Are you ready for some FOOTBALL! - Hot Stove Edition

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Indeed. Ozzy's analysis is very, very flawed. The question is which teams end up getting to the postseason and how many teams are perpetually left out. Now the NFL does have its Arizona Cardinals, but Cincy now looks like a power and every team's gotta shot.

In MLB, Kansas City has NO shot. None, nada, forget about it. The same can be said for Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, etc. If you are a fan of one of those teams, the game isn't fun. Your team simply has no hope of doing anything,

Last time KC was in a World Series: 1985 (they won it)
Last time Milwaukee was in a World Series: 1982 (they lost)
Last time Pittsburgh was in a World Series: 1979 (they won)

Last time Arizona was in a Superbowl: .... never been
Last time Detroit was in a Superbowl: .... never been


I think there is more drama in baseball. I think dynasties are good because it adds more character to the game. A sport where "everyone wins" is as meaningful as some hippie game of soccer for 5 year olds.

Not that I'm saying my analysis is wonderful. It just looks at one thing, but I think championships are pretty important. Tell a Bills fan that just getting in the playoffs is good enough.

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
Last time KC was in a World Series: 1985 (they won it)
Last time Milwaukee was in a World Series: 1982 (they lost)
Last time Pittsburgh was in a World Series: 1979 (they won)

Last time Arizona was in a Superbowl: .... never been
Last time Detroit was in a Superbowl: .... never been


I think there is more drama in baseball. I think dynasties are good because it adds more character to the game. A sport where "everyone wins" is as meaningful as some hippie game of soccer for 5 year olds.

Not that I'm saying my analysis is wonderful. It just looks at one thing, but I think championships are pretty important. Tell a Bills fan that just getting in the playoffs is good enough.

I think you're missing out on a few things here.

1. Every football team except for the expansion Texans has made the playoffs within the past 10 years (yes, even the Lions, Saints, and Cardinals). As a Pirates fan, I know the same can't be said for baseball. To put things in perspective, the Pirates haven't even had a wining record during Bill Cowher's entire tenure with the Steelers. While the end goal is obviously a championship, it's nice for fans to be able to actually see their team compete in the post season.

2. I think you're overlooking a major factor in winning a Super Bowl: coaching. Coaching is much more critical in football than baseball. A great coach in football is more valuable to his team than a great manager in baseball.
Though it's possible to coast into the playoffs beating easy teams, once the playoffs start and the talent level rises, a great coaching staff gives a distinct advantage. That's one reason why you see the same teams winning Super Bowls... the team with the better coaching staff on the sideline has a distinct advantage in football, one that doesn't exist to the same extent in MLB.

3. Football is great because you don't have to play for a major market team to be a league Super Star. Some of the biggest stars in recent history have played in the smaller markets: Manning playing in Indianapolis, Favre in Green Bay, Sanders in Detroit, Tomlinson in San Diego, Roethlisberger and Bettis in Pittsburgh, Palmer in Cincinatti, Deuce McAllister in New Orleans, etc.

The stars seem much less dispersed in MLB. Everyone seems to do a tour of duty in New York, Boston, Houston, St. Louis, Los Angeles, or Chicago. The small teams get the leftovers. It's hard to be interested in a team when your star player is 37 year old Derek Bell (I know from experience). The smaller teams may be able to draft a star, but good luck keeping them. The Pirates are like a farm team than an actually competative team.

NFL teams aren't able to keep everyone, but they're always able to keep a few of their bigger stars, because there's no team out there able to massively overpay to bring in a star filled roster.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
Last time KC was in a World Series: 1985 (they won it)
Last time Milwaukee was in a World Series: 1982 (they lost)
Last time Pittsburgh was in a World Series: 1979 (they won)

Last time Arizona was in a Superbowl: .... never been
Last time Detroit was in a Superbowl: .... never been

Last time KC was in the MLB Playoffs: 1985 (last over .500 record was in 2003, which was their first since 1994.. haven't gotten to .500 since)
Last time Milwaukee was in the MLB Playoffs: 1982 (last over .500 record in 1992)
Last time Pittsburgh was in the MLB PLayoffs: 1992 (last over .500 record in 1992)

Last time Arizona was in the NFL Playoffs: 1998 (2nd round)
Last time Detroit was in the NFL Playoffs: 1997 (1st round)


The competitive balance in baseball was far closer in the 80s than it now. I realize the baseball playoffs are harder to get into, but I included their last .500 seasons. KC has a recent one, but that was quite a surprise and both Milwaukee and Pittsburgh have to go back over 10 years to find a time they had a winning record (though Milwaukee hit exactly a .500 last year).

Championships show you nothing in relation to competitive balance. Playoffs do it better, but actual records (winning & losing) do it best.

[-Jrabbit]

Bumping for the inevitable Collective Bargaining Agreement making-progress report.

In other news,
Ahman Green re-signs with Green Bay
Shawn Alexander gets 8-yr deal with Seattle
LeVar Arrington cut by Washington
Kevin Mawae cut by Jets
Mike Anderson cut by Denver
Kerry Collins cut by Oakland

...and it looks like The Priest is gonna retire...

[reismark]

We have a deal!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2360258

The players' proposal was approved 30-2, with Buffalo & Cincinnati the votes against. More details pending.

[Imran Siddiqui]

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=149662

[Imran Siddiqui]

BREAKING NEWS!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2365467

Cards agree to deal with free-agent RB James
ESPN.com news services

The Cardinals made a big splash in the free-agent market Sunday, agreeing in principle to a contract with running back Edgerrin James, a source close to the team told ESPN.com.

James' deal is for four years, the Arizona Republic reported, although financial terms were not immediately available.

