2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by supersix4

If I'm the Pats I'd package some of those second rounders for next years first rounders.

Supposedly the Patriots already have an agreement with a team to trade the 28th pick for the team's 2011 second round pick and 2012 first round pick. This trade is contingent on a certain player being available and it's assumed that the trade would either be with the Vikings (for Locker) or Titans (for Dalton).

There's also plenty of rumors that the Patriots could trade up with the Browns to #6 to take Robert Quinn. To move that high it's probably cost the Patriots both of their first round pick or a package of a first, second, and third. I'm not sure how I'd feel about that. It would be nice to get an impact player but Quinn worries me after sitting out a year.

If the Patriots don't trade up I definitely expect them to turn #28 into a 2012 first rounder, and possibly #33 as well.

[SleeperAgent]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Supposedly the Patriots already have an agreement with a team to trade the 28th pick for the team's 2011 second round pick and 2012 first round pick. This trade is contingent on a certain player being available and it's assumed that the trade would either be with the Vikings (for Locker) or Titans (for Dalton).

There's also plenty of rumors that the Patriots could trade up with the Browns to #6 to take Robert Quinn. To move that high it's probably cost the Patriots both of their first round pick or a package of a first, second, and third. I'm not sure how I'd feel about that. It would be nice to get an impact player but Quinn worries me after sitting out a year.

If the Patriots don't trade up I definitely expect them to turn #28 into a 2012 first rounder, and possibly #33 as well.

The Pats do need a pass rush. Other than that their aren't many glaring holes. Trade 1 and both 3's to take the Browns six would be ok in my book. They would still have another 1st rounder and 2 2nd.

[R3P0]

Lockout is Over, Source NFL.com

The NFL has notified its clubs they can resume operations, including most offseason activities, beginning Friday at 8 a.m. ET.

According to a statement issued by the league, team officials may immediately contact players to advise them about the hours the facilities will be open for use, to schedule medical and rehabilitation sessions and to set up meetings with coaches.

The league likely will address the start of the 2011 League Year on Friday. That would encompass player transactions such as free-agent signings.

The league said it was taking the steps as an appropriate response to the preliminary injunction granted by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson. The NFL's request for a stay was denied Wednesday. The league is awaiting further guidance from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with which it has filed an appeal of the injunction and sought a stay.

The statement details eight points that deal with everything from players' use of facilities to contact with team officials and the start of voluntary offseason workout programs.

Players who showed up at team complexes around the league on Thursday were again not allowed to do any activities.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora spoke with Washington Redskins center Casey Rabach, who reported to Redskin Park on Thursday morning. Rabach spoke briefly with general manager Bruce Allen, but he was not allowed to enter to work out.

"I stopped by to talk with Bruce," Rabach said via text. "Everyone was good there. He told me they are waiting to hear on the stay filed with the 8th district court."

When asked if he went to the facility hoping to work out, Rabach responded:

"I went there knowing it wasn't going to happen. It would have been nice."

In Minnesota, Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway showed up at Winter Park but was "cordially" informed that he would not be allowed to workout at the facility, The Star-Tribune reported.

"I went down to the weight room before I got changed and I didn't know what was going to happen," Greenway said. "The strength coaches were there, just getting there, and they said that they didn't know what we could do. I was called by (vice president of football operations) Rob Brzezinski. He said, 'You can hang out as long as you want and we want you to be around, but we don't know what rules to go under so there's no workouts available today'."

The NFL still hopes the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis restores the lockout. The court says players must respond to the league's request for a stay by 1 p.m. ET Friday. Then the league has until 10 a.m. ET Monday to respond to that filing.

The NFL's request for a temporary stay is still pending before the court.

By denying the league's request for a stay, Nelson leaves the sides to continue to argue these points as NFL officials work to get the 8th Circuit to grant the motion that the St. Paul, Minn., court would not.

