2015 NFL Off Season & Free Agency (Other Teams)

[Inqui]

He signed a contract prematurely. He's not a free agent until 2018 so the Steelers have no reason to give him another contract.

I didn't know he was on until 2018, so you're not wrong about that. Be interesting to see if they can afford to keep Boykin beyond this season though.

[Inqui]

Sounds like season ending surgery on his shoulder is the likely scenario. Amazing how back during the draft, all that speculation of us trading ahead for Williams and they panicked and took Golson after we took Williams. Then they denied it saying they wanted him all along and were trying to trade up for him. 

 

Now just like Shazier last year, another rookie defensive player will miss the season with an injury. 

I wonder what the story is with his shoulder, if it was just one of those unfortunate things or if there's something they could/should have found out a bit more about pre-draft if they were as high on him as they say they were. My money's* on the former tbh, but still.

 

*My pretend, just for fun money that would hypothetically be used for entertainment only and is in no way condoning gambling.

[Inqui]

Just an interesting quick read. Melvin Gordon's own mother won't buy his jersey number until he earns it.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/11898/melvin-gordons-mom-on-wearing-his-no-28-jersey-hes-got-to-earn-it

 

Tough crowd if simply making the NFL isn't "earning it".

[BmoreBird22]

Just an interesting quick read. Melvin Gordon's own mother won't buy his jersey number until he earns it.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-diego-chargers/post/_/id/11898/melvin-gordons-mom-on-wearing-his-no-28-jersey-hes-got-to-earn-it

 

Tough crowd if simply making the NFL isn't "earning it".

I like that mentality. She wants to see him start first and earn it

[BmoreBird22]

On the defensive side of the ball, yes. They've had rookies begin the year with the starters on the offensive side of the ball. Maurkice Pouncey started all 16 games in his first season. Yes, the rookies contributed, but exactly how much? Between Lawrence Timmons, Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward, Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier, they averaged a measly 285 snaps in their initial campaigns. Granted that injuries played some part in the matter, but these were their first round selections unlike Golson. I can't at all consider that since their DB coach Carnell Lake immediately stated that Golson would be put into different situations both on the inside and the outside. He's played quite a bit inside during the OTAs but that's not unusual in the NFL. We've seen CBs in Chris Harris Jr. and Casey Heyward who've spent several years inside before finally having a chance to start on the outside. Golson spent his entire season on the outside in Ole Miss and was PFF's highest graded college corner in terms of coverage, so I personally wouldn't pigeon hole him strictly as a Nickel especially this early in his career. They've also just traded for a CB who was continuously displeased with the fact that the was pegged as strictly an inside corner despite his height and size, which likely means that they also haven't ruled Boykin out from playing on the outside as well. I do believe that Allen can bounce back, but a broken thumb ended his season. I don't see the thumb as the main reason behind his struggles, and he absolutely porous throughout beforehand. If I'm coming into the season with an aging William Gay atop my depth chart alongside of Allen, who was one of the worst in the league last season, that's enough cause for concern. However, if there is an aspect of Golson that this decision was likely affected by, it's his health. They've been concerned with his shoulder and while the IR is guaranteed, the fact that it's even been thrown around is alarming. That being said, given how closely I've followed him, I remain firm in my belief that this trade didn't necessarily have much of anything to do with Golson's ability on the field.

What I was saying is that Golson probably wasn't ready to contribute in a big way this season and it looks like that is correct as the Steelers contemplate season ending surgery. I wasn't saying anything past this year

[-Truth-]

What I was saying is that Golson probably wasn't ready to contribute in a big way this season and it looks like that is correct as the Steelers contemplate season ending surgery. I wasn't saying anything past this year

 

In my eyes, the injury was the only factor keeping him from contributing this season. I don't see any other reason why he wouldn't have seen at least near the average amount of snaps the rookie defenders have seen before him if Golson was healthy. That being said, we'll likely never know that as he won't be rushed back even if he does avoid going on IR.

