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Post by grubbi on Apr 24, 2009 21:39:04 GMT -6
I am forever doomed to be a Lions fan. Sources are saying that they have an agreement with Stafford. The Millen era is still alive and well. The insanity never ends or better yet "Stupidity never goes out of style."
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 24, 2009 22:17:43 GMT -6
Yep, Peter King confirms it. Just a dumb move, I think.
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 25, 2009 7:15:51 GMT -6
ESPN Insider article on teams trying to acquire Boldin:
While the Cleveland Browns have been surreptitiously marketing Braylon Edwards without publicly declaring his availability on the trading block this offseason, it appears that another high end wide receiver is now also on the market. Ken Whisenhunt recently told Darren Urban of the Arizona Republic that "it would be foolish from our standpoint not to listen to those opportunities and see what actually exists. But I want to make the point: our goal is to re-sign him to a long-term deal. That hasn't changed." Cardinals general manager Rod Graves also chimed in, saying, "we just think it is prudent for us to evaluate all our options." Both Whisenhunt and Graves chose not to divulge which teams were already in the mix, which is more fun for the average NFL fan anyways. The New York Giants are expected to get involved, if they haven't already, owing to the fact that they are clearly in need of a new No. 1 wide receiver. While Tom Rock of Newsday has been told by a source that the Giants have not yet inquired about Boldin, Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger describes a scenario where the Giants might actually be closer to landing Boldin than Edwards. The Browns seem to be uninterested in budging off of their high asking price for Edwards, while the Cards could potentially accept a lighter offer. On the other hand, Boldin's asking price is probably pretty steep too. Agent Drew Rosenhaus made remarks in February indicating that the Cards would need a deal similar to what the Detroit Lions got for Roy Williams; namely, a deal centered around a first, third and sixth round pick in this year's draft. Of course, as we learn in Economics 101, the more competition that exists in a market, the lower the price of goods will go, so perhaps with this other player now available, one of the teams will soften their compensatory expectations.
The Philadelphia Eagles are another likely suitor for both Edwards and Boldin. At the league meetings in March, coach Andy Reid told the Philadelphia Daily News that, "I'll always look at something if there is a great player out there, and it doesn't matter what position. I'm always looking to better our football team." The Eagles have so far stood by their claim that they are happy with their current slate of receivers, but with such a large cache of draft picks, it'd be a little silly not to at least make an offer. Adding to that sentiment is the idea that Boldin could potentially end up with their arch rivals, and one can easily argue that the Eagles need to be involved.
Another NFC East team, the Dallas Cowboys, has 11 total picks in the draft, and a Williams-Boldin tandem would make defensive backfields shudder. At first, it might seem crazy for the Cowboys to shell out another package of draft picks for another wide receiver; but, with the uncertainty of rookie players being weighed against the near-certain dominance that would be on display with Williams and Boldin on the same team, the move could make sense. The Jacksonville Jaguars might not have the complete wealth of draft picks that the Cowboys, Eagles and Giants possess, but they are playing with the eighth overall selection, which could be an attractive trading chip in the eyes of the Cardinals, who won't pick until No. 31.
For the other receiver-needy teams, the offers might have to be a little more creative than just draft picks. Luckily, the Cardinals are in need of a running back to complement Tim Hightower, and no one is sure about what's going to happen with Edgerrin James, who has asked for his release. One team that comes to mind is the New York Jets, who only have six picks in the draft, but could involve offseason workout-skipping Thomas Jones as part of a larger deal. The team might have a Brian Westbrook-type player in Leon Washington, and with Jones on the wrong side of 30, the time for a big change could be now. The Miami Dolphins could be in the mix as well. Earlier in April during an appearance on ESPN Radio 760, Boldin was asked if he'd be up for playing in Miami, and he responded, "I would love to. You know, I'm a Florida guy, always will be a Florida guy at heart. If it happens, I'll definitely be grateful." The Dolphins also have a lower pick in the first round, and nine picks total, but could dangle Ricky Williams. Williams, like Jones, is also on the wrong side of 30, but had a resurgent performance as the complement to Ronnie Brown in 2008, rushing 160 times for 659 yards and four touchdowns in addition to his 29 receptions for 219 yards and another touchdown. Likewise, the Baltimore Ravens, who have just six picks but could survive on offense with Ray Rice and Le'Ron McClain, could come calling with an offer that includes Willis McGahee. Using similar logic to the above situations, the Carolina Panthers who have just five picks in the draft, might also come calling to Graves with a mix of picks and a player or two.
