American Football

[Kim Mitten]

Agree with you there about the Colts and Payton, couldn't realistically see the Giants even contemplating Payton as HC with his past. Noting on the interwebs that most think the Saints want a 2nd round pick for Payton as compensation, pretty sure someone will stump that up, apparently he wants the 49ers job, good luck to him if he ends up there!

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Well, Pagano just got a 4 year extension, apparently. So the Irsay/Pagano/Grigson 3 way of doom remains intact.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Sean Payton had six teams after him according to Ian Rapofraud - San Diego, Indianapolis, New York Giants, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Miami.

With the first two choosing to retain their head coaches and the latter being ruled out on Sunday because I doubt Payton would want to work with Tannenbaum whose pulling the strings in Miami, that leaves three options.

I genuinely thought up until Sunday Night there was no chance of Payton leaving us, now I'm 50:50, I still reckon he'll stay but I'm actually indifferent to him leaving because since returning from his suspension, we blew the NFC South title in 2013 which probably would've got us to at least the NFC Championship Game (I'd have fancied us against the Niners in the Dome), we had an embarrassing season in 2014 where we should've won a poor NFC South but once again gift wrapped it to the Panthers and this season we've signed some awful FAs (Byrd, Browner, Spiller) but thankfully the firing of Rob Ryan made us finish the season strongly.

For me losing Payton isn't the end of the world and maybe it's best for both parties, but if we were to lose Brees this Summer, we probably won't see the playoffs for at least 5 years, if not more. Whilst Brees is still firing, restructure his contract and do our utmost to keep him. I would also like to see Mickey Loomis fired because he's responsible for our salary cap issues currently, but that's wishful thinking.

Giants won't touch Payton with a barge pole I reckon given his past, Philadelphia want Adam Gase and so the only place other than New Orleans I see Sean Payton at next season is San Francisco, which is quite possibly a horrible job to take over given the instability of that organisation. It's all up in the air at the moment but sooner its decided then the better.

 

[Kim Mitten]

Can't believe Pagano and Grigson are staying with the Colts clearly they get on better than is portrayed.
Mike Smith and Mike Shanahan interviewed in Miami, in terrible news they'll also be interviewing Teryl Austin tomorrow, he's also interviewing for the Browns job later in the week.

In other news Chargers, Rams and Raiders all applied for relocation to L.A. One of them is going to be left disappointed. The owners meeting which will decide who gets the L.A dream ticket takes place in Houston on 12th and 13th January.
From the look of the Chargers statement they're calling the removal companies: "We have tried for more than 14 years, through nine separate proposals and seven different mayors, to create a world-class stadium experience for fans in San Diego. Despite these efforts, there is still no certain, actionable solution to the stadium problem. We are sad to have reached this point."

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Can't believe Pagano and Grigson are staying with the Colts clearly they get on better than is portrayed.
Mike Smith and Mike Shanahan interviewed in Miami, in terrible news they'll also be interviewing Teryl Austin tomorrow, he's also interviewing for the Browns job later in the week.

In other news Chargers, Rams and Raiders all applied for relocation to L.A. One of them is going to be left disappointed. The owners meeting which will decide who gets the L.A dream ticket takes place in Houston on 12th and 13th January.
From the look of the Chargers statement they're calling the removal companies: "We have tried for more than 14 years, through nine separate proposals and seven different mayors, to create a world-class stadium experience for fans in San Diego. Despite these efforts, there is still no certain, actionable solution to the stadium problem. We are sad to have reached this point."

Pagano's bailout is clearly the injury to the franchise player, Andrew Luck. I still believe he's a very good coach and I'm surprised the erratic and often impatient Irsay hasn't fired him but glad he's staying. Grigson however, god knows how he hasn't been fired. That Indy team has no depth, looks hopeless in key areas, especially on D and it really needs an overhaul if they want to be back into the top tier of teams where they believe they belong. Huge draft needed by the Colts this year, especially on D!

The Miami job has been a poisoned chalice ever since Dan Marino retired, Sparano did well to win the AFC East in 2008 but the problem is, they have an overpaid and overrated QB (okay he's not helped by a shit O-Line, but he's not a franchise QB contrary to the belief of some pundits, these are the same pundits who pan Dalton every year for being unable to win a playoff game and say the Bengals need a QB, madness!) who is literally going to be the last person to be disposed of thanks to Tannenbaum's endorsement, they have a fantastic RB who is so underused he's almost certainly leaving the team this offseason and they just seem to be the AFCs version of the St Louis Rams, where there is talent in the side but they're hopelessly lacking on Offensive creativity and they literally can't aspire to be above .500 as long as Tannehill and Tannenbaum are there.

