2017 General NFL Transactions and News

pappymojo · Jul 19, 2017

The Panthers have announced that they have hired Marty Hurney as their interim G.M. They did not interview any minority candidates but the NFL said that's okay because the Rooney Rule doesn't apply to interim G.M. hirings even though that is not detailed in the rule itself.

:bagd:

Besides having a history of some really bad contracts during his former stint as the Panthers GM, Marty Hurney was quoted as a former NFL GM during the deflategate debacle.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12216634/former-carolina-panthers-gm-marty-hurney-angry-spygate-amid-new-england-patriots-controversy

"This isn't about deflating balls. ... It's an issue of if there is a culture of cheating at the organization that most people look at as the gold standard in this league. Is there a culture of cheating and breaking the rules?"

At the time, Hurney was a radio talk show on Charlotte's ESPN 730 AM and an ESPN NFL Insider.

tims4wins · Jul 27, 2017

Ravens John Urschel retires at 26

Average Reds · Jul 27, 2017

tims4wins said:
Ravens John Urschel retires at 26

Proving once again that he is (or was) the smartest man in the NFL.

InstaFace · Jul 27, 2017

tims4wins said:
Ravens John Urschel retires at 26

Link with quotes. They try hard to frame the coincidence of his retirement coming 2 days after the release of the "99% of players have CTE" report.

dcmissle · Jul 27, 2017

InstaFace said:
Link with quotes. They try hard to frame the coincidence of his retirement coming 2 days after the release of the "99% of players have CTE" report.

They do not have to "try hard" with a "team source" that directly links the study to the retirement. Some times correlation = causation.

Average Reds · Jul 27, 2017

InstaFace said:
Link with quotes. They try hard to frame the coincidence of his retirement coming 2 days after the release of the "99% of players have CTE" report.

I can tell you with 100% certainty that Urschel retired due to concerns about CTE.

soxfan121 · Jul 27, 2017

Average Reds said:
I can tell you with 100% certainty that Urschel retired due to concerns about CTE.

Which puts him, possibly, in the "college" cohort of the study so there's only an ~80% chance he's on his way to a postmortem CTE diagnosis.

Better than 99.1%, I suppose.

Hoodie Sleeves · Jul 27, 2017

soxfan121 said:
Which puts him, possibly, in the "college" cohort of the study so there's only an ~80% chance he's on his way to a postmortem CTE diagnosis.

Better than 99.1%, I suppose.

This stuff frustrates me.

CTE is bad, and probably really prevalent - but the report didn't say that 99% of NFL players probably have CTE - it said 99% of donated brains did, and brains typically get donated when players show symptoms at a relatively young age- so it's 99% of players with symptoms of CTE have it.

Its a bit like saying "99% of swimmers drown" after a study finds that 99% of bodies found in the water have water in their lungs.

soxfan121 · Jul 27, 2017

Hoodie Sleeves said:
This stuff frustrates me.

You know what frustrates me? Reading comprehension.

dcmissle · Jul 27, 2017

Hoodie Sleeves said:
This stuff frustrates me.

CTE is bad, and probably really prevalent - but the report didn't say that 99% of NFL players probably have CTE - it said 99% of donated brains did, and brains typically get donated when players show symptoms at a relatively young age- so it's 99% of players with symptoms of CTE have it.

Its a bit like saying "99% of swimmers drown" after a study finds that 99% of bodies found in the water have water in their lungs.

If anyone goes upside Urschel's head with such stuff, a suspension is in order. Urschel has published six peer reviewed math papers; he is a PhD candidate at MIT. Anyone who second guesses his decision is "out of his depth", to steal a phrase from one of our military guys in the trans ban thread.

InstaFace · Jul 27, 2017

dcmissle said:
They do not have to "try hard" with a "team source" that directly links the study to the retirement. Some times correlation = causation.

