So The Superbowl is Over (Unofficial 2007 NFL Draft/Free Agency Thread)

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I didn't realize Culpepper was on the way out. I just thought they were bringing in Green for competition/depth.



Fins will swap Green for Culpepper

Posted: Thursday May 10, 2007 10:26AM ET

Despite the apparent logic in giving Daunte Culpepper and Ricky Williams a chance, it has been reported Miami will trade or release Culpepper when the seemingly forever-imminent Trent Green deal happens.

I think they were trying to unload Culpepper to Oakland IIRC prior to the draft. Probably has more to do with cap issues "if" they can bring in Green.

[Bad-example]

From Rotoworld:

CBS 8 in Las Vegas reports LB Richard Siegler, who was released by the Steelers on Thursday, is being targeted by police for his alleged involvement in a juvenile prostitution ring on the streets of Las Vegas.
Siegler was arrested in Pittsburgh shortly after he was cut. The third-year player is charged with enticing women to become prostitutes and running an escort service. He faces three felony counts and ten years in jail.

[Vince]

Does this Draft Grade make anyone else smile?

Originally Posted by Sporting News Draft Grades

A+
Oakland Raiders. They got their franchise QB in JaMarcus Russell, acquired the draft's best TE in Zach Miller and picked up RB Michael Bush, who could start in 2008 after a season of being a backup and getting healthy.
Miami Dolphins. The first three picks--WR Ted Ginn Jr., QB John Beck and C Samson Satele--should all become starters quickly. The smart, mature Beck could be ready by opening day. RB Lorenzo Booker will help immediately as a third-down back.

Linky.

[AlexB]

The description of the Dolphins picks futures, if not the grade, seems to be a general consensus. Even if you think that Ginn was not worth #9, he should be a starter soon given our other receivers, by all accounts Cameron's always been keen on Beck, which is why he was picked in the 2nd, and given the other QBs we have, and in particular Daunte's health, it's not too far fetched that he will be starting week 1, and given our not exactly stellar O-line Satele must have a shot as well.

And the whole point of Booker is apparently 3rd down back.

Given that even the coaches can't assess a draft until two or three years afterwards, let alone during rookie mini camp FFS, this type of bandwagon jumping 'opinion' has been done to death already by people who basically can say what they want because they can't be proved wrong. Yet. And in 2-3 years time, if the picks all work out, this type of insignificant self-serving smirking smugness on an internet message baord will be long forgotten. So you're in a can't lose situation of smirking at something that can't yet be assessed.

So no, doesn't really make me smile - seems not too far out if graded by how much the picks might be able to offer immediate improvment.

[albionmoonlight]

Reading this closely, there is still no direct link between Vick and the dog fighting. Granted, the circumstantial evidence is piled so high that it blocks out the sun, but nothing directly refutes his story that he was an unknowing landlord with a tennant engaged in illegal stuff.

Here, we have one friend who has "not a doubt in [his] mind" that Vick knew what was happening, and another friend who says that Vick has an affinity for dog fighting.

We have yet to have anyone that I have seen say "I know for a fact that Vick was directly involved in the dog fighting ring because I saw/helped/etc. him do it."

The media knows that this story goes away as soon as Vick's name drops off it, so they will do whatever they can to keep him linked to it.

Until we start hearing from official sources that he is a suspect in a felony investigation, I am going to look at this with some skepticism.

I guess, at the end of the day, I trust the media slightly less than I trust NFL players.

Originally Posted by Story

[miami_fan]

I just read an article about the Lions attempting to recoup a part of Charles Rogers' bonus. The interesting part was that Rogers has not been signed by another team. Is his career really over at this point?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Vince

Does this Draft Grade make anyone else smile?



Linky.

I think I said this in the draft thread...but The Sporting News rated Quinn as a 3rd rounder and were getting killed for it all over. So giving an A+ to the team who famously passed on him would seem like the automatic thing to do.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Reading this closely, there is still no direct link between Vick and the dog fighting. Granted, the circumstantial evidence is piled so high that it blocks out the sun, but nothing directly refutes his story that he was an unknowing landlord with a tennant engaged in illegal stuff.