As for the relocation of the franchises, there's still a huge chance none will leave their respective cities this season. Lots of rumours that they won't get the 75% of votes. But if two were to leave for LA, it'll be the Rams and Chargers, which'll really piss off the Raiders given their stadium issue is more concerning than the other two. However the Raiders will pimp the team out to other cities if they fail, San Antonio is one such destination, with St Louis surely being in the running to take the Raiders too if the Rams eventually leave because they're offering to build a stadium for pro football.

There's still a chance San Diego could offer an improved deal for a new Stadium apparently, but the Rams rejected the St Louis proposal because Kroenke is only interested in LA or bust. I don't want pro football back in Tinseltown but if the Rams go back to LA I demand one thing...

BRING BACK THE BLUE AND YELLOW JERSEYS PERMANENTLY!

 

[kieran_vale]

Have to admit I'm stunned Grigson is getting another shot. Guess we all know Indy will be blowing another 1st rounder on a Wide Receiver that they don't need in place of bolstering that god awful O-Line and their D. Andrew Lucks career is going to be significantly shortened at this rate. To be honest he should have been fired for trading that first rounder for T-Rich. Very little you can argue in favour of keeping him but then you remember it is Irsay making the choice.

Fins apparently want to interview Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia as well. Of the two if either were to be made a job offer hopefully it's McDaniels. I've increasingly found some of his play calling to be very perplexing as the season has gone on. Granted injuries haven't helped but even so he still has that trying to be the smartest guy in the room routine about him. If I was looking to approach someone though it would be Hue Jackson, he has done a brilliant job in Cincy and I always thought he was very unlucky to be fired by the Raiders after taking them to 8-8 with not much to work with.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Have to admit I'm stunned Grigson is getting another shot. Guess we all know Indy will be blowing another 1st rounder on a Wide Receiver that they don't need in place of bolstering that god awful O-Line and their D. Andrew Lucks career is going to be significantly shortened at this rate. To be honest he should have been fired for trading that first rounder for T-Rich. Very little you can argue in favour of keeping him but then you remember it is Irsay making the choice.

Fins apparently want to interview Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia as well. Of the two if either were to be made a job offer hopefully it's McDaniels. I've increasingly found some of his play calling to be very perplexing as the season has gone on. Granted injuries haven't helped but even so he still has that trying to be the smartest guy in the room routine about him. If I was looking to approach someone though it would be Hue Jackson, he has done a brilliant job in Cincy and I always thought he was very unlucky to be fired by the Raiders after taking them to 8-8 with not much to work with.

I said earlier this season to a mate I can see Luck being traded or being a FA one day if they don't improve that O-Line and the franchise regresses. Luck may have a bonehead play in him at times but he's very much a player you want on your franchise. Unless he's crocked or a miracle happens, I can't see him sticking with the Colts. Since Dungy left, Indy have struggled with that D (sans 2009) and have very much been a predictable pass first no Plan B side. Good news on Pagano staying is these Nick Saban to the NFL rumours can instantly be quashed even though Saban will never return to the NFL anyway.

Hue Jackson is someone I want in New Orleans should we let Payton go, he's turned Andy Dalton into a Top QB, he may have to develop Brees' replacement very soon, if we need to rebuild and we get rid of Payton then I'm on the Hue Jackson train. McDaniels is someone who shouldn't be touched with a bargepole, what he did at Denver ended up being lucky not to set that franchise back years. I just think he should stick to being an OC.

I really hope Chip Kelly goes to the Niners, it'll be a soap opera of epic proportions and he'll immediately try and cut/trade Kaepernick and bring in Sam Bradford on a $20 million yearly salary if he can. Jim Harbaugh will have a laughing fit if the Niners seriously hired Kelly.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

So unless the Saints decide his time is up, Coach Payton is more than likely staying according to his brother.

