QUOTE: “A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals to discovery.” -- James Joyce, “Ulysses”
Julius Peppers and the Bears
Free agency is set to begin in two days, and the largest tampering party (the combine) is now over. According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, the Bears might have met with Julius Peppers’ representatives while in Indy. On the surface, most teams avoid any tampering charge when meeting with agents because most agents have more than one client, so teams can claim they’re meeting to discuss another player, not the free agent. However, Peppers’ agent, Carl Carey, doesn’t have any other clients, so if a meeting took place at the Hyatt, the Bears have a lot of explaining to do.
Now, I’m confident the Bears are interested in Peppers because they’ve expressed interest in signing other defensive ends. But I’m also confident that the Bears know Carey doesn’t have any other players, and meeting him might result in a tampering charge. Everyone in the NFL knows that Bears GM Jerry Angelo never makes his way over to the stadium during the combine and prefers to stay in his suite at the Hyatt to meet with agents. So unless someone saw Carey walk into that suite, this will be hard to prove. The Bears charged the 49ers with tampering with Lance Briggs a few years ago, so they know what must be proven in these situations. If they do sign Peppers, there will be many questions to answer about this alleged meeting.
With Peppers, I’m sure there’s one team that’s interested but has yet to declare its interest. Some teams will hold back, let the market settle down and then come in at the last minute and match the price. Agents want to get as many teams in the race to start, make them declare their level of interest and force the price to rise. To avoid this type of back and forth, some teams, especially a team with a playoff history, will lay back and then swoop in at the last minute and make the deal.
The restricted market
I’ve been writing this for a while, but from talking to teams over the weekend in Indy, there will be considerable movement within the restricted market. Several teams will pay very close attention to the tenders, and the players who have low tenders or first right of refusal tenders will get some action. If a team is interested in trading a player, it might lower the tender and make it attractive for a team to come in and make an offer. If a team tenders a first and a third, most teams will back off, but if they tender just a first rounder, there might be more action. Remember, teams in the final eight can trade for players but can’t sign free agents, so a lower tender will pique the interest of the teams picking in the bottom of the first round.
The Jets and Cromartie
I heard this rumor while at the combine and was told by sources with knowledge to pay attention to it because there’s interest on the Jets’ part to make a deal. After being at the combine, one thing is for certain -- the Jets are going to add a corner to their team. The Jets are a final eight team but clearly can make a trade, and Antonio Cromartie has their attention. This rumor might have been shot down, but it won’t go away.
Trading for Michael Vick
I’ve been writing and saying all offseason that the Eagles will not trade Michael Vick unless they get a solid pick in return. And unless they get a second round pick, they won’t move him. You think that’s too much? Not really if you understand that if they hold on to him and he becomes a free agent in 2011, then signs with another team, the Eagles would probably get a compensatory third-round pick. So it makes sense to ask for a second rounder right now. Who will pay that? No one. That’s why I see Vick back with the Eagles.
Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi
Could Brandon Marshall be a fit in Chicago? Check out this article from Bleacher Report to find out.
Tampering is the worst form of cheating that goes on in the modern NFL, but its also nearly impossible to prove, and similarly all too easy to falsely accuse a team of. If a team is caught tampering, they should absolutely lose a first round draft pick at the minimum.
Interesting info about the Eagles probably getting a 3rd in 2011 if Vick walks as a free agent. That certainly gives them insentive to hold onto him rather than trade him cheaply. If Vick is sticking around (to backup Kolb) it seems much more likely McNabb could be dealt.
@Jimmy
Thanks for the info on compensatory selections regarding Vick. I thought it sounded too good to be true and wondered why Mike wrote "probably" in regards to the 3rd. Eagles really should just deal him for whatever they can get (5th rounder?).
Wouldn't trading Vick for a 3rd or 4th round pick in this year's draft be worth it? If this draft is deep with talent and potential, I would think loading up on extra picks this year would be preferred?
So is it any surprise that Angelo's first round and second round success is limited since he never makes it over to the Combine to meet with players, his scouts, coaches, and see what's happening? He is listening to agents, which is why he drafts guys like Okwo, Wolfe, and Bazuin in the 3rd and 2nd rounds, respectively.
This guy is a joke. Scouting is supposedly what he is most passionate about, yet he doesn't do anything but socialize when he is in the center of the scouting world.
I hope the NFL takes away the Bears' 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th round picks for this tampering.
"These quotes are getting pretty gay, Lombardi." - NFP Nation.
The answer is YES. The Bears did tamper with Pep and the Panthers, and they did so in a smug, arrogant fashion.
"Look at us, rest of the league, we're the first to talk to Peppers!"
