# 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:** 6
**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:** [February 21, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/101 "2012-02-21T19:18:31Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > In a little bit of **Hamlet** related news, [PFT is reporting](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/21/wells-packers-could-be-headed-for-divorce/) that things are liable to get ugly between the Packers and Center Scott Wells. This part was somewhat interesting. Scott Wells has a chip on his shoulder, and has for awhile. Which has really helped him develop into one of the better Centers in the NFL. But he’s also 31. That said, I want him back. I’m not sold on Dietrich Smith taking over, and, while I understand the constant need to get younger, there should still be a place for an aging veteran at the right price. After sorely missing Cullen Jenkins last year (his price wasn’t unreasonable and he should have been resigned because Neal is clearly injury prone), I’d hate to get into the same position. Hopefully Wells will find the market soft, and be able to finish his career in Green Bay. But his pride may get the better of him. Either way, I’m pretty sure the Packers are going to draft more linemen, hopefully including a center, this year. Right now, I think the Packers have a few things to get done before free agency and the draft take over. Resigning Wells at a reasonable price, either franchising or signing Finley longterm (god he’s frustrating. I’d hate to have to make the decision on paying him longterm because despite outstanding skills and talent, he’s still not an elite TE, but he wants to be paid like it). Other things (Is Graham Harrell and adequate backup QB?, can Nick Collins play?) will need looking at too. God I miss football. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/102 "2012-02-21T20:26:09Z")
I got a little sidetracked earlier and didn’t [include this PFT story](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/21/talk-heats-up-in-pittsburgh-that-mike-wallace-could-leave/) about the Steelers and Mike Wallace. > [@](#): > > And the Steelers are in a different situation than most teams because the Steelers are in such precarious salary cap shape. Another team with a good restricted free agent like Wallace would put the franchise tag on him, but the Steelers would have to cut a bunch of other players to squeeze the $9.4 million franchise tender under their salary cap. > > The Steelers are also in a tough spot because they know they’re going to face the same situation again next year when another receiver, Antonio Brown, also becomes a restricted free agent. Brown was voted the Steelers’ MVP in 2011, and the Steelers would like to keep him beyond 2012, the final year of his current contract. But if the Steelers sign Wallace to a long-term deal, will they have devoted so many resources toward one receiver that they can’t afford another lucrative contract for another receiver? And if all the Steelers do is sign Wallace to a one-year tender offer this year, then the Steelers will be faced with both Wallace and Brown becoming free agents a year from now. (Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders becomes a restricted free agent next year, too.) This harkens back to the exchange me and **FoieGrasIsEvil** earlier in this thread regarding Wallace. Wallace looks almost certainly to be a goner in Pittsburgh and they might have to absolutely gut their team this offseason even still. It hadn’t really occurred to me that the Patriots are such a perfect fit for a team to sign Wallace away. He would fit their needs incredibly well and they’d also undercut a rival in doing so. That they have a pair of 1st round picks makes the move almost a no brainer. As noted in the Article, the Ravens would also be a terrific guess to make a move for the same reasons as the Bengals and their 1st round pick is further down the order making it less costly. Because even a modest contract offer to Wallace might hamstring the Steelers he could actually come at a pretty fair price if there isn’t a bidding war. Suppose the Ravens and Bengals were to decide that giving up a 1st rounder is too high a price to pay when there might be a UFA available instead, the Patriots might find themselves the only team willing to give up that pick for his services and a below market offer might still be more than the Steelers can match. Could get REALLY interesting. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/103 "2012-02-21T21:47:20Z")
I wouldn’t mind seeing the 49ers make a go at Wallace with their #30 pick. They have lots of cap room. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/104 "2012-02-21T22:01:25Z")
Yup, another good option. Any of those teams at the bottom of the draft would have to consider it if they can afford it. The Ravens would have to think hard about releasing Boldin, not sure what their cap situation/his salary is and the 49ers might consider losing Crabtree as well if Wallace’s price is high, but those would both be easy decisions to make. Ironically, I would be against the Bears making this move, at least until I know what the Bears prospects at getting a top WR at 19 are. Right now I prefer Michael Floyd over Wallace for the long term. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/105 "2012-02-21T22:14:38Z")
Do teams get to give up their lower first round pick to sign a restricted free agents, or do they have to give up their natural pick? There’s been discussion that the Browns might be able to give up #22 to get Wallace, but I’d have assumed the rules meant we’d have to give up #4. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/106 "2012-02-21T22:37:20Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Do teams get to give up their lower first round pick to sign a restricted free agents, or do they have to give up their natural pick? There’s been discussion that the Browns might be able to give up #22 to get Wallace, but I’d have assumed the rules meant we’d have to give up #4. I assume it’s restricted to the natural pick, but I can’t prove that. Not sure what would happen if say the Raiders were to sign Wallace. I imagine the question has been asked somewhere before, but perhaps the fine print in the new CBA is different than previously. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/107 "2012-02-21T22:39:53Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > the Redskins getting into the Manning sweepstakes would be really dramatic Agreed, but I just don’t see Peyton going to the NFC East unless he has a _really_ big chip on his shoulder about Eli’s second ring. Nah, even then, I still don’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/108 "2012-02-22T00:23:42Z")
