Tim, I have been reading the thread, good stuff. You have certainly earned my respect as a football know-it-all. My questions center around the league itself. There has been talk of going to an 18 game season schedule with two less pre-season games. As it stands now, that would probably be a benefit for the fans as...more meaningful football games are being played (not to mention one less pre-season game that they also have to pay for), but what would that do to current player contracts? All of a sudden certain milestones don't seem so far out of reach in an 18 game season (i.e. 1,000 yards rushing/receiving, single season records, etc.) Would their have to be an adendum to current contracts if this came through? Or would ownership have to ride it out until these contracts rolled over into newer ones. Speaking of contracts, I am a proponent of guarenteeing contracts and getting rid of bonus and incentive laden deals that kill cap space and pretty much prevent trades from occuring. Is this a possibility with the new CBA coming up? Could we see a real rookie cap and contracts much mor ein line with baseball's (in terms of gauranteeing the salary and dropping the silly roster/signing bonuses)? Is an overhaul like that even being discussed? Thanks again, it is good to get a bonafied expert on here.
Spoken like a true member of The Conspiracy.... I'm not talking conspiracy theory, I'm taking about outright poor calls. There were key bad calls in 4 games, any one of which could have put this team into position for the playoffs on week 17. Some of these calls the NFL admitted as bad calls, others they just white washed. Yea, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm watching pro raslin.
Tim, after the Patriots lost to the Dolphins in Miami 22-21, you wrote that you believed Tom Brady had been playing poorly in the lead-up to that game because of the impending birth of his son. This theory was received... poorly amongst some Dolphins fans, who viewed it as another example of ESPN refusing to give credit to the Fins where due. In light of Brady's continued mediocre play through the rest of the regular season, punctuated by the blowout loss to Baltimore, do you still believe what you wrote then? If not, then what factor(s) do you believe have led to Brady's declining play? If so, then what changed after the birth of his son to cause Brady to continue to play below expectations?
Contain yourself, Samphin. You're being way too kind. Terms like "know-it-all" and "bonafide expert" never should apply to me. I give it my best effort, but there are a lot of things I don't know. But I will make this promise to you and everybody else here: When I don't know, I'll admit it. Some people have a problem with that. I'd rather tell you I can't answer than give you a load of BS and hope nobody notices. You raise an interesting issue about the 18-game schedule, and it's a significant one that would have to be collectively bargained. I'm sure it will be negotiated into the next CBA. Roster sizes likely would have to change as well. The 18-game schedule idea would change the infrastructure of the league. It's not as simple as adding a couple games. I am very much anti-guaranteed contracts. For six years, I covered the NHL, where every dollar is guarantees. Time and again, I covered players who had no business being in the league anymore, but teams kept them because they had to pay them. Those players then jam up your roster and prevent you from bringing in new blood without eating the contract. Some owners would be willing to eat a contract, but others would be tempted to keep a substandard player on the field and get something out of him rather than pay him to not work.
Tim, Do you have any interest in your own radio show on the ESPN radio network? And do you have an opion on why the Bills are having trouble lining up interviews for the Head Coaching job let alone having a preferred candidate for the position? Owner Wilson's age perhaps?
I didn't say that was the reason Brady played poorly. I said it was something to consider and then relayed an anecdote of a player I once covered who had a similar situation and admitted his wife's pregnancy was a major factor in his slumping play. I have no clue if the birth of Brady's son was a factor. I was just throwing it out there, and any Dolphins fans who took that as a slight to their team need to stop looking for boogeymen, especially on my blog. I've written many complimentary articles about the Dolphins. People who think I have an agenda need to read more often. Brady actually had one of the greatest seasons of his career. Of course, most people will remember how the season ended, with one of his worst games ever. His performance against the Ravens I feel was the result of two problems: a 14-0 hole before he had a chance to break a sweat and no Wes Welker. Welker's absence alone wasn't enough to doom the Patriots heading into that game, but when they're down by so many points early, the Ravens defense could start teeing off. And when a defense gets aggressive, who do you throw to? Your security blanket. Brady's was gone, and he fell apart.
I would like to get into as many forms of the business as I can, but I've never had any radio aspirations. I do enjoy the guest spots I do on the Miami stations. Those guys are a lot of fun.
Nothing would surprise me. I take that back. I think in 10 years I'd be surprised if another one of these scandals didn't happen again in one of the big four sports.
