# NFL offseason discussion thread. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 17, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344 "2016-02-17T15:25:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/1 "2016-02-17T15:25:01Z")
Here’s a place for all the offseason news, signings, and unfortunately arrests. The draft is worth a separate thread. I’m not all disappointed that Everett Golson didn’t receive a combine invitation. This self centered idiot skipped out on FSU’s Peach Bowl game for ‘personal reasons.’ He was just butt hurt about losing the starting job. He left Notre Dame after cheating and knew he wasn’t going to be the 2015 starter at ND. NBC Sports - ProFootballTalk: Everett Golson hopes for an NFL shot, despite no Combine invitation > **[Everett Golson hopes for an NFL shot, despite no Combine invitation -...](https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/02/17/everett-golson-hopes-for-an-nfl-shot-despite-no-combine-invitation/)** > > Former Notre Dame and Florida State quarterback Everett Golson is spending the spring in Arizona training for the NFL. But he’s not training for the Combine because he wasn’t invited.Golson told ESPN he hasn’t heard from NFL teams but is doing what... ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/2 "2016-03-03T15:11:53Z")
Texans release Arian Foster. It truly is the Not For Long league as well as what have you done for me lately. He’ll surely get picked up by another team hoping for another Chris Johnson type surprise NBC Sports - ProFootballTalk: Texans to cut Arian Foster > **[Texans to cut Arian Foster - ProFootballTalk](https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/03/texans-to-cut-arian-foster/)** > > Arian Foster’s tenure in Houston is coming to an end.The Texans have informed Foster they are going to release him, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.The Texans apparently don’t think Foster can stay healthy and be as effective as he once was. General... ---
**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 3, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/3 "2016-03-03T15:26:24Z")
You know the kind of people who continue to find monetary success, despite vast evidence of their own incompetence? Add Jeff Fisher to that list. For reasons that are completely beyond me, [The Rams are going to extend his contract](http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14872177/los-angeles-rams-jeff-fisher-discussing-extension). Despite never having a winning season, never making the playoffs, and being 27-36-1 in St. Louis, Fisher seems to be on his way to another contract. It has been 12 years since he’s won a playoff game. 12 YEARS. And he’s only gone to the playoffs 6 times in 19 yerars. Yet, somehow, someway, he’ll likely be making $7 million a year for the next few years. And don’t tell me, “they need stability for the move to L.A”. The move is a perfect reason to get someone new in there, someone who can get in at the ground floor and create a team and an atmosphere in a new city without having the chains of mediocrity continue to drag your franchise down. Jeff Fisher does one thing well. Give him a ton of high draft picks, and he’ll build you a better than average defense to get your team from 4-12 to 6-10 or 7-9. That’s it. That’s the extent of his abilities as a head coach. Focusing on one side of the ball and not sucking. Unless you get him an NFL MVP QB. And a fluke play that needed poor officiating to work. Then, he’ll get you to the Super Bowl. And lose. The fact he’s still an NFL head coach AND they’re going to extend his contract, is just baffling to me. On the bright side, though, I get to watch the Rams flounder for a couple more years, which is nice. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/4 "2016-03-03T15:40:28Z")
Jeff Fisher gets an extension and the Cardinals, Seahawks, and 49ers will be happy to pay for it! ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/5 "2016-03-03T22:08:38Z")
[Patriots release veterans TE Scott Chandler and WR Brandon LaFell.](http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/2016/03/02/patriots-release-tight-end-scott-chandler-wide-receiver-brandon-lafell/DfTLot2AbF34z3cBTCxRZL/story.html?p1=well__main) Chandler was a total bust - seems like he had more yards against the Patriots in two games/year as a Bill than he did all season for the Pats. Lafell had a good first year with the Pats but was useless/hampered by injury last season. No big losses, but slightly disappointing that neither of these guys panned out. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/6 "2016-03-04T20:12:49Z")
Mike Ditka really can’t learn to shut up about politics. I hope ESPN fires his ass. > **[Could Ditka's rant against Obama end his ESPN deal?](https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/could-ditkas-rant-against-obama-end-his-espn-deal/)** > > In guidelines sent recently to all ESPN on-air talent, analysts have been warned to avoid discussing politics. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/7 "2016-03-05T21:01:26Z")
The Eagles just gave Sam Bradford - yes, _Sam Bradford_ - $18 million in actual American money for each of the next two years. I keep trying to think of a joke to append here, but I can’t come up with one that tops the plain fact of it. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/8 "2016-03-05T23:22:41Z")
Lovie Smith’s next stop is the university of Illinois. A mediocre college job after the NFL. [http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/03/05/illinois-hiring-lovie-smith-bill-cubit-head-coach?xid=si\_social](http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/03/05/illinois-hiring-lovie-smith-bill-cubit-head-coach?xid=si_social) ---
