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NFL Preseason Thread!

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B

Bowser

Member
The best trades in any sport, it has often been said, are the ones in which all parties involved are happy with the results.

Which, if the old adage is correct, makes the Saturday night blockbuster between the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins something less than perfect. The dissenting voice in the megaswap belonged to wide receiver Marty Booker, who isn't upset about heading to warmer climes, but isn't exactly thrilled with his former employer.

"I am hurt," Booker said of the deal. "This is where I signed a long-term contract. I gave so much to this franchise. The Bears have done so much for me. All of a sudden, they don't want me. I am stunned."

It probably wasn't so much that the Bears didn't want Booker any longer but that a team that finished last in the NFL in sacks in 2003 needed holdout Miami defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. You don't land a proven player at a high premium position without sacrificing something of value in return.

Parting with the popular and productive Booker likely was made more palatable by the fact that Bears coaches were convinced he wasn't really the optimum fit for the West Coast style design that first-year offensive coordinator Terry Shea has installed. The word was that the Bears didn't feel Booker, despite a resume that includes two Pro Bowl berths, possessed the quickness to be a difference-maker.

Booker, 28, took issue with that notion, along with the perception that he is a possession receiver and not a deep threat. Of more concern to the five-year veteran, however, was the out-of-the-blue element to the trade.

Although he conceded he knew the Bears were trying hard to land Ogunleye to bolster a feeble pass rush, Booker had no clue he was part of trade talks until rookie head coach Lovie Smith knocked on the door of his hotel room on Saturday afternoon. That was followed by a visit from Bears general manager Jerry Angelo.

It is said that Booker lashed out at Angelo in particular.

"I didn't see it coming at all," Booker said. "I was sitting there getting ready to play in [a preseason] game, and then they came down to my room and told me I was traded. I mean, it was unbelievable." Perhaps taking a verbal swipe at Smith, whose NFL background as a coach is primarily on the defensive side, Booker noted: "The only thing that they are concerned about is their defense."

That may not be completely true, but it is undeniable that the departure of Booker, the fifth-leading receiver in franchise history, leaves the Bears with a wide receiver corps that might be rife with potential but has precious little production.

Former first-round choice David Terrell is said to have flourished in camp in Shea's new system, but it's not hard to forget the former Michigan standout was believed a possible salary cap casualty this spring and has just 15 starts and eight touchdowns in three years. A pair of second-year wideouts being counted on heavily, Justin Gage and Bobby Wade, combined for only 29 catches, 475 yards and two touchdowns as rookies.

Essentially the Bears have excised the one veteran receiver who might have been able to bail second-year quarterback Rex Grossman out of some tough spots. Whatever warts the new coaching staff saw on Booker, he was a proven go-to guy who posted solid numbers despite having played with seven different starting quarterbacks in five seasons.

In the end, as deadlines came and went in the Saturday negotiations with Ogunleye, the time frame didn't really matter. Once word leaked that the trade had been agreed to in principle, certainly when Booker was informed he was part of the Bears' package being sent to Miami, the deal had to be consummated.

And that's because Booker, peeved at Chicago officials, was adamant about not going back to the Bears if the trade disintegrated.

"How could I go back to play for a team, a staff, and management that didn't want me, that wanted to get rid of me?" Booker said. "How could I feel comfortable and dedicate myself to people like that?"
Click to expand...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=1865019
 
T

TheDuce22

Banned
Well Eagles have allready signed Dorsey Levens to replace Buckhalter... that didnt take long. I honestly dont think its that much of a downgrade.
 
R

Ramirez

Member
Anyone know a place that has highlights of the Steelers game last night?I watched Sportscenter for like 2 hours this morning but they never showed it :(
 
M

Miguel

Member
Ramirez said:
Anyone know a place that has highlights of the Steelers game last night?I watched Sportscenter for like 2 hours this morning but they never showed it :(
Click to expand...

