# 2008 NFL Mini Camps and Offseason Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 6, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354 "2008-05-06T22:22:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/21 "2008-06-10T12:55:27Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] [WSEX.com](https://www.wsex.com/line/F-TOTAL-WINS.html) came out with the over/under wins bets for this year. If anyone is curious: [/QUOTE] You left Philly off the list at 8.5. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/22 "2008-06-10T14:51:14Z")
Woops, sorry. LeCharles Bentley passed his physical and is cleared to practice. Two years ago the guy tore his petellar tendon, then got a nasty staph infection during the recovery that made him lose 50+ pounds and was so severe that they seriously considered amputating his leg. If he manages to get a starting spot on a very good line (or even makes the team as a primary backup) it will be one of the most remarkable sports recoveries ever. If he comes running out of that tunnel on opening day the cheers will be loud enough to shake the foundation of the stadium. I’m cautiously optimistic - he’ll probably be a shell of his former self - but if he can even manage 80% of what he was we’ll have the best O-line in the league. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/23 "2008-06-10T15:20:17Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] NFL players who wouldn’t qualify for free agency (in terms of number of years in the league) are subject to waivers upon being cut. I remember that Jacksonville picked up Kevin Johnson off waivers back in 2003 when Cleveland cut him. I think they pick up the contract as is, but I’m not sure. In my continued quest to pimp Josh Cribbs, [pro football reference](http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=535) did an article about the best return games of all time. The methodology is somewhat flawed, but: “Finally, you might notice that Cleveland’s 2007 team ranks really high. The Browns happened to have the same kick and punt returner last year, and his name was Josh Cribbs. He averaged 13.83 AY/PR and 31.00 AY/KR, thereby adding an astounding 622 return yards over average last year. (That’s higher than the Cle 2007 score, because the Browns had thirteen ineffective kickoff returns by other players.) That season is the Single Greatest Return Season since 1970, and probably of all time.” It’s interesting how you can have probably the greatest return season of all time, and yet most people wouldn’t name you when asked who the best returner in the league is. [/QUOTE] Can Cribbs play CB? You’re needing help in that area. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/24 "2008-06-10T16:08:08Z")
He has no experience doing it. He was a QB in college. Yeah, CB has become dangerously thin since Holly went down. There will probably be a June 1st cut pickup or something along those lines. I’m not too worried about the starters - Eric Wright improved quite a bit after the first few games, and his man coverage skills are excellent (although his ball skills suck - he rarely locates the ball. He defensed a few passes last year because he was so close to his man that the ball bounced off the back of his helmet). McDonald looked very good in limited playing time, although a 2nd year 5th round pick being a starter is scary. The depth is pretty atrocious though. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/25 "2008-06-10T17:47:46Z")
[QUOTE=mshar253] As far as I know, there is no “waivers.” In the NFL, if you’re cut, your contract is torn to shreds. [/QUOTE] Not if he’s been in the league less than four years: > [@](#): > > ARTICLE XXII > > WAIVER SYSTEM > > Section 1. Release: > > (a) Whenever a player who has finished the season in which his fourth year of credited service has been earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Plan is placed on waivers between February 1 and the trading deadline, his contract will be considered terminated and the player will be completely free at any time thereafter to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with any Club, and any Club shall be completely free to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with such player, without penalty or restriction, including, but not limited to, Draft Choice Compensation between Clubs or First Refusal Rights of any kind, or any signing period. If the waivers occur after that time, the player’s Player Contract will be subject to the waiver system and may be awarded to a claiming Club. However, if such player is claimed and awarded, he shall have the option to declare himself an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of the League Year in question if he has a no-trade clause in his Player Contract. If such player does not have a no-trade clause and the Player Contract being awarded through waivers covers more than one additional season, the player shall have the right to declare himself an Unrestricted Free Agent as set forth above at the end of the League Year following the League Year in which he is waived and awarded. > > (b) Whenever a player who has finished less than the season in which his fourth year of credited service has been earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Plan is placed on waivers, the player’s Player Contract will be subject to