Thanks, I had glossed over that line in the article. I'd focused more on the bland, no-reason-given statement from Harbaugh.

dcmissle said:
If anyone goes upside Urschel's head with such stuff, a suspension is in order. Urschel has published six peer reviewed math papers; he is a PhD candidate at MIT. Anyone who second guesses his decision is "out of his depth", to steal a phrase from one of our military guys in the trans ban thread.

I think HS was critiquing SF121's numbers, not Urschel's decision. It's not accurate to say that there's an 80% or 99.1% chance of a postmortem CTE diagnosis, since he has not yet died with reported symptoms and had his brain donated, and thus is not part of the denominator that went into those numbers. That's what HS was frustrated by.

If Urschel has felt symptoms and just not reported them, then perhaps those numbers are applicable. But if he hasn't, and is just stopping before he does, then it's quite possible that his odds of never developing them are dramatically better - let's hope for that. Nobody is second-guessing his decision.

soxfan121 · Jul 27, 2017

InstaFace said:
If Urschel has felt symptoms and just not reported them, then perhaps those numbers are applicable.

Average Reds said:
I can tell you with 100% certainty that Urschel retired due to concerns about CTE.

Reading comprehension. It's fundamental.

Hoodie Sleeves · Jul 27, 2017

InstaFace said:
I think HS was critiquing SF121's numbers, not Urschel's decision. It's not accurate to say that there's an 80% or 99.1% chance of a postmortem CTE diagnosis, since he has not yet died with reported symptoms and had his brain donated, and thus is not part of the denominator that went into those numbers. That's what HS was frustrated by.

That's absolutely what I was criticizing.

As to the soxfan121's snarky comment about reading comprehension - "due to concerns about CTE" and "has symptoms of CTE" are very different statements, and the difference is absolutely relevant to what I said.

InstaFace · Jul 27, 2017

Hoodie Sleeves said:
As to the soxfan121's snarky comment about reading comprehension - "due to concerns about CTE" and "has symptoms of CTE" are very different statements, and the difference is absolutely relevant to what I said.

Yeah, it's pretty amusing that he's doubling down on condescending remarks about reading comprehension, when it's he who didn't understand what I thought was the pretty-obvious meaning of your post. Why try to understand and respectfully discuss someone else's thoughts when you can just be a dick on the internet?

Anyway, it's a shame the test is so invasive. It's not like we can get a brain biopsy from a random sample of NFL, College and HS football players and develop some rough estimates of risk. But based on the general trend of CTE research, something tells me if we were to have a less-invasive test that would permit such studies, the results would rapidly accelerate the decline of participation in football as a youth sport. Even if the numbers were, say, 5% of HS players and 20% of college players will eventually develop symptoms, it would get increasingly hard for school boards, principals, and even college presidents to continue to fund the brain damage of their charges.

Best of luck to Urschel in his other career. [Hopefully his rookie contract] earnings should keep him in beer and skittles for his PhD and perhaps even Adjunct years.

Average Reds · Jul 27, 2017

InstaFace said:
Yeah, it's pretty amusing that he's doubling down on condescending remarks about reading comprehension, when it's he who didn't understand what I thought was the pretty-obvious meaning of your post. Why try to understand and respectfully discuss someone else's thoughts when you can just be a dick on the internet?

Anyway, it's a shame the test is so invasive. It's not like we can get a brain biopsy from a random sample of NFL, College and HS football players and develop some rough estimates of risk. But based on the general trend of CTE research, something tells me if we were to have a less-invasive test that would permit such studies, the results would rapidly accelerate the decline of participation in football as a youth sport. Even if the numbers were, say, 5% of HS players and 20% of college players will eventually develop symptoms, it would get increasingly hard for school boards, principals, and even college presidents to continue to fund the endeavor.

Best of luck to Urschel in his other career. $13M in career earnings at age 26 should keep him in beer and skittles for his PhD and perhaps even Adjunct years.

Calling the test for CTE "invasive" is like calling skydiving without a parachute "risky."

