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[LiveWire]

That's right, it's the return of the 3-TIME (SOON TO BE 4-TIME) SUPERBOWL CHAMPION WASHINGTON REDSKINS BIIIIITCH! 2009 NFL OFFSEASON CHAMPIONS YET AGAIN!!!!!

In 2008 we saw some old NFL dynasties rise from their gwaves and earn berths in the playoffs, and a once-powerful dynasty return and win its second Superbowl in 4 years:

Some questions to ponder in the offseason:

Where will Favre end up this year?

Will the Cowboys implode again?

Which NFL superstar will: a) shoot themselves accidentally b) shoot someone else intentionally or c) help their teammate cover up either of the former?


THE NFL OFFSEASON-IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES

Feb 5: Beginning of period in which teams can designate franchise and transition players

Feb 8: AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii

Feb 18: NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Ind.

Feb 19: Deadline for designating franchise and transition players

Feb 24: Conclusion of NFL Scouting Combine

Feb 27: Free Agency starts, this includes:
- Deadline for submission of qualifying offers by clubs to their restricted free agents whose contracts have expired and to whom they desire to retain a right of first refusal/compensation
- Deadline for clubs to submit offer of minimum salary to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with fewer than three seasons of free agency credit whose contracts have expired
- Beginning of free-agent signing period (11 p.m. CST)
- Beginning of trade period (11 p.m. CST)

Mar 22-25: Annual owners meeting, Dana Point, Ca.

Apr: 2009 regular-season schedule announced

Apr 15: Deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets

Apr 21: Deadline for old clubs to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.

Apr 25-26: NFL Draft, New York City, N.Y.

May 18-20: NFL Spring Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

Jun 1:
- Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of the season if player is not signed by another club
by July 22
- Deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned restricted free agents or to extend qualifying offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights

Jun 15: Deadline for old clubs to withdraw original qualifying offer to unsigned restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by submitting tender of 110 percent of previous year's salary

Jul: NFL Rookie Symposium

Jul 22:
- Trade Deadline for franchise players
- Deadline for unsigned RFA/ERFA to sign with new clubs

Aug 9: First weekend of exhibition games

Sept 3-6: Kickoff Week

 

[Tamanon]

I hear you guys are going to make a big-money long-term deal with DeAngelo Hall. Nobody ever regrets doing that!

 

[Duke Togo]

Love the last pic! :lol

 

[effzee]

Should be the thread of WILL THE EAGLES TRADE BOTH OF THEIR FIRST ROUND PICKS to draft another QB of the future?

 

[LiveWire]

I hear you guys are going to make a big-money long-term deal with DeAngelo Hall. Nobody ever regrets doing that!

He's changed, for real this time, I swear! He's a good teammate! No more yelling at coaches, that's Portis' job now!

Spoiler

hey, at least he got a few INTs this year, Redskins and INT in the same sentence is like a desert mirage.

 

[Keylime]

Love the last pic! :lol

Except she's not fat enough. Her rolls should be flowing off the sides of that chair otherwise it's an obvious shop.

 

[LiveWire]

Except she's not fat enough. Her rolls should be flowing off the sides of that chair otherwise it's an obvious shop.

Wow, I didn't know Dawkins was a chubby chaser.

 

[Tamanon]

Except she's not fat enough. Her rolls should be flowing off the sides of that chair otherwise it's an obvious shop.

"I second this motion"

 

[Kave_Man]

So I'm excited to see what direction the Browns are going. This should be a somewhat interesting off-season.

 

[Tamanon]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/02/sources-raiders-to-name-coordinators/

The Oakland Raiders are expected to tab Ted Tollner as offensive coordinator and John Marshall as defensive coordinator, according to the National Football Post.

The Web site cited anonymous sources as the basis of their report.

Toller, 68, is a former head coach at USC and San Diego State and has coached for three decades.

Marshall, 63, is a former Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator.

YOUTH INFUSION AT THE RAIDAZ!

 

[LiveWire]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/02/sources-raiders-to-name-coordinators/

YOUTH INFUSION AT THE RAIDAZ!