the waiver system and may be awarded to a claiming Club. > > Section 2. Contact: Coaches or any other persons connected with another NFL Club are prohibited from contacting any player placed on waivers until such time as the player is released by the waiving Club. > > Section 3. Ineligibility: Any NFL player who is declared ineligible to compete in a pre-season, regular season or post-season game because of a breach by any NFL Club by whom he is employed of waiver procedures and regulations, or any other provision of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, will be paid the salary or other compensation which he would have received if he had not been declared ineligible, which, in any event, will be a minimum of one week’s salary and, when applicable, expense payments. > > Section 4. Notice of Termination: The Notice of Termination form attached hereto as Appendix G will be used by all Clubs. If possible, the Notice of Termination will be personally delivered to the player prior to his departure from the team. If the Notice of Termination has not been personally delivered to the player prior to his departure from the team, the Notice of Termination will be sent to him by certified mail at his last address on file with the Club. > > \*\*\*Waiver system: The procedure by which a player’s contract or NFL rights are made available by his current team to other teams in the league. During the procedure, the 31 other teams either file a claim to obtain the player or waive the opportunity to do so, thus the term waiver. The claiming period is typically ten days during the off-season, but from early July through December, it lasts only 24 hours. If a player is claimed by two or more teams in this period, priority is based on the inverse won-lost standing of the teams. The team with the worst record has priority. If no team selects the player, he’s free to sign with any team, including his previous employer. If no one signs him, he is unemployed and technically fired from the NFL. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/26 "2008-06-10T18:59:51Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] He has no experience doing it. He was a QB in college. Yeah, CB has become dangerously thin since Holly went down. There will probably be a June 1st cut pickup or something along those lines. I’m not too worried about the starters - Eric Wright improved quite a bit after the first few games, and his man coverage skills are excellent (although his ball skills suck - he rarely locates the ball. He defensed a few passes last year because he was so close to his man that the ball bounced off the back of his helmet). McDonald looked very good in limited playing time, although a 2nd year 5th round pick being a starter is scary. The depth is pretty atrocious though. [/QUOTE] I still think you guys got the short end of the stick on that Bodden deal. I suppose it all depends on whether or not you get the Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde version of Shaun Rogers. The Bengals, for the first time since 1990, actually have a solid secondary now, particularly depth-wise. As far as the Purify thing goes…bah. I doubt he makes the team anyway, especially since Chad is coming back and we drafted three wideouts. Make no mistake about it: Chad will play. He has to, otherwise he isn’t going to get paid, and he can’t put up the stats he covets in order to try to negotiate himself out of town after this next season. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/27 "2008-06-10T19:17:44Z")
I highly doubt anyone will actually claim Benson off waivers. You’d have to be nuts to keep paying the guy top-5 draft pick money, between his legal issues and the fact that he hasn’t actually produced on the field. Once he clears waivers, he’s a free agent, and someone will probably sign him to an incentive-laden, minimal salary deal. > [@](#): > > It’s interesting how you can have probably the greatest return season of all time, and yet most people wouldn’t name you when asked who the best returner in the league is. One great season does not a great returner make. Eddie Drummond, Donte Hall, Philip Buchanon, the Beer Guy… the league is littered with guys who had one terrific season as a PR/KR and then more or less disappeared. If he puts up the same numbers next year, I’ll have the crown ready. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/28 "2008-06-10T20:14:48Z")
[QUOTE=FoieGrasIsEvil] I still think you guys got the short end of the stick on that Bodden deal. I suppose it all depends on whether or not you get the Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde version of Shaun Rogers. [/QUOTE] I thought that at first but I’ve been getting more optimistic about it. I was a huge Bodden pimp after his 2005 season, but he simply hasn’t been very good for the last 2 years. He always has some nagging injury that really affects his performance. Shaun Rogers won’t be asked to be on the field all game like he was in Detroit. I think fatigue and being the centerpiece of the defense to some degree gave him his “unmotivated” tags when it was really “worn out”. Shaun Smith (you might be familiar with him…) was pretty solid when he was able to play NT last year and should take a significant portion of the snaps. > [@](#): > > One great season does not a great returner make. Eddie