 

[Renegade]

I think Kelly would love to have Kaepernick, he was Mariota's "pro comparison" during the NFL draft and whilst I think Mariota has a lot more poise and ability, I reckon that's why Kelly has shown interest in the 49ers job. The 49ers have drafted superbly since the start of the Harbaugh era. As long as Chip doesn't have personnel control, I don't actually think the fit would be that bad. They aren't a bad franchise at all, they've just been decimated by unforeseen retirements and injuries. This year was always going to be a write off and Tomsula was clearly a patsy, I wouldn't be surprised to see them challenging again in a few years with excellent picks.

Pagano and Grigson staying was just . Poor Andrew Luck.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I think Kelly would love to have Kaepernick, he was Mariota's "pro comparison" during the NFL draft and whilst I think Mariota has a lot more poise and ability, I reckon that's why Kelly has shown interest in the 49ers job. The 49ers have drafted superbly since the start of the Harbaugh era. As long as Chip doesn't have personnel control, I don't actually think the fit would be that bad. They aren't a bad franchise at all, they've just been decimated by unforeseen retirements and injuries. This year was always going to be a write off and Tomsula was clearly a patsy, I wouldn't be surprised to see them challenging again in a few years with excellent picks.

Pagano and Grigson staying was just . Poor Andrew Luck.

Do you think Chip Kelly would let GM Trent Baalke coach the secondary though like he has been doing through 2015? Be an accident waiting to happen imo, you just know Kelly and Baalke would fall out over countless issues so he's one the Niners should avoid. How Baalke wasn't fired with Tomsula I genuinely do not know.

Chip's best shot is the Titans, they'll give him time if he improves upon this season with Mariota and they've just fired their GM so he may be able to get the same control he had in Philly, although that's a long shot.

 

[Renegade]

Yeah, Baalke giving tips despite never actually being a coach was a bit weird, but I don't think that will happen under any other head coach. Tomsula was the 49ers fall guy, someone who would do whatever the front office said. They knew they were going to have a down year after last off-season, so I would discount much of what happened this season. It is a fair point though, I just can't see any other head coach letting that happen and I don't think Baalke will be meddling in the future.

Chip is not going to get personnel control anywhere he goes! I reckon he'll end up in Tennessee too, it just makes too much sense.

 

[Kim Mitten]

So Megatron might be retiring..... Put out an interesting statement saying he is evaluating his options with loads of those 'un-named team mates' saying he's lost enthusiasm for the game and that he plays every game injured.

Barry Sanders mark II could be on the cards here, but with a heads up. He's an intriguing off season issue, massive cap hit next year, massive guarenteed money (something like $25M). Lots of talks of a trade, but come on who is going to stump up a decent pick/players to take on his contract. Also lots of talks of the new GM (whoever that may be) asking him to take a pay cut or significantly renegotiate his contract.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

So Megatron might be retiring..... Put out an interesting statement saying he is evaluating his options with loads of those 'un-named team mates' saying he's lost enthusiasm for the game and that he plays every game injured.

Barry Sanders mark II could be on the cards here, but with a heads up. He's an intriguing off season issue, massive cap hit next year, massive guarenteed money (something like $25M). Lots of talks of a trade, but come on who is going to stump up a decent pick/players to take on his contract. Also lots of talks of the new GM (whoever that may be) asking him to take a pay cut or significantly renegotiate his contract.

I genuinely think it's more Carson Palmer at the Bengals Mark II, I genuinely think he still wants to play but he also wants a trade and I actually think Megatron would be open to a pay cut of some sort (not a drastic one obviously) if he got a change of scenery out of it. This could well be the story of the offseason.

Lovie Smith has been surprisingly fired by the Bucs and a lot of their defensive players don't seem happy (see Kwon Alexander's twitter for instance). Rumours that Jameis Winston is a "coach-killer" are circling the web.

And Sean Payton is staying in New Orleans, bet Ian Rapoport is gutted his big story all season has now evaporated into thin air.

 

[JJ1532]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...jets-win?campaign=tw-nf-sf18281783-sf18281783

Amazing.

 

[Anon]

Get the sense if Peyton stays, as it seems he will do, he's in for the long haul and is up for post-Brees Saints too. Given the cyclical nature of NFL, even if he went somewhere this season it's still a rebuilding project anyway, so why leave the comfort of New Orleans.

Lovie Smith is slightly surprising since it did look like in the second half of the season things were getting together. That vacancy quite possibly becomes the most attractive out there, long term, along with the Titans.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Get the sense if Peyton stays, as it seems he will do, he's in for the long haul and is up for post-Brees Saints too. Given the cyclical nature of NFL, even if he went somewhere this season it's still a rebuilding project anyway, so why leave the comfort of New Orleans.

