# NFL Offeason Thread 2017 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 9, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798 "2017-03-09T21:07:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/21 "2017-03-17T11:12:05Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Wait, what? > > After a quick Google…holy shit. It’s true! What in the fuck are the Eagles doing? Was Chase not playing nice with Wentz? A lot of people liked Daniels potential last year in a very Glennon-y way, wouldn’t be shocked to see him land in Cleveland, Houston or San Fran bringing him in to compete under a healthy contract. > > Be back in a couple minutes with a Bears diatribe. Yeah, I can see possibly going through something like that for a starter but a backup? Weird. ---
**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 17, 2017, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/22 "2017-03-17T13:39:57Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > First and foremost, bye bye Jay. \*\*Cutler’s \*\*time is finally over and it’s no shock to anyone. He leaves as pretty much the team leader in every meaningful passing stat, which tells you everything you need to know about the Bears. I’m mostly indifferent to it. I wanted Jay to succeed and I still say it was the right move to bring him to town and while he never got out of his own way, he also wasn’t the root of the problem in Chicago at any point in his tenure. We will forever disagree about Jay Cutler, but I agree that he, by himself, wasn’t the root of the problem. The root of the problem was the Bears valuation of him. From giving up two first round and a third draft picks to get him, to buying him free agents on offense (Bushrod, Marshall, Bennett), to paying him much more than he produced, the Bears tried everything to build the team around him. Those decisions really hurt their defense, which you’ve seen recently and even now. They thought he was something he’s not, and have paid the price with recent mediocrity. > [@Omniscient](#): > > So Jay is gone, and so is **Alshon**. Most of the Bears faithful on the internet or gnashing their teeth over the loss of Alshon but I’m pretty OK with it. He was never consistently healthy. I’m a bit surprised the Bears wouldn’t match his “prove it” contract with the Eagles, but he’s completely unreliable as you said. I’m guessing that there is stuff going on at Halas Hall that we don’t know about that raise questions about his health/work ethic/ability to play well with others. > [@Omniscient](#): > > Speaking of new QBs, the Bears cracked open the piggy bank to give \*\*Mike Glennon \*\*a 3 year, $45M contract to presumably be the starter. $15M a year is a lot, that’s what veteran starters make, or at least what they used to make and it’s more than Cutler was due to earn which seems kind of nuts. I think Lurch is a desperation signing, but the Bears could have done worse. Ask Houston about paying a ton of money for unproven backup. I do like Glennon a ton better than Osweiler, though, and he may actually be a solid signing. The bigger problem is that the Bears, relying on Jay Cutler again, never drafted/developed/invested in a young QB. Sure there were Fales and Enderle, but the Bears never tried to really invest in the position like they should have. I’m a huge advocate of always drafting a QB, even when the position is set on your team. But I agree with you that they really need to start doing that now. Maybe Mahomes or Webb. > [@Omni](#): > > The Bears fared a little better on defense, even if they didn’t land the marquee guys. They addressed the secondary which was dismal last year with 2 big, physical DBs in \*\*Amukamara \*\*and \*\*Cooper \*\*and a veteran Safety in **Quentin Demps**. All are solid signings for medium money, I disliked Amukamara coming out of college and I still am skeptical that he can really cover anyone downfield but he’s an upgrade and hopefully we can scheme around his flaws. The Bears do deserve some credit for last years’ work in free agency. Akiem Hicks, Jerrell Freeman, maybe Danny Trevathan played well last year. If the Bears can do with their secondary what they did last year up front, they might not be horrible on defense again. > [@Omni](#): > > The middle of the line with **Sitton** , \*\*Whitehair \*\*and \*\*Long \*\*should be back and really strong and Sims should help a bit on the edges. Whitehair was very impressive last year for a young player, and seems like he has a great future. I’d worry that the heavy investment in the center of the line has left steaming piles of garbage outside, which will get their QB killed and limit their success. Should be an interesting draft for the Bears. They’ve struggled recently getting anything of value out of their first round picks (with the exception of Kyle Long who, while overrated and overpaid, isn’t the bust guys like Shea McClellan and Gabe Carimi were), but maybe, just maybe, Fuller becomes a #1 CB (he won’t), White stays healthy and lives up to his physical skills (he might), and Leonard Floyd becomes more than a situational pass rusher (answer unclear, ask again later). It does make me smile though that the Bears are picking at #3 after another lousy season though. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/23 "2017-03-18T13:35:33Z")
I feel like the \*\*Giants \*\*should be a bit better than last year with the free agency moves, but hoping for a ready to play OT in the draft, that would make the biggest difference at this point. I’m very happy Newhouse is departed and hopefully Flowers shows improvement. I love the WR options that will be out there for Manning to throw to. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/24 "2017-03-18T22:40:58Z")