[Inqui]

I like that mentality. She wants to see him start first and earn it

If it were his coach saying that I'd definitely agree. I just think it's funny that it's his mother saying it (and she's allowed to and all), especially when getting to the NFL itself is a huge achievement.

[TXRavensFan]

If it were his coach saying that I'd definitely agree. I just think it's funny that it's his mother saying it (and she's allowed to and all), especially when getting to the NFL itself is a huge achievement.

 

Let alone a first round draft pick...

[BmoreBird22]

In my eyes, the injury was the only factor keeping him from contributing this season. I don't see any other reason why he wouldn't have seen at least near the average amount of snaps the rookie defenders have seen before him if Golson was healthy. That being said, we'll likely never know that as he won't be rushed back even if he does avoid going on IR.

He was originally playing behind two corners, then three with the Boykin trade, at a position that is considered to have the steepest learning curve of any position on the defense for a defense that historically eases rookies into action. I think it's safe to say he's not playing a huge role, even if healthy.

[DomMcRaven]

I have a question for all of you: who's your sleeper team in the NFL? I'm picking the Vikings for three reasons: 1) AP, 2)Bridgewater, and 3)Zimmer's defense.

[JO_75]

Patriots re-work Gronk's deal and accelerate a $10M payment to him that wasn't due until after 2015. He got a $4M signing bonus and the remaining $6M will be paid before the end of 2015.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/04/pats-reward-gronk-with-reworked-deal/

[JO_75]

Eagles & Sam Bradford are discussing a one year extension that would keep Bradford a Eagle through the 2016 season.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/04/eagles-bradford-discussing-short-term-contract-extension/

 

Also Colts & OT Anthony Castzonzo are discussing a long term deal. Colts also want to get a deal done with T.Y Hilton.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/04/anthony-castonzo-talking-extension-with-colts/

Edited August 4, 2015 by JO_75

[52520Andrew]

I have a question for all of you: who's your sleeper team in the NFL? I'm picking the Vikings for three reasons: 1) AP, 2)Bridgewater, and 3)Zimmer's defense.

Yeah they could end up contending for one of the wild card slots, even in a deep NFC.

[-Truth-]

He was originally playing behind two corners, then three with the Boykin trade, at a position that is considered to have the steepest learning curve of any position on the defense for a defense that historically eases rookies into action. I think it's safe to say he's not playing a huge role, even if healthy.

He was behind two veterans at the beginning of the OTAs when they were still practicing in shorts. I don't recall the last time I've seen a rookie CB overtake a veteran starter in practices without pads; however, I have seen it occur amidst the regular season. Just because he was behind them then doesn't at all mean he couldn't have played his way onto the field or that either Gay or Allen couldn't play themselves off it. I've seen numerous reports staring that Golson's injury was the match that lit the trade talks for Boykin, so if he was healthy, perhaps the trade wouldn't have happened. In either case, I never pegged him for a big role. I said he likely wouldn't see less than the average amount of snaps for rookie Steele defenders, which is less than 250, so it's not setting the bar high. The latter is a personal assumption. I personally feel that Golson would've had the chance to overtake Allen during the regular season but that's just me.

[ravensdan]

I have a question for all of you: who's your sleeper team in the NFL? I'm picking the Vikings for three reasons: 1) AP, 2)Bridgewater, and 3)Zimmer's defense.

This should probably be its own thread, but I like Arizona to win their division and maybe the NFC. If their Oline is improved which it should be and they can keep Palmer on the fiekd all year v

[DomMcRaven]

This should probably be its own thread, but I like Arizona to win their division and maybe the NFC. If their Oline is improved which it should be and they can keep Palmer on the fiekd all year v

I'm on it. 

[Inqui]

I'm on it. 