Drummond, Donte Hall, Philip Buchanon, the Beer Guy… the league is littered with guys who had one terrific season as a PR/KR and then more or less disappeared. If he puts up the same numbers next year, I’ll have the crown ready. I doubt he can match the raw numbers from last year - he had the second most kick return yards in history and you can’t expect that to keep up. Ideally he’ll be making fewer returns due to a better defense. But I see no reason his averages should drop significantly. He may start getting the ball kicked away from him, though. It’s strange that teams didn’t do that last year. Even late in the season, teams would kick to him, get burned, and then kick to him again… ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/29 "2008-06-11T01:55:57Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] I thought that at first but I’ve been getting more optimistic about it. I was a huge Bodden pimp after his 2005 season, but he simply hasn’t been very good for the last 2 years. He always has some nagging injury that really affects his performance. Shaun Rogers won’t be asked to be on the field all game like he was in Detroit. I think fatigue and being the centerpiece of the defense to some degree gave him his “unmotivated” tags when it was really “worn out”. Shaun Smith (you might be familiar with him…) was pretty solid when he was able to play NT last year and should take a significant portion of the snaps. I doubt he can match the raw numbers from last year - he had the second most kick return yards in history and you can’t expect that to keep up. Ideally he’ll be making fewer returns due to a better defense. But I see no reason his averages should drop significantly. He may start getting the ball kicked away from him, though. It’s strange that teams didn’t do that last year. Even late in the season, teams would kick to him, get burned, and then kick to him again… [/QUOTE] Shaun Smith absolutely is no more than a role player, and not a very good one at that. Sure likes to run his fat mouth, though. At least Chad can back up his bullshit with stats. Smith, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/30 "2008-06-11T01:58:24Z")
What stats would you expect a run stopper to have? He’s a role player, definitely, but he makes a fairly solid 2 down 3-4 NT. Not great, but he’s not a weakness. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/31 "2008-06-11T03:04:45Z")
I’m going to take this opportunity to predict that one of the Buccaneer ends will have a 14-sack season. I’m just not sure which one yet (2007 1st-rounder Gaines Adams, or practice-squad fodder turned Arena Football MVP Greg White). I’m inclined to say White. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/32 "2008-06-11T18:44:32Z")
According to PFT, the Stains just released LeCharles Bentley. > **[Rumor Mill](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill)** > > Find all of the latest ProFootballTalk news, live coverage, videos, highlights, stats, predictions, and results right here on NBC Sports. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/33 "2008-06-11T19:33:53Z")
Gah, what the hell? There was some serious bad blood between Bentley and the organization for years now (no one is sure why), but this was unexpected. He wants to start somewhere. He may have found out he’d only be depth here if he’s significantly hampered by injury. This whole situation sucks really horribly. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/34 "2008-06-11T19:57:16Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] Gah, what the hell? There was some serious bad blood between Bentley and the organization for years now (no one is sure why), but this was unexpected. [/QUOTE] I’d imagine it might be related to the staph infection he got from the Cleveland locker room… Just a few days ago I was hearing on local sports radio about how inspirational it was going to be for Cleveland fans to see LeCharles running out of the tunnel for the opening game. HA. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/35 "2008-06-11T19:59:22Z")
Real classy, yeah, laugh at the idea of an inspirational comeback from a guy who worked extremely hard to come back from a devastating injury and live out his dream playing for his hometown team. Laugh it up. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/36 "2008-06-11T21:52:53Z")
Hmmm…Eric Ghuichec, the Bengals center, is the weak link in our oline… I wonder if LeCharles would like a chance to rub it in the Browns faces twice a year? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/37 "2008-06-12T16:18:04Z")
Chad Johnson reported to camp today and sorta practiced. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/38 "2008-06-24T16:24:07Z")
In news for **Ellis Dee** the Giants have released the Pillsbury Throwboy, Jarod Lorenzen. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/39 "2008-06-24T16:36:02Z")
And so endeth the inspirational story of a fat quarterback and his… uh… throwing motion. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354/40 "2008-06-26T02:16:16Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] And so endeth the inspirational story of a fat quarterback and his… uh… throwing motion. [/QUOTE] Who? Jared Lorenzen? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-mini-camps-and-offseason-thread/448354.md?page=3)