NFL Free Agent Travel Plans

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Posted by mattythebulldog | Posted on 06-03-2010

Category : Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins

NFL Free Agent Travel Plans

  • The Seahawks are not expected to tender an offer sheet to restricted free agent Brandon Marshall during his Saturday visit, but after the long history of bust receivers in the first round coughing up a 1st round pick for this talented wide-out would be like doubling down while playing Online Blackjack, the risk is worth the reward. Free agent CB Will James has scheduled a visit with the Seattle Seahawks, James has bounce around the league in the last 3-4 years but can be a solid 3rd corner. The Seahawks also have scheduled a visit with free agent TE Chris Baker and restricted free agent RB Mike Bell.
  • DE Aaron Kampman is one of the Jaguars’ “top priorities” in free agency and is scheduled to visit Jacksonville this week.
  • Free agent running back Willie Parker is scheduled to visit the Redskins on Monday.
  • David Carr is reportedly drawing a lot of interest from the Giants, Browns, and Cardinals but a top player is the 49er’s, would love to add another QB into the mix. Carr has been holding a clip board for a couple seasons now, but after being forced into a starting role so early into his career, teams are willing to take a shot on Carr’s comeback
  • Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed Friday that the Bengals have shown interest in free agent Terrell Owens, this could combine for a lethal duo of wide receivers if #85 and #81 could keep their egos in check.
  • In a surprise move the Philadelphia Eagles have released LB Will Witherspoon after trading for him last season. Witherspoon had a good season but the Eagles must have felt $5 million was to0 heavy of a price tag. Panthers beat writer Steve Reed thinks the Panthers could be interested in bringing him if the price is right.
  • CB Leigh Bodden has drawn interest from the Texans and Patriots, but Bodden seems to be a player that

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Team Needs Mock Draft (Part 2)

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Posted by Mike Rodriguez | Posted on 01-03-2010

Category : Around the League, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, NFL Draft / Off Season, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

Team Needs Mock Draft (Part 2)

It’s a little early to be predicting the first round of the NFL Draft, yet people love to speculate what teams will do (Mel Kiper 9.0 by March). Every year Gridiron Experts refuses to post a Mock Draft too early, so instead we’re posting a 3 part team needs mock draft, giving an educated guess to what teams might be thinking.

Not every position that is lacking on a NFL squad has to be filled with a first round pick. There are still a ton of free agents that are about to hit the open market, and second year players that can step in now that they have a year under them, and the first few weeks of March should completely change the draft. So here is a look at the NFL Draft based on how teams are sitting at the moment.

Read the First Article: Team Needs Mock Draft (Part 1)

11) Denver Broncos Team Needs: DT | DE | WR | QB

Strange to see Denver this high on the board considering the fast start to the season with new coach Josh McDaniel’s. The Broncos completely fell apart in the final month of the season, losing 4 games in a row, including losses to the Chiefs and Raiders.

The Broncos will likely try to improve their running defense through free agency and could target an offensive playmaker with pick 10. The Brandon Marshall trade rumors have started to fire up, causing many mock draft experts to target the top wide receiver landing in Denver.

Demaryius Thomas is high in our books, but a broken foot could hurt his stock value, making Dez Bryant a strong favorite. There is also a chance that if a top QB is available at 10 the Broncos could fill the shoes left by Jay Cutler. Either way the Broncos are sitting strong at pick 10 to take the best player available without the huge rookie money at the top of the draft.

12) Miami Dolphins Team Needs: WR | LB | SS

The Dolphins had injuries to key players in ‘09, but did an amazing job filling position spots. Players stepped up week after week to fill roles unlike any other team. The Dolphins are a diamond in the rough; if they can stay healthy and add a couple playmakers, this team could challenge for the AFC East division title.

This young team is a year older and wiser now, and will try to grow on the accomplishments of the ‘09 season. Personally Gridiron Experts would like to see this pick used on the offensive side of the ball, and we’re sure fans would agree. Adding a WR that can stretch the field would be ideal for this running attack, yet the team has enough rookies, and leadership would be nice as well.

We think trading this pick to a team like Arizona for a smart, tough WR like Anquan Boldin would be a great move. At 29 the trade wouldn’t be pick for player, but if a mid round pick came with Boldin, the Dolphins would walk away happy. Gridiron Experts sees pick 12 the first traded away pick of the draft, either down to gain more picks, or to another team for a veteran leader. The Dolphins are already a young team and need to add talent and wisdom now.

