The 2018 NFL Discussion Thread

[Yves]

Raiders will have 2 first rounders next draft so one of those + another pick could be bundled up to move up a few spots if that right player is still on the board.

[polmico]

Sid Luckman?

Right. It must kill Bears fans to look at their rivals and see two back-to-back HOF QBs (future HOFer Rodgers and Favre) and know that, in their entire history, they've only ever had the one and none of their other QBs are even close enough to get a sniff of the Hall.

I mean, unless Jay Cutler gets elected . . .

[Vic2012]

And Vic, Gruden was TRADED to Tampa. He didn't leave of his own accord..

Yep, you are right on that. I'd forgotten that. I remember rooting for Gruden and Tampa because of that, but mainly because he was facing the team that got rid of him. I've never been a fan of Tampa Bay, but I still hated the Raiders at the time.

[Vic2012]

Just noticed we play Oakland in week 3, in Miami. Seems like the Raiders always come here whenever they play us.

[oilersfan]

Right. It must kill Bears fans to look at their rivals and see two back-to-back HOF QBs (future HOFer Rodgers and Favre) and know that, in their entire history, they've only ever had the one and none of their other QBs are even close enough to get a sniff of the Hall.

I mean, unless Jay Cutler gets elected . . .

Thing is, once you get past Luckman, Cutler has easily been one of their better QBs. I mean, it's almost without question.

[polmico]

Thing is, once you get past Luckman, Cutler has easily been one of their better QBs. I mean, it's almost without question.

And that ain't good. So, like I says, Bears have been historically not been built around QBs, but defense and RBs. That's kind of how they do it, so this trade makes sense for them. But Oakland definitely wins the trade.

[moecurlythanu]

But Oakland definitely wins the trade.

Time will tell. The National Media doesn't agree with you, fwiw.

[polmico]

Time will tell. The National Media doesn't agree with you, fwiw.

Every position is fungible besides QB (unless, apparently, you’re the Eagles). This doesn’t mean there aren’t stars and impactful players at other positions, but there is no position more important than QB. You draft around that. Build a line, find targets and draft or mold pass rushers—but you need a QB. The LV Raiders have draft options; they lost a pass rusher.

[moecurlythanu]

Every position is fungible besides QB (unless, apparently, you’re the Eagles). This doesn’t mean there aren’t stars and impactful players at other positions, but there is no position more important than QB. You draft around that. Build a line, find targets and draft or mold pass rushers—but you need a QB. The LV Raiders have draft options; they lost a pass rusher.

You may prove to be right. But this article gives a good feel for how it's playing nationally:

http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/p...fl-cutdown-day

Especially the section entitled An awful day with big surprises for the Oakland Raiders

And are you saying that Chucky thinks he still needs a quarterback and made the trade in order to acquire more draft capital to pursue one?

[Hobo Chang Ba]

I suppose it depends if they hit with those picks. Personally, I never understood the trade your best player away strategy, but at least when they are old it makes a little bit of sense. This isn't the case with Mack. I haven't seen the final details of the trade (all I hear is two first rounders) but I'd give the win to Chicago now. If Oakland lands two hall of famers with these picks, then I'll change my opinion. (I suppose if Chi-town crashes and burns these next two years and Oakland winds up with top 5 picks both years then I might also re-evaluate. But as Cleveland can attest just having high draft picks means nothing if you whiff.)

[The Dark Elf]

Actually, Gruden played it smart. The Raiders will be leaving Oakland for Las Vegas as early as next year. The Raiders have already thrown Oakland under the bus, why have a mediocre team with Mack on it, when you can lose in Oakland and guarantee fans in the seats in Nevada? What better way to pump up Las Vegas than 2 straight years of two 1st round draft picks. Plus, Mack's $14 million salary from this year gets added to the available cap in 2019. So, in 2019 the Raiders have an extra 1st rounder, an extra 6th rounder and an extra $14 mill in cap.

[polmico]

And are you saying that Chucky thinks he still needs a quarterback and made the trade in order to acquire more draft capital to pursue one?

No, I think Carr has probably proven he is their starter. Is he a top ten QB? Probably not, but he's at least in the top 15.

You're right, though, that this is playing out very poorly, and it seems to have pissed off a lot of the players.

Logically, though, was Mack the difference between the Raiders a good team with a shot at the playoffs or the Raiders viable SuperBowl contenders? No one is claiming that. How many linebackers/pass rushers really do make that kind of shift for their teams? Reggie White to Green Bay? Maybe LT in '86? Maybe?

Luke Kuechly is probably the best middle linebacker in the game, but he alone, obviously, is not enough to overcome an inconsistent QB, a weak running game and a second-tier offensive line. The (future) LV Raiders now are stocked with draft choices to find offensive linemen and RBs and a linebacker to replace Mack.

[Klonk]

The 2018 Raiders Discussion Thread

[Yves]

The 2018 Raiders Discussion Thread

Best thread ever!

I have digested this move and I think the Raiders win. Chuckie will be there for the next decade. He needs to think long term. Mack would have played out his contract and moved on. The could not pay him. Now thet got a shitload of picks for him. They were 6-10 last year. If they win 7 this year then they're already better.

[Lou]

They were 6-10 last year. If they win 7 this year then they're already better.

Reach for the stars!!!

[Vic2012]

Chuckle won't last 3 years. That's his window, 3 years. That's every head coach's window. Get it done in 3 years or you are fired buddy boy..........

[Lou]

Chuckle won't last 3 years. That's his window, 3 years. That's every head coach's window.

Tell that to Melvin Lewis!

[Yves]

Chuckle won't last 3 years. That's his window, 3 years. That's every head coach's window. Get it done in 3 years or you are fired buddy boy..........

He signed for 10 years. A lot of guaranteed money iirc. Mark Davis is in love with him.

[Vic2012]

He signed for 10 years. A lot of guaranteed money iirc. Mark Davis is in love with him.

I doubt he'll be there ten years, unless he gets them the SB in the next few years. Even with success I just don't see him staying more than 5 years.

[Scott Bails]

The Eagles will be starting the Super Bowl QB for Week 1. Their franchise QB will be (hopefully) healing from his ACL issues.

[Scott Bails]

I doubt he'll be there ten years, unless he gets them the SB in the next few years. Even with success I just don't see him staying more than 5 years.

I totally agree, Vic. Unless he totally turns that team around, I think 5 years is generous.

[moecurlythanu]

Want to know how your team is going to do this year? Well here it is folks:

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/sto...fantasy-stars#

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

Want to know how your team is going to do this year? Well here it is folks:

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/sto...fantasy-stars#

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Brownies are going to do better than 30th place

[oilersfan]

Want to know how your team is going to do this year? Well here it is folks:

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/sto...fantasy-stars#

Three of the bottom four are from the AFC East. Without crunching the numbers I believe that, mathematically, at least one of them will end up being notably higher in the power rankings than ESPN has them here.

[DocProgger]

^^^
The Pats have benefitted for years by being in the division with the weakest competition, which has made their path to the SB much easier. Weak division, easy division wins contributes to best record, home field advantage in playoffs etc., while other teams in more competitive divisions have to slug it out more, lose more games, means they don't get home field in playoffs as much.