I think he can be a solid No. 2. But dozens of players like him enter the league every year. The Dolphins could do better.
I've listened to more than a few of your appearances via streaming. This Bills situation is odd in the sense that there are so many turndowns just for interviews, Bryan S, Cowher, Shanny, even Russ Grimm who was in line for the Steelers job when Cowher retired. The Bills roster is not devoid of talent, do you have any idea why so many prospective coaches are saying "no thanks" to the Bills job? And one more thing, do you see Jason Taylor coming back for 2010 with the Dolphins?
Purely my opinion on each of these ... I believe Tony is the guy. He has a classic coach's charisma about him. He's a hard *** and the players seem to love playing for him. Unlike an Eric Mangini. I'm not sure Henne is for real, but a lot of NFL teams would love for him to be their potential future QB. He has a real shot to be very good for a long time. Sparano and Henne will need some help, especially on defense. If they can land a stud inside linebacker, I think the entire dynamic of that defense will change.
Those were some cool numbers you shared with the class. I got wrapped up in them for what felt like hours. I stared at them so long I thought one of those Magic Eye hidden images was going to pop out. The Jets were the best offensive line I saw this year, so I would have to agree with that chart. The Dolphins were formidable. I'm surprised to see them at No. 2, but if I had to make a generic statement about them I'd say they could be top five. Thanks for posting those valuations. Impressive.
No need to thank me. I enjoy this. I should be thanking you for using one of my posts as your sig line.
There are a bunch of issues with the Bills, a perception you just can't win (a lot of coaches with strong reputations have failed in the past decade), the uncertainty of where the team will be after Ralph Wilson dies (coaches need to be able to tell their wives where they're going to be living in four years) and if I had to pick one problem on the roster it would have to be the void at quarterback. I can see Taylor coming back. He might be at the point where he will play for whatever the Dolphins want to pay him.
Tim, do you think Tebow will go in the first?, not necessarily because you think his skillset deserves it, but just your gut based on variables? Thoughts on the wildcat and ronnie brown?
Tim, I have a question as it pertains to television presentation. I think we are all used to the "traditional" presentation of the raised sideline camera that tends to focus on the QB post snap until the ball is transfered (either to a running back or via a pass). My issue with this has always been, you don't get to see the play develop downfield. Has there ever been any talks on the production side about possibly pulling the camera back a tad, or going to an even wider lense (if possible) to capture more of the action for the television viewer. I tend ot think that the current presentation (while good) is done because A: we are all used to it and B: it gives the commentators an advantage when it comes to replays to really look like they know what they are talking about. Afterall, they are given access to angles and views that we are not unless the network decides to share with us. Much as the yellow line first down indicator was a big innovation, I would love to see someone take a chance and present the game from various 'atypical' angles (that make sense, naturally) to give a fuller view to the televsion audiences. And speaking of camera angles. How is it possible that with all of the critical goalline calls that occur multiple times in a season, that there is not a stationary camera fixed directly on the goallines on both sides of the field at all times? It seems like such a small added expense to the production costs to pretty much guarantee a proper scoring call at all times. Thanks again.
Thanks for contributing Tim. On the search for a new DC for the phins, how do you see it happening? The choices seem to be either a trusted retread (eg Groh), with limited upside or a up and comer with more upside but a higher chance of failure.
Understood. Thanks for the clarification! It's not you specifically, it's ESPN and football punditry in general, and yes, I share the sentiment you're dismissing. When the Dolphins win, coverage is generally skewed toward "How did Team X lose?" rather than "How did the Dolphins win?" That all said, I do think your personal coverage is fair. You don't think there's anything else going on that hasn't been made public? Brady won three Super Bowls without Wes Welker and Randy Moss; it seems a bit of a stretch to me to say that the Patriots lost to the Ravens because Wes Welker wasn't there. (Julian Edelman did an excellent impersonation, too.) Thanks for replying!
He never said they lost because Welker wasn't there. He merely said it was a contributing factor. Go back and read the post that you quoted as a reference.."Welker's absence alone wasn't enough to doom the Patriots heading into that game,"..
