Question:

Will the 2009 Cowboys roster include Ray Lewis and/or Michael Vick?

Best,

Geoff

L.A. NFL stadium clears another hurdle

Best,

Geoff

This is a pretty good site for finding out the latest news with the NFL.
http://www.theredzone.org/

Like Matt Cassel being traded to the Chiefs.

And...

Chiefs get LB Vrabel from Patriots

Best,

Geoff

I thought it was fascinating that "nearby" towns were filing lawsuits to block the construction - speaks back to the whole NIMBY attitude so many people have in this country towards anything that would be good for the majority...

Yeah, although you never know whether it's that or people looking to get their palms greased. Either way, it's still an uphill battle...

As for the City of Industry itself, I guess they could do worse; but I hope they find a better location, like LA, for example. If the Lakers and Dodgers can be in or near downtown, why not an NFL team?

Best,

Geoff

Wow, Cassell and Vrabel to the Chiefs.

Both make good sense-Vrabel is getting on, and will be a mentor in KC. What's hard to figure is that they only got a second round pick.

Especially when Denver was offering a 1st for just Cassell....

Agreed. Denver isn't screwing around either this offseason. They must really believe they can put it together soon with a couple of players. They have been very active and probably aren't done.

My guess is that Bill didn't want to have to gameplan against Cassell this year, and since Denver finished 2nd in the division, they're on the schedule.

Sweet deal for KC, Pioli, Cassel and Vrabel. Very generous of Bill.
It's the kinder, gentler Bill Belichick.

I saw Jerry Jones the other day in an interview, and I swear he's looking and sounding more and more like Al Davis. Kind of like syth lords, there's always 2.

I thought Dan Snyder was the other Sith lord.

Which is the apprentice and which is the lord? Maybe the apprentice has an apprentice.

Hmmm, Davis might not figure into the sith thing; him being already dead and all.

Wow, well that makes no sense to me. Did something happen to Cutler? Am I mistaken or is he not the best looking young QB out there? It's one thing for the NYG to grab a fallen talent like Carr for a year of backup; Cassell is a freshly proven QB--why in hell would anyone acquire him to hold a clipboard?

Because Josh McDaniels is now their head coach - he's the guy who groomed Cassell.

Why do you think Bill got KC to pay what they did for him? Scott Pioli....

And unsurprisingly...

Failed trade has QB Cutler, Broncos at odds

Best,

Geoff

Well as I talked about on last years thread toward the end of the year that Cutler is very skilled, but folds in big games, or toward the last half of the season. Like Romo does.

I think the writing is on the wall to an extent with this because it shows he doesn't have a lot of heart or focus or whatever when it's needed. Especially when you see young QB's like Big Ben, who isn't blessed with amazing skills, but get better against adversity. And the NFL playoffs are nothing but adversity. The story on Jay Cutler has yet to be written, and I do think there is a chance for a fine Rich Gannon type ending for him somewhere along the line, but as it stands Jay Culter, Tony Romo, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart are still amazing talents with there best ball ahead of them, but where we sit right now is that Cutler folds late, Romo has no heart, Vince Young has "issues", and Leinart thinks he's Broadway Joe without the charisma or SB win.

Excellent observations Meccajay.

I wonder if the individual problems each of the QB you just mentioned can be routed back to a lack of "heart' or not having that necessary burning desire to win, no matter what. I have to agree with you about Big Ben, I think that there are QB in the NFL that have more natural ability then he does, but when the chips are down and the adversity is at its peak, Ben comes through, at least many times. With him, its desire and heart. He wants to win at any cost. That burning desire that Ben exhibited in the last two minutes of the Super Bowl surprised even me, and left me shaking my heart. I thought we were finished, game lost. But Ben and Santonio pulled it out.

Jay Cutler is not a happy camper, now that he knows that his name came up in the trade talk mix. That's life in the NFL. Its time he gets use to it.

Mike T.

