2015-2016 NFL Thread

[Kyyle23]

I am done with predicting what the Bears will do in the draft. I thought they would find a way to get a pick or two more than they had...they didnt do that. I thought they would go heavy on defense...they didnt do that. I thought they would get one of the edge rushers in a draft that was heavy on talent at edge rusher...they didnt do that.

 

This is why you dont football, Shipps. THIS IS WHY

[shipps]

This is why you dont football, Shipps. THIS IS WHY

 

my wife tells me all the time to stop footballing and I just cant help myself.

 

Me and Phil Emery should spend our draft weeks at the park sipping some arizona iced tea together.

[bmags]

Also - I love how Michael Sam is somehow the only example used now for whether a pick will succeed or fail.

[shipps]

Also - I love how Michael Sam is somehow the only example used now for whether a pick will succeed or fail.

 

Within the past week I have heard/read his name brought about 6 times and he is completely irrelevant to any football conversation.

[RockRaines]

Isn't Bennett kind of small for his position? Like Michael Sam?

 

As a Chiefs fan, I probably hated their draft this year more than any other year. They took a gamble in round 1 (which has super upside potential, but gamble still), reached for a C in 2nd round, took a super raw WR in RD3 who will barely play this year and went for another CB with second 3rd round pick despite still needing help elsewhere. Frustrating to see your team be close to being able to be seriously competitive and they completely f*** up their draft.

6'3" 300 lbs isn't all that small for a passing rushing three tech.

[2nd_city_saint787]

I am done with predicting what the Bears will do in the draft. I thought they would find a way to get a pick or two more than they had...they didnt do that. I thought they would go heavy on defense...they didnt do that. I thought they would get one of the edge rushers in a draft that was heavy on talent at edge rusher...they didnt do that.

 

I'm not real surprised by any of this. I think they wanna see what they already have at few positions on the defensive side of things.

 

Honestly, I think they could be a top 15 D...but that could just be blind faith in this new staff.

[Chisoxfn]

Its funny, I wanted them to focus on defense but based upon what I read of the picks, I like who they got and I think that is very important (especially since we are looking to build something for the long-term). I'm also going to guess Pace sees more in some of our defensive players / LB's and given the money invested in some of those spots as well (most of it inherited..i.e., Houston, Young, Allen), he wants to get a chance to see them in the new system before coming to total judgement.

 

The one that dissapointed me is I love Hundley's overall make-up, work ethic, and personality and I also like his athleticism. I agree his ability to read and make quick throws is suspect but I like everything else so much I would have absolutely taken him when he was there in the 5th. That said, I like what I read about Amos.

[bmags]

Man I did not like Hundley at all. He always reminded me of Josh Freeman, someone who we just kept hearing about as a future prospect that I couldn't believe was the case in college. I'm glad he fell.

[Chisoxfn]

La'el Collins UDFA and will not be eligible for 2016 draft, so if he wants to play in the NFL, his only option is to sign as a UDFA. Presuming his name is cleared this week, I presume he will be the highest rated UDFA in the history of the league and teams can't really offer anything all that lucrative (in terms of the collective bargaining agreement), so it will be interesting as to which franchise can get him. Clearly as a football player he would fill a major need and would be the equivalent of an extra late 1st (early 2nd) and would be a guy who could start instantly in place of Mills.

[Kyyle23]

there were some twitter rumors that the Bears were extremely frugal with UDFA this year because they want to make a run at Collins

[Harry Chappas]

there were some twitter rumors that the Bears were extremely frugal with UDFA this year because they want to make a run at Collins

 

How does UDFA work? This seems to be where the Bears would need to hit hardest to pull in some potential talent.

 

Makes sense if there is a pool of money they can spend.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

Is there really a limit as to how much a team can offer an UDFA? Aren't they basically just like any FA or no?

[2nd_city_saint787]

How does UDFA work? This seems to be where the Bears would need to hit hardest to pull in some potential talent.

 

Makes sense if there is a pool of money they can spend.

 

There's a cap on what they can spend, fairly certain every team has the same cap. Bears still have a need at OT so hopefully that means something to Collins. Though I'm sure other teams have a need as well.

 

Wonder if he and Ego are friends, that could give the Bears a leg up.

[Soxbadger]

there were some twitter rumors that the Bears were extremely frugal with UDFA this year because they want to make a run at Collins

 

Its really surprising no one wasted a 7th on him.

[2nd_city_saint787]

Is there really a limit as to how much a team can offer an UDFA? Aren't they basically just like any FA or no?