13) San Francisco 49er’s Team Needs: OT | WR | SS | KR

The only thing the 49er’s need to do this offseason is cut Takeo Spikes. Why? Because the veteran linebacker is a playoff curse. In the 12 years that Takeo Spikes has been in the NFL he has never been a part of a team that has made the playoffs…wow!

The 49er’s don’t really have any massive needs on the team, despite what some may say about QB Alex Smith.

Alex Smith was solid down the stretch and should have done just enough to have earned another opportunity to start for the 49er’s next season. There is a chance that Smith could succeed and lead this team into the post season if a smart offensive system can be installed that this young club can get behind.  Keep in mind we’re being optimistic, as newly hired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye II doesn’t come with an impressive resume. Raye has never run an offense that has ranked high in any category that mattered, and his hiring makes no sense in the direction the

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06 NFL Draft Jumble: Mario, Vince, Reggie

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Posted by Daniel Phillips | Posted on 02-02-2010

Category : Houston Texans, NFL Draft / Off Season, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans

2006 NFL Draft Jumble: What If?

The 2006 NFL draft was littered with talent, 11 players in the first round alone are now pro bowlers. Most hyped of that talent was RB Reggie Bush, QB Vince Young, and DE Mario Williams. After an almost unbearable 2-14 season the Texans secured the first pick in this draft. With that pick, Mario Williams was selected out of North Carolina. Was “Super-Mario” deserving of the number one pick? Should the Saints or Titans have traded up to acquire his service? Or are things just fine as they are?

Mario Williams was definitely worth the 1st overall selection and could not have been a better choice for the Houston Texan organization. Vince Young clearly would have been a bad pick for the organization, as we all know how that turned out and Matt Schaub is proving he has what it takes to hang with the big boys. Fans can make a case for Reggie Bush over Mario Williams however Bush has yet proven that he can be a 20+ carry per game back, something that I think is vital if one is going to allocate their first round pick to a running back. Steve Slaton was a fantastic pick for the Texans two seasons ago and is now flourishing into a budding star; Reggie bush is not needed here. Houston didn’t need to go with one of the “sexy” picks, they could have opted to draft OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson (4th overall Jets) which wouldn’t have been a terrible move for the – at the time – worst offensive line in the league, but he wouldn’t have had as much of an impact as Williams. Alas, the Texans made the right decision, since his draft season Williams has recorded 30.5 sacks, 26 of those in the past two seasons. Over the past three seasons Reggie Bush has recorded 17 receiving touchdowns and 9 rushing, while in two years Slaton has accumulated 12 rushing and 5 receiving, so I think the Texans can live with

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Week 17 NFL Distractions

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Posted by DC | Posted on 02-01-2010

Category : Around the League, Houston Texans

Are the lines on the wall straight?.....what lines

Week 17 NFL Distractions

7 teams are fighting for 2 wildcard playoff spots Sunday.

With the AFC wildcard race coming down to one day of hard fought Football, fans and even players will try to focus in on whats at hand, and not the stars that need to align for help. Some teams like the New York Jets have simple win or lose scenarios where as the Houston Texans have lottery type odds at making the playoffs tomorrow, but stranger things have happen.

Last years NFC championship game featured the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that really had no business being in the playoffs at 9-6-1. The Eagles needed the Raiders, Texans and I believe the Bears to win to allow a chance at the playoffs.

But above all, the most important key to these miracle  playoff opportunities is winning. The Texans are at home to the Patriots in a game in which Belichick has been quoted in saying “Whoever plays, plays”-meaning he’s not about to rest his starters. Which is smart in my opinion.

The teams that seem to be heading into the playoffs without a lot of momentum, could benefit from an easy win that could help gel the team right before the post season. I’m not saying the Texans can’t win tomorrow, (we actually picked’em) but a team like the Saints who have all of a sudden lost a step and have people questioning the defense could use a blowout win. Are they really going  to take a dive in a meaningless game and end the season with a 3 game losing streak?

The way I see it, resting players means you’re afraid of something.

