Texans and Dolphins trade LB busts, especially Lawson. Lawson was a first round pick, McKinney a second round pick. What struck me is how much these underachievers are being paid -- Lawson is in the midst of a three year $30 million deal, while McKinney is due $28.5 mil over the next three years. Meanwhile, premier linebacker Matt Milano just signed for 4 years and $41 million, about the same $10 million per year as these two mediocrities.

Texans acquired LB Shaq Lawson from the Dolphins for LB Benardrick McKinney.
The deal also involved a swap of late-round picks. Lawson signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Dolphins last year but only managed to start seven games. He totaled just four sacks and 18 QB Hits as a rotational pass rusher. A former first-round pick with the Bills, Lawson has been unable to consistently make plays and hasn't been able to push beyond the status of a premium backup.

 

[El Gringo]

The Texans and Dolphins trade LB busts, especially Lawson. Lawson was a first round pick, McKinney a second round pick. What struck me is how much these underachievers are being paid -- Lawson is in the midst of a three year $30 million deal, while McKinney is due $28.5 mil over the next three years. Meanwhile, premier linebacker Matt Milano just signed for 4 years and $41 million, about the same $10 million per year as these two mediocrities.

Texans acquired LB Shaq Lawson from the Dolphins for LB Benardrick McKinney.
The deal also involved a swap of late-round picks. Lawson signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Dolphins last year but only managed to start seven games. He totaled just four sacks and 18 QB Hits as a rotational pass rusher. A former first-round pick with the Bills, Lawson has been unable to consistently make plays and hasn't been able to push beyond the status of a premium backup.

I guess it’s the nfl’s version of reparations! These white men like Milano, kupp etc. have to know the score but playing football at a discount is better than digging ditch or selling insurance. If guys like Nall and Zenner can hang on for 3 years I think they get a pension and beni’s from the nfl.

 

[El Gringo]

1. Not to denigrate Zenner or Nall, they obviously (to us) have the talent to be pro bowlers!

 

[Snowplow]

I guess it’s the nfl’s version of reparations! These white men like Milano, kupp etc. have to know the score but playing football at a discount is better than digging ditch or selling insurance. If guys like Nall and Zenner can hang on for 3 years I think they get a pension and beni’s from the nfl.

Also, at least Milano and Kupp both were drafted by and are playing for coaches who are relatively fair by today's standards, and were thus allowed to develop into starters, as opposed to being buried on the depth chart by a caste clown.

Detroit Lions sign TE Josh Hill. He follows his TE coach Dan Campbell (who also had the assistant HC and assistant OC titles in New Orleans) to Detroit. I called the move, it made too much sense.

Houston Blaxans trade for sumo Marcus Cannon from the Pats, swapping 4th, 5th, and 6th rounders. New England moves up (about 12 spots) in those rounds while clearing cap space. Cannon would have likely been cut anyway as there's no room for him. I expect Cannon to move to RG (a position he played early in his career), as the Blaxans have two (overrated) bookend sumo tackles they really love and an opening at RG. Unfortunately the snowplow days in Foxboro are long gone, and anyone here who is still partial to the Patriots, I think, is doing it mostly out of nostalgia.

 

[El Gringo]

Also, at least Milano and Kupp both were drafted by and are playing for coaches who are relatively fair by today's standards, and were thus allowed to develop into starters, as opposed to being buried on the depth chart by a caste clown.

Detroit Lions sign TE Josh Hill. He follows his TE coach Dan Campbell (who also had the assistant HC and assistant OC titles in New Orleans) to Detroit. I called the move, it made too much sense.

Houston Blaxans trade for sumo Marcus Cannon from the Pats, swapping 4th, 5th, and 6th rounders. New England moves up (about 12 spots) in those rounds while clearing cap space. Cannon would have likely been cut anyway as there's no room for him. I expect Cannon to move to RG (a position he played early in his career), as the Blaxans have two (overrated) bookend sumo tackles they really love and an opening at RG. Unfortunately the snowplow days in Foxboro are long gone, and anyone here who is still partial to the Patriots, I think, is doing it mostly out of nostalgia.

Once Edelman went “woke” it was all over for me, but damn it was fun while it lasted. Brady was obviously the glue that held it all together for our guys. Belichek must have some common sense in him though he drafted Tommy Vardell high in the first round when he was head coach of the Browns.

 

[Don Wassall]

Also, at least Milano and Kupp both were drafted by and are playing for coaches who are relatively fair by today's standards, and were thus allowed to develop into starters, as opposed to being buried on the depth chart by a caste clown.

Detroit Lions sign TE Josh Hill. He follows his TE coach Dan Campbell (who also had the assistant HC and assistant OC titles in New Orleans) to Detroit. I called the move, it made too much sense.

