NFL season 07/08 thread

[mersey86]

I think he wanted Spagnuolo but when he turned it down decided to go the way of Zorn.

I'm open-minded about it as I have heard some good stuff from Seahawks fans about Zorn.

Have to wait until September to find out

I agree - Spagnuolo was the choice. Then had the option of going for Fassell or Mariucci, neither of whom would have been that great, or taking a chance on potential. I am surprised he went with Zorn but it could work out well. I do feel that Gregg Williams was the only logical choice though.

[Radar]

You keep trying to convince yourself it's a good hire mate

I want the Yank owners out of Liverpool and the Redskins

[Radar]

Some news about the hiring from a Washington Post reporter who covers the team...

More Details On The Hiring

Jim Zorn, new head coach, will be calling plays, directing the offense, working hands on with Jason Campbell as the primary voice directing the young QB, league sources said. That's a lot of hats to wear for anyone, much less a first time head coach. That's the primary word of caution and concern around the league, including from many coaches and execs who worked with Zorn and like him very much.

Zorn got a five-year deal, in essence, but league sources said it is actually three years guaranteed with two club options after that.

The origins of Zorn's emergence is in the demise of Steve Spagnuolo. The Redskins had concerns about Spagnuolo's readiness to be a head coach, sources said - though Spagnuolo had none on his end contrary to some reports - and thought he was not as prepared to answer some things as they had hoped. Spagnuolo did however, constantly talk about the strength of the Mike Holmgren family tree, how Andy Reid went from QB coach to head coach, how guys like Mariucci shined out of that tree before. It kept coming up, and when Spagnuolo pulled out, it resonated with them.

Cerrato also has strong ties to Zorn and was a big proponent of his. He pushed for him, league sources said. Zorn was Vinny's guy. Snyder and Cerrato discussed promoting Greg Blache, the DC, or Zorn on Wednesday in the wake of Spags pulling out (not saying he would have got the job), and being left back where they began - with Fassel as the leader among the guys they had interviewed.

They started interviewing Zorn for the head coaching job Thursday - he was stunned by their offer and the Redskins had never considered him a head coach prior to that according to numerous sources who have spoken to Snyder and Cerrato - and he became their guy, at the end, after 30-odd days during which he was not in the mix

I continue to hear that league sources believe the Redskins will try to get Tennessee assistant Sherman Smith to be the OC under Zorn, but Smith recently signed a three-year contract, and there will have to be some talks between the Skins and Titans about that. They could turn to other options as well but he and Zorn are very close.

Zorn is also expected to hire a younger, cheaper coach to be an assistant QB coach or sorts, league sources said, perhaps someone in the college ranks right now.

Also, though Earnest Byner did in fact go to Redskins Park to sign his contract last week - the one-year offer that was on the table - league sources said the team then balked at him. The Redskins are trying to land Seattle RB Coach Stump Mitchell to do that job here, league sources said, and he too is close to Zorn and has worked with him for many years. The Redskins would like to convince the Seahawks to do a coaching swap of sorts, with Byner landing in Seattle (all of this, again, is ridiculously unfair to Byner,) with Mitchell going here and Byner going there.

Former Redskins QB coach Bill Lazor already landed in Seattle last week, signing a contract to replace Zorn as the QB coach there, league sources said.

Also, I heard from league sources that Snyder put out the word that all of the assistant coaches had to be present today- to show their support you know, no matter of what they might really think - and all were to wear Redskins golf shirts (all important wardrobe decisions).

They flew Joe Gibbs in for the big announcement, and he will, I'm sure, continue to operate as a rubber stamp for the organization and will undoubtedly give his public support to this bizarre 32-day saga, despite his hand picked choice being run out of town amid false rumors leaked by the team, and a bevy of his assistants being gone, and the idea of "continuity" being harder and harder to sell as the staff continues to be overturned and the players learn another new offense.

[Radar]

Team Draft Needs....

Dallas Cowboys

Cornerback — Another franchise corner to pair opposite Terrence Newman would allow Anthony Henry to move to free safety and add more overall depth to their defensive secondary.

Wide Receiver — Both Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are on the wrong side of 30. A speedy field-stretching wide receiver to groom to eventually takeover for Glenn is needed.

