# NFL Training camps and preseason **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 2, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059 "2009-08-02T14:55:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**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:** [August 31, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/341 "2009-08-31T15:27:49Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > O’Connell’s release is absolutely mystifying. Who dumps a third-round quarterback after 12 months? Yeah, this is a little surprising, but he has been terrible all preseason long. Rumors floating around are that the Pats might try to trade for A.J. Feeley. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/342 "2009-08-31T15:32:01Z")
Curious. I was under the impression that the reason they were okay with dumping Cassell was that they thought highly of O’Connell. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/343 "2009-08-31T17:00:37Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Curious. I was under the impression that the reason they were okay with dumping Cassell was that they thought highly of O’Connell. Yes, that was my impression at the time as well. [Here’s a Boston Globe article from May](http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2009/05/20/looking_to_improve_his_reps/) that says: “It is notable that since trading Cassel to Kansas City in February, the Patriots haven’t brought in an experienced quarterback to compete with O’Connell, who turns 24 Monday, or third-string signal-caller Matt Gutierrez. That might be as much a reflection of their confidence in Brady as it is O’Connell, but it still bodes well for the latter.” Of course, they have since signed Walter and brought in Cleo Lemon for a look, so it looks like O’Connell may not have been as ready as they thought (his preseason performance certainly bears that out). ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/344 "2009-08-31T21:03:49Z")
When you consider that the NE offense is very QB friendly even a journeyman QB should put up descent numbers. The fact that O’Connell could not does not speak well of his skills. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/345 "2009-08-31T21:11:36Z")
Is it very QB friendly? They didn’t run the same offense for Cassel that they do with Brady, you know - Cassel was in the offense that Brady ran in his first couple of years as the starter instead. LOTS of screens, passes to the tight ends, quick slants, etc. Not much downfield stuff. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/346 "2009-08-31T21:20:37Z")
Is there any team with an easier road to a division title than the Chargers right now? Oakland sucks. KC is hurting (and will likely suck) Denver is imploding, and will likely suck… ---
**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:** [August 31, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/347 "2009-08-31T21:23:05Z")
'Twas ever thus. Well, for a while. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/348 "2009-08-31T21:29:17Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > O’Connell’s release is absolutely mystifying. Who dumps a third-round quarterback after 12 months? Brian Brohm’s (2nd round, '08) has been close to useless since he arrived in Green Bay, being thoroughly outclassed by Matt Flynn (7th round, '08) at every opportunity. But it appears he’s destined to be into the Packers 3rd/inactive QB yet again this season. Nice work if you can get it… ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/349 "2009-09-01T17:28:47Z")
Strange news from Panthers’ camp today. Mark and Jon Richardson, sons of owner Jerry, resigned their positions with the team suddenly. Mark was Team President and I believe Jon was President of Stadium Operations. Mark has been the man in charge the last few years, particularly since Jerry had his health issue. This news came out of nowhere and everyone is shocked. The Panthers have been a family run operation since they began, and it was widely assumed that Mark would take over when Jerry retired. The rumors are that this is prelude to the sale of the team, although there hasn’t even been a hint of that previously. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/350 "2009-09-01T17:28:51Z")
There were rumors that the Browns might trade Corey Willians to the Panthers but instead we traded backup DT/DE Louis Leonard, who is decent but may not have made the team. I wonder what we got. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/351 "2009-09-01T17:34:01Z")
Buccaneers outdo the Pats by dumping last year’s second rounder, WR Dexter Jackson. Gruden took a page out of the Al Davis GM playbook and picked the fastest wideout he could find - in the second round - ignoring the fact that he was undersized, played in Division II, and wasn’t very bright. Other than a good performance at the Combine, his only selling point was his performance against Michigan in 2007’s Appalachian State upset-of-the-century game. He didn’t do anything for the Bucs other than muff a few punts and kickoffs before getting benched at midseason. His replacement was an undrafted free agency tailback (Clifton Smith) who wound up making the Pro Bowl. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/352 "2009-09-01T17:36:44Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Maximize the value? They traded him, plus Mike Vrabel, for a second round pick! That trade smelled when it was made, and now looks even worse with Bruschi retiring and the Patriots cutting O’Connell. > > The only plus to that trade was the salary cap space it freed up, with which the Pats can now pick up whatever scrub backup QB they can find. I hear Jeff George is available. 🙂 I was more referring to the fact that if the Browns had done that directly after Anderson’s good year, they would have gotten MUCH more in trade value then than they could now. ---
**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:** [September 1, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/353 "2009-09-01T17:53:15Z")
Yes, but based on what we knew at the time, that would have been stupid. All they had was Brady Quinn. Turning over the reins of a 4-12 team to a rookie (effectively) is one thing; sticking him under center for a team that missed the playoffs by a hair the year before is another one entirely. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/354 "2009-09-01T21:48:32Z")
Andre Smith, 2 days into camp, has [fractured his foot](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/01/andre-smith-fractures-foot/). Bwahahahaha! ---
**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:** [September 1, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/355 "2009-09-01T22:48:55Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Andre Smith, 2 days into camp, has [fractured his foot](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/01/andre-smith-fractures-foot/). > Bwahahahaha! Who cares, he wasn’t going to play anytime soon anyway. Collins is a very adequate tackle. The only concern is depth at the position going forward. The Bengals are still going to surprise some people. 10-6 and a wildcard, baby. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/356 "2009-09-01T23:22:35Z")
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Smith also is experiencing tendinitis in his left moob. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2009, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/357 "2009-09-02T07:51:25Z")
You know what I love? DirectTV shortcuts, where they condense everything out of the game except the actual plays, and each game is cut down to a half hour. Unfortunately, I can’t get directTV. I wish they’d offer some online subscription package for those games or something, I’d pay a decent amount for them. Although maybe not the rather ridiculously priced NFL superfan package. Oh well. I wish there was some alternative way of acquiring them as I’d probably watch every game of the NFL season this way. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/358 "2009-09-02T08:07:38Z")
FO’s Mike Tanier watches preseason football from 7 AM straight through to 11 PM, [and keeps a diary about it](http://footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2009/walkthrough-exhibitionists-song). A fun read from Tanier, as always. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2009, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/359 "2009-09-02T11:20:55Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Unconfirmed reports indicate that Smith also is experiencing tendinitis in his left moob. He’s scheduled for a reduction on Thursday… ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/360 "2009-09-02T14:50:47Z")
So the Rams cut their 2nd round 2006 draft pick, Klopfenstein and trades the 1st rounder from 2006, Tye Hill, for a 7th rounder in 2010. Thanks alot for the wonderful draft skills Linehan. Poor Tye Hill. He basically got traded for a future practice squad player at best. Although, if ATL can keep him healty they made out like a bandit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059.md?page=19)