FlocksGottaFeed

Looks like Steelers are bringing back Polamalu and Harrison. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000480527/article/steelers-sign-james-harrison-to-twoyear-deal Great Players - A good move for fans? Absolutely. A good move to staying competitive in AFCN? Competitive yes...Dominate...not so much. With both player's declining in production (although a slow decline) while other teams are getting younger in positions that directly challenge their's - it seems like a good opportunity for others to expose and attack their decline. Update - Bengals Signings/Resignings Rey Maualuga, LB Mike Nugent, K Clint Boling, OG Eric Winston, OT Chris Lewis-Harris, CB A.J. Hawk, LB Michael Johnson, DE Devon Still, DT Brandon Ghee, CB

It will be left under the rug until new rules addressing it will be reported and this year's draft is not affected by it. After which an irrelvant 2016 draft pick or something less relevant will be taken from the Pats and the league will wipe it's hands clean of it forever. In the meantime, the Pat's have been pre-warned of the upcoming penalties and have been given alternatives to nullify any damage from these irrelevant actions (i.e. - They make moves now to compensate for any penalty that may come down after this draft). Great PR. The dark-side wins again.

The Art of Trading Players Why It's Becoming the Crowning Achievement in this FO Chess Match Article Warning: Ngata does truly look ridiculous in that light-blue, still. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2403865-why-has-the-nfl-finally-started-embracing-the-art-of-trading-players According to NFL insiders they're expecting one of the most exciting trade free-falls ever before this Trade Deadline. As players are cut and/or injured during training camp and are ultimately replaced, we'll most likely see a frenzy of activity from all of AFCN FOs. For example: I believe it's a possible reason that bubble players like Gino haven't been traded or cut yet. It is a part of this strategy. Gino showed improvement as the year whined-down when he was used in 2013. That increased his trade value even though we improved line play without him last season. Many teams may need a back-up or starting center before the trade deadline and we'll be able to pick-up a needed position to strengthen our overall line-up with his trade. It may not be for another center, but a complimentary CB or TE. Whatever is the need at that time. The Steelers, Browns and Bengals have similar decisions to make if those insiders are right. Ngata was a knight that had to sacrificed to stay in the game. Gino is more like a castle that can get us a much needed bishop (if needed). edit - typos

Seems like a great chess move (although alittle questionable). There should be some kind of rule about that when it's not for a 'One Day Contract' like we've done for Mason's retirement. How did they get that by?

Current NFL Network's during FA Ranks AFCN Teams: 7th - Steelers12th - Bengals13th - Ravens29th - Brownshttp://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479557/article/nfl-power-rankings-seahawks-sit-above-super-bowl-champs Note: This may most likely change as the offseason continues with late FA pickups and the draft. With priority and depth positions still needing to be addresses by each team, it's going to get more intense going forward. Example: Canty resigning. Another point of interest is that there are currently 3 NFCW in the top 20 currently with Seahawks ranking #1 and 2 AFCW in the top 10. The chess match continues.

Bengals seem to beturning the corner on getting and resigning FAs and they hired 2professional chefs to assist. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/paul-daugherty/2015/03/16/michael-johnson-cincinnati-bengals-tampa-bay-buccaneers/24859453/ "There's stability here,'' said John Thornton. "These guys feel like a family. If you see one of 'em out, you see four or five. It takes a while to build that culture.'' Interesting read. The article reads as if they are trying to establish a Ravens-like FO strategy.

Steelers making moves and meetings to beef-up CB situation. http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/12868/pittsburgh-steelers-to-meet-with-another-free-agent-cornerback

Ravens reduce their cap with Webb restructure negotiations. Great move. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-ravens-restructure-cornerback-lardarius-webbs-contract-sources-say-20150317-story.html

The Browns sure-up their defense today. Not much activity coming from the rest of the division. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000479287/article/browns-add-randy-starks-tramon-williams Bowes visits Cleveland as well. It's getting interesting.

That was huge! Steelers addressing Bell's imminent 2 game suspension with Hall was a good move, but that was huge.

It's about every FO aspect - "cap space, releases, trades, draft strategies and FO personnel restructuring..." Sometimes just following FA, trades, etc. also gives a very good indication of what a FO's draft strategy is.For example: It we get another possession receiver FA who's not a speed merchant - how would other teams in our division respond while looking at their current roster needs and what cap they have available? That makes it more interesting to me.

Agreed. Not wishing an injury on any player, but the history is there and also the risk factor..

