2013-2014 NFL Thread

[The_Douger]

They didn't have him last year, so they'll be okay for the time being because they can afford him. But that contract they have with him is brutal and this guy's injury and being a pain in the ass histories are lengthy.

It's also interesting because the Niners acquired Boldin who doesn't particularly differentiate a whole lot from Crabtree, neither stretches the field at all. Crabtree goes down, so now Boldin is there to presumably produce about 75% + of what Crabtree produced last year. So, both teams are in similar situations on the receiver front as what they had last year. I think we're going to see Vernon Davis split out wide more this year out of necessity. AJ Jenkins is a colossal bust, he's not the guy they were hoping for. I think there's a real possibility he doesn't get a catch again this year. I believe they can cut his ass after three years. The Niners front office probably thought they outsmarted everyone with that pick, but it turns out most teams didn't pay attention to him for a reason.

But from what I've read Austin Collie is most definitively still on their radar. They're waiting for the remainder of the summer to see how Kyle Williams and Manningham recover and how the new acquisitions pan out.

I think Harvin's a huge pain in the ass. Everytime he doesn't feel like practicing he claims migraines and he's always nicked up with something. Now he's a bad contract that they won't be able to shed easily.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

The big difference is that Seattle gave up both cap room and a first round pick to get Harvin. SF gave up some cap room to get Boldin but not much else. So yes, in terms of last year it's a push, but where did Seattle not get better because they added Harvin. It's dealing with the opportunity cost as well.

You're preaching to the choir on this. Boldin only costs cap room for one year I believe, while Harvin has a contract that becomes prohibitively expensive starting next year. The Seahawks thought they were close (and they are), so they traded a first and pay a shitload of money starting next year to a guy that has a history of not being on the field and being a malcontent. His cap hit this year is just below 5 million, so they figured he'd be on his best behavior the year before the big money rolls in. In 2014, he's going to cost the team $13 million.

On one hand first round picks flame out all the time, just look at AJ POS Jenkins. On the other hand, sometimes they don't and they're valuable trade chips for players that would be more reliable. If the calculus is Harvin puts you over the top for one ring then the first round pick is worth it. However that contract ruins their salary cap after this year. With the new CBA you can't pay a guy like Harvin that kind of money. Only QBs and the very elite LTs, defensive ends (JJ Watts comes to mind) and pass rushing OLBs can earn the kind of money Harvin is making. So, I think Seattle's best bet is this year for that calculus to work out because thereafter they're going to have make tough choices with their young players.

They do, however, have Russell Wilson for an additional year on his rookie contract more than the Niners have Kaepernick. The Niners will really have to start paying Kaepernick in 2014, while the Seahawks don't have to worry about Wilson until 2015. The difference of course is they're also going to be paying Harvin close to 13 million in 2015.

[Sizzle]

You're preaching to the choir on this. Boldin only costs cap room for one year I believe, while Harvin has a contract that becomes prohibitively expensive starting next year. The Seahawks thought they were close (and they are), so they traded a first and pay a shitload of money starting next year to a guy that has a history of not being on the field and being a malcontent. His cap hit this year is just below 5 million, so they figured he'd be on his best behavior the year before the big money rolls in. In 2014, he's going to cost the team $13 million.

On one hand first round picks flame out all the time, just look at AJ POS Jenkins. On the other hand, sometimes they don't and they're valuable trade chips for players that would be more reliable. If the calculus is Harvin puts you over the top for one ring then the first round pick is worth it. However that contract ruins their salary cap after this year. With the new CBA you can't pay a guy like Harvin that kind of money. Only QBs and the very elite LTs, defensive ends (JJ Watts comes to mind) and pass rushing OLBs can earn the kind of money Harvin is making. So, I think Seattle's best bet is this year for that calculus to work out because thereafter they're going to have make tough choices with their young players.

They do, however, have Russell Wilson for an additional year on his rookie contract more than the Niners have Kaepernick. The Niners will really have to start paying Kaepernick in 2014, while the Seahawks don't have to worry about Wilson until 2015. The difference of course is they're also going to be paying Harvin close to 13 million in 2015.

The problem for SF is they're going to face a similar dilemma with Crabtree. He hasn't proven to be as dynamic as Harvin, but he's a really good WR. Not what I think they hoped they'd be getting, but not the total bust AJ Jenkins is either. Rashaun Woods is going to look like a value pick compared to Jenkins.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

The problem for SF is they're going to face a similar dilemma with Crabtree. He hasn't proven to be as dynamic as Harvin, but he's a really good WR. Not what I think they hoped they'd be getting, but not the total bust AJ Jenkins is either. Rashaun Woods is going to look like a value pick compared to Jenkins.