**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 5, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/9 "2016-03-05T23:27:11Z")
Who was going to pay Sam Bradford half of that if the Eagles didn’t? I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/10 "2016-03-06T15:25:44Z")
Well it seems official, Manning the greater is retiring. Let the debate over GQOAT begin. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/11 "2016-03-06T16:52:52Z")
Manning is not the greatest QB of all time. I wouldn’t even put him in the top 5. ---
**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 6, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/12 "2016-03-06T18:37:15Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Manning is not the greatest QB of all time. I wouldn’t even put him in the top 5. This is beyond me. Unless you’re inflating the abilities of older players who played a game that vastly different from the last 20 years or so, like Otto Graham, Slingin’ Sammy Baugh, or Johnny Unitas, I can’t fathom how Manning falls out of the top 5. Montana. Brady. I can see those guys arguably above him, but who else? Favre was too error prone. Elway was too inaccurate and never was the best QB of his era (0 First Team All Pro selections). Marino? Nice stats, but not in the conversation as the greatest QB of all time. Who are you putting in there that Manning wouldn’t be in the top 5, and why? ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/13 "2016-03-06T20:46:29Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > This is beyond me. Unless you’re inflating the abilities of older players who played a game that vastly different from the last 20 years or so, like Otto Graham, Slingin’ Sammy Baugh, or Johnny Unitas, I can’t fathom how Manning falls out of the top 5. Montana. Brady. I can see those guys arguably above him, but who else? Favre was too error prone. Elway was too inaccurate and never was the best QB of his era (0 First Team All Pro selections). Marino? Nice stats, but not in the conversation as the greatest QB of all time. Who are you putting in there that Manning wouldn’t be in the top 5, and why? I’d put him behind Flacco, Eli, and Cam. … Okay, maybe I’d put him in the top 5. I tend to think the crusty old sportswriter type of player analysis that has gone totally obsolete in baseball still has some value in football. I think Manning’s career has been in an era that’s friendlier to passing attacks. Is some of that due to smarter football being played? Sure, but it’s also due to rule changes, officiating, and franchise expansion. Like 20% of passes today are modified runs. I wouldn’t dismiss guys like Starr, Unitas, or Bradshaw based on the eras they played in. I think questions like “Who would you rather have at QB in a playoff game” matter in football. I might take Kurt Warner over Manning by that measure. Manning went to the playoffs 15 times and was one-and-done 9 times. Throw out his first 3 playoff appearances, and that’s still 6 out of 12. He beat Rex Grossman for his 1st ring, and his defense got him his 2nd. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/14 "2016-03-06T20:48:15Z")
I just want him to go into Canton as a Colt, but he’d have to get released by Denver (which I don’t think happens since he retired before getting released, so I don’t think it’s a salary cap hit), and sign a one-day contract with Indy. I know the Colts are willing. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/15 "2016-03-06T20:57:33Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Marino? Nice stats, but not in the conversation as the greatest QB of all time. Why not? I thought all you cared about was rate stats in the regular season. ---
**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 6, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/16 "2016-03-06T22:20:14Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Why not? I thought all you cared about was rate stats in the regular season. Because what you thought is wrong. ---
**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:** [March 7, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/17 "2016-03-07T00:31:22Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Because what you thought is wrong. So let’s hear the reasoning. Why is Dan Marino not in the conversation? ---
**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 7, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/18 "2016-03-07T03:05:59Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > So let’s hear the reasoning. Why is Dan Marino not in the conversation? He is in the conversation. But his 10 points less career passer rating and his 3.5% to 2.4% interception rate in the playoffs give the advantage clearly to Manning. ---
**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 7, 2016, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/19 "2016-03-07T03:27:50Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > I’d put him behind Flacco, Eli, and Cam. It just boggles my mind that you would rather Flacco, Eli, and Cam over Peyton Manning. I can’t fathom any measure that would have those guys ahead of Manning. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2016, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344/20 "2016-03-07T05:05:14Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > It just boggles my mind that you would rather Flacco, Eli, and Cam over Peyton Manning. I can’t fathom any measure that would have those guys ahead of Manning. That was a joke. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-offseason-discussion-thread/746344.md?page=2)