Here, we have one friend who has "not a doubt in [his] mind" that Vick knew what was happening, and another friend who says that Vick has an affinity for dog fighting.

We have yet to have anyone that I have seen say "I know for a fact that Vick was directly involved in the dog fighting ring because I saw/helped/etc. him do it."

The media knows that this story goes away as soon as Vick's name drops off it, so they will do whatever they can to keep him linked to it.

Until we start hearing from official sources that he is a suspect in a felony investigation, I am going to look at this with some skepticism.

I guess, at the end of the day, I trust the media slightly less than I trust NFL players.

I heard that there was a web site advertising dog fighting that had Vick's picture. Now, its POSSIBLE his picture was used without his consent... but added to everything else, its really stretching plausibility.

At the very least, he's guilty of being incredibly stupid.

[Ksyrup]

That article talks about his picture appearing on a website, but I think it is for dog breeding, not fighting.

If this is all "in the family," it's doubtful he will get hurt by this. However, coupled with his ownership of the property, if someone decides to crack and gives him up, he could be in some serious trouble. But it's doubtful that those peoples' statements would be enough to go forward on.

[rkmsuf]

Mike Vick is a farging corksucker.

[MikeVic]

Steelers sign RB Kevan Barlow.

http://news.steelers.com/article/76414/

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Mike Vick is a farging corksucker.

If he continues going down this path and is thrown out of the league, I will grant him an exception if he ever catches an extra point while attending an NFL game as a spectator. That ball will be a reminder of what he threw away. In fact, he should be forced to keep it.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

If he continues going down this path and is thrown out of the league, I will grant him an exception if he ever catches an extra point while attending an NFL game as a spectator. That ball will be a reminder of what he threw away. In fact, he should be forced to keep it.

Hey man, I ain't no Rickey Henderson. I could only dream to be such a superior athlete.

[stevew]

we need one central "piss on Michael Vick" thread. All the good material is spread too far out.

[Pumpy Tudors]

My boss is really, really excited about the Kevan Barlow signing. I mean, he was literally dancing in my office and singing Kevan Barlow's name. I damn near reported his behavior to HR just because I fear for his sanity.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

My boss is really, really excited about the Kevan Barlow signing. I mean, he was literally dancing in my office and singing Kevan Barlow's name. I damn near reported his behavior to HR just because I fear for his sanity.

not quite sure why...

[stevew]

Whenever I need 3 yards per carry, I put out the bat-signal for Kevan Barlow. Sigh, one legit running back on the entire roster, I suppose the closet pooper is okay, and we don't draft a single back. Make sure to trigger the stevew suicide watch if Willie Parker gets injured.

[rkmsuf]

love the closet pooping story

[stevew]

Guard Alan Faneca is apparently trying to get out. Sorry, not a good idea to invest money into a 30 year old guard that's declining.

This will be my last year as a Pittsburgh Steeler," Faneca declared.

"You go somewhere, you've been here for nine years; to do what I've done to help this team out. The things I've done for this team ... and the offer I get is pretty much a non-offer. What am I to think? What are the guys in this room to think? If they can do it to me and everybody else and let Joey [Porter] go and do things like that, what does that say to the rest of the guys?"

Faneca said he's talked to "everyone" in the front office, including Art Rooney, Dan Rooney and Kevin Colbert.

"I've been asking since February, to trade me, to let me go,'' Faneca said in such an emotional interview that at times his left hand was shaking slightly. "I've done my piece, I've done my time, I've done everything I can for this organization.

"I lived and breathed Steelers football for nine years and gave them everything I had, helped them win a Super Bowl. In my mind, I've earned the right to be treated fairly. To make me go out there this year, play football with no security ... for what I've done for this organization, in my mind is not right."

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

My boss is really, really excited about the Kevan Barlow signing. I mean, he was literally dancing in my office and singing Kevan Barlow's name. I damn near reported his behavior to HR just because I fear for his sanity.

Is he a Pitt fan?