The sad fact is that ~~virtually~~ all NFL players have suffered multiple concussions, and those who play on the offensive line ~~tend to~~ suffer more than others. Urschel has been quite candid about the fact that, like most players, he suffered many concussions (some reported, some not) in high school and college. He has also discussed how a concussion suffered during the 2015 season left him without the ability to perform as a mathematician for far longer than he was sidelined as a player. (He was cleared to return to the Ravens after a few weeks. He could not function as a mathematician for months.)

You may quibble about whether that represents "symptoms" of CTE or not, but given the "invasiveness" of testing, we have to use our judgment. Based on what is already in the public domain, I'd say that the probabilities outlined by sf121 are spot on.

Regardless, I am pleased that Urschel is no longer ignoring the clear danger to his future health.

Edit: to remove needless ambiguity.

kelpapa · Jul 27, 2017

InstaFace said:
Best of luck to Urschel in his other career. $13M in career earnings at age 26 should keep him in beer and skittles for his PhD and perhaps even Adjunct years.

Where are you seeing $13M in career earnings? He's at $1.8M in cash per Spotrac. That's a lot more than almost everyone his age has made, but it's a lot different than $13M.

Average Reds · Jul 27, 2017

kelpapa said:
Where are you seeing $13M in career earnings? He's at $1.8M in cash per Spotrac. That's a lot more than almost everyone his age has made, but it's a lot different than $13M.

You are correct and InstaFace is wrong.

InstaFace · Jul 27, 2017

kelpapa said:
Where are you seeing $13M in career earnings? He's at $1.8M in cash per Spotrac. That's a lot more than almost everyone his age has made, but it's a lot different than $13M.

I just spent altogether too long trying to figure out the answer to your question, and the best I got is that I think it must have been another number from another recently-announced retirement that I conflated it with. You're clearly correct; my apologies.

BernieRicoBoomer · Jul 27, 2017

InstaFace said:
I just spent altogether too long trying to figure out the answer to your question, and the best I got is that I think it must have been another number from another recently-announced retirement that I conflated it with. You're clearly correct; my apologies.

Yes, that was the number given for Hawkins.

streeter88 · Jul 27, 2017

Average Reds said:
The sad fact is that ~~virtually~~ all NFL players have suffered multiple concussions, and those who play on the offensive line ~~tend to~~ suffer more than others. Urschel has been quite candid about the fact that, like most players, he suffered many concussions (some reported, some not) in high school and college. He has also discussed how a concussion suffered during the 2015 season left him without the ability to perform as a mathematician for far longer than he was sidelined as a player. (He was cleared to return to the Ravens after a few weeks. He could not function as a mathematician for months.)

This is very very scary. Because if true, the clearance protocols that the Ravens (and probably many other teams) are using are dramatically undercooked.

InstaFace said:
Anyway, it's a shame the test is so invasive. It's not like we can get a brain biopsy from a random sample of NFL, College and HS football players and develop some rough estimates of risk. But based on the general trend of CTE research, something tells me if we were to have a less-invasive test that would permit such studies, the results would rapidly accelerate the decline of participation in football as a youth sport. Even if the numbers were, say, 5% of HS players and 20% of college players will eventually develop symptoms, it would get increasingly hard for school boards, principals, and even college presidents to continue to fund the endeavor.

In that case, it's not so difficult to imagine a world where the NFL no longer exists.

dcmissle · Jul 28, 2017

Meanwhile, Flacco is out for a bit and Mallett "looked awful". Priceless remark by Suggs.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/07/28/ryan-mallett-has-int-meltdown-at-practice/

bigq · Jul 28, 2017

dcmissle said:
Meanwhile, Flacco is out for a bit and Mallett "looked awful". Priceless remark by Suggs.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/07/28/ryan-mallett-has-int-meltdown-at-practice/

I'm not certain that the book is closed but it sure looks like the Pats had a swing and a miss with Mallett as a third round pick in 2011. Minor nitpick considering the success the organization has enjoyed since then.

