NFL 2012 Thread

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Well the Super Bowl is over, and with that the 2011 Season is behind us. Here we can discuss the 2012 Off Season, Pre Season and Season coming upon us.

Important Dates:

Feb. 22-28, 2012 - NFL Scouting Combine
More than 300 top prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft will be invited to participate at the combine in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This event is a vital step in athletes achieving their NFL dreams. Follow this event on NFL.com and NFL Network.

Mar. 13, 2012 - Free Agency Starts

Apr. 26-28, 2012 - NFL Draft
The NFL Draft returns to primetime in 2012, with the first round taking place Thurs., April 26, followed by the second and third rounds on Fri., April 27. Rounds 4-7 will be held Sat., April 28.

July 27, 2012 - Training Camp Begins

Sept. 8, 2012 - NFL 2012 Season Begins

[Thorlifter]

The most note worthy things I'll be watching is 1) where Peyton ends up or if he can even play and 2) the movement of all the free agent wide recievers.

Notable free agents
WR - DeSean Jackcon, Vincent Jackson, Dwayne Bowe, Steve Johnson, Marques Colston Wes Welker, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Jerome Simpson, Robert Meachem, Mario Manningham. Granted some will resign and one or two will be franchised, but this is a very talented free agent class. Also, don't forget Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Hines Ward, Donald Driver, and Plaxico Burress.

[wheelsup_cavu]

I will go out on a limb and pick Miami to at least play all 16 regular season games.


Wheels

[B-17engineer]

Hines Ward is worthless in the NFL now.

I'm expecting Jets to sign Braylon back, Jason Snelling, and Cliff Avril. Then fill the rest of the holes like safety and RT through the draft.

And Wheels, Miami is 2 years away from being bowl eligible

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Ward is not worthless. In the right system he can still contribute. He is older now and his best days are behind him, but he can still contribute.

[Messy1]

Looks like some great WR's there in that list Thor. Would love to see the 49ers pick up one or two off that list!

[Thorlifter]

I agree Messy. Here is my take on where the wide receiver will go. By listing as free agent, I mean they will change teams.

DeSean Jackson - Free agent
Vincent Jackson - Free agent
Dwayne Bowe - Resign with KC or franchised, but he isn't leaving the team.
Steve Johnson - Franchised as they are far apart in negotiations and Buffalo doesn't want to lose him.
Marques Colston - Free agent
Wes Welker - Resign
Reggie Wayne - Free agent because of age, but it depends on Peyton
Pierre Garcon - Resign, but it depends on Peyton
Jerome Simpson - free agent
Robert Meachem - free agent
Mario Manningham - Resign
Randy Moss - possibly signed, but I have my doubts. He will get picked before Terrell does.
Terrell Owens - no chance
Hines Ward - I believe Pittsburgh will let him go!
Donald Driver - I think he will sign a 1 yr deal and stay with the Packers.
Plaxico Burress. - Free agent

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The Eagles are expected to Franchise DeSean Jackson, if they do not come to terms with a deal. I don't think he is going anywhere. Would love to see him San Fran though.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

We all knew it was coming, but...

Peyton Manning released by the Colts.

NFL.com news: Colts, Manning say goodbye; Irsay: Team plans to retire No. 18

[Messy1]

He sure seemed like a class act in the news conference! Sad to see him go!

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

He is one of the those players that you just can't imagine playing on any other team (Favre, Marino, Montana, Rice, etc).

[Messy1]

I've always respected Payton. He always seemed like a stand up guy. He definitely could have taken the negative route and caused a ton of trouble and spoken with the media about how he should still have his job, how he was screwed over, etc. but he didn't. He and Irsay took the correct approach and both realized what needed to be done for the benefit of the team, and for Payton. It's refreshing to see a event like this happen with the way it did. It will bring a positive aspect to the closure for Manning, the Colts, and for Colts fans that everything was handled as decently and positive as possible.

[Thorlifter]

We know Irsay will be the heavy in this and take all the negative heat, but from the business side of football, IMO, this is the 100% correct thing to do. These guys can't play forever and when you have the opportunity to take someone as good as Luck is thought to be, you have to move on.

[Thorlifter]

So the 49ers get Moss. Too bad they don't have Peyton. Just sayin.......

[Bucksnort101]

49er's just got worse over night. Randy Moss, really? He was a great receiver in his time, but his time has passed IMHO. Just like his last stint with the Vikings I don't see him contributing much to San Fran and from what I've heard was a cancer in the locker room.

P.S. Make sure S.F. notifies all the Meter Maids in the area that Randy Moss is in town, he has been known to knock run them down on occasion.