Houston Blaxans trade for sumo Marcus Cannon from the Pats, swapping 4th, 5th, and 6th rounders. New England moves up (about 12 spots) in those rounds while clearing cap space. Cannon would have likely been cut anyway as there's no room for him. I expect Cannon to move to RG (a position he played early in his career), as the Blaxans have two (overrated) bookend sumo tackles they really love and an opening at RG. Unfortunately the snowplow days in Foxboro are long gone, and anyone here who is still partial to the Patriots, I think, is doing it mostly out of nostalgia.

Like last offseason, it's still too early to tell how the Patriots will end up looking. Newton signed for backup money, so it's far from certain that he starts. Burkhead might sign for the veteran minimum again like he did last year (since no other teams wanted him), they still have Edelman and Olzewski, and will likely have a White starter at TE. On defense they have Winovich and Simon as starters, with Cody Davis and Beau Allen as possible backups again. Some of these guys may not end up on the roster, but there's still the draft and the upcoming FA signing period, so while it looks bleak again for the o-line I'm not ready to write New England off just yet.

 

[Bucky]

Drew Brees has announced his retirement.

 

[Leonardfan]

Drew Brees has announced his retirement.

They signed Hill to a 4 year 140 million dollar extension. That’s a large chunk of change. Hard to believe he is not going to be the qb moving forward. The media still playing up the crab legs as a starter angle.

looks like Hill’s contract is kind of funny money and the contract is voidable at any point. A bizarre situation.

https://nfltraderumors.co/saints-rework-taysom-hills-contract-to-create-7-5m-of-cap-room/

 

[Bucky]

They signed Hill to a 4 year 140 million dollar extension. That’s a large chunk of change. Hard to believe he is not going to be the qb moving forward. The media still playing up the crab legs as a starter angle.

looks like Hill’s contract is kind of funny money and the contract is voidable at any point. A bizarre situation.

Wow had no clue about Hill, sounds funky!

 

[Tannehill17]

The god-awful drafting has caught up to the Pats as well. I have no faith that Belichek will right the ship.

It reminds me of Shula's last years with the Dolphins. OL was largely sumo, starting TE's were black, and all the whites had been purged from the defense. He also left the team in cap hell. As much of a caste clown Jimmy Johnson was in Dallas, he did whiten up the team in Miami a little bit and put them in a better cap situation.

 

[TomIron361]

It reminds me of Shula's last years with the Dolphins. OL was largely sumo, starting TE's were black, and all the whites had been purged from the defense. He also left the team in cap hell. As much of a caste clown Jimmy Johnson was in Dallas, he did whiten up the team in Miami a little bit and put them in a better cap situation.

I think all this is definitely coming from the top. If it were up to the coaches themselves, there'd be plenty of more White guys drafted and playing. As I said, the coaches know what they have to do in order to be allowed to coach.

 

[Don Wassall]

They signed Hill to a 4 year 140 million dollar extension. That’s a large chunk of change. Hard to believe he is not going to be the qb moving forward. The media still playing up the crab legs as a starter angle.

looks like Hill’s contract is kind of funny money and the contract is voidable at any point. A bizarre situation.

https://nfltraderumors.co/saints-rework-taysom-hills-contract-to-create-7-5m-of-cap-room/

Looks like a competition between Winston and Hill. Even if Winston wins it, I wouldn't count out Hill to take over at some point during the upcoming season, whether because of injury or poor performance. Peyton is a Caste Clown, but he does expect a lot out of his quarterbacks.

 

[Snowplow]

Like last offseason, it's still too early to tell how the Patriots will end up looking. Newton signed for backup money, so it's far from certain that he starts. Burkhead might sign for the veteran minimum again like he did last year (since no other teams wanted him), they still have Edelman and Olzewski, and will likely have a White starter at TE. On defense they have Winovich and Simon as starters, with Cody Davis and Beau Allen as possible backups again. Some of these guys may not end up on the roster, but there's still the draft and the upcoming FA signing period, so while it looks bleak again for the o-line I'm not ready to write New England off just yet.

Me, as a big OL guy, that is a big deal breaker for me. Also, correction- Simon is an impending FA. Of course, we'll see, and an excellent draft/FA could change that, but these are not the Tom Brady Patriots anymore. Honestly it feels like the locker room culture completely changed, he WAS the culture.

It reminds me of Shula's last years with the Dolphins. OL was largely sumo, starting TE's were black, and all the whites had been purged from the defense. He also left the team in cap hell. As much of a caste clown Jimmy Johnson was in Dallas, he did whiten up the team in Miami a little bit and put them in a better cap situation.

