2021 Miscellaneous NFL News

[Fear The Chorizo]

Rams traded two 2022 draft picks for Von Miller. So here are their current draft picks for 2022:

 

Round 1: Traded to Lions

Round 2: Traded to Broncos

Round 3: Traded to Broncos, still own a compensatory pick (via Brad Holmes hire)

Round 4: Traded to Texans

Round 5: Own

Round 6: Traded to Patriots

Round 7: Own & Dolphins’ pick

 

I think they are going for it

 

Forgot to mention that as of this moment, they're basically at what the 2022 salary cap will be (+/- $5M) with only 39 players on their roster. They're going to need to hire Simone Biles to be their cap guru in the offseason.

[nodakfan17]

Forgot to mention that as of this moment, they're basically at what the 2022 salary cap will be (+/- $5M) with only 39 players on their roster. They're going to need to hire Simone Biles to be their cap guru in the offseason.

The Packers are currently projected to be over the cap by $33 million in 2022 with only 39 players under contract. By comparison, the Rams are in an enviable position. Re-structure Stafford by converting his base salary to a signing bonus (adding void years, if necessary) and poof … you free up $10 million.

 

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Forgot to mention that as of this moment, they're basically at what the 2022 salary cap will be (+/- $5M) with only 39 players on their roster. They're going to need to hire Simone Biles to be their cap guru in the offseason.

The Packers are currently projected to be over the cap by $33 million in 2022 with only 39 players under contract. By comparison, the Rams are in an enviable position. Re-structure Stafford by converting his base salary to a signing bonus (adding void years, if necessary) and poof … you free up $10 million.

 

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/

 

OK, that puts them $10 million under with 39 players signed, and no cheap (i.e. draft) way to fill those remaining holes. I don't se how that is enviable.

 

They are all-in this season, much like the Packers are. Both teams are going to be hurting next year, unless they can perform some serious cap gymnastics.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Forgot to mention that as of this moment, they're basically at what the 2022 salary cap will be (+/- $5M) with only 39 players on their roster. They're going to need to hire Simone Biles to be their cap guru in the offseason.

The Packers are currently projected to be over the cap by $33 million in 2022 with only 39 players under contract. By comparison, the Rams are in an enviable position. Re-structure Stafford by converting his base salary to a signing bonus (adding void years, if necessary) and poof … you free up $10 million.

 

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/

 

The Packers' cap hell rests almost solely with sorting out Rodgers' situation - if he remains with the Packers in 2022 it will be under a restructured deal/extension that removes almost all of his projected $46M cap hit for 2022. If he forces his way out then the team trades him to remove a huge portion of that cap hit.

 

Between Rodgers and sorting out what to do with the Smiths + Cobb, the Packers will be just fine salary cap wise and have plenty to extend Alexander and even get Adams under contract if Rodgers stays around. If Rodgers leaves, then Adams leaves and it's also likely many of the veterans with big cap numbers also get cut or restructured....but the Packers will actually have draft picks and cap room to work with to rebuild the roster and a QB still on rookie deal starting.

[nodakfan17]

OK, that puts them $10 million under with 39 players signed, and no cheap (i.e. draft) way to fill those remaining holes. I don't se how that is enviable.

The Rams might not have the means to improve their roster beyond signing the few draft picks they have left, but at least they don’t have to make tough decisions just to get to cap. The -$33 million doesn’t even include re-signing Adams. His current $16 million / year just falls off.

 

+$10mm > -$33mm, right? What am I missing?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

OK, that puts them $10 million under with 39 players signed, and no cheap (i.e. draft) way to fill those remaining holes. I don't se how that is enviable.

The Rams might not have the means to improve their roster beyond signing the few draft picks they have left, but at least they don’t have to make tough decisions just to get to cap. The -$33 million doesn’t even include re-signing Adams. His current $16 million / year just falls off.

 

+$10mm > -$33mm, right? What am I missing?

 

I know what you are trying to do here ... i.e. getting me to admit that "OMG you're right the Packers are in trouble". Which I already did.

 

Both teams are set up to win this year, then who knows for 2022 and beyond. The Rams' "all-in" is different looking than the Packers' version. The Rams are going for splashy outside-the-org moves. The Packers chose to keep the band together for one last tour. That is certainly an enviable position to be in for the rest of the 2021 season. I highly doubt any NFL teams would be envious of where either team stands going into 2022, though.

[Fear The Chorizo]

OK, that puts them $10 million under with 39 players signed, and no cheap (i.e. draft) way to fill those remaining holes. I don't se how that is enviable.

The Rams might not have the means to improve their roster beyond signing the few draft picks they have left, but at least they don’t have to make tough decisions just to get to cap. The -$33 million doesn’t even include re-signing Adams. His current $16 million / year just falls off.

 

+$10mm > -$33mm, right? What am I missing?

