2016 NFL off-season thread

[LongTimeListener]

That sure was a fun year, Chip!

 

[outofplace]

Steelers tight end Heath Miller retired. He is second in team history in receptions. Bigger loss that many will realize for that offense.

 

[Vombatus]

I've followed Heath since his days at UVa. He's always been a big part of Big Ben's ability to escape the pass rush and find a bailout target. Ben will probably miss him the most.

 

[outofplace]

I've followed Heath since his days at UVa. He's always been a big part of Big Ben's ability to escape the pass rush and find a bailout target. Ben will probably miss him the most.

Roethlisberger has always raved about Miller, but the running backs will also miss him. Jesse James showed some potential as a rookie and may be able to fill some of Miller's role as a receiver, but he isn't even close as a blocker. Miller was a true tight end, not just a big wide receiver.

 

[old_tony]

Steelers tight end Heath Miller retired. He is second in team history in receptions. Bigger loss that many will realize for that offense.

I meant to ask you about this last night. Was this somewhat unexpected?

 

[outofplace]

Yes, it was somewhat unexpected. The offseason talk had included possibly drafting a tight end early, but that was more as an eventual replacement. He's old enough that it isn't a shock, but I certainly thought he would be playing another year or two.

He apparently didn't tell the team until yesterday. I'm guessing Hunter Henry of Arkansas is looking like a much better fit as a potential first-round pick. From what I've read, he is projected to go late in the first round and heaven forbid the Steelers address their need at corner that high.

The only plus is that Miller's retirement clears $7.81 million of salary-cap space, but I'm sure the Steelers would much rather have one more year of Miller.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Jaguars DE Dante Fowler spends his off-season setting up fights between his girlfriend and his baby mama.

http://www.tmz.com/2016/02/23/dante-fowler-baby-mama-girlfriend-fight-video/

 

[Michael_ Gee]

This is the only place I could think of to place this. I read it in my print edition, and the paper's got a paywall, but in today's Wall Street Journal, Jason Gay's column is outstanding. It's the Bill Belichick party cruise. Genuine laughter throughout.

 

[DanOregon]

I think if push came to shove - the teams would admit the main thing about the scouting combine is to assess how seriously and how well prospective pros train in the off-season when they don't have a strength and conditioning guy screaming at them.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

I think it's even more sweeping than that. It's deliberately demeaning, stupid and pointless to see how well prospects take to NFL regimentation.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Something interesting finally happened at the NFL Combine. Mississippi State's Chris Jones had an ... um ... wardrobe malfunction.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/defensive-lineman-crashes-out-of-nfl-combine-40-yard-da-1761792055

 

[Big Circus]

Yes, it was somewhat unexpected. The offseason talk had included possibly drafting a tight end early, but that was more as an eventual replacement. He's old enough that it isn't a shock, but I certainly thought he would be playing another year or two.

He apparently didn't tell the team until yesterday. I'm guessing Hunter Henry of Arkansas is looking like a much better fit as a potential first-round pick. From what I've read, he is projected to go late in the first round and heaven forbid the Steelers address their need at corner that high.

The only plus is that Miller's retirement clears $7.81 million of salary-cap space, but I'm sure the Steelers would much rather have one more year of Miller.

It's been rumored around Virginia for most of the season. He bought a bunch of land outside Charlottesville last year (it's beautiful - my buddy got married there in October...his wife and Heath's wife are friends) and I think people put two and two together.

Another interesting facet to the retirement, although not one that's likely to affect personnel plans: Heath played quarterback in high school and has been the Steelers' emergency QB since he was drafted.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Wow. Torrey Smith blogs about everything going on in his head during the week that he and his wife knew she might be carrying a baby with the fatal disease Trisomy 18.

Torrey Smith :: Prayers Up

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Roddy White let go by the Falcons:

Atlanta Falcons release Roddy White | www.ajc.com

Not sure I get this--less than a $3M cap hit the next two years.

And on the local talk radio, they said the Falcons communicated the release to him via text message. Is that how you treat the franchise's best ever receiver?

The Dan Quinn era is quickly losing its luster down here...

 

[amraeder]

I don't watch the Falcons much, but from afar it seems like Roddy had nothing left in the tank. So, it seems like turning Roddy's roster spot into a rookie WR would be a logical move (though communicating it via text seems very unprofessional.)

Like I said, that's the impression from afar. If you think Roddy still has something left, I'd be happy to hear about it :).

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

"Dear Atlanta Falcons Football Player"

 

[justgladtobehere]

Mario Williams cut by Bills, Brandon Lafell and Scott Chandler released by New England.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

I don't watch the Falcons much, but from afar it seems like Roddy had nothing left in the tank. So, it seems like turning Roddy's roster spot into a rookie WR would be a logical move (though communicating it via text seems very unprofessional.)

Like I said, that's the impression from afar. If you think Roddy still has something left, I'd be happy to hear about it :).

You may be right, but I think he' still got a couple years left in him. We'll probably get to find out up close if he signs with Tampa or Carolina.

I guess if they use his money to strengthen the defense or the O line in free agency, that's ok. But if they come up empty in free agency in those areas, this would look like a unnecessary loss to me.

 

[amraeder]

Arian Foster cut by Texans.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Arian Foster cut by Texans.

I wonder if that puts Elliott in play for them in the draft.