However, I do not expect the Panthers (I am a panther fan) to file in sort of complaint. Marty Hurny, Coach Fox, and Mr. Richardson have made their intentions clear. And speaking from a panther perspective, they've never been one to cry over spilled milk.
I will admit, though, I am not familiar with the rules of engagement, and if there is some sort of substantial penalty for this, like an extra high draft choice, the Panthers would be wise to be a taddletail and get an extra pick (which we are low on).
LOMBARDI,
I should also add that my most recent post was before I read on ROTOWORLD.com, that the Panthers made a last ditch effort to sign Julius to a contract hours ago. It was around $14 million a year.
He responded, "No thanks."
This makes me believe that the Panthers WILL indeed file a tampering charge against the Bears.
Brandon Marshall for first round tender. Any takers?
David Kaplan's "source" is probably the Panther's management, just trying to get some draft picks out of a nothing issue. If Kaplan refuses to reveal his sources, case closed.
BEARS = D-E-S-P-E-R-A-T-I-O-N.
A coach and GM trying to save their job.
Just change your name to the Chicago Lions.
It would be hilarious if the league filed charges against the Bears
Mr. Lombardi. I enjoy reading your insights. I don't feel that I am qualified to add comment to your specifics in football. I am qualified to complement you on the quotes. They have been great and fun to read.
Well on the Bear thing all teams operate like this. Remember last year Snyder eating dinner w/Haynesworths agent at the combine & then signing him like a couple hours after the FA period began? So all you Bear haters out there just shut your yaps! The Bears aren't taking him from his team because his team said 2 weeks ago he wasn't coming back w/them. So this is really small potatoes to quibble over & only a bitter 49er fan,(whos team legitimately tampered w/a player who was tagged & fully wanted back by his team),Packer fan,Bronco fan,& perhaps a delusional Panther fan would even be remotely concerned about this. get a life! And IDK what MrTouchdown's sources are but its been widely known since last years possible trade of Peppers that he'd be an ex Panther in 2010.
@Johnny
My "sources", as stated in my post, is ROTOWORLD.com...No one is hating on the Bears you insecure turd, all I (and every intelligent NFL fan) am saying is the Bears blatantly broke the rules. The reason the Panthers offered Pep that contract (that they knew he would pass on) is so they CAN file tampering charges and maybe take one of your draft picks.
And good luck with Peppers bro, IF you guys dont low ball him like you usually do with FA, the guy has no heart. Period. He is not a leader. He takes plays off. That rep has followed him since he played for the heels. He is a helluva athlete and could probably go down as one of the best, most complete DEs in the history of the modern era if not the NFL. But it's not in him. When he vanishes for four games in a row, I'll be here to say I told you so.
Can someone explain how the tenders work? For example, Leon Washington was given a second round tender. If a team wants to sign him, do the Jets get a right to match, or are they just compensated with the signing team's second round pick?
"Remember, teams in the final eight can trade for players but can’t sign free agents, so a lower tender will pique the interest of the teams picking in the bottom of the first round."
I don't think that's correct. Direct from the NFL rulebook.
From Section 7 of Article XXI in the CBA:
"No Club subject to the provisions of this Article may, for one League Year, trade for a player it otherwise would not be permitted to sign as an Unrestricted Free Agent as a result of the provisions of this Article."
The Final 8 can sign all the RFA's they like, and teams 8-4 can sign one UFA, but no team can trade for a player they couldn't sign as an UFA.
Complicated I know.
Insecure about what exactly? That statement alone tells me you have the intelligence of an amoeba. If you even know what that is. And rotoworld.com is a fitting source since its for FANTASY sports. That story was as credible as your football knowledge. And ALL teams tamper dip shit! If you think otherwise you're even dumber then I thought. And the Bears didn't clearly do anything,because if they clearly did do something they'd be losing picks which they are not because there's no credible proof. So stop using terms that don't apply. Like I could use you're clearly stupid because that's blatantly true. So nice try mouth breather. Why don't you go back to planning on extending the family bloodline & impregnate another family member. Next time you decide to call someone a turd from the comfort of being protected from behind that computer screen of yours at the very least state the team you do root for. Because the next time you rip on the Bears your punk ass better recognize that the team you root for is only here because of a charter franchise,(& probably the biggest reason the NFL is what it is today),THE Chicago Bears.
I do not think even Jerry Angelo is this dumb. From an observation standpoint I would say the NFL is as much a rumor mill as a womans tea party.
I do not think even Jerry Angelo is this dumb. From an observation standpoint I would say the NFL is as much a rumor mill as a womans tea party. Johnny is right about the Bears being a big reason there is an NFL and I do not think they tampered. The press has been doing that for them by making sure Peppers knows the Bears want him, though I do not think they will sign him because of the money for such an inconsistant player. I am hoping for Adam Kampman myself.