I'm not sure what's going to happen now because of that achilles injury. It sucks for Crabtree, but that's going to reduce his value. I have a bad feeling about how productive Mike Wallce and Percy Harvin are going to be and teams may be hesitant to overpay receivers not named Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald. I think the Niners are prepared to allow Michael Crabtree go rather than pay him Harvin or Wallace money. But as we've seen in free agency this year, teams have already cooled off on how much they're paying some positions though not necessarily at receiver, that might change if Wallace and Harvin aren't productive.

AJ Jenkins won't get the grief he deserves because he was picked later in the 1st and he's not a QB, but he's turning out to be one of the all time busts. JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf at least saw the field and did something, however badly they did it. But Jenkins has had one ball thrown to him and he dropped it, that despite the fact the receiving corps was severely depleted last year. The Niners needed that guy and he had his chances and did absolutely nothing.

[San Juan Sun]

Love this idea:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/95...o-bowl-changes

I'll watch the selection show and probably part of the game now.

[Sizzle]

I'm not sure what's going to happen now because of that achilles injury. It sucks for Crabtree, but that's going to reduce his value. I have a bad feeling about how productive Mike Wallce and Percy Harvin are going to be and teams may be hesitant to overpay receivers not named Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald. I think the Niners are prepared to allow Michael Crabtree go rather than pay him Harvin or Wallace money. But as we've seen in free agency this year, teams have already cooled off on how much they're paying some positions though not necessarily at receiver, that might change if Wallace and Harvin aren't productive.

AJ Jenkins won't get the grief he deserves because he was picked later in the 1st and he's not a QB, but he's turning out to be one of the all time busts. JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf at least saw the field and did something, however badly they did it. But Jenkins has had one ball thrown to him and he dropped it, that despite the fact the receiving corps was severely depleted last year. The Niners needed that guy and he had his chances and did absolutely nothing.

Where this is discouraging though, is there were players available that really could have helped. Look at the top of the second round. Colby Fleener, Courtney Upshaw, Jannoris Jenkins, Alshawn Jeffery, Peter Konz or Mike Adams all would have been better picks, both for last year or the future. Fleener especially is a bit of a headscratcher given Harbaugh's relationship with him at Stanford, and knowing Walker's contract status was a bit up in the air.

I guess it was more their desire to find the quick, shifty receiver to play the slot. I sometimes wonder if LaMichael James can't fill that role a little bit. We'll see.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Where this is discouraging though, is there were players available that really could have helped. Look at the top of the second round. Colby Fleener, Courtney Upshaw, Jannoris Jenkins, Alshawn Jeffery, Peter Konz or Mike Adams all would have been better picks, both for last year or the future. Fleener especially is a bit of a headscratcher given Harbaugh's relationship with him at Stanford, and knowing Walker's contract status was a bit up in the air.

I guess it was more their desire to find the quick, shifty receiver to play the slot. I sometimes wonder if LaMichael James can't fill that role a little bit. We'll see.

I was against them picking a receiver and wanted them to either pick a 3-4 DE or a CB. I wanted to take a chance on Jenkins. WRs have to be the most bust-ridden position in the draft. The 2010 and 2011 drafts were outstanding, the 2012 has turned out very poorly, only James is a contributor. Fortunately, I think the 2013 draft is going to be on the level of 2010 and 2011. Reid, McDonald and Carradine are all going to starters or contributors. Lattimore will either never play or be a top 5 back in the league.

[cougjunkie]

Where this is discouraging though, is there were players available that really could have helped. Look at the top of the second round. Colby Fleener, Courtney Upshaw, Jannoris Jenkins, Alshawn Jeffery, Peter Konz or Mike Adams all would have been better picks, both for last year or the future. Fleener especially is a bit of a headscratcher given Harbaugh's relationship with him at Stanford, and knowing Walker's contract status was a bit up in the air.

I guess it was more their desire to find the quick, shifty receiver to play the slot. I sometimes wonder if LaMichael James can't fill that role a little bit. We'll see.

Harbaughs ego got the best of him. He was mocked for picking Aldon Smith so high, and when he worked out Harbaugh looked like a genius. He thought he would reach again for Jenkins and now he looks stupid. No coincidence this year they took the safe pick in Eric Reid.

[Sizzle]

Harbaughs ego got the best of him. He was mocked for picking Aldon Smith so high, and when he worked out Harbaugh looked like a genius. He thought he would reach again for Jenkins and now he looks stupid. No coincidence this year they took the safe pick in Eric Reid.

That's what happens when you swing for the fences. You hit some, you miss some. I'm just glad they both hit and missed where they did.

