NFL 2014 Season Thread

[Ben Kenobi]

I'd imagine it's interested in classing players by the position that they actually play.

[-Jrabbit]

Just look at history, Ben. Graham's percentage of plays lined up away from the tackle has been roughly the same for three years, and he has always been TE only. Same thing for Aaron Hernandez, who was split out or in the slot on most plays but was always just a TE in FF.

Not saying it couldn't happen, but I see no reason for it to change this year.

[-Jrabbit]

Good article by Mike Florio on the Graham TE vs WR decision:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/06/saints-not-thrilled-with-burbanks-four-yard-split-conclusion/related/

It makes a good case for the contention that a "move tight end" is still a tight end. In part...

Per a source with knowledge of the team’s position, the Saints disagree with the notion that the question of tight end vs. receiver boils down to whether the player lines up most of the time within four yards of an offensive tackle. As the Saints see it, a tight end is a tight end no matter where he lines up or how often he lines up there.

The Saints see three key factors for determining tight end status: (1) the player’s size; (2) the player’s position group for practice and meeting purposes; and (3) the manner in which the opponent defends him in man coverage.

The shifting of tight ends to the slot between the tackle and receiver and/or wide of the widest receiver has nothing to do with making the tight end into a wide receiver. Moving the tight end has one primary goal: To aid the offense’s assessment before the snap as to whether the defense has lined up in man or zone.

Because most teams defend tight ends when in man coverage with a linebacker or a safety, the use of a linebacker or a safety to cover a tight end when he’s in the slot or split wide means that the defense is showing man-to-man coverage before the snap. If the tight end lines up in the slot or wide and a cornerback lines up on him, the defense is conveying a zone look.

While exceptions exists (for example, the Patriots used cornerback Aqib Talib to cover Graham and Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez in 2013), receivers are never covered by a linebacker. So if the Saints come out of the huddle and Graham splits wide on one side and he’s covered by a linebacker or a safety and not the corner that would be assigned to that side of the field in zone, the coverage is man-to-man.

In other words, the Saints believe a tight end is still a tight end even when he’s not lined up tight to the end of the line because of the way he’s defended.

[Al B. Sure!]

Is Josh Gordon's playing career over?

He'll be a popular trivia question one day: Who was the WR who led the league in receiving yards despite playing only 14 games in his second and final season in the NFL?

Good article by Mike Florio on the Graham TE vs WR decision:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/06/saints-not-thrilled-with-burbanks-four-yard-split-conclusion/related/

It makes a good case for the contention that a "move tight end" is still a tight end. In part...

Football positions are so malleable that having franchise tags based on position can be problematic. You see guys switch between DE and LB all the time when team defensive philosophies change, for example. There are also many players (Josh Cribbs, Brad Smith, etc.) who have been listed at various positions throughout their careers and played all over the field.

I would think they need a better system than using average pay at the position.

[Ben Kenobi]

I have no issues with him being a TE, but TE/WR would seem a better classification.

[-Jrabbit]

In other news...

Sidney Rice has retired from the NFL after 7 seasons.
Rice is just 27 years old, and theoretically should be in the prime of his career. But Rice has missed a total of 31 games in his seven seasons. He's reportedly retiring because of a history of concussions. Rice was knocked out a number of times in his playing career and also was trying to return from a torn ACL. What once looked like a promising career after an 83-catch, 1,312-yard, 8-touchdown 2009 season with the Vikings has ended in sad fashion. Rice caught a total of 243 passes for 3,592 yards and 30 scores. He went to one Pro Bowl.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports - Jul 23 - 3:59 PM

Talented guy; just couldn't stay on the field. Too bad.

[SlowwHand]

Robert Newhouse passed away. Good guy.

[-Jrabbit]

Heart disease, only 64. Wow. RIP.

Great player -- strong blocker, good runner. I remember him as a team guy who did the dirty work; he got Dorsett a lot of yards.

[SlowwHand]

Yes, he did. 44" thighs.

[-Jrabbit]

I actually tuned in to catch the start of the HOF game tonight. The 2014 season has begun.

[Sava]

Yes, he did. 44" thighs.

Knowing that the pants I wear could not fit on one of his legs makes me honestly feel a lot better about my present level of fitness fatness.

[ColdWizard]

The NFL on Tuesday suspended Jim Irsay for six games and fined him $500,000 after the Indianapolis Colts owner pleaded guilty earlier in the day to one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

The suspension takes effect at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Irsay will be eligible to return after the Colts' game against the Texans on Oct. 9.

Link

[ColdWizard]

In other suspension news...

Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker has been suspended four games for use of amphetamines, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Welker was excused from practice Aug. 20-21 to attend his appeal hearing, sources told ESPN Senior NFL Analyst Chris Mortensen.

Welker tested positive from a sample taken shortly after he attended the Kentucky Derby, according to sources. He argued that the sample was tainted.

The Broncos announced that Welker will be suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances. The Broncos open the season Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Welker will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 6.

In an email to The Denver Post, Welker said he would never knowingly take a substance to gain an advantage.

"I'm as shocked as everyone at today's news," Welker said in the report. "I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I would NEVER knowingly take a substance to gain a competitive advantage in any way. Anyone who has ever played a down with me, lifted a weight with me, even eaten a meal with me, knows that I focus purely on what I put in my body and on the hard work I put in year round to perform at the highest levels year-in and year-out."

Welker said that he now knows the drug-policy procedures are "clearly flawed," according to the report, and that he will do everything in his power to ensure they are corrected.

Welker returned to the practice field Monday as he continues through the NFL's concussion protocol. He would have to be symptom free to take part in a full practice and then remain symptom free after that and be cleared medically by an independent doctor to play. Welker suffered his third concussion since Nov. 17 during the preseason against the Texans.

The wide receiver had not been cleared for contact and Monday's appearance on the practice field was his first since he suffered a concussion Aug. 23.

"Tonight's news regarding Wes is very disappointing for our team, but we understand the league's authority in this area," Broncos coach John Fox said in a statement. "While it's unfortunate to not have him to start the year, I have full confidence in our wide receivers and expect that group to continue playing at a high level.

"I have no doubt that Wes will remain focused on his preparations for the season and stay in excellent shape during his time away from the team."

Welker's suspension is a huge blow to the Broncos' receiving game. Last season only four wide receivers caught passes for Denver and nearly 60 percent of those receptions will not be on the field in Week 1, as Eric Decker is now with the Jets and Welker is suspended, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The Broncos signed free agent receiver Emmanuel Sanders during the offseason and drafted rookie receiver Cody Latimer.

Over the last two seasons, only five players in the NFL averaged more targets per game than Welker. Welker ranks tied for eighth in the league in total targets over that span, despite missing three games, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The Broncos have a tough start to the season, as they open up with four straight games against teams that won 10-or-more games last season.

[MRT144]

Welker!!!

[MRT144]

Man, I think I might call into work tomorrow so I can spend the 9 hours before the game hyperventilating and rocking back and forth, arms wrapped around my knees. SO NERVOUS!