Al Davis is assembling his Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

 

[Tamanon]

T-Jack figured out his problem! He's just not athletic enough.

Before anyone makes the assumption that the Vikings have given up on quarterback Tarvaris Jackson consider this bit of information that came out this week at the Super Bowl.

Jay Glazer, an NFL information man for Fox Sports, told New York-based WFAN Radio that Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell recently talked to him about getting Jackson involved in a Mixed Martial Arts program this offseason. Glazer is very involved in MMA and because he is good friends with people such as Vikings coach Brad Childress teams often confide in him and ask for his help.

The Vikings’ intention isn’t to have Jackson switch careers but rather, according to Glazer, the Minnesota coaches saw how Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen benefitted from MMA training. “I had gotten Jared Allen in one two years ago,” Glazer said. “We turned him from a big, stiff white guy to a guy that actually can come off the edge. He came in every day, was committed to us out in Arizona. They asked if we could do the same for Tarvaris to get his hips … really loosen up his hips. It looks like they are planning long-term with him.”

By the way, Glazer also took some of the credit for the Vikings hiring of Mike Tomlin as their defensive coordinator in 2006. Childress had Tomlin on his coaching staff for one season before the Steelers hired him as their head coach. Tomlin came to the Vikings from Tampa Bay.

“Tomlin and I started a relationship years ago, I met him through Ronde [Barber] and John Lynch,” Glazer said. “Then when Brad Childress needed a defensive coordinator he said, ‘Hey, I know you’re tight with a bunch of guys, who do you think would fit me best?’ I hooked him up with Tomlin and those two guys hit it off immediately. It was a nice little match.”

http://blogs.startribune.com/vikingsblog/?p=2449

So Glazer is taking credit for Jared Allen improving and for Mike Tomlin too. What a chap!

 

[LiveWire]

RIGGINS: PORTIS A “HEADACHE”

Posted by Sheil Kapadia on January 29, 2009, 8:51 a.m. EST
Hall of Famer John Riggins ripped Clinton Portis during a media briefing in Tampa and also criticized Redskins management for allowing the situation to escalate.

“He’s already a headache,” Riggins said, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post. “You mean is he going to get worse? I don’t know. I said that at the end of the season and I believe that unless he changes the way he views himself and views his contributions to the team, then I think that that could be problematic for the Redskins. It’s a bad situation, created probably by the people who run the team, that he’s been allowed to take the course that he has.

“I don’t think there’s any turning back now because obviously to a certain extent Clinton Portis has the team over a barrel from my understanding of the amount of money that he’s owed, guaranteed money that becomes really cost-prohibitive to get rid of him over a [salary] cap issue. There’s not that many teams that would be interested in Clinton Portis, I don’t think, and so they have a bad situation on their hands. [That’s] my personal take on it.”



Gee, wouldn't be badmouthing Portis because he's one season away from being the #1 Redskins rusher of all-time now would you, Riggo? What a douche.

 

[levious]

being a career drinker, Riggins is an expert on headaches.

 

[fatigues_gasolini]

Go Packers?

 

[hiryu]

Should be an interesting offseason for the Browns. Hopefully, they are able to trade someone for some more draft picks.

 

[eznark]

Go Packers?

Woo hoo!

I can't wait to laugh when the Bears draft Mark Sanchez.

 

[Keylime]

Steelers are looking good for the off season.

Looking at our free agent list, the only people I'd be really worried about losing would be:

• Byron Leftwich
• Nate Washington
• Bryant McFadden

I'll probably throw a party if they get rid of Willie Colon, as he probably cost the team over 500 yards in false start penalties.

As for acquisitions I'd love to see the Steelers pick up a big back to rely on for short yardage situations, as Parker definitely isn't that guy, and Moore doesn't appear to be one either. I haven't seen enough of Russell to really make heads or tails of him.

 

[Brendonia]

Steelers are looking good for the off season.