Tim, Have you heard of teams shying away or being concerned about Dez Bryant's suspension this past season. Not in terms of that act he did to receive the suspension, but that the suspension has kept him out of football for an entire season. Obviously there are things he can do on his own. But, without the constant reinforcement of practice amongst a team, are Scouts and GM's concerned that investing a high draft choice in someone who, realistically may need considerable time just to regain his timing from a year ago? Maurice Clarret and Mike Williams both had time off from football for a season (although their total time away was longer IIRC) and had serious problems reaclimating to football and performing. Michael Vick lost time and clearly is not the same player as well, although again a longer period. Is this a concern for teams? Also, are you going to be attending the Shrine Game this year? If so, maybe I can say hello as I will be in Orlando at practice and at the game.
Even as a contributing factor it seems a stretch to me. Tom Brady won Super Bowls without Wes Welker. Yeah, Welker catches a lot of passes, but whatever happened to "Tom Brady's favorite receiver is the open man" we used to hear about?
NE Patriots won Super Bowls without Wes Welker....Adam V. played far bigger roles. Not dismissing Brady, just putting the TEAM ahead of position
I don't want to derail the thread into a talk about the roster makeup and contributions of the Super Bowl era Patriots, but if Brady's not on that team, they don't win those championships. Let's be honest here. Anyway, my one question was answered, I think we're good.
Pad's, I think you are asking how the 1 & 3 get applied (And this isnt Franchise Tag specific, but rather RFA)....and consequences. Remember, Teams arent issuing a 1st and 3rd...the Team is offering a Contract that has a 1st and 3rd associated with it, only if another team tries to sign the RFA away. The contract size offered from the issuing team sets the pick level, but only matters if the players signs and retains his services to issuing team....and only get draft picks as compensation if opposing team signs him away (at any contract level). NFL contracts for RFA have picks associated with contract amounts. So for instance, back in Wes Welker day. The Dolphins offered Wes a $1.3M contract and that was the amount that equated to a 2nd round pick. If I recall, @ $1.8M it would have been a 1st round pick, and @ 2M (or something near that) it would top out at 1st and 3rd (or something) because of his UDFA status. The contract sizes are based on how a player was first obtained leading up to RFA status, etc. Basically meaning, you first have to offer a contract $$ that equates to NFL Draft Pick compensation in return only if another team wants to claim him. Now in Wes Welker's case, NE countered our contract, and offered him a contract that was above the 1.3M and more years, etc (in essence providing more to entice him to sign with NE). Therefore NE was willing to give up 2nd to sign him away. Now, NE actually not only increased the contract $$ terms, but they put language in effect of contract increases based on locations of games played, etc....(Poison Pill language) because Miami has a right to match the competing offer ~ regardless of poison pill ~ the point is once Miami offered him terms with RFA offer he had a few options: 1) Accept the Miami offer of 1.3M 2) Find a team that would offer a contract to make you leave 3) Wait to see if Miami would match Thats the basis of RFA and contact values ~ associated pick compensation ~ or right to match. Long of the short of it....the Poison pill basically killed any chance of Miami matching...and instead of it staying pat.....(no pun intended) Miami and NE actually worked out a trade for 2nd and 7th. The piont however is NFL sets RFA contract values to match Draft Pick compensation for a team that wants to issue RFA contract. The risk for the issuing team (Maimi in the WW example) is having that player sign with them if they dont really want them because they offered the contract in the first place (especially if they are doing in only in hopes to get another team to offer a competing offer to get the draft picks - little cat and mouse game). And the NFL value is associate with what round, or if player was UDFA, etc.
questions regarding some Arizona FAs. Tim, do you believe Steve Breston could be a legitimate no.1 WR on another team? Or is he the product of playing with a 1a and a 1b? Also do you think the Cards slap Dansby with the Franchise Tag again?
Hey Tim, this should be obvious but what should I expect from the Mike Nolan running our defense? How much do you think the Dolphins will improve? Thanks.
Hey Sam, This past season, you could watch Sunday Night Football on NBC's site with multiple camera angles. They were even on during commercials (with the exception of the 'game camera'). It gets a little annoying, though, because they play the same commercial over and over. Other than that, it's pretty neat stuff. They may do it again next year.
If I may expand on this was well and your thoughts on any possibility that their may have been any tampering.
Sorry Skeet but that is bloody hilarious! Appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions, I as many here do, enjoy your ESPN Blog, in fact I think the ESPN bloggers in general are all very good at what they do. I listen to Kevin Siefert up here in MN and enjoy his stuff as well. Once again thanks and wish you and yours a Happy New Year.