Nelson wrote that the NFL "has not met its burden for a stay pending appeal, expedited or otherwise." She dismissed the NFL's argument that she didn't have jurisdiction and that it is facing irreparable harm because of her decision to end the 45-day lockout.

"In short, the world of 'chaos' the NFL claims it has been thrust into -- essentially the 'free-market' system this nation otherwise willfully operates under -- is not compelled by this court's order," Nelson wrote.

The judge acknowledged that her decision will be appealed to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis; the NFL has promised to take that step.

"We are filing tonight a request with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for a stay of the preliminary injunction pending our appeal," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a written statement Wednesday night. "We believe there are strong legal and practical reasons that support a stay and that the Court of Appeals should have an opportunity to address the important legal issues that will be presented. We have asked the Court of Appeals to consider on an expedited basis both our request for a stay and the appeal itself. We are evaluating the District Court's decision and will advise our clubs (Thursday) morning on how to proceed."

The NFL's 21-page motion to stay the ruling includes a proposed timeline for the appeal, listing May 10 for the NFL's opening brief, May 24 for the Brady class' opening brief and May 31 for the NFL's reply brief, with oral arguments coming "as soon as possible."

The league's argument stood on the some of the same ground as during the injunction hearing, with the contention that the National Labor Relations Board holds primary jurisdiction over the case and that the Norris-La Guardia Act prevents a federal court from issuing an injunction in a case "growing from a labor dispute." The idea this time was to break down the judge's thinking.

The NFL's argument reads: "The District Court brushed aside all three legal obstacles with the simple rationale that the NFLPA's unilateral disclaimer changes everything and renders the labor laws irrelevant." The league cited comments by players Mike Vrabel, a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Derrick Mason, a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, to assert that the NFLPA was still operating as a union.

The league also argued that the "absent a stay, it will be impossible to restore the parties to their respective positions as of April 25, 2011, if this Court determines that the District Court's Order was in error. Nor would it be possible to unscramble the egg in terms of player transactions (trades, signings, cuts) that would occur in the interim."

Former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement was listed as the league's lead lawyer for the appeal.

Nelson's ruling was not a surprise, given her questioning of NFL attorney David Boies during an April 6 hearing and her 89-page order that "enjoined" the lockout -- legal jargon for stopping it. She wrote another 20 pages in her denial Wednesday, declaring the public's interest in the resumption of league operations.

The ruling means the league has no rules in place, shelved since the collective bargaining agreement ended March 11 and the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987 was imposed shortly afterward. Nelson said that needn't be the case.

The judge said her order does not "obligate the NFL to enter into contracts" or oversee the league's "non-lockout conduct in general." She suggested the NFL "make a decision about how to proceed and accept the consequences" of that choice and said she saw no evidence of "injury" to the league from her order that the lockout be lifted.

At an April 6 hearing, Nelson -- while pushing both sides to resume negotiating a new agreement -- recognized the urgency of the situation and declared that both sides had a lot "at risk." Nelson's orders have indicated her respect of the public's interest in a settlement to keep the 2011 season on track.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

Well, c'mon, look at it. What do we need that bad? And we've found our gems late in the draft before. Thompson is the best talent evaluator in the league. I trust what he's going to do. Have some faith brother. If we stay healthy this year, there is no chance we won't repeat this year.

Originally Posted by fatediesel

I don't think Benny is necessarily mad that the Packers may trade their pick, it's just that he'll have waited around 5 hours (and it will be around midnight Central) and after all the wait he'll end up finding out they aren't making a pick. As a Patriots fan I can definitely understand where he's coming from.

what fate said!!

[supersix4]

I thought this was too hilarious not to post.
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/...urn=sow-wp1216

Dutch club VVV-Venlo sign 1-year-old child

And then after the video and article the most recent comment from some person

And the kid's performance in his sport is already better than Albert Haynesworth's. This kid is for real.