Lovie Smith is slightly surprising since it did look like in the second half of the season things were getting together. That vacancy quite possibly becomes the most attractive out there, long term, along with the Titans.

Payton won't go unless he's pushed now, Ian Rapoport was wrong to suggest literally every week since we went 0-3 that Payton and Brees were on their way out. The next task for us is to restructure Brees contract if we wish to remain competitive in 2016, I'm not expecting much next year except an improvement on D and getting some high earners off the wage bill. However the news is welcomed that with Payton staying, Brees will probably take a discount of his salary in exchange for an extension of his contract.

The Bucs were a dumpster fire in 2014 and they'd shown credibility throughout much of 2015 despite a four game losing skid to end the season. Jameis Winston has had a good season and things really looked on the up for Tampa Bay, I can imagine there's more to that firing that meets the eye. All the tools are there for Tampa Bay and if they draft well in Spring they could well be in a strong position in the NFC South with the right coach on board.

 

[Renegade]

I genuinely think it's more Carson Palmer at the Bengals Mark II, I genuinely think he still wants to play but he also wants a trade and I actually think Megatron would be open to a pay cut of some sort (not a drastic one obviously) if he got a change of scenery out of it. This could well be the story of the offseason.

Lovie Smith has been surprisingly fired by the Bucs and a lot of their defensive players don't seem happy (see Kwon Alexander's twitter for instance). Rumours that Jameis Winston is a "coach-killer" are circling the web.

And Sean Payton is staying in New Orleans, bet Ian Rapoport is gutted his big story all season has now evaporated into thin air.

What's with the Rapoport heat? Not saying I have an opinion on the guy, just curious after you called him Rapofraud before. Just annoyed he keeps talking about Sean Payton and Drew Brees? These reporters are only as good as their sources I suppose.

Very surprised that the Bucs fired Lovie Smith, but despite improving to 6-10 this year, I still think he did a pretty poor job overall with the talent he has on both sides of the ball. That and his teams have usually underperformed on offence, they must have someone good in their cross-hairs.

I also thought "Barry Sanders" when the Megatron retirement stories came out, though Megatron seems far beyond his prime compared to Barry, who was still one of the best running backs in the league/of all-time. I'd like to see him go to a contender, he deserves a run at a Lombardi, should be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Retiring early might taint that.

 

[Anon]

Megatron interested in a contender with cap room that needs a WR shot in the arm?

I can but wish...

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

What's with the Rapoport heat? Not saying I have an opinion on the guy, just curious after you called him Rapofraud before. Just annoyed he keeps talking about Sean Payton and Drew Brees? These reporters are only as good as their sources I suppose.

Very surprised that the Bucs fired Lovie Smith, but despite improving to 6-10 this year, I still think he did a pretty poor job overall with the talent he has on both sides of the ball. That and his teams have usually underperformed on offence, they must have someone good in their cross-hairs.

He's got a lot wrong with other teams and rumours in the past and human error is allowed but hearing his soundbites pretty much twice a week for the last few months about how Payton and Brees were certain to be leaving NOLA has done my tits in considering their family members and the men themselves said they wished to remain with the Saints unless top brass told them otherwise. It was just an unnecessary annoyance which marred a lost season for us. My criticism of him will evaporate until he tries it again next season after we star 0-4!

As for the Bucs, I wonder who they'll appoint. I think it'll be an Offensive minded coach (Someone like Hue Jackson or Adam Gase?) who can get the best out of Jameis Winston. They're in a very healthy situation right now and could be one draft away from bigger and better things.

 

[TomPNE94]

If it is a Steelers/Cardinals superbowl then I think the good people who make Madden should be investigated for being witches

 

[Kim Mitten]

I genuinely think it's more Carson Palmer at the Bengals Mark II, I genuinely think he still wants to play but he also wants a trade and I actually think Megatron would be open to a pay cut of some sort (not a drastic one obviously) if he got a change of scenery out of it. This could well be the story of the offseason.

