# Official 2011 NFL Football Thread - Preseason Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 21, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920 "2011-07-21T23:58:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/121 "2011-07-30T20:21:10Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > … or Jared Gaither to play right tackle. Gaither was signed by the Raiders. ---
**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:** [July 30, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/122 "2011-07-30T20:24:58Z")
> [@Jules\_Andre](#): > > Gaither was signed by the Raiders. [Seems that reports were a bit premature.](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?entry_id=94296) ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/123 "2011-07-30T20:37:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > [Seems that reports were a bit premature.](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?entry_id=94296) You know, I checked like three sources before I posted that. Apparently Schefter is reporting the Eagles just signed Cullen Jenkins? What the fuck is going on here?! ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/124 "2011-07-30T20:41:02Z")
How much money do the Eagles have? The Eagles are becoming the new Redskins. ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/125 "2011-07-30T20:45:05Z")
John Clayton just tweeted that the Raiders decided not to sign Gaither at all. So nix my post earlier. ---
**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:** [July 30, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/126 "2011-07-30T21:22:12Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > How much money do the Eagles have? > > The Eagles are becoming the new Redskins. Except that all the guys the Eagles are signing are really, really good. Fuck the Eagles. ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/127 "2011-07-30T21:31:12Z")
And the Eagles traded Broderick Bunkley, DT, to the Browns for a 5th round pick. Not a surprising move, saves about $2million in cap space and his spot was gone after signing Jenkins (seriously! wtf?!). Pretty unbelievable past couple of days. And the front office is saying they aren’t done.(!?) ---
**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:** [July 30, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/128 "2011-07-30T21:32:42Z")
What are the Browns going to do with him? He’s too small to play 3-4 nose and too big to play 3-4 end. ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/129 "2011-07-30T21:56:09Z")
Eagles are also seriously in the mix for Burress, so sayth the whisperers. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/130 "2011-07-30T23:38:24Z")
After my initial disappointment in choosing to move on from Hasselbeck, I think the Seahawks are positioning themselves to be a good solid team in the next few years. They have a young promising O-line and with the signing of the tone-setting veteran in Gallery, they have the potential to be fairly impressive. If they can keep the D-line healthy this season they should be good but they have very little depth so we will see, by resigning Mebane at least they are not losing any depth. I have always believed that you have to build a football team from the ground up and that means on the O and D-lines. It’s not very flashy and can be a little disappointing when you see all the signings going on in other places but you can only keep slapping quick fixes on things for so long before its time to rebuild. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/131 "2011-07-31T00:19:31Z")
Eagles sign Cullen Jenkins! I’m guessing Tom Brady is next. What? A great backup for Young! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/132 "2011-07-31T00:21:25Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > With all of these signings by the Eagles people are now speculating that they are the odd-on favorites to win the Super Bowl. Yes, I’m serious. > > Have they forgotten that these are the Eagles we’re talking about? I’ve always said we’d win if we traded Andy Reid, but that’s another thread… 😛 ---
**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:** [July 31, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/133 "2011-07-31T00:27:52Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What are the Browns going to do with him? He’s too small to play 3-4 nose and too big to play 3-4 end. Browns are a 4-3 team under Dick Jauron now, of the (right to left) 260-310-325-270 weight D-line style. I remember wanting Bunkley in the draft years ago but haven’t heard about him doing much in the NFL. Is he any good? ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/134 "2011-07-31T00:38:58Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Browns are a 4-3 team under Dick Jauron now, of the (right to left) 260-310-325-270 weight D-line style. > > I remember wanting Bunkley in the draft years ago but haven’t heard about him doing much in the NFL. Is he any good? Former 1st rounder traded for a 5th. That should tell you something. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/135 "2011-07-31T02:37:34Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Browns are a 4-3 team under Dick Jauron now, of the (right to left) 260-310-325-270 weight D-line style. > > I remember wanting Bunkley in the draft years ago but haven’t heard about him doing much in the NFL. Is he any good? He started all but one game for Jim Johnson from 2007-2009. He got hurt early last year and seems to have fallen out of favor since. Since Jenkins will be taking his spot next to Mike Patterson, he’s now surplus to requirements. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/136 "2011-07-31T03:39:08Z")
[Fat Albert fails conditioning test](http://eye-on-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22475988/30991620). Coach Belichick’s response: > [@Bill Belichick](#): > > “There are things we still need to do with Albert for him to be able get on the practice field and when those things are done, he’ll be out there.” Something about this sounds familiar for some reason… ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/137 "2011-07-31T07:22:39Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I remember wanting Bunkley in the draft years ago but haven’t heard about him doing much in the NFL. Is he any good? I don’t think he’s bad, and I don’t think he’s great. He’s very average in pretty much every way. Some of that may be that the Eagles have had very little success with DTs of late and may not have developed him well enough. Mike Patterson may be another example of this - he’s shown flashes of brilliance but never put it together for a whole season, and I think that boils down to coaching. Also consider that since Reid came aboard, the DTs have been asked to basically play the run on every down. That tends to quiet their impact. That said, the dude just disappears. I’ve watched entire games without noticing him on the field. He could blossom into a good rotational guy with a change of scenery. He was only traded because Cullen Jenkins made him and his contract superfluous. FWIW the new DC Juan Castillo was talking him up a lot lately and expected big things from him. Bunkley is pretty good against the run, probably above average, and below average against the pass. Again, that may be scheme. But at least in 2009, Bunkley was a valuable run stopper (16th in the NFL in stop % according to FO). But it’s telling to me that an UDFA took his spot in the lineup. All in all, he’s worth a 5th. You won’t hate him, but he probably won’t make you too excited. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2011, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/138 "2011-07-31T08:11:14Z")
Some new Bears actions of note. > **[Bears agree to deals with RB Barber, DT Okoye](https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/6819676/marion-barber-chicago-bears-agree-2-year-contract)** > > The Chicago Bears added to their backfield and defensive line, agreeing to a two-year contract with running back Marion Barber and a one-year deal with nose tackle Amobi Okoye on Saturday. The Bears signed another former Cowboy in Marion Barber today. I really like this move. I’m not sure how much Barber has left in the tank, but if he still can be effective in short and goal line situations he’s a fantastic addition. Barber at one point was exception at the goal line and that was a major weakness for the Bears. This likely means the end of the Chester Taylor era in Chicago and thank goodness for that. Barber could offer a legitimate second back to split the load with Forte. Additionally, they added Amobi Okoye to replace some of the defections from the interior of the line and to provide some insurance if Paea should come up short. I don’t have any idea how good Okoye is at this point, but he’s still very young and it’s very possible that he could blossom in a much more competent system in Chicago versus Houston. I love the upside he presents and he could be a very important contributor. Between him and Gholston the Bears are collecting a bunch of 1st round DL busts. If Marinelli is able to get production out of them he’ll possible regain his rep as a DL genius, if either one rises to even 75% of their rookie potential it’ll have been a very successful pair of gambles. Last but not least, the Bears resigned special teams ace and potential Nickelback Corey Graham. Losing Danieal Manning made retaining Graham an important goal. He is very important on special teams and with a lot of defections expected in the secondary he might finally get his chance to crack the starting lineup. I’m somewhat surprised he settled for a one year deal, it sounded like he was getting enough interest from elsewhere to command a multiyear deal. I’ll be interested to hear the dirt on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2011, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/139 "2011-07-31T08:11:48Z")
Bears pick up Roy Williams and Marion Barber. How do their contracts compare to Dallas? Any Bears fans want to chime in on whether these players make you happy? ---
**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:** [July 31, 2011, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/140 "2011-07-31T08:16:35Z")
Some new Bears actions of note. > **[Bears agree to deals with RB Barber, DT Okoye](https://www.espn.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/6819676/marion-barber-chicago-bears-agree-2-year-contract)** > > The Chicago Bears added to their backfield and defensive line, agreeing to a two-year contract with running back Marion Barber and a one-year deal with nose tackle Amobi Okoye on Saturday. The Bears signed another former Cowboy in Marion Barber today. I really like this move. I’m not sure how much Barber has left in the tank, but if he still can be effective in short and goal line situations he’s a fantastic addition. Barber at one point was exception at the goal line and that was a major weakness for the Bears. This likely means the end of the Chester Taylor era in Chicago and thank goodness for that. Barber could offer a legitimate second back to split the load with Forte. Additionally, they added Amobi Okoye to replace some of the defections from the interior of the line and to provide some insurance if Paea should come up short. I don’t have any idea how good Okoye is at this point, but he’s still very young and it’s very possible that he could blossom in a much more competent system in Chicago versus Houston. I love the upside he presents and he could be a very important contributor. Between him and Gholston the Bears are collecting a bunch of 1st round DL busts. If Marinelli is able to get production out of them he’ll possible regain his rep as a DL genius, if either one rises to even 75% of their rookie potential it’ll have been a very successful pair of gambles. Last but not least, the Bears resigned special teams ace and potential Nickelback Corey Graham. Losing Danieal Manning made retaining Graham an important goal. He is very important on special teams and with a lot of defections expected in the secondary he might finally get his chance to crack the starting lineup. I’m somewhat surprised he settled for a one year deal, it sounded like he was getting enough interest from elsewhere to command a multiyear deal. I’ll be interested to hear the dirt on this one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920.md?page=8)