Looking at our free agent list, the only people I'd be really worried about losing would be:

• Byron Leftwich
• Nate Washington
• Bryant McFadden

I'll probably throw a party if they get rid of Willie Colon, as he probably cost the team over 500 yards in false start penalties.

As for acquisitions I'd love to see the Steelers pick up a big back to rely on for short yardage situations, as Parker definitely isn't that guy, and Moore doesn't appear to be one either. I haven't seen enough of Russell to really make heads or tails of him.

Lest you forget we did pick up Rashard Mendenhall in the draft last year before that criminal Ray Lewis ended his season with a brass knuckles hit to his shoulder. He might be in line for the job and maybe, just maybe, there will be more semblance of a running game next year. As for the draft... please pick offensive lineman (glaring weakness) and defensive lineman (for depth and the fact that they are getting older). Also a kick returner that isn't a fullback.

They better sign McFadden and Nate too, I think Byron is gone and Chaz Batch will return.

 

[Keylime]

Lest you forget we did pick up Rashard Mendenhall in the draft last year before that criminal Ray Lewis ended his season with a brass knuckles hit to his shoulder. He might be in line for the job and maybe, just maybe, there will be more semblance of a running game next year. As for the draft... please pick offensive and defensive lineman, it's a glaring weekness.

They better sign McFadden and Nate too, I think Byron is gone and Chaz Batch will return.

Holy shit, Mendenhall. I completely forgot about him :lol

I like having a former starter (Leftwich) sitting on the bench so in case something were to happen to Ben we can have a guy put in who has a lot of game time. As much as I don't like his heavily telegraphed throwing style, he has a rocket launcher arm.

Nothing against Batch, I just don't think he's primetime material.

 

[Tamanon]

I dunno, I think Leftwich might land a starting job somewhere. Chiefs or Lions, they might be looking for a vet while they grow some new talent.

 

[arstal]

I wonder if this is a viable idea.

Julius Peppers wants out of CAR, cause he can't stand Fox (same reason Jenkins wanted out)

Cassel's getting franchised

CAR is going to need a QB to even have a shot at the playoffs next year- Delhomme is finished.

Trade Peppers for Cassel, maybe throw in some spare parts to balance it out.

everyone's happy- Peppers goes to a contender, Cassel gets a starting job on a decent team, both teams remain playoff contenders, though NE is helped more (maybe they can throw in their 1st-rounder perhaps)

 

[Wellington]

Peppers isn't worth a first rounder, let alone Cassel AND a first rounder.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

Leftwich will be too hot of an item to keep another season. I think he's gonna be wanted as a starter somewhere else. He should leave. He got his superbowl ring!

Keep Batch, at least for the very start of the season to test him out again. He's been hurt all year, but when he played the past years he's been really helpful.

I don't see them getting rid of Colon, to be honest. He makes fuck-ups all the time, but he's still a decent lineman. In fact I'd wager he's the best of them all on that line.

We should probably acquire some depth to our special teams-a good back-up punter, a good back-up long snapper, and some more lightning return guys.

Sign Washington and McFadden.

 

[Big-E]

:lol Us giving up a first rounder and Cassel for a bum like Peppers.

Looking forward to a good offseason this year. Hopefully we can replace our secondary or else I will be in a world of hurt next season.

 

[NME]

Steelers are looking good for the off season.

Looking at our free agent list, the only people I'd be really worried about losing would be:

• Byron Leftwich
• Nate Washington
• Bryant McFadden

I'll probably throw a party if they get rid of Willie Colon, as he probably cost the team over 500 yards in false start penalties.

As for acquisitions I'd love to see the Steelers pick up a big back to rely on for short yardage situations, as Parker definitely isn't that guy, and Moore doesn't appear to be one either. I haven't seen enough of Russell to really make heads or tails of him.

I think I want Max Starks to be resigned. He's better at LT, and with Smith as good as gone, it will be pretty important to have a veteran O-Lineman in there who can, at least decently, anchor the O-Line.

I agree that Colon as a RT needs to go, but dude never should have been playing outside to begin with. Move him back to his natural spot at guard already. I don't know if he'd be any better than Kemoeatu, but he probably wouldn't be worse.