I hear ya Mike..

What's funny about those 4 QB's is that all 4 may eventually end up with a ring, and all 4 may be traded within the next 2 seasons.

Cutler's a gifted quarterback, but he's seems to have something of an attitude problem. His claim that he has a stronger arm than Elway did doesn't sit well with me. I guess no one told Cutler about the "Elway cross."

Best,

Geoff

Joe Montana didn't have a "great" arm, but he knew how to win within the West Coast Offensive system, and within his own abilities. He was cool under fire and not only wanted to play, but win and win some more. He showed that you don't have to have the greatest arm in the league to win Super Bowls. Until Jay Cutler starts being a "team" player, stops blowing his own horn, and shows everyone he can win, he will continue to have problems.

Mike T.

I think this Cassell trade is going to bite Beligenius in the ass. I guess we'll see when Brady comes back healthy (or not?) this season.

My guess, he'll come back healthy. Odds are Beligenious(nice one) saw Peyton come back from the duel surgeries this offseason, and figuered his guy had a chance.

My question is this.. What happens after that 1st big hit on the knee? Do they bring out the cart, or does he get up and go back to the huddle?

As Jay mentioned, Cutler will be a fine NFL QB when his heart and arm strength match.

Not so sure about Matt Leinart. However, as Warner keeps his options open i.e. SF 49ers, this season could be Matty's opportunity to show and prove.

NE dealt Cassell clearly for economic reasons i.e. $14M contract. Probably figure they can easily find and plug another #2 into their system.

Don't be surprised if the Pats end up with Trent Green, Brad Johnson or Gus Frerotte in camp.

Hey Profd, congrats on taking Big Al off the Titans hands.. I'm sick about it, but I knew it was coming.. At least you, and your fellow Redskins fans will be happy.

The Negatives: Is he worth $100 mil? Or $41 mil gauranteed, truthfully? well no...Nobody is. Especially if he can't play a full season. Also, Al's advantage serves as his greatest weakness.. At about 6ft5 and 335-350 pounds, being so big and strong gets hard on those joints and tendons, and sometimes Al.just.can't.go. Al has also been known to be unmotivated for certain games/plays.

The Positives: Is Al worth $100 Mil? $41 mil gauranteed? Well yes! Considering 7 teams were in a bidding war and drove the price up. Also, Big Al has like 8 sacks as an interior lineman, and is equally effective at end or Nose or D Tackle position. Also consider that Haynesworth literally beats triple teams! I repeat, Albert Haynesworth beats triple-teams and makes the tackle..and he does it on the regular!!
Hell, I'm an Eagles fan, and I've only seen Reggie White do that maybe once or twice. I watch clips of Albert doing this almost every Sunday. And any man that can do that deserves $100 million. Also, just think of what that is going to mean to Jason Taylor!

In other words, enjoy my friend. Enjoy while I enjoy my Titans going 8-8 next season.

Thanks Jay. I'll feel better when Haynesworth takes the field makes a difference and the team better overall.

Folks like Danny Boy spending $180M in free agency create these balloon contracts.

Football is a team sport. Unless a player is dynamic on and off the field, paying huge sums of money to one may send the wrong signal throughout the locker room.

I hope Haynesworth can keep his feet on the ground i.e. attitude in check and stay healthy. Similarly, I just hope Hall doesn't end up with skid marks on back.

The Skins are also bringing Dockery back. I like the off-season moves so far.

Hopefully, spending a 1/4 of the team purchase price results is a winning season.

Warner travels to 49ers complex

Canty leaves Cowboys, signs with Giants

Meanwhile, as per usual in the Mike McCarthy era, the Packers seem content to sit out free agency and trade talks and wait for the draft...

Best,

Geoff

Lots of us on these boards saw way too much of the back of his jersey during games. And if you're a D Back that ain't good! For someone with so much speed, I've never seen such bad technique. Hopefully your coaching staff can get his potential from him.