QUOTE: “Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures but in the use made of them.” — Napolean Bonaparte
NFL schedule
Today is NFL schedule day, and NFL Network will have its preview show revealing every team’s weekly schedule along with the nationally televised games. When I was in the league, I always loved this day so I could check out the schedule of the teams in the division and pay close attention our opponents’ schedule the last half of the season.
Getting off to a great start is a nice concept, but in reality, it’s not very important. Finishing strong is what counts most; winning games in November and December is when playoff teams are made. So opening day is nice, but it doesn’t have significant implications. Tonight, when watching the schedule show, examine your favorite team’s last eight games to figure out how many tough road games await them.
What else to look for today:
1. With Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger almost certainly going to be suspended, it will be interesting to see how the league dealt with the team’s early season schedule.
2. We know Vikings QB Brett Favre will be back next year, so it will be interesting to see how many games in cold weather he’s forced to play in.
3. When will Donovan McNabb make his return to Philadelphia?
It’s a great week for the NFL, the schedule and the draft -- and how many more days until camp?
News and notes around the league
1. The Jets recently reworked Santonio Holmes’ contract to lower his base salary, so the amount of money that’s deducted for his upcoming suspension will be less. When Holmes was traded, most of his money due in 2010 was in the form of his base salary, but since he became a Jet, the team shifted the money into roster bonus, reporting bonus and signing bonus so Holmes would pay as little as possible for his fine. This clearly cannot make the NFL league office happy and goes against the spirit of the suspension.
2. Speaking of the Jets, they are actively shopping guard Alan Faneca, defensive end Shaun Ellis and linebacker Bryan Thomas and will probably waive these players after the draft. You might be surprised to read Faneca’s name, but he’s the first to go after the draft.
3. The Cowboys would part with defensive end Marcus Spears, linebacker Bobby Carpenter, wide receiver Sam Hurd, safety Pat Watkins and lineman Cory Procter for the right price. All of them are being shopped around the league.
4. I’ve been asked several times if the Raiders would take Idaho guard Mike Iupati in the first round. My answer is that it doesn’t make sense, but who knows? The Raiders have done a ton of work in recent weeks on linebacker Rolando McClain of Alabama, and although he doesn’t have “Raider speed,” he would be a good pick for them.
5. I’m still hearing the Raiders would be willing to trade any corner on their team, Nnamdi Asomugha, Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt are all available.
More tomorrow. And make sure to watch NFL Network tomorrow.
Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi
What would Nnamdi Asomugha likely cost a team in trades. Doesnt he have an opt out clause at the end of next year? (assuming there is a new CBA)
If I were the commissioner, I would fine the Jets roughly whatever they saved Holmes on his fine.
That would put a stop to this practice pretty quick.
Couldn't the Jets moves just be the work of sugar plum fairies trying to spread good cheer....and completely unrelated to his suspension???
Couldn't the Jets moves just be the smart thing to do in an uncapped year....and completely unrelated to his suspension???
The commish could rule that it was his salary at the time of the suspension and this was a ruse to get around it and still ding him...doesn't the league office have to approve all contracts? If so, did they miss it?
Trade for Bobby Carpenter? Unless he gets back on the 'roids all I'll give you is an old kicking tee and a used mouthguard.
Alan Faneca's 5-year deal was always imaginary money with the Jets.
According to Rotoworld, he has a $7.5M salary and a supstantial roster bonus this season (which was reported as part of the $21M guaranteed when he signed the deal). As always with reported "guaranteed money", I'm not sure what to believe anymore.
Unfortunately, with no salary cap and no dead money penalty, this is what the union has asked for. Every veteran player that is even somewhat overpaid can be dumped even up to the 11th hour a week before the season starts. They are then stuck trying to find jobs who knows where and who knows how much.
The Jets could literally, cut Faneca a week before the season starts and then offer him $3 million for the year, which is likely more than he'd get anywhere else so late in the process and without knowing the play book. Faneca would be in a "have to take it or retire" scenario.
And this is just one of MANY examples out there. I think we will be shocked at some of the names cut during week 3-4 of preseason.
Mike: get your facts and spin straight. Holmes' original deal called for $755k in salary and $750k in a roster bonus ($1505k total). The Jets reworked it to: $630k slary, $270k workout bonus and $500k roster ($1400k total). So, yeah, his fine might be reduced a bit, but they also shaved off the total money a bit and made him accountable to show up for workouts.
The Boys are going to have to offer up Martellus Bennett and/or Tashard Choice in order to expect anything decent in return.
Lombardi,
Yes, I'll be watching this closely, along with the NBA playoffs. This is a great time to be a fan of all sports! Speaking of the Raiders drafting Rolando McClain, since it makes sense, I fully expect them NOT to do it. Have a good day! Nice interview with Josh McDaniels!
You could be right about Ellis and Thomas, but they arent going to cut Faneca this year, that is a ridiculous statement. They may re-work his deal, but they arent just going to cut him in an uncapped year when they have flat out called Super Bowl or bust.....