Running Back — Marion Barber appears to have the ability to be a solid starting back. If Julius Jones leaves via free agency, however, a fast runner to backup the powerful Barber is needed.

Offensive Tackle — An offensive tackle better at pass protection still good at run-blocking is needed to give the team some insurance at right tackle.

Offensive Guard— Added depth for the immediate future and perhaps a starter down the road.

Miami Dolphins

Cornerback — The Dolphins do not have anyone on their roster who can be considered a number one cornerback and they lack depth at the position.

Strong Safety — The Dolphins need a head-hunting safety who can also cover to put fear into opposing wideouts and tight ends as they go deep. Someone to pair with free safety Jason Allen.

Strongside Linebacker — Joey Porter was inconsistent at best after coming over from Pittsburgh as a free agent. The Dolphins need a replacement for him sooner than later.

Middle Linebacker — Zach Thomas will be 35-years old when the 2008 season begins and he's coming off an injury that cost him all but five games of the 2007 season. The Dolphins need to start grooming a replacement for him soon.

Defensive Tackle - Vonnie Holiday is 32 and Keith Traylor is 38, so obviously some youth needs to be added to the rotation.
The Dolphins need a huge run-stuffing defensive tackle to play the nose, who can occupy interior blockers and collapse the pocket at times. And unless they switch to a 3-4 defense now that Bill Parcells is on board, they will also need a quick defensive tackle who can rush the QB and hold his own on the run to fill the under-tackle position.

Defensive End — The Dolphins need to groom an eventual replacement for Jason Taylor, who at 33 doesn't have a lot of good years left in him.

Wide Receiver — Marty Booker isn't getting any younger, and the already-departed Chris Chambers needs to be replaced.

Quarterback - Obviously this position depends on Bill Parcells' opinion of John Beck. If he feels he is the QB of the future, then they'll just need to add someone to offer competition for the backup role.

Washington Redskins

OT/OG— An offensive lineman or two who can play either tackle or guard position on the offensive line are needed as the Redskins’ offensive line is older and sometimes prone to injury.

Cornerback — A franchise shutdown corner of the future is needed to play nickel and eventually takeover for Shawn Springs.

Safety — A playmaking hard-hitting safety is needed to step in for the tragically departed Sean Taylor.

Wide Receiver — The Redskins need an upgrade at wide receiver to play opposite Santana Moss so they can keep Antwaan Randle-El in the slot where he is most effective.

Middle Linebacker — London Fletcher has done a nice job since coming over from the Bills, but the Redskins need a young middle linebacker for the future unless they feel H.B.
Blades can be that guy.

Kicker — Shaun Suisham is an adequate kicker, but the Redskins could stand to upgrade.

Defensive End — The Redskins need a young defensive end who can stuff the run and rush the passer. Historically they usually look for bargains on the defensive line, but they would be better served using a top draft pick to fill the need.

Punter - Derrick Frost had one of the lowest averages per punt in the league, so an upgrade at punter would be nice.

[Radar]

Didn't a Bengal fan post on here...

Do we want Ocho Cinco in Washington?

[Fiddy]

Where's that from? There's some ****e talked on there...

Team Draft Needs....

Dallas Cowboys

Cornerback — Another franchise corner to pair opposite Terrence Newman would allow Anthony Henry to move to free safety and add more overall depth to their defensive secondary. Agree, which is why they're after Asante Samuel

Wide Receiver — Both Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are on the wrong side of 30. A speedy field-stretching wide receiver to groom to eventually takeover for Glenn is needed.

Running Back — Marion Barber appears to have the ability to be a solid starting back. If Julius Jones leaves via free agency, however, a fast runner to backup the powerful Barber is needed.

Offensive Tackle — An offensive tackle better at pass protection still good at run-blocking is needed to give the team some insurance at right tackle.

Offensive Guard— Added depth for the immediate future and perhaps a starter down the road.

Miami Dolphins

Cornerback — The Dolphins do not have anyone on their roster who can be considered a number one cornerback and they lack depth at the position.Will Allen had a great season on the quiet last year

Strong Safety — The Dolphins need a head-hunting safety who can also cover to put fear into opposing wideouts and tight ends as they go deep. Someone to pair with free safety Jason Allen.Err...Yeremiah Bell?! He can cover as well as bring the pain, only prob is him staying healthy

Strongside Linebacker — Joey Porter was inconsistent at best after coming over from Pittsburgh as a free agent. The Dolphins need a replacement for him sooner than later.

