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Studio 46 - Non-TPiR Discussion => Out In Left Field => Topic started by: SeaBreeze341 on March 10, 2022, 08:14:22 PM
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I’m starting this thread in early March as opposed to late April since there has been so much recent NFL news not one month removed from the Super Bowl, but roughly half a year away from the upcoming season. From Rodgers’ Packers return to Russell’s move from the NFC to the AFC, it’s a sprinkle of what’s made the NFL more of a year-long product instead of 5 months in a 12-month period.
Basically the off-season (https://www.nj.com/giants/2022/03/carson-wentz-russell-wilson-aaron-rodgers-calvin-ridley-give-nfl-a-wild-week-as-free-agency-approaches.html) features the Combine, Franchise Tag Day, Free Agency, The Draft, Schedule Release, and the Hall of Fame ceremonies. Though recently, the HOF Day is now two days removed from the date of the HOF Game instead of the day before (with the induction still staying on Saturday).
So far the top stories include, but are not limited to:
Calvin Ridley suspended indefinitely for gambling on games
Aaron Rodgers staying in Green Bay with a 4-year deal ($50 Million per year)
Russell Wilson traded to Denver (Broncos now have a QB)
Carson Wentz back to the NFC East (but to Washington)
Khalil Mack back to the AFC West (but to Los Angeles)
Adams & Goodwin the biggest names to get the tag
Nothing’s super official until March 16; there is a legal tampering period ahead of that. The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 28 and will last through the end of that month. May 11 could be the schedule release. Other than that, really everything stays the same in terms of the date NFL events occur; just subtract one from the previous year’s date (or add 30 or 31)
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Basically a "Hold My Beer" moment in terms of all of the big news so far in the NFL:
Tom Brady will return for his 23rd NFL season. Despite some of the rumors or the fact that he could've gone home to San Francisco as a 49er, he is still under contract with Tampa
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Somehow, someway, I'm not surprised. He'd always talked about playing at 45 and 2022 is the season he'll be 45. I was never confident his retirement would last. This likely means Gronk stays a Buccaneer too.
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With Adams being traded to Las Vegas, Green Bay becomes less of that NFC team that's likely to be the conference representative. Anything can happen, but it's a definitive bet for a massive AFC battle to see who'll face TB12 and Tampa next February.
Not sure what to think of Cleveland, who'll be moving on from Baker Mayfield in favor of D Watson. Meh
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Falcons QB Matt Ryan's time in Atlanta is in question. He wasn't very happy about the possibility of getting Watson, and he has a $7.5 million roster bonus coming tomorrow. The team is apparently grooming Feleipe Franks to replace Ryan in the event he gets traded.
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Ryan is being traded to Indianapolis to replace Carson Wentz at QB. The Falcons gets a third round draft pick in the 2022 draft.
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Even more: Marcus Mariota has agreed in terms with the Falcons, making him the likely starter at QB. Rode his share of the bench last year at Las Vegas, throwing just one completion for four yards.
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Winston is staying in New Orleans. So that might not be an ideal spot for Baker. FWIW, they might still go for Willis and/or Pickett. Possibly not, with Jameis getting $28 Million over two years, with $21 Million guaranteed.
From what I've heard, Cleveland does not want to trade Mayfield within the AFC. That might sound petty, but it's fair enough. I get not trading within the division (which would be more than impossible); on the other hand, there aren't many places to trade him to in conference. The NFC is rather light; he'd find a place there (especially Seattle)
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Bobby Wagner is a Ram. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33640742/sources-pro-bowl-lb-bobby-wagner-signing-five-year-50-million-deal-los-angeles-rams?device=featurephone
Wagner was still a Pro Bowler last year and I think he's got a few good years left so I think it's a good signing for the Rams to replace Von Miller and at this stage I think Wagner is actually an upgrade.
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Some rule changes coming for the 2022 season including changes to overtime, at least in the postseason for now:
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-modified-overtime-rule-ensuring-possession-for-both-teams-in-
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I haven't had a lot of time to post the tons of NFL news over the past week or so, but here comes yet another story that may or may not have interfered with the week leading up to the Final Four:
Bucs Coach Bruce Arians Retired (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33632978/bruce-arians-retiring-coach-tampa-bay-buccaneers-move-front-office-role)
The 3 time Super Bowl Champion is moving into the Tampa front office. Both moves are effective immediately (really went down on Wednesday, with a PC on Thursday). DC Todd Bowles is the new head-coach
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Falcons acquire former Ravens LB Rashaad Evans and former Bears WR Damiere Byrd.