I cannot see Calvin Johnson joining another team. Firstly he has, throughout his career, including numerous times this season said he wants to stay in Detroit and doesn't ever want to play for another team. He may be slightly unhinged in that thinking, but I believe him and he has always come across as sincere and honest. He would certainly be open to a pay cut, he's done it before and helped the team out of cap holes in the past.
Who knows though, stranger things have happened and someone might be mad enough to take on his cap hit. Looking at next season and cap space there is realistically 8 teams with enough room to take him on, I'm afraid not the Packers JimBob (they have $27M cap space and don't seem like a team to wipe it out on one player) and of those only the Bengals are in a win now position.

As for Lovie in TB - WHAT!!! must be more than on field performance because from the outcry from their players nobody saw this coming. Got to agree about an O minded coach though, Hue Jackson a very popular choice, interviewing with the Browns today, they could certainly do a lot worse.

 

[Anon]

Oh it was in jest, the Packers reference

 

[Kim Mitten]

Getting back to the Saints I am intrigued as to what they will do this off season regarding their horrendous cap situation. Currently nearly $4M in the red that they need to cut/trade away just to get back to zero. They'll then have to find around another $10M to shave off to accommodate just the first round draft pick.
Surely Brees will renegotiate his contract, currently counting as a $30M cap hit there must be wiggle room to get that number lower.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Getting back to the Saints I am intrigued as to what they will do this off season regarding their horrendous cap situation. Currently nearly $4M in the red that they need to cut/trade away just to get back to zero. They'll then have to find around another $10M to shave off to accommodate just the first round draft pick.
Surely Brees will renegotiate his contract, currently counting as a $30M cap hit there must be wiggle room to get that number lower.

Payton said in his press conference that it's only a matter of time regarding Brees' contract. Brees will be given a pay cut with an extension beyond 2016 and whilst his production is of consistently good quality then we'd be mad not to. He wants to stay so I'm confident that will be sorted. Expect veterans such as the likes of Strief, Ellerbe and Colston to be cut and a renegotiation of certain contracts such as Morstead's. Sadly I can see Ben Watson, who I'd like to keep, testing free agency and we may look to trade Kenny Vaccaro for a draft pick. The thing that's killing us is dead money (Graham, Galette) and the bust of FA signings we've acquired. Byrd and Browner will stay (sadly in the latter's case) but I could see CJ Spiller being cut even if it means more dead money. He's been abysmal and I believe he's on less than the other two. He'll also be behind Ingram, Hightower and Robinson as well in the pecking order!

We'll get around it, we've got out of a hole before but I seriously believe poor free agent punts and dead money is the contributor to a problem that's been all overblown. It's a shame Junior Galette was a prick off the field after he signed his lucrative contract else we'd be in a much healthier situation.

 

[.V.]

Say hello to the San Diego Raiders?

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...-looking-for-answers-as-nfl-set-to-return-to/

 

[Kim Mitten]

Interesting article. Can't see anyone going to San Diego if I'm honest, but who knows. Also can't see past Kronke's stadium plan and the Rams moving back to L.A. I take it whoever moves will start playing at the Rose Bowl because from looking around the web both proposed sites are currently 'graded' and ready for construction. If everything is passed in Houston next week then whoever is building has from 14th January to sometime in September (if all pre-season is played on the road) to build an NFL stadium.

Lions have a new GM as well, Patriots director of scouting Bob Quinn. The only thing to be said about this is he's not Matt Millen, so he's already winning.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/35267398

The Seahawks are good, but can they do it on a cold Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis?

Seriously though I'm gutted the Vikings are moving back indoors next season, the NFL was made for games like this!

 

[Anon]

Yeah I love the proper weather games, is or should be part of football.

I still can't see how an nfl team can start in LA in 9 months time... surely any agreement would see the team start in 2017?

I'm tempted to put some money on the Vikings tonight. Cold weather, running the ball will be key, young ascending team...

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Yeah I love the proper weather games, is or should be part of football.

I still can't see how an nfl team can start in LA in 9 months time... surely any agreement would see the team start in 2017?

I'm tempted to put some money on the Vikings tonight. Cold weather, running the ball will be key, young ascending team...

Considering the Baltimore Colts moved to Indianapolis unannounced in the 80s, I'm certain it can happen in 2016. As said before it'll be in a temp stadium whilst the new stadium is built, a la the Houston Oilers relocation to Tennessee in the 90s.

 

[JJ1532]

The LA Memorial Coliseum could easily accommodate a team for a couple of seasons. Probably could even share it if needed.

I mean, it's only 8 miles from the proposed Inglewood location anyway. Be a good way to build up a new fan base before the big move in.