Average Reds · Jul 29, 2017

streeter88 said:
This is very very scary. Because if true, the clearance protocols that the Ravens (and probably many other teams) are using are dramatically undercooked.

The teams want players out of the concussion protocol and back on the field. If they can't get through the concussion protocol, the player is usually cut. (Timing depends on the player's contract, but this would typically be the training camp of the following season.)

Which brings us to Michael Oher, who was released by the Carolina Panthers after failing his physical. The reason for his failure? He's been in the concussion protocol since last fall and is still not cleared to play. His behavior off the field has become erratic, including an incident in May where he was accused of assaulting an Uber driver, and an odd interview at the Panthers practice facility in early July where he ripped into teammates, coaches and front office personnel who celebrated the firing of the team's GM.

After being released, Oher tweeted: "The Brain is a scary thing. You have to be careful with it."

Michael Oher - who started with the Ravens - is precisely who/what John Urschel did not want to become.

Stitch01 · Aug 2, 2017

Dominique Easley tore his ACL and is done for the year

I'm not certain that the book is closed but it sure looks like the Pats had a swing and a miss with Mallett as a third round pick in 2011. Minor nitpick considering the success the organization has enjoyed since then

Probably had an above average career for a 3rd round quarterback given he's on a roster in his 7th year.

EDIT: eh, that's a little overstated digging into the numbers, but he's probably only needs the opportunity to be a terrible starter for a season or close to it from getting there from a CAV standpoint. Third round quarterbacks generally suck.

tims4wins · Aug 2, 2017

Stitch01 said:
Dominique Easley tore his ACL and is done for the year

Likely career, no? How many ACLs now?

Marciano490 · Aug 2, 2017

Average Reds said:
The teams want players out of the concussion protocol and back on the field. If they can't get through the concussion protocol, the player is usually cut. (Timing depends on the player's contract, but this would typically be the training camp of the following season.)

Which brings us to Michael Oher, who was released by the Carolina Panthers after failing his physical. The reason for his failure? He's been in the concussion protocol since last fall and is still not cleared to play. His behavior off the field has become erratic, including an incident in May where he was accused of assaulting an Uber driver, and an odd interview at the Panthers practice facility in early July where he ripped into teammates, coaches and front office personnel who celebrated the firing of the team's GM.

After being released, Oher tweeted: "The Brain is a scary thing. You have to be careful with it."

Michael Oher - who started with the Ravens - is precisely who/what John Urschel did not want to become.

Man, I don't think I'm gonna go watch the sequel.

pappymojo · Aug 2, 2017

Marciano490 said:
Man, I don't think I'm gonna go watch the sequel.

You joke but I would love it if Michael Lewis wrote a book about concussions in football.

Reverend · Aug 2, 2017

pappymojo said:
You joke but I would love it if Michael Lewis wrote a book about concussions in football.

Blind Sided: The Other Michael Oher Story.

Marciano490 · Aug 2, 2017

pappymojo said:
You joke but I would love it if Michael Lewis wrote a book about concussions in football.

Do you think it'd move the needle any? The information is out there, people don't seem to care that much. It's like Trump pre-election (or even post I suppose): People know about the pussy grabbing and the wall and everything else, but they're minds were made up no matter how many great long form articles or reports came out.

Plus, who reads Michael Lewis books? I'm guessing not Joe Football Dad in Tuscaloosa.

Soxy · Aug 2, 2017

Rough day of camp for a couple second year receivers. Will Fuller broke his collarbone and Sterling Shepard badly injured his ankle, to the point that he was carted off in tears.

Soxy · Aug 2, 2017

double post

Soxy · Aug 2, 2017

RedOctober3829 said:
Ben McAdoo said that Shepard rolled his ankle.