Gotta call shenanagans on that one Lombardi......
a.) The Jets won't be punished because the Commissioner is in love with them.
b.) The Raiders are going to do the (shockingly) right thing and draft Jimmy Claussen ( orTebow for Bay area electricity). They really need a young, qb who can be a leader. And more than that, they need positive buzz.
no way jets release ellis or faneca, they may trade thomas. restructuring of holmes contract helps out both parties and is incentive for holmes to work his ass off.
this article seems to me like BS to gain some publicity. after jets got ridiculed for dumping jones you think they are going to dump 3 more vets, dont think so.
Where was it reported that Brett Favre is returning for the 2010 season?
Re: Schedule point #2.
My guess is the league won't make Faver play outdoors much in late November and December. They want him in the playoffs more than anything. Hell, they even changed the overtime rule cause of him.
Re: Schedule point #2.
My guess is the league won't make Faver play outdoors much in late November and December. They want him in the playoffs more than anything. Hell, they even changed the overtime rule cause of him.
Wouldn't it be great to see Farve play in Lambeau orSoldier Field in December to end the season? I don't think it is impossible given that the league decided on divisional games in week 17 and the Vikings don't have many warm weather venues away from home. The Vikings have away games in the following cities: Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, New York Jets, and New Orleans (where they open the season). That leaves Washington, and Detroit as the only likely warm venues in November and December.
Wouldn't it be great to see Farve play in Lambeau orSoldier Field in December to end the season? I don't think it is impossible given that the league decided on divisional games in week 17 and the Vikings don't have many warm weather venues away from home. The Vikings have away games in the following cities: Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, New England, New York Jets, and New Orleans (where they open the season). That leaves Washington, and Detroit as the only likely warm venues in November and December.
Regarding the statement: "The Cowboys would part with defensive end Marcus Spears, linebacker Bobby Carpenter, wide receiver Sam Hurd, safety Pat Watkins and lineman Cory Procter for the right price. All of them are being shopped around the league." I understand the Cowboys are asking for a #7 pick in the 2012 draft and a blocking sled for the entire package--and the blocking sled is negotiable.
Thus far, no takers.
Actually, Spears is pretty decent, but the rest....
If the Jets let Faneca go the Bears should jump all over it. They cemented Frank Omeyele at RT so he's not in play as a Guard. They would likely take a Guard in the draft, but who would be better than Faneca.
"The Raiders have done a ton of work in recent weeks on linebacker Rolando McClain of Alabama, and although he doesn’t have “Raider speed,” he would be a good pick for them."
GREAT pick for the Raiders. Zach Miller didn't have blinding speed either, but he is a hard nosed football player.
Michael Bush couldn't run on draft day or the combine and was taken in round four, he legged out a ton of yards against the Bucs.
Get players with heart, ability, game sense. Round a roster out with the workout types for special teams,etc.
Still would rather see the team put itself in position to get Price of UCLA.
The original word heard was that Oakland moves back to get Pouncey. The fact that Tebo elevated his draft stock may make the need to trade up on a passer a null point. Add to this the fact Clausen may slide, it would be make moving back hard to do with demand eased.
The Chiefs also want to move back, Green Bay put out word on moving up to the bubble picks at ten, eleven, or twelve. Denver is full of picks to move around, as are the Eagles.
Moving that far requires three teams to do it. The fulcrum of such a deal is in the middle man, where the true bargain power lies. That still puts the Broncs in the best position to do something at this time. If playoff teams want to move up they need to look at those middle men and see who is ready to go back(cost savings) or move up(positional demand) from those spots.
Mike, aren't the schedules supposed to rotate? Can anyone tell me why this is the third straight year the Eagles have to play AT Chicago? I understand how you can play non-division teams several times in a row (i.e. Indy/NE) but how come they don't make it even as to who is the road team? Doesn't seem fair to me, and it's not just because I'm an Eagles fan...
I agree with racer x, fine the Jets exactly how much they saved, or double that, to put a stop
to this kind of behavior.
This is about the fifth year in a row that home field advantage has been taken away from the Packers in December. Who do they play at home? Chicago and NY Giants. The league sure favors scheduling of the dome and fair weather teams. Championship teams should be able to play anywhere.
I'm still of the mindset that Al Davis might take Cornerback J. Haden from Florida either at the #8 position or by moving down and still getting him. In doing so he would then make a trade giving Asomugha up for a #1 IN THE 2011 DRAFT.This would free up a ton of $$$$ to sign Richard Seymour to the big bucks he will need to stay after this year. In doing so the Raiders have moved $$$ to the pressure position that today's pass happy NFL requires. Paying a CB who only plays one side the kind of $$ he got is ridiculous. It's not like he moves around to take out the opposition's top receiver. I know the Raiders need OL but don't be surprised if this is Davis's plan.
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Apr 20, 2010
11:24 AM
How would waiving any of those guys make sense for the Jets?