HAHAHAHAHA awesome

Originally Posted by fatediesel

If the Patriots don't trade up I definitely expect them to turn #28 into a 2012 first rounder, and possibly #33 as well.

Yeah I worry when everyone brags about the massive amount of depth at one position usually the team that needs it gets the dud and the team that just takes the best overall gets a great player

The pats should just continue to stockpile 1st rounders/ other picks for the following years draft and bank on teams like the Redskins and others overvaluing the draft as a whole.

[Rblu-Dblu]

Since the Pats have my Panthers 2nd round pick this year I'm hoping player trades will be reinstated in time. That way we can trade Steve Smith to get out pick back and draft A.J. Green first round. Then with out 2nd pick we can get one of the quarterbacks if thats the way they want to go. Still keeping my fingers crossed that we pass on Newton.

[iam1bearcat]

can't wait for the Draft!

too bad tonight will end with the f****** Packers get the 32nd pick. what an embarrassment with how the season ended last year seems like everyone hated it so much, they wanted a lockout to make sure it never happens again!



cannot believe people are saying Cam Newton is going #1

what a ridiculous thought. if Carolina does, it deserves to be the worst team in the league. now, you're in the toughest division in football (at least should be, this year), you essentially wasted a second round pick on Clausen last year, and now you have a "quarterback" that can't play quarterback. even Denver at least waited until the middle of the first round to make the idiotic choice of choosing Tim Tebow, but if Carolina picks Tebow 2.0, then they really deserve to go 1-15 the next decade or so.

[Moviefan1203]

I cannot fathom why the Panthers are even considering drafting Newton #1. He is a major project for a team that needs some stability at quarterback.

[fatediesel]

A source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that there's a 99.9% chance the Panthers take Cam Newton. It also sounds like the Broncos will take Von Miller.

[DVDFreaker]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

A source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that there's a 99.9% chance the Panthers take Cam Newton. It also sounds like the Broncos will take Von Miller.

If this is true, that does not make sense but hey, they are the Panthers

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

A source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that there's a 99.9% chance the Panthers take Cam Newton. It also sounds like the Broncos will take Von Miller.

If that's the case, I would be very surprised if the Bills pass on Dareus.

[DVDFreaker]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

If that's the case, I would be very surprised if the Bills pass on Dareus.

Me too but I would not suprised if they pick Fairley instead

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by DVDFreaker

Me too but I would not suprised if they pick Fairley instead

Buffalo won't draft Fairley unless they trade down. His stock isn't nearly as high as it once was.

[l.turner3]

I like the AJ green draft for bengals if we can we need to draft some defensive pass rushers as well

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by l.turner3

I like the AJ green draft for bengals if we can we need to draft some defensive pass rushers as well

Any truth to the rumors that Cincinnati is seriously considering Gabbert if he is available?

[DVDFreaker]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Buffalo won't draft Fairley unless they trade down. His stock isn't nearly as high as it once was.

This is the same team that picked Donte Winter at #8 overall, don't be suprised to see the Bills make another stupid pick

[DVDFreaker]

Originally Posted by l.turner3

I like the AJ green draft for bengals if we can we need to draft some defensive pass rushers as well

Julio Jones, maybe?

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by DVDFreaker

This is the same team that picked Donte Winter at #8 overall, don't be suprised to see the Bills make another stupid pick

That may be so, but we have a much better GM and scouting staff now. That was under a totally different regime. For the first time in a decade this team is headed in the right direction.

[DVDFreaker]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

That may be so, but we have a much better GM and scouting staff now. That was under a totally different regime. For the first time in a decade this team is headed in the right direction.

Good point although the Chan Gailey hire is a headscratcher but he does know offense and he did not do a bad job last year

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by DVDFreaker

Good point although the Chan Gailey hire is a headscratcher but he does know offense and he did not do a bad job last year

I was against the Gailey hire, but he did an outstanding job last year and the team really respects him. Maybe he was the right guy for the job after all, we'll know in a year or two.