I know, it makes sense, I get it. You don’t want anybody to get hurt in a meaningless game, but if you want to win the superbowl and instill fear in the opposing teams….you got play it out. -my two cents, or…. two of something

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Sunday NFL Recap

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Posted by Mike Rodriguez | Posted on 27-12-2009

Category : Around the League, Expert Predictions, Houston Texans, New York Jets

Houston 27 Miami 20

With the busy X-mas season, Gridiron Experts was quick to fire off our WK15 picks without a lot of write ups and explanations. Currently we are 12-3 SU and 11-4 ATS in week 15, but apologize on not trying to sell you more on teams like the Texans. Besides the overall history head to head of these two AFC teams, Houston had extra motivation this week as their playoff hopes had looked to be pretty much over. After the 4 game meltdown to all of their divisional rivals, the Texans seemed dead in the water, but with other teams in the AFC also struggling the Texans got a second chance to get back into the hunt, and in our opinion that rarely happens nor does it get wasted. Thanks to teams like the Jets, Steelers, and Broncos, this AFC race has given many scenarios for teams like the Texans to get in, and you had to figure the Texans were going to come out flying.

This game had the classic Texans formula of starting fast and then sleeping in the 3rd quarter. After being up 27-0 Houston allowed the Dolphins to crawl back in to the game before wrapping it up for the win.

New York Jets 29 Colts 15

This is probably one of Gridiron Experts best picks of the year, as we picked the Jets to win, although it sure helps that they pulled Peyton Manning out of the game in the second half. The Colts were leading by five when coach Jim Caldwell decided to pull Manning in the third quarter, a surprise move to the fans and an even bigger heart breaker for fantasy owners. In his replacement a terrible rookie quarterback named Curtis Painter got the nod, a player who single handedly blew the game for the Colts and may have created fireworks on the sidelines as more than a few Colts might have wanted to go for the perfect season.

Cincinnati  17 KC 10

The Bengals in my opinion are the team heading into the playoffs with the least amount of momentum. The spread in this game was 13.5 points, something that we were certain would not happen. The Bengals offense is very flat, and if points can’t be put up against a team like the Chiefs, then the playoffs could be over before they get started.

Atlanta 31 Buffalo 3

This game was over after the 42 yard touchdown by Roddy White in the first quarter. Buffalo was starting quarterback Brian Brohm, formally the college QB of the Louisville Cardinals. Brohm was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round in the 2008 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was the third quarterback on the depth chart behind starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Matt Flynn, but was waived on September 5, 2009 and found himself getting a job and a start for Buffalo on Sunday.

Things didn’t go over so well; Brohm was 17 for 29,  146 passing yards and  2 INTs. The Falcons and Bills had a tough season with injuries, but at least for the Falcons a blowout win at home should leave people expecting big things next year.

Cleveland 23 Oakland 9

Two teams that are looking at top picks in next years NFL draft faced off in a game that nobody but Browns fans were watching. Most people slot the Browns and Raiders in the loser category (as you

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Waiver Wire Sleepers Week 15

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Posted by Kevin Roberts | Posted on 16-12-2009

Category : Fantasy Football, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

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Waiver Wire Sleepers Week 15Cheerleaders

Think just because the fantasy playoffs are starting or have already commensed, that your team is set can can’t be improved? Think again.

Depth chart changes and injuries can and will impact your roster until the season is over, and brutal match-ups can still be avoided by digging deep on the waiver wire and finding some late-season games. There are always some waiting to be discovered, and we did all the work, so all you have to do is decide which guys suit your fancy.

Worried about a receiver or quarterback facing the Panthers, Bills, or Raiders stingy pass defenses? Unsure about Jonathan Stewart going up against the Williams Wall? Read on for this week’s top players on the waiver wire, all still available in at least 50% of leagues:

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers (Available in 59% of all leagues)

The guy is still out there, waiting to prove his worth, and people are still leaving him on the waiver wire. This marks at least the third straight week we’ve screamed to the top of our lungs, “Go out and get this guy!”.

Smith has done nothing but put up decent yardage, as well as at least two scores in his past four contests. His match-up with the Philadelphia Eagles could be tough this week, but after seeing what Eli Manning accomplished on Sunday night, we still like his chances.

Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins (68%)

We were reluctant to attach ourselves to Campbell, but he’s offically turned it on, and quite possibly is making a strong case to remain the Skins’ franchise quarterback.