Whether or not a deal for Boldin actually takes place, it's bad news for the Browns, who now have competition in trying to sell off Edwards. Moreover, the potential for one landscape-changing deal in the NFC East has now been pushed aside, as it appears that multiple teams from the division will be vying for the same players. With just over two weeks left before the draft begins on April 25, there may be much more to come on the Boldin and Edwards sweepstakes in the next few days.
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 25, 2009 7:18:17 GMT -6
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Post by gk on Apr 25, 2009 7:24:44 GMT -6
I'm not sure why teams aren't jumping all over Boldin. I mean, would he instantly make, say, the Giants Super Bowl favorites.
For me, I'd love a straight up Boldin-for-Braylon swap.
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Post by gk on Apr 25, 2009 7:49:48 GMT -6
Is Stafford going to even play his first year?
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Post by gk on Apr 25, 2009 7:52:15 GMT -6
Most fun mock draft I've read: www.gbnreport.com/tradeprojection.html"Projected trades: (1) Seattle trades the #4 pick overall to Washington for the 13th and 17th picks. (2) Washington acquires the 17th pick from the New York Jets for QB Jason Campbell. (3) Buffalo acquires the 5th pick from Cleveland for the 11th and 42nd picks. (4) New England acquires the 8th pick from Jacksonille for the 23rd, 34th and 124th picks. (5) Philadelphia acquires the 15th pick from Houston for the 21st, 85th and 141st picks (6) Cleveland acquires the 18th pick from Denver for QB Brady Quinn (7) Arizona acquires the 22nd pick from Minnesota for the 31st and 95th picks. (8) Cleveland acquires the 29th and 45th picks from the New York Giants for the 36th pick and WR Braylon Edwards. "
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 25, 2009 8:02:12 GMT -6
7 Oakland Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland
Wow. Is he really rated ahead of Crabtree?
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Post by grubbi on Apr 25, 2009 10:19:27 GMT -6
Is Stafford going to even play his first year? Likely when the Lions have 1 or 2 wins (that's being genereous) after 13 games. Put the kid in and see what he can do. I hate this pick as much as the Mike Williams pick.
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Post by gk on Apr 25, 2009 10:23:44 GMT -6
Is it because you don't like Matt Stafford or because you disagree with the idea of drafting a QB so high? Or both?
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Post by grubbi on Apr 25, 2009 10:58:36 GMT -6
"How weird is it that most Lions fans are against the idea of picking a quarterback first overall?"
Came across this question. Could it be that the fans have more sense than the Millen flunkies?
I don't think Stafford is the best choice from the stuff that I have read. I'm not against drafting a QB so high but the odds are running around 50/50 he will be a bust and why dump so much money into a guy if those are your odds. I would have preferred a trade for Cutler than take Stafford.
The Lions need to address putting other pieces together first before they dump money into a QB especially since the Lions have a history of picking bad QBs.
Only time will tell if this works out...
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Post by gk on Apr 25, 2009 11:08:35 GMT -6
OK this is where I'm coming down re:Browns:
Absent an offer-they-can't-refuse, don't trade Braylon or Quinn or anyone and just draft Crabtree at 5. With Edwards and Crabtree, Quinn would surely develop (and if he doesn't, it'll be crystal clear). Defense be damned. Priority 1 is establishing the QB position and the selection of Crabtree would only emphasize exactly what they have at QB.
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Post by grubbi on Apr 25, 2009 13:48:18 GMT -6
Why is the NFL draft made to be such a big deal...a circus affair? None of the other drafts get the attention as the NFL draft.
Is it a man-love-man thing???
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on Apr 25, 2009 14:45:18 GMT -6
The Vikings contingent congratulates you Krall. You made out like bandits even if you drop the 3 players you picked up....Wow...
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Post by gk on Apr 25, 2009 17:37:46 GMT -6
Always a fan of the trade down.
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