Again the Lions are hard to judge. Wagner and Lang, while not without risks, and huge money commitments, were two of the best moves the have made in recent memory(not a high bar really). But they topped it off with some extremely questionable defensive rejects from other teams. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2017, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/25 "2017-03-19T06:00:54Z")
Ran into this sad story: [Former KU and Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers is battling dementia](http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article139455608.html). ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/26 "2017-03-20T13:54:41Z")
I know everyone has been waiting with bated breath for this: Tom Brady’s stolen jersey has been found by the FBI, overseas, in the possession of an international media member. They also found his jersey which went missing after Super Bowl XLIX, stolen by the same person. Weird. > **[Brady's stolen SB jerseys recovered in Mexico](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18958516/tom-brady-stolen-super-bowl-jersey-found-possession-international-media-member)** > > The NFL announced that Tom Brady's stolen jersey from Super Bowl LI -- along with his jersey from Super Bowl XLIX -- was found in Mexico in the possession of a member of the international media. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/27 "2017-03-21T01:16:39Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Ran into this sad story: [Former KU and Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers is battling dementia](http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article139455608.html). And former 49er Wide Reciever Dwight Clark (“The Catch”) is battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) > **[Legendary 49ers WR Clark reveals he has ALS](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18955466/san-francisco-49ers-legend-dwight-clark-diagnosed-als)** > > Dwight Clark, the former 49ers star best known for his leaping TD catch that won the NFC Championship Game in 1982, says he has been diagnosed with ALS. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/28 "2017-03-21T04:48:37Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > And former 49er Wide Reciever Dwight Clark (“The Catch”) is battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) > > [San Francisco 49ers legend Dwight Clark diagnosed with ALS - ESPN](http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18955466/san-francisco-49ers-legend-dwight-clark-diagnosed-als) Another sad story **notfrommensa**. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/29 "2017-03-21T12:57:39Z")
The Jets signed Josh McCown, so their QB problems are solved. I do think McCown was probably the best QB on Cleveland’s roster last couple years, he just couldn’t stay healthy. He’s exactly what you want in a backup. The Jets should still draft a QB this year, though. They have swung and missed on their last couple late round QB picks, Petty and Hackenburg. ---
**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:** [March 21, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/30 "2017-03-21T19:37:04Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > The Jets signed Josh McCown, so their QB problems are solved. I do think McCown was probably the best QB on Cleveland’s roster last couple years, he just couldn’t stay healthy. He’s exactly what you want in a backup. The Jets should still draft a QB this year, though. They have swung and missed on their last couple late round QB picks, Petty and Hackenburg. Who’s he backing up, Fitzpatrick? Smith signed with the Giants to back up Eli. I think it was a mistake to do that. They should have kept him and cut or benched Fitzy the INT machine. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/31 "2017-03-21T22:28:02Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Who’s he backing up, Fitzpatrick? Smith signed with the Giants to back up Eli. I think it was a mistake to do that. They should have kept him and cut or benched Fitzy the INT machine. The Seahawks beat (destroyed) Fitz last year even though their own QB was pretty much playing on crutches. He shouldn’t be a starter. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/32 "2017-03-22T22:10:04Z")
In other news: The NFL is going to look at reducing commercial breaks, especially the “extra point, commercial, Kick off, commercial” sequence: > **[Exclusive: Roger Goodell says changes coming to quicken NFL games in 2017](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/03/22/roger-goodell-plans-to-speed-up-pace-nfl-games-2017/99491048/)** > > Expect less frequent commercials and mechanisms to reduce down time during games. One big change being voted on is moving to a centralized replay system: [http://epidm.edgesuite.net/CMS/NFL/Harmony/CAMPAIGN\_IMAGES/2017/LEGENDS/20170323\_LegendsNL\_March\_P2\_1/html/Commissioners\_Email.html](http://epidm.edgesuite.net/CMS/NFL/Harmony/CAMPAIGN_IMAGES/2017/LEGENDS/20170323_LegendsNL_March_P2_1/html/Commissioners_Email.html) Raiders move being voted on next week and pretty much guaranteed to happen: [http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/22/las-vegas-raiders-relocation-fee-nfl-owners-meetings](http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/22/las-vegas-raiders-relocation-fee-nfl-owners-meetings) ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/33 "2017-03-23T00:28:30Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Who’s he backing up, Fitzpatrick? Smith signed with the Giants to back up Eli. I think it was a mistake to do that. They should have kept him and cut or benched Fitzy the INT machine. Fitzpatrick should be a free agent, McNown is going to complete to start. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/34 "2017-03-23T12:50:55Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Who’s he backing up, Fitzpatrick? Smith signed with the Giants to back up Eli. I think it was a mistake to do that. They should have kept him and cut or benched Fitzy the INT machine. Right now, McCown is the starter. Fitz was cut shortly after the SB to void the second year of his pact. The NYJ have a looong hill to climb. ---
**Author:** ![zoog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ea924/32.png) [@zoog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoog)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/35 "2017-03-23T23:52:19Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > In other news: > > The NFL is going to look at reducing commercial breaks, especially the “extra point, commercial, Kick off, commercial” sequence: > [Exclusive: Roger Goodell says changes coming to quicken NFL games in 2017](http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/03/22/roger-goodell-plans-to-speed-up-pace-nfl-games-2017/99491048/) This is good. One of my major pet peeves in watching a game on TV is when they come back from a commercial break, show a kickoff that goes for a touchback, and go right back to another goddamned commercial. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/36 "2017-03-24T13:46:09Z")
That is an interesting development. I know the NFL’s TV ratings were way down, and a multitude of reasons were given. [It was even discussed here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=811689) The OP of that thread mentioned too many commercials, and a few others agreed. But also mentioned were head injuries, domestic violence, the refs suck, my team sucks, football has become oversaturated, the weather is too nice, and just found better things to do. My understanding of the upcoming changes to commercial breaks is they’ll have longer breaks, but fewer of them. Roger Goodell said the goal is not to make the games shorter. Just to keep people more engaged. It’s quite possible the election did impact the NLF’s ratings, so they’ll probably be up next season regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/37 "2017-03-27T21:09:25Z")
Raiders moving [to Vegas](http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19016323/raiders-move-las-vegas-approved-31-1) No way the NFL would pass up planting a franchise in Sin City. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/38 "2017-03-27T21:29:37Z")
> [@zoog](#): > > This is good. One of my major pet peeves in watching a game on TV is when they come back from a commercial break, show a kickoff that goes for a touchback, and go right back to another goddamned commercial. And of course, the kickoff itself is probably sponsored by Bud Light or something, so it’s like getting a bonus commercial thrown in! ---
**Author:** ![bobo\_blesinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bobo\_blesinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobo_blesinger)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/39 "2017-03-27T21:38:03Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Raiders moving [to Vegas](http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19016323/raiders-move-las-vegas-approved-31-1) > > No way the NFL would pass up planting a franchise in Sin City. and the NFL has lost one more pair of eyeballs. Fuck all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798/40 "2017-03-27T22:37:52Z")
Will they be the Vegas Raiders (like the Golden Knights) or Las Vegas Raiders? (I’m hoping for the latter, it’s similar to the Los Angeles Raiders name I remember.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offeason-thread-2017/781798.md?page=3)