[Butter]

So, with an outburst like that, would you cut Faneca prior to the season?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

not quite sure why...

Not sure why my boss was dancing, or not quite sure why I fear for his sanity?

Originally Posted by bsak16

Is he a Pitt fan?

He claims to be.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

From Rotoworld:

I'm not sure why this isn't getting more play from y'all (probably because it's a player that most of us have never heard of), but that's some seriously f'd up shit right there...

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

I'm not sure why this isn't getting more play from y'all (probably because it's a player that most of us have never heard of), but that's some seriously f'd up shit right there...

I agree. And 10 years in prison is the max penalty for that?

You would think that running a child sex ring would have larger maximum penalties behind it.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by stevew

Guard Alan Faneca is apparently trying to get out. Sorry, not a good idea to invest money into a 30 year old guard that's declining.

Bring on Cam Stephensen baby!

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

So, with an outburst like that, would you cut Faneca prior to the season?

I'd switch him to punter first before I cut him, but yeah, he wouldn't be on my team next year. It's beyond posturing for a new deal, he whipped out his dick and pissed on the team. Fuck him.

We aren't the Browns, paying journeymen linemen(guys maybe a notch above) 5 to 7 million a year. Faneca has gotten every penny of the fair market 25 million dollar deal he signed 6 years ago. He's been among the highest paid guards every year except for the last 2.

I think we'll plug a big ugly in there, and be good to go next year. I don't really expect much out of the 2007 Steelers, so we can go 8-8 with or without him. I don't think we'll get a pick for him now, maybe we could have gotten one earlier in FA, but it's hard to say. Hell, if they knew he felt this way, I would have cut him the same time they cut Porter, and maybe tried to sign someone like Banta Cain harder, and drafted an o-line in the first.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Logan

Bring on Cam Stephensen baby!

Dude better make the farging team. I'm sure wrestling with Casey Hampton in the trenches daily at practice should make him a better player.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

I'm not sure why this isn't getting more play from y'all (probably because it's a player that most of us have never heard of), but that's some seriously f'd up shit right there...

Yeah, I don't even know if I remember him playing either. It's that #95 jersey....Lloyd wore it, and then stuck his gun in his child's mouth. And Siegler likes to pimp teenagers. Sad thing is that if he wouldn't have gotten hurt last year, he may have been in the mix at starting OLB this season.

[stevew]

ANOTHER BOMBSHELL: BUCHANAN SAYS VICK FIGHTS DOGS

In a Friday afternoon interview with our buddy Steve Duemig of 620 WDAE in Tampa, Chris Landry of Fox Sports Radio said that former Atlanta Falcons defensive back Ray Buchanan told Landry on the weekend of the NFL draft that Vick is directly involved in dog fighting.

Said Landry of his discussion with Buchanan: "He tells me that Michael has been into this dog fighting for so long that . . . .he not only knew about, he is behind all of it, he's paying for all of it. . . . Apparently, he's into it big time."

Landry also said that Vick was actively recruiting teammates to become involved in the "sport." The audio of the Landry interview can be heard right here.

Buchanan was a member of the Falcons for the first three years of Vick's career.

It'll be interesting to see what Buchanan has to say when someone calls him up in response to this item.

Falcons looking good in offseason.

[st.cronin]

So, who's going to be the Falcons qb while Vick is suspended? Maybe they'll pick up Culpepper.

[SunDevil]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

So, who's going to be the Falcons qb while Vick is suspended? Maybe they'll pick up Culpepper.

No Culpepper will get beat out again by Harrington.

[Eaglesfan27]

Have a nice vacation, Ron.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

If this is the case, then the feds will be interviewing these players (and no one is risking obstruction of justice and misleading federal investigators for Vick). And if it's true -- he's going to jail. And honestly cannot believe this is happening. Again, I say IF true.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

If this is the case, then the feds will be interviewing these players (and no one is risking obstruction of justice and misleading federal investigators for Vick). And if it's true -- he's going to jail. And honestly cannot believe this is happening. Again, I say IF true.