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Sadly, other than the nonsense going on in Washington, and their former first round pick and his tragedy, it's been rather quiet on the NFL front. In quiet, not so much but less noisy for NFL standards.
Lost in everything (or not) is Derrick Carr and his new deal with Vegas (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33729753/derek-carr-agrees-3-year-1215-million-extension-las-vegas-raiders-source-confirms).
The most recent news is Arizona QB Murray's plans to hold out & Niners Deebo wanting out. The latter is more possible than the former, IMO.
Fortunately, the NFL Draft is one week from Thursday (or tomorrow based off of this post). FWIW, Michigan's Hutchinson is not as automatic as Burrow & Lawrence in terms of the first person selected in the draft
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The 2022 NFL Draft is underway! Jacksonville going with Georgia's Travon Walker. So, Aidan should be going to Detroit just because. However, the Lions probably will pass just because!
ETA: Okay, Aidan is going to Detroit. Whew
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All this tea leaf reading that the Falcons would draft a QB in the first round and they get a WR. Drake London from USC. Started as a freshman, went to basketball, returned as a sophomore. Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2021.
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Falcons get their QB. Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati. AAC Offensive Player of the Year in '20 and '21. 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio, over 10,000 yards as a Bearcat. He's familiar with Arthur Smith's system so he should fit right in.
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Here is the ESPN report on Tom Brady's plans after he permanently calls it quits (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33891178/tom-brady-join-fox-sports-lead-nfl-analyst-playing-career-ends)
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Either things in the NFL have slowed down or I have done a better job avoiding the media & news to where I missed out on a ton. Of course, the NBA Playoffs are rolling (the Finals will be set by this time 48 hours from now). MLB is happening but that’s sorta slow right now. I haven’t been focused on the NHL this season but their conference finals should be close to being underway. In terms of big news for the NFL, that might include the league’s failure to have the Jon Gruden case dismissed, as well as the upcoming match with Brady, Rodgers, Mahomes, and Allen.
I probably won’t start a new thread for the 2022 season for another 2-3 months or so, if at all. Someone else can get it going if need be, but I’m forgoing doing so right now. I think it would get too idle for 30 days or more since the season doesn’t really get underway until September after the holiday. That’s partially why I started this off-season thread. There has been a ton of news & events in the offseason not directed toward the previous season or the next one in terms of on field play. From the Combine & NFL Free Agency to the NFL Draft & NFL Schedule release, and other stuff (trades, retirements, coach hirings, gossip, etc).
The latter occurred a month ago, with the new schedule released two weeks later. I do miss how it was released ahead of the draft. That was changed a couple years ago, and I don’t think they’re going back. To what was done prior to the move. Naturally the schedule release turned into a TV show, and naturally, everything was disclosed in advance (just like the awards for the NFL Honors).
Outside of everything I mentioned, there have been a couple news items over the past week from Lamar Jackson skipping voluntary stuff (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33983401/baltimore-ravens-coach-john-harbaugh-lamar-jackson-speak-self-ota-absence)to the Pittsburgh Steelers finally settling with their new general manager (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33979513/sources-pittsburgh-steelers-expected-promote-omar-khan-take-gm).
In terms of the actual games, there are a ton of big ones, but some that are slated to be huge might not be as the season moves on. Of course, the opposite can be the case (and probably gets bumped to NBC or the late window if there a SNF game that’s not getting flexed out).
The Los Angeles Rams will open things on September 8, 2022. They will start their defense against the Buffalo Bills on NBC. It will be the first game announced by Mike Tirico & Cris Collinsworth since the former became the new lead play by play guy. Other stuff includes the Week 18 Saturday flex, the Cowboys & Lions still playing on Turkey Day, and a big return for the international slate. Three games in London & for the first time, one in Germany. Save for Jacksonville, everygame features NFC opponents. FYI, the NFC get a 9th homegame this season. All the games in Europe are scheduled to kick off at 9:30 AM Eastern. Finally, there is a fifth game in Mexico, that occurs on 11/21