 

If the Packers wanted to just flat out cut the Smiths, they'd save roughly $30M in projected cap space. Cutting Cobb would be another $7M in cap savings. Restructuring Kenny Clark and Bahktiari could save them a ton. Cutting Amos would save them $7M in space, along with a few others that may have cheaper replacements already in house (Billy Turner, Lowry). That's basically $50M in cap savings by cutting some veterans that could easily be wise football roster decisions heading into next year independent from what their cap hit may be - and that's also without saving a penny in cap room by either extending Rodgers to a cap-friendly deal or trading him as part of a "blow it all up but quickly retool" offseason. The Packers also currently have 9 picks in the 2022 draft.

 

Of course, they're not the Jaguars with like $60M in cap room for next season....but why on earth would they want to be? As we found out this last offseason, there's always a way to "make it work" with cap rules - if Rodgers wants to stick around I'm sure they'd find a way to get Adams extended and not just cut other players they would view as valuable pieces to contend in 2022. If Rodgers wants out there are plenty of options to trim payroll without having to suffer through a few seasons of garbage to clear cap problems before actively trying to contend again.

[nodakfan17]

OK, that puts them $10 million under with 39 players signed, and no cheap (i.e. draft) way to fill those remaining holes. I don't se how that is enviable.

The Rams might not have the means to improve their roster beyond signing the few draft picks they have left, but at least they don’t have to make tough decisions just to get to cap. The -$33 million doesn’t even include re-signing Adams. His current $16 million / year just falls off.

 

+$10mm > -$33mm, right? What am I missing?

 

I know what you are trying to do here ... i.e. getting me to admit that "OMG you're right the Packers are in trouble". Which I already did.

No, that wasn’t my angle. I only brought up the Packers’ cap situation because I was mildly surprised they could be in worse shape than the Rams - a team who has signed impact free agents and traded picks for vets at a pace I never thought would be possible.

 

While the Packers’ situation is sub-optimal, it will either get fixed next year by trading Rodgers or signing him to a massive extension that greatly reduces his 2022 cap hit. Plus, the Packers’ cap dilemma is mainly attributable to the COVID cap decrease and not gross mismanagement.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

No, that wasn’t my angle. I only brought up the Packers’ cap situation because I was mildly surprised they could be in worse shape than the Rams - a team who has signed impact free agents and traded picks for vets at a pace I never thought would be possible.

 

While the Packers’ situation is sub-optimal, it will either get fixed next year by trading Rodgers or signing him to a massive extension that greatly reduces his 2022 cap hit. Plus, the Packers’ cap dilemma is mainly attributable to the COVID cap decrease and not gross mismanagement.

 

That's fair. It's basically the price the team has paid for being more-or-less competitive during Rodgers' long tenure as the starting QB. They've kicked the can down the road, and the bill is coming due shortly. The Rams went through a rebuild period prior to McVay's arrival, so they haven't had to kick the can near as much. That has provided more flexibility for these "all-in" moves.

[PinaMadness]

Vikes LOL

 

they're done - remaining schedule is brutal....

 

@ Baltimore (east coast) nooner

@ San Diego (west coast)

Packers

@ san fran (west coast)

 

on top of that they've got Steelers, Rams, and @ Packers in December/early January.

 

The Packers may have the division clinched before the calendar reaches December if they take care of business.

 

I still don't understand how Zimmer survived last year. A defensive coach that loses his defense makes one question how he stays in his job.

 

I predicted that the Vikings would implode this year and that the Bears would overtake them. Well, 50% right.

 

The talking heads on Fox9-Minneapolis last night were livid. The sports announcer had to remind one of the panelists that they were on live TV, so no swearing. Best thing I watched on TV yesterday.

Paul Allen?

[GAME05]

Bad timing for 0-17 because there's no franchise-changing QBs in this year's draft.

[nate82]

Bad timing for 0-17 because there's no franchise-changing QBs in this year's draft.

 

I would just trade the pick and try to get multiple first round picks either in the current draft or the next. Really that is what the Lions should be doing they are not 1 player away from competing nor are they 2 or 3 away. They almost need a whole roster flip besides a few players here and there on offense and defense. Be bad for two more seasons and build a core is what the Lions really need to be doing. Start with the offensive and defensive line and move from there.

[PinaMadness]

The Chiefs may still win this game, but this is hardly a team that is to be feared anymore.

[homer]

I don't know if I want the Chiefs to win or lose.

[PinaMadness]

I don't know if I want the Chiefs to win or lose.

Definitely lose. 3-6 after we take care of them and they're in deep doodoo.

[DuWayne Steurer]

After the Henry injury, the AFC is a gawdawful mess. Ravens, I guess? Bills?

 

Legitimately, I don't think there's a single team in the AFC who would be favored to beat any of the 1-5 seeds in the NFC right now.

[adambr2]

After the Henry injury, the AFC is a gawdawful mess. Ravens, I guess? Bills?

 

Legitimately, I don't think there's a single team in the AFC who would be favored to beat any of the 1-5 seeds in the NFC right now.

 

Bills are pretty darn legitimate.