Totally agree. Belichick has done so much for football (and the fans here), but it's interesting to say the least. I think he's starting to show signs of senescence, also the current climate probably doesn't help since I imagine he's been pressured. As I stated above, it was never the "Patriots" way, it was truly "Tom Brady's Way", and when Brady left so did the culture he built. Still, doesn't take away that Belichick did great things for the game, and while his drafts may have been mixed he was overall one of the fairest coaches of this era. And most of the lunchpailers he developed wouldn't have gotten a realistic chance anywhere else (except maybe Mike Zimmer's Vikings).

 

[Don Wassall]

Me, as a big OL guy, that is a big deal breaker for me. Also, correction- Simon is an impending FA. Of course, we'll see, and an excellent draft/FA could change that, but these are not the Tom Brady Patriots anymore. Honestly it feels like the locker room culture completely changed, he WAS the culture.


Totally agree. Belichick has done so much for football (and the fans here), but it's interesting to say the least. I think he's starting to show signs of senescence, also the current climate probably doesn't help since I imagine he's been pressured. As I stated above, it was never the "Patriots" way, it was truly "Tom Brady's Way", and when Brady left so did the culture he built. Still, doesn't take away that Belichick did great things for the game, and while his drafts may have been mixed he was overall one of the fairest coaches of this era. And most of the lunchpailers he developed wouldn't have gotten a realistic chance anywhere else (except maybe Mike Zimmer's Vikings).

Don't mean to nitpick, and I'm very glad you're a contributor here as you know your stuff, but Belichick's teams for over a decade were the best of the past 40-plus years, with nothing else close. I never would have thought we'd have teams to root for like we did for a long stretch there, teams that not only were relatively White friendly, but were the best in the league year after year! Astonishing really, given the immovable unwritten ironclad rules of the Caste System. (Not that anyone associated with or who reported on the "copycat" NFL admitted or acknowledged anything.) The NFL went downhill for decades until that amazing run by the Patriots, and it's highly unlikely we'll see anything like it again unless there's a sea change in our neo-communist system.

 

[Leonardfan]

Looks like a competition between Winston and Hill. Even if Winston wins it, I wouldn't count out Hill to take over at some point during the upcoming season, whether because of injury or poor performance. Peyton is a Caste Clown, but he does expect a lot out of his quarterbacks.

I really do not think their will be much to root for with the Saints next season. Hendrickson and Anzalone are free agents and more than likely will not be back with the team. At least Payton did give some thought to a potential succession plan unlike Belichek once Brady walked. BB certainly does not get criticized enough for that oversight. Scam was a hail mary signing prior to the season.

 

[Don Wassall]

Payton has been nothing if not consistent. A White QB, one or two at most White o-linemen, sometimes a White TE, and a few White LBs on defense, along with the still (ridiculously under the circumstances) underused Hendricksen. The White WRs he's screwed over could fill a book.

He has his formula, but Drew Brees made it work, just as Tom Brady was the key ingredient in New England. It won't be surprising if the Saints decline without the great Brees.

 

[Snowplow]

Don't mean to nitpick, and I'm very glad you're a contributor here as you know your stuff, but Belichick's teams for over a decade were the best of the past 40-plus years, with nothing else close. I never would have thought we'd have teams to root for like we did for a long stretch there, teams that not only were relatively White friendly, but were the best in the league year after year! Astonishing really, given the immovable unwritten ironclad rules of the Caste System. (Not that anyone associated with or who reported on the "copycat" NFL admitted or acknowledged anything.) The NFL went downhill for decades until that amazing run by the Patriots, and it's highly unlikely we'll see anything like it again unless there's a sea change in our neo-communist system.

I said "one of the" because admittedly, I know not much about pre-2000 or so (bc of my age). I'd estimate the Caste era as starting around 1980, and, sorry for lack of clarity, when I said "this era" I was referring to the Caste system era in general as opposed to more modern times only. Were 80's and 90's teams really that bad? I'd have thought just by some of the names I know of and old highlights I watched the defenses at least were overall better than todays'. I think Marv Levy was pretty good in the 1990's, his teams were far better than most I believe. But of course, Belichick is the king of this century.

I really do not think their will be much to root for with the Saints next season. Hendrickson and Anzalone are free agents and more than likely will not be back with the team. At least Payton did give some thought to a potential succession plan unlike Belichek once Brady walked. BB certainly does not get criticized enough for that oversight. Scam was a hail mary signing prior to the season.

I honestly felt like Garoppolo was initially groomed to be the successor in 2014, but then Brady kept playing longer than anyone could have realistically expected, and was traded mid-2017. I also thought Stidham could have been the guy, but that didn't go well either.