The Colts, who believed they had a "50-50" chance of retaining the two-time rushing champion, were faced with salary-cap restrictions.

Along with league MVP Shaun Alexander, who re-signed with the Seahawks, and Jamal Lewis, who helped lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl title, James was considered one of the top running backs on the market.

Colts president Bill Polian could have kept James by using the franchise tag on him for the second straight year after receiver Reggie Wayne agreed to a new six-year, $39 million contract. The Colts also signed defensive lineman Raheem Brock to a five-year deal Friday.

Instead, Polian decided against using the tag, which would have increased James' salary next season to more than $10 million.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

So the Cards have Boldin & Fitzgerland on the WR spots, James behind the QB, Warner/McCown behind center.... and no Offensive Line. Should be interesting.

Of course what the Colts are going to do will also be interesting. Jamal Lewis?

[Imran Siddiqui]

And the Browns are making a Hell of splash!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2364025

With money to spend and holes to fill, the Cleveland Browns struck quickly in free agency Saturday, reaching agreements with several high-profile unrestricted free agents who will dramatically alter the landscape of the team's offensive line unit.

The Browns have signed center LeCharles Bentley of New Orleans, the top-rated player overall in ESPN.com's ratings of unrestricted free agents.

The team also reached an agreement in principle with Atlanta Falcons left offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer, ESPN.com's 26th-rated free agent.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2365425

the Browns on Sunday added two more players, reaching an agreement with veteran defensive tackle Ted Washington and signing punter Dave Zastudil.

--

And let us not forget the Vikings!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2365156

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Armed with plenty of space under the salary cap, the Minnesota Vikings surged into free agency Saturday.

They signed running back Chester Taylor, kicker Ryan Longwell and linebacker Ben Leber after retaining receiver Koren Robinson and safety Willie Offord -- and continued to talk to other teams about trading disenfranchised quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

[Lord Avalon]

Well, Edge wanted to get paid, and said he was going to take the best deal.

Guess he got tired of making it to the playoffs.

[Jaguar]

Well, we Colts fans were prepared to lose James, although it seemed like the management was trying to find a way to keep him. The Colts will likely draft a first round halfback. The draft is fairly deep, so one of the good ones like Lendale White or Laurence Maroney will fall to the end of the 1st round. We also kind of want to draft an outside linebacker, but that can wait.


In my other team's news...

The Redskins traded a couple of picks for Brandon Lloyd of SF. Lloyd has done quite well despite having godawful quarterbacks throwing him the ball. He's not excellent by any means, but he should be a solid complement to Moss.

We're dropping out of the Randle El chase, both because we don't have the space to sign him, and because it would be a waste to sign Lloyd and not start him.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Lord Avalon
Well, Edge wanted to get paid, and said he was going to take the best deal.

Guess he got tired of making it to the playoffs.

Hey, maybe he thought the NFC would be an easier place to make it to the SuperBowl... yes, even with Zona.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Jaguar
We're dropping out of the Randle El chase, both because we don't have the space to sign him, and because it would be a waste to sign Lloyd and not start him.

You spoke too soon

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2365504

Here's all you need to know about the approach of Washington owner Daniel Snyder and the lack of quality receivers available in free agency this year: the Redskins gave former Steeler Antwaan Randle El almost as many millions as he had catches for Pittsburgh last year.

Washington and Randle El's agent, Fletcher Smith, on Sunday finalized a six-year contract worth $31 million that included $10 million in bonuses.

The Redskins, whose offense sputtered on its way to scoring just 27 points in two playoffs games, on Saturday added via trade San Francisco Brandon Lloyd to what is now a rather deep wide receiver depth chart that also includes Pro Bowler Santana Moss and David Patten, both of whom Washington acquired last year.

[Imran Siddiqui]

And it seems like the Vikes will land Steven Hutchinson! They signed him to a MASSIVE offer sheet, and Seattle will struggle to match it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2365600

Seattle Seahawks star Steve Hutchinson, designated as a transition free agent by the NFC champions, has signed an offer sheet with the Minnesota Vikings that will make him the highest paid guard in NFL history, ESPN.com has learned.

The offer sheet is for seven years, at $49 million, and includes $16 million in guarantees. Once the offer sheet is executed, Seattle will have seven days to match all its principle terms, or allow Hutchinson to move to the Vikings. If the Seahawks do not match it, they will receive no draft-pick compensation.

How rich is the Vikings' deal, negotiated by Tom Condon and Ken Kremer of IMG Football, for the five-year veteran guard? Consider this: Only three NFL offensive tackles, a position that is always paid much higher than guards, can match Hutchinson's average of $7 million. Larry Allen of Dallas, currently the league's highest-paid guard, averages $6.1 million on his Cowboys contract.

It is believed that, before the start of the free agency period, Seattle was offering Hutchinson an average of $5.8 million per year.

Minnesota is making some major moves this offseason. Hutchinson would be a great addition to that line, but its going to hurt the cap in the future.

[-Jrabbit]

I hope the Cards kick butt next year. But my prediction is that the Edge will get hurt in training camp.

Baltimore almost has to sign Jamal, and I think he's getting more expensive, especially with Edge and Chester Taylor gone.

The Viqueens, BTW, lost long-time safety Corey Chavous, who signs with the Rams.

The Bears are courting Antwaan Randle El, but their initial offer was rejected. Several teams allegedl in the chase, so it's good to see Dan Snyder's deep pockets out of the hunt.

I like what the Browns are doing, building from the middle of the lines outward. Romeo Crennel.

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
The Bears are courting Antwaan Randle El, but their initial offer was rejected. Several teams allegedl in the chase, so it's good to see Dan Snyder's deep pockets out of the hunt.

Uhh.. hate to break it to you...