The Power of the Texans. When they're bad....they're BAAAD. Texans only get on sportscenter when they win. :D
 
A

andthebeatgoeson

Junior Member
TheDuce22 said:
Well Eagles have allready signed Dorsey Levens to replace Buckhalter... that didnt take long. I honestly dont think its that much of a downgrade.
Click to expand...


Nice. Well, sort of. It would be even nicer if we stop getting injuries.
 
P

Pimpwerx

Member
Great. Trade the team MVP for Booker...wtf? The Fins were dicking around with Ogunleye. They've signed bums for more than what they were offering him. It's a crime what they've done. It's a good thing we've now gotten an above-average receiver. We didn't need to find anyone who could actually throw it to him. I mean, our outstanding QB pickup is now only gonna get the start on pity points. It's a good thing we didn't pick up someone like Warner in the offseason. Our front office is fucking up.

Anyway, this might be good in one way. The defense can show off. And they'll maybe gain a bit more stamina. We have a bad habit of fading late in games. This year, they're gonna have to save our ass, and they'll be on the field even more than before. Otherwise, we went from heroes to zeroes pretty quick. Vick highlights shall save this season for me. ;) PEACE.
 
A

Archaix

Drunky McMurder
Pimpwerx said:
Great. Trade the team MVP for Booker...wtf? The Fins were dicking around with Ogunleye. They've signed bums for more than what they were offering him. It's a crime what they've done. It's a good thing we've now gotten an above-average receiver. We didn't need to find anyone who could actually throw it to him. I mean, our outstanding QB pickup is now only gonna get the start on pity points. It's a good thing we didn't pick up someone like Warner in the offseason. Our front office is fucking up.

Anyway, this might be good in one way. The defense can show off. And they'll maybe gain a bit more stamina. We have a bad habit of fading late in games. This year, they're gonna have to save our ass, and they'll be on the field even more than before. Otherwise, we went from heroes to zeroes pretty quick. Vick highlights shall save this season for me. ;) PEACE.
Click to expand...


Let's see how good the Dolphins defense is minus a pass rush :p

Horrible, horrible trade for the Dolphins. They were losing players left and right, they needed to find a way to keep Ogunleye. And while we're on the subject, why have I not yet found an ESPN personality who can even come close to pronouncing "Adewale Ogunleye" correctly?
 
B

Bowser

Member
GOOD NEWS FMT!!

Chicago -- A radio station has reported that linebacker Julian Peterson likely will end his holdout Monday, but 49ers general manager Terry Donahue said he was not aware of that development.

Forty-Niners flagship station KGO-AM said before its broadcast Saturday night that Peterson could be at camp Monday.

"I haven't heard that," Donahue said. "It would be great if he did."

Peterson has been staying near the 49ers' Santa Clara facility and may be getting anxious to play.

The 49ers and Peterson's agent, Kevin Poston, have been far apart on a contract. The 49ers have offered a six-year, $37.8 million deal with a $15.5 million signing bonus.

The team designated Peterson as its franchise player, meaning he has a standing offer of $6.07 million for this season. The designation also precludes other teams from negotiating with Peterson.

Coaches are concerned that Peterson won't be able to keep up with the changes on defense if he doesn't report soon.

"That's what frightens me about Julian," coach Dennis Erickson said last week. "When he comes in, he has so much to learn. One of two things has to happen: We have to limit our package when he comes in, or not play him."

New defensive coordinator Willy Robinson is incorporating more of a 3-4 defense.

"It's not good for us, it's not good for him. He doesn't want to play when he's not prepared," Erickson said. "Why would a player want to come in not prepared to play in the first game?"