Exactly. If it was all in the family, I could see them protecting him and being quiet. However, I can't see former teammates staying quiet when facing legal repercussions.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

If this is the case, then the feds will be interviewing these players (and no one is risking obstruction of justice and misleading federal investigators for Vick). And if it's true -- he's going to jail. And honestly cannot believe this is happening. Again, I say IF true.

Sadly, I think he's guilty and I don't think he'll go to jail. IF true, however, I'd rather see him get smothered with honey and thrown in a pit with a bear then go to jail.

I'd put $50 on the bear.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Vinatieri for Prez

If this is the case, then the feds will be interviewing these players (and no one is risking obstruction of justice and misleading federal investigators for Vick). And if it's true -- he's going to jail. And honestly cannot believe this is happening. Again, I say IF true.

If true, I hope he goes to jail.

[Ksyrup]

If there's anything ordinary people hate, it's animal cruelty. If I gave my wife the child prostitute story and the dog fighting story, she'd be much more pissed about the dog fighting, I bet. If solid evidence develops on this, even if he plea bargains this away or does the Jamal Lewis off-season prison stay, I don't think he'll ever recover from this in the public eye. His career is already at a crossroads; without the money he could still make from endorsements, we may be looking at a punch line in 3 years.

Unbelieveable. You had to figure there was a bit of fire from all the smoke. The animal cruelty people saying they'd heard rumors of it long before any of us had an inkling somewhat surprised me. If he did try to recruit guys, and a number of them aren't still his teammate and don't feel particularly loyal to him, they may get their evidence.

Favre to the Falcons!!!

[Ksyrup]

Oh, and back on the Randy Moss thing, I find it hard to believe this guy is just going to turn it all around on a dime simply because he's with the Pats.


Ex-Raiders coordinator rips Moss

Posted: Monday May 14, 2007 04:30AM ET

Former Raiders offensive coordinator Tom Walsh described a play in a loss to the Browns in which a play-action pass was called and Randy Moss was asked to run a square-in on the weak side. The linebacker was sucked up inside by the fake, according to Walsh, and Moss was expected to run the in-route. As Walsh recalled it, "He runs a 9 [deep go] route. "Andrew Walter makes the play-fake and a huge hole opens up for Randy in the middle of the field but he's running down the sideline. When Randy gets to the sidelines, [wide receivers coach] Freddie Biletnikoff says, 'What were you doing?' "Randy told Fred, 'I didn't feel like running the 6 route on the dirt part of the infield.' That's the Randy I coached. There were some games where out of 28 plays he'd have 13 or 14 busts. Wrong routes, wrong reads. Dogging it. Whatever."

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Exactly. If it was all in the family, I could see them protecting him and being quiet. However, I can't see former teammates staying quiet when facing legal repercussions.

To pick your professional brain for a second here:

I have a sense that dog fighting is . . . jacked up is a way that other violent crimes are not. Like, sick in the head kind of jacked up--like pedophelia (sp?) or being a fire bug or that sort of thing.

Is that true? There just seems to be something different in kind about abusing animals for money than, for instance, being involved in the drug trade, or prostitution, or theft, etc.

[Ksyrup]

It'll be interesting to see what Buchanan says publicly, if anything, about this supposed conversation. Since it's about a subject totally off of football and about something that has come up as an issue with Vick after the conversation supposedly occurred, it's not like he can just say there was a misunderstanding.. He's probably going to have to say they never discussed it at all and the reporter is completely lying. Because really, what reason would a football reporter and a former player have for discussing dog fighting in any sense, let alone with Vick's name attached?

[sachmo71]

DEF - NE - Junior Seau Returning To New England?

Source: Jim Trotter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

A source familiar with the situation reported last night that veteran linebacker Junior Seau will re-sign with the New England Patriots late next week, pending a physical exam. Seau is 38 and would be entering his 18th season in the NFL.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

It'll be interesting to see what Buchanan says publicly, if anything, about this supposed conversation. Since it's about a subject totally off of football and about something that has come up as an issue with Vick after the conversation supposedly occurred, it's not like he can just say there was a misunderstanding.. He's probably going to have to say they never discussed it at all and the reporter is completely lying. Because really, what reason would a football reporter and a former player have for discussing dog fighting in any sense, let alone with Vick's name attached?