Middle Linebacker — Zach Thomas will be 35-years old when the 2008 season begins and he's coming off an injury that cost him all but five games of the 2007 season. The Dolphins need to start grooming a replacement for him soon.Channing Crowder?!

Defensive Tackle - Vonnie Holiday is 32 and Keith Traylor is 38, so obviously some youth needs to be added to the rotation. Traylor was just cut
The Dolphins need a huge run-stuffing defensive tackle to play the nose, who can occupy interior blockers and collapse the pocket at times. And unless they switch to a 3-4 defense now that Bill Parcells is on board, they will also need a quick defensive tackle who can rush the QB and hold his own on the run to fill the under-tackle position.

Defensive End — The Dolphins need to groom an eventual replacement for Jason Taylor, who at 33 doesn't have a lot of good years left in him.

Wide Receiver — Marty Booker isn't getting any younger, and the already-departed Chris Chambers needs to be replaced.Booker has just been cut too

Quarterback - Obviously this position depends on Bill Parcells' opinion of John Beck. If he feels he is the QB of the future, then they'll just need to add someone to offer competition for the backup role.

What about the o-line?!

Washington Redskins

OT/OG— An offensive lineman or two who can play either tackle or guard position on the offensive line are needed as the Redskins’ offensive line is older and sometimes prone to injury.

Cornerback — A franchise shutdown corner of the future is needed to play nickel and eventually takeover for Shawn Springs.Carlos Rogers?

Safety — A playmaking hard-hitting safety is needed to step in for the tragically departed Sean Taylor.

Wide Receiver — The Redskins need an upgrade at wide receiver to play opposite Santana Moss so they can keep Antwaan Randle-El in the slot where he is most effective.

Middle Linebacker — London Fletcher has done a nice job since coming over from the Bills, but the Redskins need a young middle linebacker for the future unless they feel H.B.
Blades can be that guy.

Kicker — Shaun Suisham is an adequate kicker, but the Redskins could stand to upgrade.

Defensive End — The Redskins need a young defensive end who can stuff the run and rush the passer. Historically they usually look for bargains on the defensive line, but they would be better served using a top draft pick to fill the need.

Punter - Derrick Frost had one of the lowest averages per punt in the league, so an upgrade at punter would be nice.

[kemm1]

The Dolphins main priorities are:

1. QB
2. DL
3. OL

[Fiddy]

The Dolphins main priorities are:

1. QB
2. DL
3. OL

we've got holes everywhere though...need a WR too, Martin didn't pull up trees at TE, and we need a LB now Zach is gone

Defo a trade coming with that #1!

[Radar]

In Nicaragua, it appears the New England Patriots did beat Giants in Super Bowl

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) -- The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl and ended the season with a perfect 19-0 record -- at least it looks that way in Nicaragua.

The NFL donated 290 Patriots hats and an equal number of team jerseys trumpeting the slogans "Super Bowl Champions, 19-0" to impoverished children from two small communities in southern Nicaragua.

Thursday's gifts could not change history -- the Patriots lost the Feb. 3 game to the New York Giants 17-14 -- but they made a lot of youngsters in the communities of San Gregorio and Buena Vista very happy, said Miriam Diaz, spokeswoman for the humanitarian organization World Vision, which arranged the donation with the NFL.

"They (Patriots) lost, but the children won," Diaz said.

The only "football" most of the children know is soccer, but they were very enthusiastic about the U.S. version of the game once the rules were explained to them, she said.

"They were very happy to receive the hats and jerseys," Diaz said. "They said they did not expect such a surprise."

Neither did the Patriots.

[Radar]

Lawsuit seeks compensation for Super Bowl loss

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A lawsuit filed Friday by a former St. Louis Rams player and others seeks millions of dollars in damages from the alleged taping of Rams practices by the New England Patriots before the 2002 Super Bowl.

The Patriots won the game 20-17 in the Superdome.

The $100 million suit, filed on behalf of former Rams player Willie Gary in U.S. District Court in New Orleans, names the Patriots, team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick

[Radar]

Zach to the Pukes

[Fiddy]

Zach to the Pukes

Well he's an improvement on Dat Nguyen