I do not think even Jerry Angelo is this dumb. From an observation standpoint I would say the NFL is as much a rumor mill as a womans tea party. Johnny is right about the Bears being a big reason there is an NFL and I do not think they tampered. The press has been doing that for them by making sure Peppers knows the Bears want him, though I do not think they will sign him because of the money being asked for by such an inconsistent player. I am hoping for Adam Kampman myself.
I don't know if the Bears tampered with Peppers or not. My question to all, based on lack of any other info is...
How can Aaron Kampman from Green Bay already know where he is going to end up, if no conversations are allowed until the FA clock goes live ?? Chicago reporters have been telling us that Kampman is off our list, because He already knows where he is ending up. HOW ??? And if it's true, why is there no mention of tampering involving his "new team" ??
Someone explain ....
I don't know if the Bears tampered with Peppers or not. My question to all, based on lack of any other info is...
How can Aaron Kampman from Green Bay already know where he is going to end up, if no conversations are allowed until the FA clock goes live ?? Chicago reporters have been telling us that Kampman is off our list, because He already knows where he is ending up. HOW ??? And if it's true, why is there no mention of tampering involving his "new team" ??
Someone explain ....
ChiTown - His agent was likely at the combine. There are subtle ways to communicate. As much as I hate to see him go, lets wait. If the Bears are seriously willing to overpay for Peppers then that lets Kampman out. The Vikings came for him twice but not this time.
15 yard penalty on Johnny. Come on, argue on the merits and skip the profanity and personal attacks. That's what makes this site enjoyable: reasonable discourse without continual postings of "Your team sucks, moron!"
1st and 25, Johnny.
If I were the Bears, I'd skip the glamour guy Peppers with his questionable effort and out-of-line contract numbers and make a serious play for Aaron Kampman. The Bears would pay little more than half Peppers money for Kampman and they'd get a guy who is a top five sacker and a great run defender who NEVER takes a play off.
Packer Pete MrTouchdown called me an insecure turd! Where I come from Thems fighting words. Only 2 things are worse to call a man then a piece of shit & thats a punk & a bitch. I would not have gone off on that idiot if he had not fired the first shot. I did question his reasoning for slapping a tampering charge on the Bears but w/o personal; insult then he calls me an insecure turd. Sorry if U didn't read the whole evolution of the circumstance,but that pissed me off. And I never say my team rules your team sucks. I pride myself on being an intelligent football fan who has played the game & am still a student of the game.
I like Kampman. I really do,but he's not Peppers. Peppers is THE best available player in FA by a long shot! Thats not even debatable. I think whoever gets Kampman gets a fine consolation prize,but a consolation prize non the less. You're a follower of the NFC North,so I know you're well aware of the pathetic pass rush and overall defensive play the Bears have had probably to your liking being a Packer fan. Kampman is a question mark who's coming off a serious knee injury. Those who rehab from that usually need a full season to recover. Then he's what? 32? Peppers is completely healthy & dominant. Bears can't mess around here.
I do not think there was any issues with this transaction. I think they did it the right way. I am not sure what the issues are.
I do not understand the issue here. I do not think the beats did anything wrong. They made the right move going after peppers. He is an awesome player.
I agree, Peppers what the right move, regardless of his injury proneness. I know a guy that hosts a football radio show out of South Carolina, and he has always back the decision on Peppers.
I agree, Peppers what the right move, regardless of his injury proneness. I know a guy that hosts a football radio show out of South Carolina, and he has always back the decision on Peppers.
Peppers is my favorite football player of all time. He is fierce! He's such a threat, especially on 3rd and short. He's a scary, scary man.
great news indeed.
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Mar 03, 2010
11:07 AM
Regarding your comment on Vick...
"Not really if you understand that if they hold on to him and he becomes a free agent in 2011, then signs with another team, the Eagles would probably get a compensatory third-round pick."
That’s actually not true. You cannot receive a 3rd round compensatory pick for a player over the age of 30. Vick turns 30 in June. There are typically only about (4) 3rd round compensatory selections awarded each year, and they go to the team that lost players that…
- Received a large contract from their new team (which Vick likely wouldn’t). This is the main factor in determining compensatory pick compensation.
- Got a lot of playing time
- Received postseason honors (ie – Pro Bowl)
Also, if the Eagles were to sign players away from other teams, that negates the potential to recoup a pick in return for a lost player (in this case, Vick).
Anyway, there are so many factors involved in how compensatory picks are awarded, that it should never ever factor into personnel decisions.