# 2012 NFL Pre-Draft Discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 8, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215 "2012-02-08T18:05:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/521 "2012-03-19T16:26:39Z")
Maybe he’s secretly trying to kill the media by having their heads explode at the thought of a Manning/Manning SB. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/522 "2012-03-19T16:30:33Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’m guessing Manning _really_ didn’t want to play in the NFC. That’s what the NFC gets for not having the DH rule. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/523 "2012-03-19T16:31:14Z")
I have to wonder if some part of this was Elway thinking “oh, fuck, how can I possibly get rid of Tebow now? Uh… replace him with one of the greatest to ever play? GIVE MANNING $100M” ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/524 "2012-03-19T16:40:39Z")
The offer is $65 million over 5 years. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/525 "2012-03-19T16:54:27Z")
Tebow to Miami? I would guess Tebow is even more of a hero in the state of Florida and it’d be an effective stunt to keep the fans interested. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/526 "2012-03-19T16:57:51Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Tebow to Miami? I would guess Tebow is even more of a hero in the state of Florida and it’d be an effective stunt to keep the fans interested. Miami is too close to being good to throw it away on Tebow. Let some irrelevant bunch of boobs (Jacksonville) turn into the carnival. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/527 "2012-03-19T17:06:55Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I have to wonder if some part of this was Elway thinking “oh, fuck, how can I possibly get rid of Tebow now? Uh… replace him with one of the greatest to ever play? GIVE MANNING $100M” I’d say more than a little. Bud Adams has to look like a bit of a fool now. This was probably a decent decision from Peyton, the Elway thing combined with a solid defense and a likable proven coach makes a lot of sense. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/528 "2012-03-19T17:13:17Z")
This will probably get overlooked in the wake of the Manning/Tebow/Flynn news and discussions but I thought it was really bizarre. The Panthers just signed one of the top [FA rushers](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/panthers-sign-mike-tolbert/) in Mike Tolbert. No idea what the terms were, but you’d think they were somewhat respectable since Tolbert certainly was getting some attention in the market and presumably would have been a priority for San Diego. Why is bloody hell would Carolina spend any real money to a RB when they already have Williams and Stewart plus Cam Newton. It’s not like they need held moving the chains. I have to guess that Williams or Stewart could be moving on in the next couple seasons if not sooner, but they aren’t exactly in cap trouble at the moment. All in all and weird move for both the Panthers and Tolbert. Is it as simple as Rivera being a big Tolbert fan? ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/529 "2012-03-19T17:16:36Z")
Maybe they’re switching to the Wing-T. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/530 "2012-03-19T17:20:06Z")
Stewart’s entering the last year of his rookie contract and is slated to earn just $1.3M - he’s pretty good trade bait if there’s somebody specific they want. I don’t know much about the Panthers’ needs - would they be in the market for Freeney? ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/531 "2012-03-19T17:27:04Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > Stewart’s entering the last year of his rookie contract and is slated to earn just $1.3M - he’s pretty good trade bait if there’s somebody specific they want. I don’t know much about the Panthers’ needs - would they be in the market for Freeney? Maybe, but the PFT article I linked to linked to a column from the [beat reporter](http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2012/03/panthers-sign-mike-tolbert-to-4-year-deal.html) in Carolina who basically dismisses the idea of a Stewart trade. But, there wasn’t much in the way of justification for that notion. I suppose it could be a contingency plan if they are confident that Stewart won’t be retained after his contract expires (logical considering the money paid to Williams and Stewart’s injury issues or possibly Stewart’s unhappiness with his role) but this is uncommonly proactive for a NFL team at the RB position. And, if this is the case, why wouldn’t you trade the guy?!?! ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/532 "2012-03-19T19:30:26Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > This will probably get overlooked in the wake of the Manning/Tebow/Flynn news and discussions but I thought it was really bizarre. > > The Panthers just signed one of the top [FA rushers](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/panthers-sign-mike-tolbert/) in Mike Tolbert. No idea what the terms were, but you’d think they were somewhat respectable since Tolbert certainly was getting some attention in the market and presumably would have been a priority for San Diego. Why is bloody hell would Carolina spend any real money to a RB when they already have Williams and Stewart plus Cam Newton. It’s not like they need held moving the chains. Yep, that’s weird. Watching them over the past few years I’ve basically come to the conclusion that the Carolina front office has no idea what they’re doing. It looks like they’ve lucked out and that Cam Newton’s the real thing (mobile Drew Bledsoe or better?), so, unfortunately, that’s going to cover up a lot of mistakes. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/533 "2012-03-19T21:58:16Z")
I think they’re trying to move Williams. He certainly hasn’t lived up to his contract. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/534 "2012-03-19T22:29:07Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I think they’re trying to move Williams. He certainly hasn’t lived up to his contract. The contract makes him essentially untradable. I suspect it would make him next to impossible to cut as well due to the cap acceleration, though last I checked Carolina had a ton of cap room to spare so maybe that’s tolerable. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/535 "2012-03-19T22:40:09Z")
Wasn’t the contract inked during the uncapped year? IIRC, delayed signing bonuses are accelerated to the cap year of the signing. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/536 "2012-03-19T22:59:18Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Wasn’t the contract inked during the uncapped year? IIRC, delayed signing bonuses are accelerated to the cap year of the signing. No. They are accelerated to the year in which he’s traded or cut. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/537 "2012-03-20T00:30:11Z")
It looks like the Broncos are currently only second to the Patriots to win the Super Bowl from the AFC and fifth overall after the Packers, Saints, Patriots and 49ers. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/538 "2012-03-20T04:29:47Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Maybe they’re switching to the Wing-T. You might not have been that far off. > **[Contract says Tolbert's a fullback](https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/55685/contract-says-tolberts-a-fullback)** > > Here’s a little more evidence that the Carolina Panthers really are planning on using Mike Tolbert at fullback.They’re paying him like a fullback, not a tailback. Tolbert’s agent sucks. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/539 "2012-03-20T04:39:41Z")
Wow, I’d have been happy if the Browns signed Tolbert at twice that contract. How could there be that little interest in the guy? He’s well rounded, ran for 1000+ as a backup, etc. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2012, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/540 "2012-03-20T05:07:43Z")
It’ll be interesting to see what Michael Bush signs for. That price for Tolbert, and his willingness to be a role player, is frankly baffling. Is the RB market really that soft or is there something up with Tolbert and the Caroline coaches? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215.md?page=28)