I really don’t think Peyton should or will consider anything other than his own best interests when deciding where to sign. In other news, are we going to have a Doper Mock Draftthis year? ---
**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:** [February 22, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/109 "2012-02-22T00:33:48Z")
I have a technical question, does Andrew Luck, since he has a year of eligibility left, have to officially declare for the draft? ---
**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:** [February 22, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/110 "2012-02-22T16:24:36Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I have a technical question, does Andrew Luck, since he has a year of eligibility left, have to officially declare for the draft? Yes, the deadline was January 15th and Luck declared prior to that, as did all other underclassmen in this draft. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/111 "2012-02-22T19:56:50Z")
Other than NFL Network, where can you get good coverage of the combine? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/112 "2012-02-22T22:49:20Z")
NFL Network has a near-complete monopoly on combine coverage. No other cameras are allowed, and only a select few beat reporters are allowed to watch the QB-WR drills. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/113 "2012-02-23T13:24:37Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Right now, I think the Packers have a few things to get done before free agency and the draft take over … either franchising or signing Finley longterm (god he’s frustrating. I’d hate to have to make the decision on paying him longterm because despite outstanding skills and talent, he’s still not an elite TE, but he wants to be paid like it). Well, scratch that one off the list. The Packers signed Finley to a 2 year deal yesterday. It seems like a nice compromise between a long term contract with lots of guaranteed money and the franchise tag. It has a roster bonus of about $4.5 million, but it’s due right before free agency next year. In effect, Finley gets a nice salary, but the Packers don’t have to really commit too much money to him until next year. It seems to me to be a pretty good balance. Nice to have one thing done. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/114 "2012-02-23T18:15:12Z")
It seemed like a no brainer that Flynn would be heading to Miami but we probably shouldn’t even be a little surprised that there’s substantial talk from the fans and [now media](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/23/manning-to-miami-movement-begins/) that Manning should be an option for them. It’s actually not a crazy idea, the Phins are supposed to have a top flight line and Manning would probably go a long ways to making them look even better. They have Marshall and could pretty easily add a couple more weapons around him. The defense is no joke. It’s frankly a better landing spot than Washngton, and the lack of a Shanahan like egomaniac at the HC spot should really make for a seamless fit. A Manning to Miami scenario means that Flynn might struggle to find a home and the Redskins would be back to RG3. All in all, very dramatic. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/115 "2012-02-23T18:24:12Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > It seemed like a no brainer that Flynn would be heading to Miami but we probably shouldn’t even be a little surprised that there’s substantial talk from the fans and [now media](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/23/manning-to-miami-movement-begins/) that Manning should be an option for them. It’s actually not a crazy idea, the Phins are supposed to have a top flight line and Manning would probably go a long ways to making them look even better. They have Marshall and could pretty easily add a couple more weapons around him. The defense is no joke. It’s frankly a better landing spot than Washngton, and the lack of a Shanahan like egomaniac at the HC spot should really make for a seamless fit. > > A Manning to Miami scenario means that Flynn might struggle to find a home and the Redskins would be back to RG3. All in all, very dramatic. I don’t really understand what is wrong with Matt Moore. In my mind QB is not the most important thing for the Dolphins. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/116 "2012-02-23T18:27:51Z")
Dolphin fans remember Marino and know just what it means to have an elite QB, not just a decent one. I question if Manning will ever get back there, but if he does he’s a huge upgrade over Moore and Moore could be retained as a top shelf backup for when Manning either breaks down or retires. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/117 "2012-02-23T20:40:44Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I don’t really understand what is wrong with Matt Moore. > [@Omni](#): > > Dolphin fans remember Marino and know just what it means to have an elite QB, not just a decent one. Matt Moore’s stats in 12 games: 210 - 347 60.5% 2,497 yards 7.2ypc 16td 9int 87.1 passer rating Compare to: 182 - 314 58.0% 2,319 yards 7.4ypc 13td 7int 85.7 passer rating Matt Moore is up there with none other than A decent QB in Jay Cutler (10 games) ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/118 "2012-02-23T20:51:38Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I don’t really understand what is wrong with Matt Moore. In my mind QB is not the most important thing for the Dolphins. It’s always the QB. Its why some fans want Tim Tebow instead of Tony Romo or Philip Rivers, wins are more important than stats. ---
**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:** [February 24, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/119 "2012-02-24T18:21:22Z")
I’m stuck at this stupid job! Hope someone will keep us up to date on the Combine for this afternoon’s activities. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215/120 "2012-02-24T18:52:22Z")
It seems RGIII measured at a legit 6 feet, 2 and 3/8 inches tall. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-pre-draft-discussion/612215.md?page=7)