[sveumrules]

Bills have scored the most & allowed the fewest points per game to this point. Their defense has forced the most turnovers while their offense have turned it over the second fewest times.

 

They've also played thee weakest schedule so far according to ProFootRef with four of their five wins coming against the Dolphins, Texans & WFT, with KC the most impressive win on their resume.

 

Weeks 12 through 16 - @NO vsNE @TB vsCAR @NE - is the "tough" portion of their schedule. They've definitely got the easiest path to the SB out of the AFC teams currently, but that stretch should give a little more insight into how they perform against more competitive teams.

[CheezWizHed]

I still don't understand how Zimmer survived last year. A defensive coach that loses his defense makes one question how he stays in his job.

 

I predicted that the Vikings would implode this year and that the Bears would overtake them. Well, 50% right.

 

The talking heads on Fox9-Minneapolis last night were livid. The sports announcer had to remind one of the panelists that they were on live TV, so no swearing. Best thing I watched on TV yesterday.

Paul Allen?

 

No. And I mixed up stations. I normally watch Fox9 and Paul Allen is a common guest there. But the WS was on, so I was watching CH5 (ABC?) news. Just a couple local columnists that was talking with the sports announcer. From the sports announcer's comments, it was obvious one of the columnists was swearing about the game off-air.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Will be interesting to see if the Packers make any trades on deadline day - picking up Mercilus, Smith, and Douglas has bolstered the LB and secondary rooms to help deal with all the injuries at those position groupings....and I think it would be tough to find noticeable upgrades via trade at those spots right now knowing key guys like Z. Smith and J. Alexander may be returning later this year.

 

I can see the Packers trading for a TE to replace Tonyan on the roster, but then again it might be Deguara's time to take most of those snaps as a pass catching option - and the Packers still have 4 TE's available on the roster. Evan Engram is an intriguing option, though.

[PeaveyFury]

I can only assume that the Engram hope that is widely shared on twitter, etc. is the result of assuming he'll be better with Rodgers than he has been with Jones? Not that it's a bad assumption....

 

He's a miserable blocker (as is Tonyan, to be fair), but also hasn't REALLY excelled as a receiver for the past few seasons. Is the Giants' personnel holding him back? Maybe.

 

Honestly, I don't wonder if a guy like Kyle Rudolph is a better TE target- blocks reasonably well, and historically is a solid if unspectacular receiver. He at least was productive in the passing game prior to cratering a bit playing with the same crappy Giants' personnel.

[nodakfan17]

I wonder if Jamaal Williams is available?

 

That would solve the Packers’ RB3/KR dilemma. He signed a 2 year / $6 million deal with Detroit, but $1.25 million was signing bonus that would stay with Detroit in the event of a trade. The contract effectively becomes 2 years / $4.75 million if he’s traded.

[nodakfan17]

Steelers DE Melvin Ingram to Chiefs for a 6th-rounder:

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-trade-deadline-chiefs-acquire-melvin-ingram-from-steelers-in-exchange-for-reported-sixth-round-pick/

[Fear The Chorizo]

I can only assume that the Engram hope that is widely shared on twitter, etc. is the result of assuming he'll be better with Rodgers than he has been with Jones? Not that it's a bad assumption....

 

He's a miserable blocker (as is Tonyan, to be fair), but also hasn't REALLY excelled as a receiver for the past few seasons. Is the Giants' personnel holding him back? Maybe.

 

Honestly, I don't wonder if a guy like Kyle Rudolph is a better TE target- blocks reasonably well, and historically is a solid if unspectacular receiver. He at least was productive in the passing game prior to cratering a bit playing with the same crappy Giants' personnel.

 

I think alot of Engram's limitations have to do with the Giants' system and having an inaccurate/inexperienced QB throwing to him while running for his life behind a bad O-line. The Packers have better blocking TE's on their roster so I doubt he'd be expected to do a ton of that, and Engram IMO would excel running seam routes and splitting out away from the tackle box - the Giants don't send him downfield with the routes he runs, partly due to scheme but also due to their lack of healthy downfield threats and no time to throw without getting defensive pressure.

 

I wouldn't expect trading for Engram to mean he'd be taking all of Tonyan's snaps and being the TE#1 right away - I'm actually hopeful Deguara gets more playing time - but I think he'd be an upgrade to the Packers' current TE group in passing situations and the change of scenery into an offense with a great QB and solid offensive line could let him take advantage of what he theoretically could do best by being a downfield matchup problem for LB's and safeties in coverage.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I'm not a big Evan Engram fan. I think he's a perennial tease. He's basically a big WR who cannot stay healthy. You aren't going to line him up as an in-line TE. Tonyan may be a bad blocker, but at least he tries. Engram has absolutely no interest in blocking anyone. He simply isn't a great fit for this scheme, IMO.

 

Jordan Akins from the Texans may be a decent fit, though. Good receiver. Bad blocker, but at least he tries. He isn't likely to cost much, either.