It will also be interesting to see what he says if/when the FBI starts asking him about his conversation. I can't imagine that he would have any reason to set himself up for an obstruction charge by not telling the truth.

[stevew]

I would absoulutely love to be Mike Vick's lawyer right now. IF there is an indictment, and that's probably a big IF, there is no possible way that Vick can plead guilty to any sort of lesser charge and still expect to play in the NFL EVER again. I think Goddell has more than demonstrated he is a hard ass, and a justified hard ass. Dog fighting is among the lowest of the low things that you can do, and I see no reason why he won't at least try/get a lifetime ban for it.

Gone are the days of 2 games for Drug Dealing(J-lew) and 4 games for killing someone(Little). The commish actually GETS it, and is not going to tolerate shit like Tags did.

I wouldn't be suprised if his cousin flips, IF there is actually a link with Vick and the dog fighting.

[Ksyrup]

I guess Michael was a late bloomer, and Marcus peaked too early.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by stevew

I would absoulutely love to be Mike Vick's lawyer right now. IF there is an indictment, and that's probably a big IF, there is no possible way that Vick can plead guilty to any sort of lesser charge and still expect to play in the NFL EVER again. I think Goddell has more than demonstrated he is a hard ass, and a justified hard ass. Dog fighting is among the lowest of the low things that you can do, and I see no reason why he won't at least try/get a lifetime ban for it.

Gone are the days of 2 games for Drug Dealing(J-lew) and 4 games for killing someone(Little). The commish actually GETS it, and is not going to tolerate shit like Tags did.

I wouldn't be suprised if his cousin flips, IF there is actually a link with Vick and the dog fighting.

I'm not sure why you would LOVE to be Vick's lawyer. It seems to me a very real possibility that Vick will never play again, and will then be unable to pay his lawyer.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I'm not sure why you would LOVE to be Vick's lawyer. It seems to me a very real possibility that Vick will never play again, and will then be unable to pay his lawyer.

He still has a lot of money for now, and to put together the potential defense he may need will be extremely expensive. And you're talking about YEARS worth of legal work if they suspend him....I know eventually the money train will end, but right now it's full steam ahead.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I believe the Buchanana interviewed was taped. There's audio of it out there somewhere. Again though, what makes you think Buchanan is at all interested in covering for Vick at this stage of things?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Oh, and back on the Randy Moss thing, I find it hard to believe this guy is just going to turn it all around on a dime simply because he's with the Pats.


Ex-Raiders coordinator rips Moss

Posted: Monday May 14, 2007 04:30AM ET

Former Raiders offensive coordinator Tom Walsh described a play in a loss to the Browns in which a play-action pass was called and Randy Moss was asked to run a square-in on the weak side. The linebacker was sucked up inside by the fake, according to Walsh, and Moss was expected to run the in-route. As Walsh recalled it, "He runs a 9 [deep go] route. "Andrew Walter makes the play-fake and a huge hole opens up for Randy in the middle of the field but he's running down the sideline. When Randy gets to the sidelines, [wide receivers coach] Freddie Biletnikoff says, 'What were you doing?' "Randy told Fred, 'I didn't feel like running the 6 route on the dirt part of the infield.' That's the Randy I coached. There were some games where out of 28 plays he'd have 13 or 14 busts. Wrong routes, wrong reads. Dogging it. Whatever."

Thanks, but I'll pass on taking the incompetent and bitter Tom Walsh's word on anything.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I'm not sure why you would LOVE to be Vick's lawyer. It seems to me a very real possibility that Vick will never play again, and will then be unable to pay his lawyer.

A nice healthy retainer takes care of all of that.

[Ksyrup]

You mean Buchanan's interview with Landry, or Landry's interview about Buchanan? I sure hope it's the former, then it's just a matter of tracking down others as opposed to an argument over whether he said those things or not.