[amphibian]

Xander;278327 said:

Alexander runs soft. He's always trying to get out of bounds instead of lowering his shoulder and plowing into or over people. He's like a center in basketball who refuses to take it strong to the hoop, and would rather shoot fadeaways.

I can't freaking wait for the draft.

Alexander was indeed running not as hard as he could have last season, but I'm not sure if that wasn't the result of a much crappier line and lingering injuries. He's probably got another couple years left in the league and a few teams interested in him, so we'll see what he can and can't do anymore next season.

[Optimus Prime]

amphibian;278344 said:

Alexander was indeed running not as hard as he could have last season, but I'm not sure if that wasn't the result of a much crappier line and lingering injuries. He's probably got another couple years left in the league and a few teams interested in him, so we'll see what he can and can't do anymore next season.

Fair enough. I'll give him an incomplete until I see him run with something to prove...but I have a feeling he's done as a productive back. That doesn't mean he can't churn out a 1,000 yard season given the right situation...but he won't ever be a premier back again....he ran like that in college as well. Saw him in person.

[Grumble]

Best off season signing ..... bar none

Lofa Tatupu, LB
Seattle Seahawks
2007 Statistics
Games/started: 16/16
Tckls: 109
Ints: 4
Sacks: 1

Tatupu and the four-time defending NFC West champions agreed on Friday to a $42 million contract extension that could keep him as the leader of Seattle's defense through 2015. It also keeps Tatupu from becoming a free agent after the 2009 season.

"This isn't just Good Friday. It's great Friday," Tatupu told Seahawks president Tim Ruskell upon finalizing the contract.

Not bad for the sixth linebacker taken in '05 because he was supposedly too slow and too short. Last season he became the second player in Seahawks' history to be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years.

The 6-foot, 242-pound middle linebacker has proven to be a rare find for the Seahawks, who traded up in the second round of the 2005 draft for the Southern Cal All-American. He passed up his final year of eligibility, and Ruskell recognized that he was the type of player they could rebuild the defense around. He’s the first Seahawks player to ever lead the team in tackles his first three seasons in the NFL (exceeding 100 each year), not to mention making the Pro Bowl all three years – plus being named first team All-Pro in 2007.

"He has gone way over what anyone could expect from a guy who has played in the league as long as he has," Holmgren said.

Anyone, that is, except Tatupu.

"I think I've exceeded a lot of people's expectations, but not my own," he said.

"It kind of epitomizes what we are as a team,” Ruskell said. “I couldn’t be more proud of this guy. Everybody knows what we went through when we took him. We were blasted for the second round. And that’s not what I’m proud of … I’m proud of what he's done. He’s the heart and soul of the defense. As I look back on my career personally in terms of picks that I’ve been involved with, I’ll look back on this one as one of my favorite of all time.”

[amphibian]

Given the successes of Polamalu and Tatupu, it is apparent that drafting a kick-ass USC Samoan as the centerpiece of your defense is a valid strategy.

If I could only get the Madden franchise mode to jigger the names my way a few times.

The Maulauga watch is on!

[paladin]

USC pumps out great linebackers. I still don't understand why New England dropped a very inexpensive and young Oscar Lua this offseason when they have a core of VERY old linebackers who will be gone within the next 3 years

[Optimus Prime]

I'm interested to see if NE drafts Gholston...but I'm more interested to see how NE handles the whole "we blew the perfect season" hangover.

[paladin]

Hopefully with a total collapse

[Optimus Prime]

LOL.

Hard to imagine with Brady at the helm....

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

They've got a good chance of repeating the whole tedious perfect season drama. Crap.

[Optimus Prime]

Very true Ray...I mean...I didn't think anything could motivate them more...but then they went and LOST the damn super bowl...watch out rest of the league...now they're pissed :eek:

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

Anyone watching arena football? Me neither.

[paladin]

they need to become the nfl minor/developmental league already

[Optimus Prime]

Raymond Luxury Yacht;286330 said:

Anyone watching arena football? Me neither.

I'll click over to watch a few mins every now and then....that's about it. It's entertaining but also seems too "video game-ish" at times if that makes any sense...

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

It makes perfect sense. Remember NFL Blitz? THat game was basically arena ball.

[Optimus Prime]

That game was also a lot of fun. Yet, in my opinion, the greatest non-legit football game of all time was "Mutant League Football" for the Sega Genesis. I mean, come on, your players could be blown up, blown off the field into orbit, or fall into lava pits. It was awesome when you were near the end of the game and either you or your opponent had like 4 players left

[paladin]

They sell mutant league football for PSP as part of a game pack.. play it all the time, though they dont have mutant league hockey

[Optimus Prime]

So the Dolphins are going to select Jake Long with the 1st pick?

Ugh...how dreadfully boring.....

I'm interested to see who is going to take McFadden...Raiders or Jets...

[Grumble]

[quote=Xander;287996]So the Dolphins are going to select Jake Long with the 1st pick?

Ugh...how dreadfully boring.....

I think you have jumped the gun a little there, yes his agents are talking to the Fins but no doubt they will speak to Dorsey, Ryan, Mcfadden, Chris Long, Gholsten et al.
Makes good sense to see what price range the agents are looking for in contract terms ..... personally I'm sure Parcells would love to trade down but I don't see any takers or a player special enough !

Who would you like to see your team pick up ?

[Optimus Prime]

Well they've started "contract negotiations" so they are at least considering the guy...and it would be a Parcells' move....but it could be a bluff.

The Falcons? Man...I'm not convinced about Matt Ryan....although I think he's solid...

My first three choices for their first pick

1. Glenn Dorsey
2. Matt Ryan
3. Darren McFadden (he could change them as much as Peterson changed the Vikes)

Although part of me wants to see the Falcons get a second or third rounder at QB...I really like Flacco....and what about Dennis Dixon? I think he could be a diamond in the rough.

[Grumble]

If he gets by the Fish at the start of round 2 then I think you could get your man Joe Flacco ..... I think Dorsey would be a strong pick at a need position for the Falcons.

My Hawks pick #25 and would seem to favour the best player available scenario ..... for me I wish that was OG Branden Albert but his offseason has put him on way too many radars and he will probably be a Steeler. Value picks would probably be TE Dustin Keller or my preference DT Kentwan Balmer ..... maybe just maybe RB Jonathan Stewart could fall due to injury but I think Julius Jones pick up rules him out ... but it's interesting.