Aside from that, they can spend every single draft pick on their lines as far as I'm concerned. I'd say just O-Line, but they won a Super Bowl with this rag tag group, so I guess the return of Simmons (who is absolutely better than Darnell Stapleton) and retention of Hartwig and Colon wouldn't necessarily be the end of the world.

And yeah, the D-Line is pretty great right now, but Smith is getting up there, and Hampton isn't far behind along with having the conditioning issues at the start of camp this past year. I like Brett Keisel, but I think we can all agree that he can be upgraded.

Otherwise, I hope (but doubt) they re-sign McFadden, and I think they absolutely 100% need to lock James Harrison up this offseason.

Realistically, the team is in great shape for 2009. If they can improve on their O-Line at all, and again, it's almost impossible not to at this point, then it will more or less be a battle to stay healthy. Mendenhall will be back, Sweed will hopefully progress from his rookie season (remember, Nate Washington was pretty bad until the end of last year), and Timmons will be starting next year.

You'd have to expect more injuries next year, but aside from that things do look good for the Steelers.

 

[Sanjuro]

1. Pittsburgh, PA
2. Norfolk, VA
3. Jacksonville, FL
4. Buffalo, NY
5. Richmond, VA
6. Tampa, FL
7. Fort Myers, FL
8. Cleveland, OH
9. Phoenix, AZ :lol
10. Indianapolis, IN

 

[Tamanon]

1. Pittsburgh, PA
2. Norfolk, VA
3. Jacksonville, FL
4. Buffalo, NY
5. Richmond, VA
6. Tampa, FL
7. Fort Myers, FL
8. Cleveland, OH
9. Phoenix, AZ :lol
10. Indianapolis, IN

Jacksonville really is South Pittsburgh when it comes to football

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

Is that just a list of the cities that had the highest population watching the game?

 

[Sanjuro]

Is that just a list of the cities that had the highest population watching the game?

I don't know the exact science on collecting the numbers, but yes.

 

[firex]

man, I wish I could've saved the pic of this one Left 4 Dead server I played on last saturday. it had the greatest welcome image ever: that one classic Brian Dawkins leaps onto some Giants player with the text "BDAWK pounced survivor for 25 damage" (L4D nerd joke I know, but still the best use of an NFL picture and videogame reference I've seen recently).

 

[levious]

Is that just a list of the cities that had the highest population watching the game?

probably the highest percentage of residents tuned in.

 

[harSon]

I think I want Max Starks to be resigned. He's better at LT, and with Smith as good as gone, it will be pretty important to have a veteran O-Lineman in there who can, at least decently, anchor the O-Line.

I agree that Colon as a RT needs to go, but dude never should have been playing outside to begin with. Move him back to his natural spot at guard already. I don't know if he'd be any better than Kemoeatu, but he probably wouldn't be worse.

Aside from that, they can spend every single draft pick on their lines as far as I'm concerned. I'd say just O-Line, but they won a Super Bowl with this rag tag group, so I guess the return of Simmons (who is absolutely better than Darnell Stapleton) and retention of Hartwig and Colon wouldn't necessarily be the end of the world.

And yeah, the D-Line is pretty great right now, but Smith is getting up there, and Hampton isn't far behind along with having the conditioning issues at the start of camp this past year. I like Brett Keisel, but I think we can all agree that he can be upgraded.

Otherwise, I hope (but doubt) they re-sign McFadden, and I think they absolutely 100% need to lock James Harrison up this offseason.

Realistically, the team is in great shape for 2009. If they can improve on their O-Line at all, and again, it's almost impossible not to at this point, then it will more or less be a battle to stay healthy. Mendenhall will be back, Sweed will hopefully progress from his rookie season (remember, Nate Washington was pretty bad until the end of last year), and Timmons will be starting next year.

You'd have to expect more injuries next year, but aside from that things do look good for the Steelers.