Where are you getting that? Everything I'm reading says that the team is hopeful it's just a bad sprain/roll but that the severity of the injury has not been confirmed.

InstaFace · Aug 2, 2017

Reverend said:
Blind Sided: The Other Michael Oher Story.

I just winced so hard in a meeting that I had to make up an excuse to my colleagues.

Props, I guess.

pappymojo · Aug 2, 2017

Marciano490 said:
Do you think it'd move the needle any? The information is out there, people don't seem to care that much. It's like Trump pre-election (or even post I suppose): People know about the pussy grabbing and the wall and everything else, but they're minds were made up no matter how many great long form articles or reports came out.

Plus, who reads Michael Lewis books? I'm guessing not Joe Football Dad in Tuscaloosa.

I don't know if it would move the needle any. I just think it would make for an interesting book.

tims4wins · Aug 2, 2017

Soxy Brown said:
Where are you getting that? Everything I'm reading says that the team is hopeful it's just a bad sprain/roll but that the severity of the injury has not been confirmed.

Jordan Raanan‏Verified account @JordanRaanan
Ben McAdoo says hope is Sterling Shepard has a rolled/sprained ankle. Cart turned out to be a precaution. They're still looking at him.

tims4wins · Aug 2, 2017

Forrest Lamp carted off. Black Wednesday for training camp

Soxy · Aug 2, 2017

tims4wins said:
Jordan Raanan‏Verified account @JordanRaanan
Ben McAdoo says hope is Sterling Shepard has a rolled/sprained ankle. Cart turned out to be a precaution. They're still looking at him.

I mean, the word "hope" is right there in the tweet. That doesn't mean that's what it is. It means they hope that's what it is.

tims4wins · Aug 2, 2017

Soxy Brown said:
I mean, the word "hope" is right there in the tweet. That doesn't mean that's what it is. It means they hope that's what it is.

Right. I wasn't confirming his post. More confirming yours.

Kid T · Aug 3, 2017

Mary Kay Cabot on old friend Jamie Collins. Did you know he lost both his parents by the age of 6?

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/08/browns_jamie_collins_tells.html

Marciano490 · Aug 7, 2017

Boldin signing for a year with the Bills. A guy I always wish had spent some time in New England. Tough as all Hell.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/anquan-boldin-is-reportedly-signing-a-one-year-deal-with-the-bills/

BigSoxFan · Aug 7, 2017

Marciano490 said:
Boldin signing for a year with the Bills. A guy I always wish had spent some time in New England. Tough as all Hell.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/anquan-boldin-is-reportedly-signing-a-one-year-deal-with-the-bills/

Yup, the newest Derrick Mason. He was a handful in that ill-fated AFCCG in 2012.

JohnnyK · Aug 12, 2017

Bucs have released PK Roberto Aguayo.

saintnick912 · Aug 12, 2017

JohnnyK said:
Bucs have released PK Roberto Aguayo.

Hard Knocks spoiler alert

Papelbon's Poutine · Aug 12, 2017

Solid use of a second round pick.

BigSoxFan · Aug 12, 2017

Papelbon's Poutine said:
Solid use of a second round pick.

Still better than Cyrus Jones

Papelbon's Poutine · Aug 12, 2017

BigSoxFan said:
Still better than Cyrus Jones

Except the Bucs traded up for him.

BigSoxFan · Aug 20, 2017

Anquan Boldin retires rather than waste a year of his life playing football for Buffalo. One of my favorite non-Pats ever. Was such a handful with Baltimore.

bigq · Aug 21, 2017

BigSoxFan said:
Anquan Boldin retires rather than waste a year of his life playing football for Buffalo. One of my favorite non-Pats ever. Was such a handful with Baltimore.

Agreed. And prior to Baltimore he and Fitzgerald were a formidable pair in Arizona. He was quite productive in SF as well. He has his eyes on a bigger prize now - criminal justice reform. Good for him and I wish him well.

2017 General NFL Transactions and News

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