[Sizzle]

I was against them picking a receiver and wanted them to either pick a 3-4 DE or a CB. I wanted to take a chance on Jenkins. WRs have to be the most bust-ridden position in the draft. The 2010 and 2011 drafts were outstanding, the 2012 has turned out very poorly, only James is a contributor. Fortunately, I think the 2013 draft is going to be on the level of 2010 and 2011. Reid, McDonald and Carradine are all going to starters or contributors. Lattimore will either never play or be a top 5 back in the league.

Fleener was the guy I wanted. I felt similarly on Jenkins, but I can't get too upset with a team passing on a guy who has serious character concerns.

2013 feels like a phenominal draft. I think they found a couple of guys who could be sleepers too in Patton, Lemonier and Lattimore. Still not sure that it will be better than 2011. Aldon Smith, Kaepernick, Chris Culliver, Kendall Hunter, Bruce Miller, all guys who contribute. Essentially you landed your offensive and defensive cornerstones from the same draft. Pretty impressive.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Fleener was the guy I wanted. I felt similarly on Jenkins, but I can't get too upset with a team passing on a guy who has serious character concerns.

2013 feels like a phenominal draft. I think they found a couple of guys who could be sleepers too in Patton, Lemonier and Lattimore. Still not sure that it will be better than 2011. Aldon Smith, Kaepernick, Chris Culliver, Kendall Hunter, Bruce Miller, all guys who contribute. Essentially you landed your offensive and defensive cornerstones from the same draft. Pretty impressive.

I couldn't help but notice they went all SEC or FSU in this past draft with the exception of McDonald and Patton (did they even make it out of the old Confederate states). They avoided the Big 10 after the Jenkins debacle. Rather than avoid the Big 10 altogether, they need to make it a rule that they'll never draft a skill position player out of there with the possible exception of Ohio State. They can pick o-linemen out of Wisconsin or Michigan and linebackers out of Penn State.

Reid is a definite starter. McDonald is the second TE. Carradine appears to have the talent to fill in at 3-4 DE. It wouldn't surprise me if Lemonier replaces Ahmad Brooks next year. Everyone felt great about Lattimore because he was a fourth round pick and he really could be a homerun. I don't know what to make of Patton yet.

I feel like there is a minimum of two defensive starters (Reid and Carradine) and an offensive starter (or whatever you call the second TE). I think most teams are happy if they get three starters out of draft and they're overjoyed if one of them is pro-bowl or all-pro level player. But there could end up being another defensive starter (Lemonier) and offensive star (Lattimore) and either a 2nd or 3rd WR (Patton). Lattimore has the highest ceiling but, again, he may never see the field for all we know. Reid could be a pro-bowl level player and perhaps Carradine too -- although it's impossible to really make a prediction on either one right now. They may just end up being ordinary starters.

As for Jenkins, the Rams are happy with him. He may end up imploding like PacMan Jones in a couple years. But Jenkins may have made the difference between beating the Ravens and what ended up happening. The long bomb to Jacoby Jones was brutal. I wonder if the rookie salary cap keeps guys like Jenkins more in line early in their career. They don't get the big payday until after they've been in the league for at least three years. The difference between a high second rounder pre-CBA and post-CBA isn't as huge as first rounders, but I think they could hold out sooner. A guy like Russell Wilson had a lot more leverage pre-CBA.

[Blueintheface]

I was reading the article on ESPN regarding the Cooper racial slur incident and I came across something that I was unaware of prior:

Roger Goodell said Thursday on ESPN Radio that no further discipline would be coming from the league as the collective bargaining agreement doesn't permit dual punishment by the league and a team for the same incident.

What's to stop teams from taking either too severe a punishment or going lightly on a player? Does the player's union have to vet all suspensions or fines by teams?

[cougjunkie]

Riley Cooper has taken a leave of absence from the Eagles. I love how Shady McCoy says he can't respect him or even look at him. The same guy that was having beef on twitter with one of his many baby mamas.

I also laughed at Stephen A. Smith at first he started blaming african americans for using the word so freely and said they need to look in the mirror if they don't want others to use it. Then in the middle of the conversation he said African Americans embrace the word because we are positive people and we have turned a negative in to a positive.

The entire thing is stupid.

[Guest]

Riley Cooper has taken a leave of absence from the Eagles. I love how Shady McCoy says he can't respect him or even look at him. The same guy that was having beef on twitter with one of his many baby mamas.

I also laughed at Stephen A. Smith at first he started blaming african americans for using the word so freely and said they need to look in the mirror if they don't want others to use it. Then in the middle of the conversation he said African Americans embrace the word because we are positive people and we have turned a negative in to a positive.

The entire thing is stupid.

He went full Kramer, man. Never go full Kramer.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Matt Ryan has is now not only overrated but also overpaid. That typically is not a good combination.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/pos...ryans-contract