Reinforce Sepulveda's leg with titanium steel and banish Berger from football, that or convince the Ravens, Browns or Bengals to take him.

 

[NME]

Oh, yeah. You know, Berger's ouster is such a foregone conclusion for me that it doesn't even cross my mind anymore.

 

[harSon]

Oh, yeah. You know, Berger's ouster is such a foregone conclusion for me that it doesn't even cross my mind anymore.

I still want Bruce Arians out but I guess it's better to not effect the team to much, hopefully we can beef up or running game next season, our run blocking was pretty damned horrid at times this year.

 

[Robot Without A Cause]

.

 

[captmcblack]

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS, goddammit.

An epically disappointing season, but hey fuck you we got Rex Ryan.

 

[Tamanon]

I still want Bruce Arians out but I guess it's better to not effect the team to much, hopefully we can beef up or running game next season, our run blocking was pretty damned horrid at times this year.

Yeah, they're going to fire the offensive coordinator after winning the Super Bowl. That'll happen!:lol

 

[harSon]

Yeah, they're going to fire the offensive coordinator after winning the Super Bowl. That'll happen!:lol

Did I say they would? I said I (As in me personally) still wanted Bruce Arians fired! :lol

 

[NME]

I still want Bruce Arians out but I guess it's better to not effect the team to much, hopefully we can beef up or running game next season, our run blocking was pretty damned horrid at times this year.

Aside from a few questionable screens, I don't have the hatred for Arians that pretty much every other Steelers fan does. Let's see what happens with an improved O-Line and a rejuvenated running game. I'm not saying he's going to be the next "offensive genius" (although, looking at folks who've held that distinction in the past, I'm not sure that's a bad thing), but he's pulling out the 'ol Mike Mularky with Tommy Maddox playbook, either, y'know?

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS, goddammit.

An epically disappointing season, but hey fuck you we got Rex Ryan.

Ravens D-Coordinators have an iffy track record when becoming head coaches.

 

[jakncoke]

Bruce Arians needs to go bye bye

also I found this hilarious

In response to his pleas, an officer said: "You think we've never arrested somebody that's made national media? ... We deal with the Bengals all the time."

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3880848

 

[eznark]

Bruce Arians needs to go bye bye

also I found this hilarious




http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3880848

That is awesome.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Holy shit, Mendenhall. I completely forgot about him :lol

I like having a former starter (Leftwich) sitting on the bench so in case something were to happen to Ben we can have a guy put in who has a lot of game time. As much as I don't like his heavily telegraphed throwing style, he has a rocket launcher arm.

Nothing against Batch, I just don't think he's primetime material.

I've always thought Batch was a surprisingly competent Backup.

I'm still on the high from the win, but I would really like to see the O-Line shored up. I know Simmons and Starks will be back, but should anything happen again...

Also, I'm sure the Steelers are going to start looking at replacements for Smith and Keisel.

 

[Hootie]

Year of the Patriots bitches...once Lord Brady returns all will bow down to his awesome might and above-average completion percentage.

 

[Tamanon]

Year of the Patriots bitches...once Lord Brady returns all will bow down to his awesome might and above-average completion percentage.

As long as he doesn't come back as Carson Palmer 2.0!

 

[jakncoke]

Batch is good enough, According to ESPN rumors Sandwich thinks he's a hot free agent so that probably means he's gone

 

[The Frankman]

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS, goddammit.

An epically disappointing season, but hey fuck you we got Brett Favre and a bunch of sweet free agents!!!.

Fixed for 2008 Off-Season.

 

[eznark]

Year of the Patriots bitches...once Lord Brady returns all will bow down to his awesome might and above-average completion percentage.

Kraft springing for some HD A/V equipment?

 

[mCACGj]

Ravens D-Coordinators have an iffy track record when becoming head coaches.

But the Ryan's don't!

But until Rex punches one of his coaches (or players) on the sideline, or issues bonuses for injuring the other team's players, I'm gonna have to say Buddy was more successful.

 

[pollo]

cut Favre please, let him go to Minny like he wanted to.

Ferocious D plz.