NFL (since 2016)

[crystal falace]

"Free agency started last night and was pretty crazy some huge money being spent. Osweiler getting £18m a year for the Texans, leaving the Broncos without a QB, Giants have spent a fortune on good but not great players, Oliver Vernon has more guaranteed money than JJ Watt. lots more deals but cant be bothered to list them all."

[Lee Trundle]

It wasn't me that brought up the C word! It was very much said tongue in cheek.

[zebthecat]

Lee Trundle 10:37 Wed Apr 19 Oh ffs! Not this bollocks again. Goldie can fuck off.

[Lee Trundle]

"I hope that gets Goldie woken up, OTB. He's much more amusing compared to the likes of me when talking about things like the big increase in heart disease deaths (source: British Heart Foundation) since the covid jab was pretty much forced on to the public."

[On The Ball]

"Sorry FC - it's a conspiracy theory that he's dead, killed by the COVID vaccine. The usual types are all over it on Twitter. The 'proof' was that he hadn't been seen in public and that none of his medical care was shared in public (which it wouldn't have been). Any subsequent public appearances were dismissed as a body double. So unless this body double turned out to be a pretty decent safety, I'd say he's not dead."

[Far Cough]

"On The Ball 10:21 Tue Apr 18 Re: NFL (since 2016) Sadly that isn't true. I've been reliably informed on Twitter that he's dead. OTB, are you sure, there's nothing in the news?"

[On The Ball]

Sadly that isn't true. I've been reliably informed on Twitter that he's dead.

[zebthecat]

Damar Hamlin has been cleared to return to play. Pretty damn good news that.

[southbankbornnbred]

"Norf - I have to whisper it, but Dallas have been exceptional at drafting, developing and retaining their talent in recent years. Most NFL sides could take a leaf out of that book. That's a proper backroom staff and group of analysts etc. They seem to having a purple patch. It's the antithesis of what they did before the salary cap!"

[Norflundon]

"Been happy with our acquisition's resolved our massive weakness at corner back with a top draw player in Gilmour. Cooks looks like a solid signing gives us more options going deep. Resigning Wilson and Van der Esch are both great deals although the rumours of signing Wagner would have been an upgrade on van der esch and could have been a real game changer. But with three massive players coming up for new contract next season in Ceedee Diggs and Parson there needs to be some serious cap space saved for next season. If you add in our constant success from the draft, 37 out of our 54 players on what was a top 8 team were drafted which is pretty unbelievable. You ca. see why we haven't gone big in free agency. Losing Watkins was really the only downside which hopefully get addressed in the draft or possibly late in FA if they can't draft a starter. Think our season will depend on whether Pollard comes back from a pretty serious injury as the same player that was so good last season. Personally if he hadn't got injured whilst dominating the game against the 49's we'd of had a real chance of going all the way. Think it'll be a really great season with so many even teams"

[Norflundon]

Nutsin 4:15 Thu Mar 23 Re: NFL (since 2016) OBJ signs for the ravens 18mill for somebody with his injury record is insanity

[southbankbornnbred]

"Isaac(!), Yeah, Berrios is a decent player. Under-rated and we're sorry to see him go. Good hands, robust, physical in traffic - and seems to step up in big games. A wide receiver who properly scraps for the ball. He'll be a good slot guy to back up Waddle and Hill - gives you another throwing option and it means opponents won't always be able to double-team your two main WRs. We've let go of a couple of talented slot/backup guys jn Moore and Berrios, all to make way for Rodgers in cap room etc. That's why I was kinda' against signing Rodgers: we're having to let go of decent players to accommodate him. The Rnd2 pick we got from Cleveland for Elijah Moore is basically what we'll give to the Packers in this draft. But Moore is a really good, elusive slot guy."

[IsaacHock]

@Southbank - Thoughts on Braxton Berrios please? Did we get a good un?

[southbankbornnbred]

"Informed NFL peeps now saying that the Jets' trade for Rodgers is 99% done, after Green Bay backed down from demanding a first round pick this year. Jets' Joe Douglas pointed out that if Green Bay still valued Rodgers as a Rnd1 pick this year, and a Rnd2 in 2024, he would still be their starting quarterback and they wouldn't be seeking to move on. That's a much bigger market value than the man they consider to now be their #1 QB. The penny finally dropped. I think the financial demands also played a part - looks like the two sides are going to both take a hit. So Packers will get Rnd2 (2023), Rnd 2 (2024) and some balancing compensation picks. Interestingly, next year's Rnd2 pick ""could""ù become a Rnd1 pick for Green Bay IF the Jets go deep into this coming season's play-offs or win the SB. So it's a Rnd2 pick, then! I wasn't a huge fan of this trade. But it's pretty much done now. Mike Fucking White is dead. Long live Aaron Ego Rodgers! He's a huge upgrade. But for how long?"

[El Scorchio]

"southbankbornnbred 1:11 Totally agree. It's a strong division and there's no guarantee of topping it, especially with the Bills around, even if perhaps their star is waning a little bit. Wins in the AFC East will be hard to come by. It's not like you're in the AFC South or NFC South where you could dominate. It's a bold move, going all in like this."

[zebthecat]

Lamar Jackson is on the market now. I am struggling to think who would take him on huge money. The Colts perhaps? Jets would be fun.