You make great points. I agree that this post is only to reflect on the "pace with division rivals in the off-season" and that it's possible that we will be cap-strapped again next season, but that does not necessarily mean that the Ravens haven't "Reign Supreme" so far in this division historically. The term has been used by NFL insiders for years now regarding not just the AFCN, but the entire league. I didn't make that up. I also mentioned that FO expertise doesn't necessarily guarantee championships, etc. However, assessing FOs sometimes has more to do with what they are able to do with what they have to work with. This off-season is a great illustration of resource management so far. With the unplanned cap hits that the Ravens took into this off-season it will take exceptional moves and strategies to keep pace with the Browns, Steelers and Bengals. That said, I agree with the majority of insiders that say that the Ravens have the FO to do that consistently. Here we can follow the process in real-time, but we'll only know who wins this chess match by the end of the off-season. The question was 'whose winning (currently). It can change day to day. imho - All the teams in the AFCN have made and will continue to make good and questionable moves this off-season and have taken the temporary lead in this chess match at some point. That is why we are one of the most competitive divisions in the league. And yes, I stil believe that the Big Ben Deal (although it had to happen) may come back to haunt the Steelers just because of his injury riddled career and past legal problems considering this newly over-reactive NFL culture. No other franchise QB in the league is dealing with those 2 situations at the same time currently (maybe ever). They could be only one incident and/or injury away from a franchise QB contract plagued with dead money. It may not happen, but that is a risk that should be considered.

There is absolutely no way they keep him if he doesn't do well. The Doss situation was very different from this one.

Is Elam a bust? We'll know before the season begins. This off-season will answer the question. I still can't help to wonder if we would be asking this question right now if Elam would have come-in with veteran leadership, continuity and a strong supporting cast in place in the defensive backfield. He's never had that so I don't know. I hope that our coaches can salvage his career thus far if not to simply improve his ranking to a respectable level inorder to justify his 1st round pick. It's our only chance of redemption in this case.

Agreed. In addition, I think the new Big Ben contract will have future cap implications for the Steelers while we are getting healthier for our future cap.

Absolutely. We excel in late FA signings.

Yes I completely agreed that to determine a 'clear' winner now is too early. The poll is really just to gage as the process happens. Simply: At this point in the match.

When looking at the current line-ups if the season began today - you can really gage the importance of having a great FO. Ravens current line-up: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Early-2015-Depth-Chart-Projection/e968c6a1-85d3-449f-abb7-ae3301183aa3 Considering recent FO moves of the Steelers, Bengals and Browns (Big Ben Contract, DeAngelo Signing, Browns QB situation, Bengals slow activity, etc.), who will field the better team based-on strategy and/or availability? It seems to me that the Ravens can do more with less than all the AFCN combined.

Just a great signing and will go a long way to solidifying our D backfield. Another Lewis in Purple & Black works for me. Ozzie plays chess not checkers and nobody plays it better.

'White Bird in a Blizzard' was a pretty good showing. Snow days give it more intensity. Shailene Woodley reminded me of a younger version of Jennifer Connelly in 'Requiem for a Dream'. She's coming into her own. Both good movies if you like avant-garde.

Agreed. The guy is leader and true professional with more left in the tank than a lot expect. He could be an asset for 1-2 years. I see him more like a T.O., Moss or Erving in their last 3 years - still productive and SB driving factors. It could work.

Rashaan showed some pretty good moments when he got the opportunity. The last game was a problem, but not just for him. The entire 'mix-and-match' defensive backfield got exposed. That was expected though not accepted. That's the upside. Ithink he can be asset for us in the future. I would love to see him play with more continuity in DB. I think he could be a surprising find.

The NFL PR department is basically a combination of high-priced corporate and past political lawyers, Goodell's closest friends from the media and an contracturally obligated workforce who would face civil actions if they said anything remotely damaging towards the league. There will be no findings that establish any truth expect - Goodell works for the owners and the owners just want to continue to make record profits. Cure the perception and nothing else. The perception will be cured without addressing anything with morality and/or actuality. Nothing will change until NFL leadership changes. We have to start looking at games like a high form of 'Reality' TV - knowing it's scripted and really not 'reality' at all. Sad, but true. If you're still unconvinced just try to google the bio/profiles of any of their PR Executives. They've all been 'PR'ed'. There's nothing there.

Great interview. Thanks for posting. I agreed that the 'Patriots Way' and culture must be like being a Borg. Resistance is futile.