Campbell has at least 222 passing yards and seven touchdowns through the air in his past three games, and is moving the ball consistently. He has a nice match-up with a vulnerable

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NFL Headlines

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Posted by mattythebulldog | Posted on 08-12-2009

Category : Around the League, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks

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NFL HeadlinesJoanna_krupa_bikini

  • DeSean Jackson – WR, Philadelphia Eagles
    DeSean Jackson admitted he had headaches and was fatigued all last week, but says the headaches stopped on Sunday.
  • Julius Jones – RB, Seattle Seahawks
    Julius Jones (chest) came out of Sunday’s win over the 49ers in full health despite 25 touches.
  • Anthony Gonzalez - WR, Indianapolis Colts
    Colts President Bill Polian revealed that Anthony Gonzalez had a setback with his knee and needed arthroscopic surgery.
  • Mike Wallace – WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
    Rookie Mike Wallace is expected to start at wide receiver Thursday if Hines Ward (hamstring) can’t go.
  • Steve Slaton – RB, Houston Texans
    Steve Slaton has been dealing with numbness in his shoulder for about a month, status a wait and see.
  • Mark Clayton – WR, Baltimore Ravens
    Mark Clayton injured his hamstring during Monday night’s loss to the Packers, the Ravens are struggling on offense and the loss of Clayton wouldn’t help
  • Roddy White – WR, Atlanta Falcons
    Roddy White was targeted 20 times in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. White is a must start this week for the Falcons
  • Clinton Portis – RB, Washington Redskins
    Clinton Portis’ season is over after the Redskins placed him on injured reserve due to complications from his concussion.
  • Matt Schaub – QB, Houston Texans
    After undergoing an MRI on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, Matt Schaub remained optimistic that he will be able to play Sunday.
  • Graham Gano – K, Washington Redskins
    Redskins signed K Graham Gano and released K Shaun Suisham
  • Nick Folk – K, Dallas Cowboys
    Nick Folk has missed five of his last seven field goal attempts.

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The Titans Secret Weapon?

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Posted by Diesel | Posted on 24-11-2009

Category : Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans

Tags: ,

The Titans Secret Weapon?
The Houston Texans playoff hopes might have been squashed last night after another heartbreaking loss. Kicker Kris Brown miss another game tying field goal that would have sent the Texans into overtime, this time he was in his own house when he choked. The Titans got a few favorable calls on the last drive of the game, including a phantom horse-collar call that turned a loss on the play into a 15 yard first down. Overall I think it came down to the Texans not being able to stop VY, but the refs did make a few bad calls that might have given the Titans a small edge. Either way, this video will piss off any Texans fan.

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Texans to the Playoffs?

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Posted by Daniel Phillips | Posted on 17-11-2009

Category : Around the League, Houston Texans, Previews & Forecasts

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Texans to the Playoffs?steve-slaton

The Houston Texans are one of the up and comers in the NFL this year. Defined by a high flying offense led by Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, this team has the potential to outscore most teams on the journey to their first ever playoff in their brief existence (2002). The AFC is highly competitive this season, with many strong teams boasting better records than the 5-4 Texans, but at this point the Texans have what it takes to battle their way into one of six AFC playoff positions by continuing to win football games.

One can’t say enough about the 2009 Houston Texans. They are performing at a very high standard as we all saw last week when they nearly defeated the undefeated Colts. Matt Schaub is leading the league in passing yardage this season (2,653) and is tied with Drew Brees for the lead in touchdowns thrown (17).  Andre Johnson is up to his usual leading the league in reception yards with 800, and throw in a duo of more than talented running backs in Steve Slaton and Ryan Moats who have been proving that they too can shoulder the load.

Now the playoff crunch is on. Every win or loss is crucial if the Texans  want to solidify a spot. So will they make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history? Or will it just be another let down for the fans in Houston? The answer is not too far away.

In the remaining 7 games the Texans seem likely to pull off a minimum of three wins:

@ Jacksonville, vs. Seattle, and vs. St.Louis. They also face some tough sledding this winter: vs. Tennessee (who is not so terrible with VY at the helm), vs. Indianapolis, @ Miami, and vs. New England. Doing some quick math, if the Texans win their three “gimme’s”, and are able to split the difficult games, they will go 5-2, leaving them with a final record of 10-6 which may just squeak them into the wildcard position within this highly competitive division. These projections may be optimistic. Based on the Texans current success, the Texans should be battling with the Chargers (5-3), the Ravens (4-4), and the Jets (4-4) for that coveted wildcard spot.

Sticking my neck out, I am going to have to pre-eminently congratulate Houston, as I have to predict that the Texans are going to make it into this year’s playoff. I see the AFC shaping out seeded as so: 1.Colts, 2.Patriots, 3.Steelers, 4.Bengals, 5.Broncos, 6.Texans. The Chargers will be battling with the Texans for this last wildcard spot, but a weaker schedule falls into the hands of the Texans, and hence it looks like they will finally be feeling the sweet caress of the NFL playoffs.

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