NFL '24 Season Thread

[The Yak]

Well, I guess now is as good a time as any to start one of these.

Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs. Three Super Bowl wins, four appearances in five years. How extraordinary.

We already have things to talk about:

There is much intrigue surrounding the futures of many big names at the game's most important position. Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Baker Mayfield, Russel Wilson and Justin Fields are likely to have new homes in the fall. Additionally, Jordan Love and Jared Goff appear poised to receive massive contract extensions from their respective teams.

The running back position could offer some excitement with Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and Derrick Henry all having the potential to hit free agency.

Is this the year that Commissioner Roger Goodell is not booed at the Draft? Seems unlikely.

Free agency starts next month. The Draft is after that. Before you know it training camps will start and NFL football will be back. NFL '24 Season Thread starts now.

 

[Pornfan99]

Should be a VERY interesting draft. Caleb seems a lock at #1 .. to some team. Just this week I saw LSU QB now projected at #2, and UNC QB going at 3. I think which team signs Kirk Cousins (if not MIN) will have a big impact on which teams take QBs / trade up to one of the top-3 picks. Gotta figure Ohio State WR at #4.

 

[The Yak]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...porter-chris-mortensen-dies-at-72/ar-BB1jgHGj

ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen has died.

 

[The Yak]

https://twitter.com/adamschefter/status/1764654676224487645?s=12&t=x5-NzdOmzxVdg9621hs9Tw

One big name will not be hitting the market. Mike Evans is staying in Tampa.

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39653213/eagles-jason-kelce-announces-retirement-13-seasons

Jason Kelce is retiring.

Super Bowl Champion (LII)
6x First-team All-Pro (2017-2019, 2021-2023)

Spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

[Pornfan99]

I saw that, regarding Evans. Now the WR4 in salary, behind: Hill, Adams, and Kupp.

Gotta think that Baker would NOT re-sign with TB, unless Evans was under contract.

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39654399/broncos-cut-russell-wilson-take-85m-dead-money-hit

The Denver Broncos are releasing Russell Wilson and will take on a record $85 million in dead money for doing so.

One of the worst trades in NFL history.

 

[The Yak]

Franchise tags for this offseason:

Josh Allen, LB, Jacksonville
Brian Burns, LB, Carolina
Kyle Dugger, S, New England
Tee Higgens, WR, Cincinnatti
Jaylon Johnson, DB, Chicago
Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore
Michael Pittman, WR, Indianapolis
L'Jarius Sneed, DB, Kansas City
Antoine Winfield, Jr, S, Tampa Bay

 

[Pornfan99]

Hmmmm - at least Kyle Dugger I believe was Transition tagged. That gives the player's current team the opportunity to match any offer. If the player departs, I think the team getting him surrenders their next two 1st round picks to the team losing the player as well.

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39700141/eagles-dt-fletcher-cox-six-pro-bowler-retiring-nfl

Fletcher Cox is retiring.

Super Bowl Champion (LII)
First-team All-Pro (2018)
3x Second-team All-Pro (2014, 2015, 2017)
NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

[The Yak]

Russell Wilson signing a one year, team-friendly deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Baker Mayfield has signed a deal to stay in Tampa.

 

[Pornfan99]

"Some" big free agent signings:

MIN QB K. Cousins to ATL; 4-years @ $45M a year
NYG RB S. Barkley to PHI (!!!); 3 years @ $15.833M a year
GB signed ex-LVR RB J. Jacobs - AND cut their RB A. Jones
LVR signed ex-MIA stud DT C. Wilkins - I think now the 2nd-highest paid behind A. Donald of LAR?
NYG traded for ex-CAR DE B. Burns - signed huge new contract
TEN signed ex-DAL RB T. Pollard - Derrick Henry will NOT be back
WAS signed ex-LAC RB A. Ekeler - he'll be the pass-catching RB, cuz ..
NE signed ex-WAS RB3 A. Gibson

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39715941/ravens-sign-ex-titans-rb-derrick-henry-sources-say

Derrick Henry to the Ravens. They will have a quite a rushing attack pairing him with Lamar Jackson. Nice change of pace in the current pass happy league.

 

[The Yak]

Chargers trade Keenan Allen to the Bears to pair with DJ Moore. Whichever QB they take at #1 will have targets. That is important for a rookie quarterback. Not surrounding one's rookie quarterback with talented receivers leads to going 2-15 and breaking fan's spirits.

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39738379/rams-aaron-donald-3-dpoy-retiring-nfl-age-32

Aaron Donald is retiring.

Super Bowl Champion (LVI)
3x NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020)
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2014)
8x First-team All-Pro (2015-2021, 2023)
NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

Spent his entire career with the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39806754/nfl-owners-approve-ban-hip-drop-tackling-technique

Hip drop tackle has been banned. Good that this makes the game safer but defenders are really in a tight spot at this point.

The tackling technique often results in lower-body injuries. The rule requires officials to note two actions: If a defender "grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms" and also "unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner's leg(s) at or below the knee."

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39812700/nfl-owners-approve-massive-revamp-kickoff-play

New kickoff rule.

During the 2024 season, kickers will continue to kick from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players on the kickoff team will line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. At least nine members of the return team will line up in a "setup zone" between the 35- and 30-yard lines. Up to two returners can line up in a "landing zone" between the goal line and the 20-yard line.

No one other than the kicker and returner(s) can move until the ball hits the ground or hits a player inside the landing zone. Touchbacks will be marked at the 30-yard line, and no fair catches will be allowed. In the event a team wants to attempt an onside kick, it will have to inform officials of its intent and would then be allowed to use the NFL's traditional formation. No surprise onside kicks will be allowed.

I guess it will look similar to this:

More returns and fewer concussions is a good thing. We'll see how it goes next season.

 

[maildude99]

Not for nothin', but I just finished watching The Dynasty, about the New England Patriots in their contemporary heyday. I never realized how big the chip on Belichick's shoulder was. Good watching if you haven't seen it. I'm a Detroit Lions fan so I don't give a rat's bupkis about the Pats. But I predict no Super Bowl for them for a very long time. Give 'em hell this season, Shiela! More broads in the owner's box is a good thing.

 

[Pornfan99]

I guess it will look similar to this:

Thanks for posting the video, Yak. I was curious what the impacts would be.

Oh - congrats! The Panthesr signed previous overall #1 pick Jadeveon Clowney as a free agent.

 

[The Yak]

Happy Falcon's Blown Lead Day. Today, 3-28, we celebrate Atlanta's historic collapse in Super Bowl 51, losing the game despite having a 3-28 lead in the 3rd quarter. May your Falcon's Blown Lead Day be merry and bright