I would have put it here, since this seems to be where all the predictions will be:

http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/64470-2015-bold-predictionseason-prediction-thread/

 

I was going to open my own thread during the preseason with individual and team picks (Superb Owl winner, MVP, ORoY, etc), as well as a 3-up 3-down thing I was going to try, but it looks like JO_75 beat me to it.

[52520Andrew]

No clue where to put it but but watching the Rams practice and Greg Robinson looks lean out there, coming in at 315 now

Edited August 6, 2015 by 52520Andrew

[rmw10]

49ers releasing Aldon Smith after his latest issues.

[Gordo52]

Cowboys just got better in December.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

49ers releasing Aldon Smith after his latest issues.

Great..... The niners are having possibly the worst offseason in the histroy of sports. I feel bad for them.

So who goes after Aldon??? Besides the Boys I don't see a team that'll take him

[Cville-Raven]

Great..... The niners are having possibly the worst offseason in the histroy of sports. I feel bad for them.

So who goes after Aldon??? Besides the Boys I don't see a team that'll take him

 

I'm not sure if it'll be worth it for anyone to pick him up this season considering he's probably going to be suspended for a long time.

[Inqui]

Great..... The niners are having possibly the worst offseason in the histroy of sports. I feel bad for them.

So who goes after Aldon??? Besides the Boys I don't see a team that'll take him

I don't feel bad for them at all. Especially after how their fans were carrying on after the Super Bowl.

I could see a side like the Cowboys or Patriots taking him, and the move would be hailed as genius. But if he went anywhere else that'd be treated as a bad look on that team

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

I don't feel bad for them at all. Especially after how their fans were carrying on after the Super Bowl.

I could see a side like the Cowboys or Patriots taking him, and the move would be hailed as genius. But if he went anywhere else that'd be treated as a bad look on that team

Those fans are jerks. I do feel bad for the team. But I don't feel sorry for the fans. Get what I'm saying?

[Inqui]

Those fans are jerks. I do feel bad for the team. But I don't feel sorry for the fans. Get what I'm saying?

Yeah, though like I say I still don't feel bad for them. Be nice to see them back in the cellar for a bit. If only the Patriots were to join them soon after.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Yeah, though like I say I still don't feel bad for them. Be nice to see them back in the cellar for a bit. If only the Patriots were to join them soon after.

The patriots sadly will be fine. That front 7 is loaded and they still have good offensive line and good weapons for whomever is at the helm. Bill knows how to run a team

[52520Andrew]

good offensive line

Their O-line outside of Solder and Vollmer doesn't scare me one bit. They couldn't run on us at all in the playoffs, pretty much every play in that second half was a pass.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Their O-line outside of Solder and Vollmer doesn't scare me one bit. They couldn't run on us at all in the playoffs, pretty much every play in that second half was a pass.

Which wouldn't have worked if we had a secondary blah blah blah.

Still can protect Brady. And will be able to run on most teams.

I don't think the Pats can beat us but they can win the division

[Inqui]

The patriots sadly will be fine. That front 7 is loaded and they still have good offensive line and good weapons for whomever is at the helm. Bill knows how to run a team

Yeah, sadly they'll be fine for the foreseeable future and they have about the same chance of imploding like the 49ers in one offseason as we do (that is, pretty much zero but whoever's closer to zero depends on who you ask). But hey, dreams are free.

Edited August 8, 2015 by Inqui

[52520Andrew]

Which wouldn't have worked if we had a secondary blah blah blah.

Still can protect Brady. And will be able to run on most teams.

I don't think the Pats can beat us but they can win the division

Can't protect the inside, we had quite a bit of progress there when we played. Brady just gets the ball out quickly, just the way that offense works. The only team they consistently run on is the Colts, then everyone gets hyped about their rushing attack and they don't run against anyone else really. Denver handled them fine in 2013, Seattle in the Super Bowl for the most part. Any decent front handles their running game just fine, the way they win is the quick passing game to Edelman and Gronk who just is a walking mismatch.