Peterson told Sirius NFL radio recently that he wouldn't hold out during the regular season.
Click to expand...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/08/22/SPGO78CK6L1.DTL
 
M

Mrbob

Member
Pimpwerx said:
Great. Trade the team MVP for Booker...wtf? The Fins were dicking around with Ogunleye. They've signed bums for more than what they were offering him. It's a crime what they've done. It's a good thing we've now gotten an above-average receiver. We didn't need to find anyone who could actually throw it to him. I mean, our outstanding QB pickup is now only gonna get the start on pity points. It's a good thing we didn't pick up someone like Warner in the offseason. Our front office is fucking up.

Anyway, this might be good in one way. The defense can show off. And they'll maybe gain a bit more stamina. We have a bad habit of fading late in games. This year, they're gonna have to save our ass, and they'll be on the field even more than before. Otherwise, we went from heroes to zeroes pretty quick. Vick highlights shall save this season for me. ;) PEACE.
Click to expand...

I'm happy about the trade. :D

I'm a bit disappointed to see Book leave. But barring any injuries I think we go the better part of the trade. We need a pash rusher desperately and we got one of the bestl. WR wise we are pretty deep. Sux we had to give up Booker but I'm excited to see what we are getting in return. Ogunleye, Urlacher, and Tillman. Oh yeah.
 
A

Archaix

Drunky McMurder
Bowser said:
Are we going to do a Yahoo! Pick 'Em league? I think you can set them up now.
Click to expand...

There's already one set up, along with a survival football league.

Pick em: League 1531 PW carr

Survival: 14787 PW gaf
 
B

Bowser

Member
Archaix said:
There's already one set up, along with a survival football league.

Pick em: League 1531 PW carr

Survival: 14787 PW gaf
Click to expand...

I signed up to the Pick 'Em league.

I'm "Ricky's Sticky Icky" :D
 
F

Fifty

Member
:( indeed


Just a reminder that ABC has MNF tonight. Chiefs at Rams.. Should be interesting to watch the Rams' backs.
 
Guileless

Guileless

Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
I got $100 on the Chiefs -4. Now I'll actually watch an entire preseason game! If I win I'm buying $100 worth of Donkey Konga bongos.
 
A

Archaix

Drunky McMurder
What's the over/under on a game where the Cheifs and Rams second and third string defenses will play? Two, three hundred?
 
Guileless

Guileless

Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
The over/under is 42.5, which is one of the highest totals I've ever seen on a preseason game.
 
F

Fifty

Member
I didn't know people bet in preseason games. :p I wouldn't....since the 2nd and third stringers play the second half. I guess if you knew the team very well you'd be ok doing it.

Also, Priest is amazing :D
 
S

SyNapSe

Member
soulja224466 said:
Man our 3rd down D is garbage. :(
Click to expand...

Well at least you tackled Larry Johnson, our 3rd string RB, when he ran into the QB, and almost fell......

......

After 14 yards


GJ! :) j/k.. our D is a demilitarized zone! It was awful, awful, awful last year.. in the second half/playoffs I should say.. they did pretty well in the first 6-8 games of the season.. which is how we actually won some games.. sigh
 
S

soulja224466

Member
Chiefs D looks good. But maybe its just cause our o-line can't pickup a damn blitz if their life depended on it. Much less a first down!
 
S

SyNapSe

Member
soulja224466 said:
Chiefs D looks good. But maybe its just cause our o-line can't pickup a damn blitz if their life depended on it. Much less a first down!
Click to expand...

The left tackle did a nice job on the 2nd down, but yeah.. well the 3rd down play they threw after like 1.5 seconds. It didn't look the receiver was even ready.

The Chiefs D looked good in the Giants game where, it was pretty similar.. 14-0 in First team vs First team play, but then the 2nd team O came in and it got awful. The giants were running everywhere.. who knows we'll see. IMO, I think the Rams should ditch Martz ASAP! I just don't think he has it.. he's basically playing off the talent brought in during the Vermeil era, and he just seems to make bad mistake after mistake.
 
S

soulja224466

Member
I think we should ditch bulger and everyone on the o-line first, except for pace. I think bulger can be good, but i've lost all confidence in him.