 

And to clarify on my last post, yes that cap is also on individual players. I believe it's 500k.

 

I know UDFAs are eligible for extension after 2 years, so I wonder if they can work in some clause gaurenteeing him that extension if he stays out of trouble and is a starter.

Edited May 4, 2015 by scs787

[Dick Allen]

Its really surprising no one wasted a 7th on him.

His agent told teams after the 3rd round that if they drafted him, he would not sign, and thus be eligible for the 2016 draft. Now he isn't eligible. Each team has something like an $88,000 pool of bonus money to give their UDFA. He will lose some bonus money, assuming he is cleared of any wrongdoing, but in return, he gets to pick his spot.

[2nd_city_saint787]

NFL teams are limited to about $88,000 in total bonuses for all UDFA's, who get a standard three-year contract that pays $435,000 in 2015, $525,000 in 2016 and $615,000 in 2017, as long as the player makes the 53-man roster each year. It's roughly the same for rookies drafted after the third round.

 

Drafted rookies are bound to a fourth year. If after three years Collins has impressed his employer, he could make as much as $3.88 million in the fourth year when UDFA's become restricted free agents. The lower tender in the UDFA's fourth year is $1.785 million and the mid-level tender is $2.73 million.

 

www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/05/lsus_lael_collins_nfl_salary.html

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I guess what I'm wondering is, can he sign a one year deal, no longer be a rookie and then get a big deal in 2016 assuming he proves it?

 

Edit: Just the post above mine now. But does that mean they HAVE to sign that standard contract? What if he waits a year and doesn't play? Or what if he signs a one year deal in the CFL or Europe, can he then sign for whatever he wants? Minnesota just signed that giant Polish lineman to a million dollar deal a few weeks ago.

Edited May 4, 2015 by ChiSox_Sonix

[Kyyle23]

I guess what I'm wondering is, can he sign a one year deal, no longer be a rookie and then get a big deal in 2016 assuming he proves it?

 

I wonder what team would allow him to do that though. He basically is at the mercy of the NFL front offices now because of what his agents advised him. Why would anyone offer him a prove it deal knowing he is a first round talent? Any team is going to want to give him a lengthy contract as opposed to watching him bolt after one year

[2nd_city_saint787]

I guess what I'm wondering is, can he sign a one year deal, no longer be a rookie and then get a big deal in 2016 assuming he proves it?

 

Edit: Just the post above mine now. But does that mean they HAVE to sign that standard contract? What if he waits a year and doesn't play? Or what if he signs a one year deal in the CFL or Europe, can he then sign for whatever he wants? Minnesota just signed that giant Polish lineman to a million dollar deal a few weeks ago.

 

I'm not positive, but yes I think if he signs with an NFL team it has to be the 3 year deal.

 

I would assume if he goes to the CFL or whatever then things would change and he'd be a straight up FA.

[Chisoxfn]

Its really surprising no one wasted a 7th on him.

He should have kept his mouth shut (vs. making the comment if he doesn't go in first two days, he wouldn't sign). In hindsight, he probably would have been best served getting drafted as if he got drafted he could have at least been able to sit out a year and re-enter but since he went undrafted, he now is a mere UDFA (since league isn't going to let him re-enter). That said, maybe that works better for him in long run as he is just 3 years removed from being a FA?

[Kyyle23]

He should have kept his mouth shut (vs. making the comment if he doesn't go in first two days, he wouldn't sign). In hindsight, he probably would have been best served getting drafted as if he got drafted he could have at least been able to sit out a year and re-enter but since he went undrafted, he now is a mere UDFA (since league isn't going to let him re-enter). That said, maybe that works better for him in long run as he is just 3 years removed from being a FA?

 

bad agent advise. They misunderstood the draft process

[shipps]

Its all moot if this guy winds up being accused of having any involvement at all in the murder case.

[dasox24]

there were some twitter rumors that the Bears were extremely frugal with UDFA this year because they want to make a run at Collins

That would be fantastic if true (and he isn't implicated, which so far it sounds like he's not a suspect).

[maggsmaggs]

That would be fantastic if true (and he isn't implicated, which so far it sounds like he's not a suspect).

Would love him assuming all of the investigation stuff comes out clean. Bears have a huge needs on the line. Depending on Slauson's productiveness, you could always use this as the opportunity to move Long to tackle.

 

But Bears need talent all over and adding a first-round caliber guard like Collins would be amazing.