[southbankbornnbred]

"Personally, I don't think the Jets are quite in ""win now"" shape. Not in an AFC East with the Bills, an improving Miami and Parcells still hanging around. We've got some great young players on both sides of the ball. But I would have said next off-season would have been the time to go all-in with a ""win now"" deal on a high-profile QB. Again, it shows the owners are impatient and don't know what they're doing. But it looks like it is going to happen. So I'll just have to enjoy the ride when it starts..."

[southbankbornnbred]

"When Jimmy G, Mayfield and Carr were still on the market, TM, I'd have 100% agreed with you. The problem is that we do desperately need a big upgrade at QB and now Rodgers is pretty much the last man standing. Unless we take a high-pick in the draft, but that means spending ANOTHER two years minimum trying to develop a QB - and our record on that under these owners has been atrocious. Only Pennington has worked out in 20 years. Other high draft picks for QBs have failed badly: Sanchez (promising start, fell off a cliff), Darnold (ditto), Wilson (ditto). Realistically, I wanted Jimmy G and then either a giant kick-up the backside for Wilson (who has talent) or a Rnd2+ draft pick to develop. But the owners seemingly want to make a splash and have gone all in on Rodgers - this is definitely their baby. In way, that's no bad thing. If it works out, and he leads us to the play-offs then great - we'll have a blast for the first time in 13 seasons. If it all goes tits up, then the fans will think even less of the shit owners - and there may be more pressure on them to sell up and move on. You're right though - this is an expensive gamble for a guy with a huge ego. It's going to make or break Saleh and Douglas (GM). If it goes badly, both men might be out this time next season, and that seems odd - given that they are meticulous planners by nature. Definitely an owner-led ""purchase""."

[Takashi Miike]

"your fan base no doubt want to win now and see this trade as a guarantee of play-off football but if I had the call, I'd cancel the trade and go another route. he's too old, too expensive and i don't think he'd think twice about throwing the year coach under the bus if you're not instantly winning. the redskin fans are on a similar mindset, with a lot of noise about trading for jackson. a trade that would destroy us financially and for a player that performs in a style we've seen before and has very little longevity that doesn't include regular injuries. you can't commit $50m a year for someone like that, even if he is very talented. we've got our QB of the future in sam howell. I didn't miss a game of theirs when NC had all their weapons in 2021, and if had chosen to follow carter/williams/brown to the draft would have been a top ten pick. he can run the sort of offense bienemy will run and I just want rivera to stop listening to the noise and go with the youngster"

[southbankbornnbred]

"Jets seemingly playing hardball with Green Bay over the draft picks on offer to land Rodgers. Looks like we're offering a Rnd2 this year and either a Rnd2 or Rnd3 next year. Packers holding out for a first round pick. Not sure the Jets feel the need to put one on the table - unless Green Bay also pay a huge chunk of Rodgers' forthcoming bonus. If GB demands a 1st rounder, presumably Douglas will demand that the Packers assume a big financial hit with it. That's the right approach. Finally, for the time being, the Jets seem to have learned how to dig their heels in on trades. It's a decent starting point from NYJ. My only worry is that we've traditionally been shit at trades and negotiations, so we may just fold after a decent start! I still wouldn't put it past us to end up with Ryan Leaf on $35m a year and no draft picks. So watch this space."

[ironsofcanada]

"Lots of changes for the Saints. In theory the offence could be a fair bit better, with an actual starting quaterback, if not an amazing one, and people healthy and if some young players kick on and another running back/replacement if Kamara goes to jail. O-line was a problem though. Interior defensive line gutted and replaced in free agency. And lost Daveport who was good when on the field on the edge. So we will see with the defence."

[Nutsin]

Rumors are emerging that OBJ to the Jets is being worked out. Both parties are keen. Jets with Rodgers and OBJ are making a splash!

[Takashi Miike]

*gave*

[Takashi Miike]

"SB, yes I've been impressed with him and he's definitely making a difference in attracting players. brissett have a good interview to the usual press bods, I never realised he represented himself, a really smart bloke. and I wasn't winding up about snyder and him possibly looking to invest over here, only we could land him after GSB"

[southbankbornnbred]

"So, judging by what the more ""authoritative"" NFL sites and papers are saying, the Packers are digging their heels in and demanding far too much from the Jets in order to land Rodgers. As expected, the bitterness between the two parties (Rodgers and the Packers, especially its GM - Rodgers and Gutekunst (you couldn't make it up!) do not see eye to eye - is the millstone around everybody's neck. Sounds like the Packers want a #1 round pick this year, plus further picks as high as a #2 next year (2024) in compensation - and that's before we even get to the financial element of which side takes the hit for wages, bonuses etc. Basically, the Packers - who have actively told Rodgers they don't want him any more - want a Rnd1, Rnd2 and huge financial contribution from the Jets. For a 39-year-old they want rid of. Fuck them. Most sane pundits think the Jets should just hold out - until the season starts if necessary - for something more like Rnd2, Rnd 3 (2024) and shared finances. Interestingly, Rodgers is due a $53m bonus from the Packers if he is on their roster in Week 1 of the 2023 season. Jets should just call out Green Bay and threaten to wait until after that. Rodgers knows our offensive system anyway - we just landed the Packers' former offensive co-ordinator because of Rodgers. Most other teams have picked their free agent QBs, so the market for Rodgers will not be huge, despite his talent. And he wants to join the Jets. This will rumble on for a bit, unless Green Bay eases their demands."

[southbankbornnbred]

"TM - no surprise to see Bieniemy land two decent offensive linemen quickly. Much needed additions, according to most Washington fans. Think you've found a good play-caller on offense now."