I mean hell, the giants o-line and ron dayne ran all over your defense. Marshall faulk is being pounded almost before he gets the ball. It's pathetic. I knew the chief offense would bitchslap our defense, but I figured we could at least score on your D. :(
 
S

SyNapSe

Member
soulja224466 said:
I mean hell, the giants o-line and ron dayne ran all over your defense. Marshall faulk is being pounded almost before he gets the ball. It's pathetic. I knew the chief offense would bitchslap our defense, but I figured we could at least score on your D. :(
Click to expand...

The giants honestly didn't do anything until the 2nd group D went in.. it was 14-0 the same as this game.. then Dayne scored on a play where Gunther called an all-out blitz, and 3 ppl had ahold of Dayne in the backfield.. when he broke out.. he went all the way 38 yards for a TD. He looked really solid in the game.

Later on he picked up a ton of yards. Who knows we'll see.. are you from STL? I'm from KC, so it's a fun series for me ;)

(I know you back the Rams, did on the old board.. I was just wondering if you liked them because they moved to STL, or if you we're a life long fan from LA or something.
 
F

FrenchMovieTheme

Member
why is fucking lady killer/drunk driver leonard little even in the league this year? the nfl better suspend his ass indefinitely!

p.s. the rams look like a joke. their offense is terrible, their defense is swiss cheese, and their special teams seems pretty lackluster. 3 strikes and you're out rams fans! SF IN 2k4!
 
S

SyNapSe

Member
FrenchMovieTheme said:
why is fucking lady killer/drunk driver leonard little even in the league this year? the nfl better suspend his ass indefinitely!

p.s. the rams look like a joke. their offense is terrible, their defense is swiss cheese, and their special teams seems pretty lackluster. 3 strikes and you're out rams fans! SF IN 2k4!
Click to expand...

Crimes do not matter to the NFL, also.. the Rams are going to be awful.. not 49'ers rebuilding awful, but poor indeed.
 
S

soulja224466

Member
FrenchMovieTheme said:
why is fucking lady killer/drunk driver leonard little even in the league this year? the nfl better suspend his ass indefinitely!

p.s. the rams look like a joke. their offense is terrible, their defense is swiss cheese, and their special teams seems pretty lackluster. 3 strikes and you're out rams fans! SF IN 2k4!
Click to expand...

Hey, at least we didn't lose to the bears (last week)!
 
F

FrenchMovieTheme

Member
5 turnovers and we lose by only 7? i'll accept that, cause rarely will we have 5 turnovers. plus did you see that awesome catch by brandon lloyd? i know you did, you wish you drafted him now. but instead you're stuck with dane REAL GOOOOOOOOOOD looker... lol
 
S

SyNapSe

Member
soulja224466 said:
Hey, at least we didn't lose to the bears (last week)!
Click to expand...

Respond to my posts, please! :) Are you in STL? If so, I might travel to see one of the games if STl ppl are up for it.

The Houston ppl are crazy on here in other threads. We should get a one-love Midwest Fball thing going on. I went to Chicago twice last year to join a friend for fun.. I would join people from GAF if STL was the spot to go! It would be fun, I think STL is a nice place overall, and I love NFL Football, but it costs a leg and arm here in KC to see a Chiefs game! :(
 
S

SyNapSe

Member
soulja224466 said:
Naw im not in stl, i live in virginia. It's redskin country here, and i despise them. So i picked a team i liked and followed them.
Click to expand...

No-one is in the midwest, apparently. :( Yes the Redskins suck.
 
S

SyNapSe

Member
GJ, to Stills.. a life long pro bowl level Special teams guy.. he is a solid Middle LB, just doesn't have the athletic ability! :(

Yeah CP, who made everyone hate us last year.. I'll question his Chiefs heritage, WHO WERE THE STARTING RECEIVERS IN 97.. without any online involvement!
 
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