2007 NFL Offseason Stuff Thread

[Rome]

In an effort to discourage unauthorized companies from using the Super Bowl to peddle their products, the NFL is seeking to trademark the phrase "the Big Game."

They'll win. 

They're the NFL, after all, and their big game is the only big game in all of sports.

[Diomedes]

trademark law is out of control. 

[phattymatty]

ha, i was just about to post the same picture.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Drew Bennett's like Hank Baskett, only better and blacker.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

WILFORD RIPE FOR THE PLUCKING?

Thanks to a tip from our pal Gregg Rosenthal of Rotoworld.com, it appears that official NFL records reveal that the Jaguars have tendered receiver Ernest Wilford at the low level of $850,000.

Published reports suggested that Wilford would be tendered at the new second-round level.

This means that Wilford can be had for a multi-year offer sheet that becomes fully guaranteed if, for example, Wilford plays five football games in Jacksonville in any year of the deal.

Wilford was a fourth-round pick in 2004.  Thus, if someone else signs him and the Jags opt not to match, they'll get a fourth-round pick as compensation.

As we see it, either the Jags have decided that they'd be happy to get a fourth-round pick for Wilford, or they're just stupid.  If someone else wants him bad enough to give up a four, he's as good as gone.

Along these same lines, we can't figure out why the taterskins gave punter Derrick Frost the low tender.  Frost was undrafted, so the 'Skins get no compensation if someone else signs him.  And someone else will be able to get him via the poison pill device.

As we see it, the 'Skins would have been smarter to save the $850,000 in cap space and not tender Frost at any level.  Or, if they really wanted to keep him, they should have bumped the number to $1.3 million, which would have triggered the second-round level of compensation -- and as a practical matter would have scared off any other suitors. 

Wilford? Meh.

[Seabiscuit36]

The eagles have a faster Wilford in Baskett

[PhillyPhanInDC]

PLUMMER RETIRES

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer has retired in lieu of being traded to Tampa.

Word of the trade broke earlier this morning, but recent published reports suggested that Plummer might pack it in.

Plummer has played 10 NFL seasons.  We have a weird feeling that, after a year or so on the sidelines, he might be lured back.  The Cardinals, for example, will need a backup after Kurt Warner retires, and it would be fitting for Plummer to end his career there.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

The eagles have a faster Wilford in Baskett

You're funny.

[ice grillin you]

PATS TARGETING THOMAS?

Several readers tell us that Adam Schefter of NFL Network said earlier this morning on WEEI in Boston that the Pats will make a big push for linebacker Adalius Thomas within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Meanwhile, John Clayton of ESPN.com reports that Thomas will visit the 49ers.

We heard earlier this week that the 49ers were believed to have a deal in principle with Thomas.  But the problem with deals struck before the start of free agency is that they're not enforceable, and the player can pull the plug if he so chooses.

[Dillen]

You're funny.

Why is that funny? He's dead serious and he's correct.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

It's funny for a couple of reasons:

1.  Wilford has proven to be a very good possession and goalline package receiver.  I don't know how many catches Baskett made over the middle or once the team was in the red zone, but it's not a lot.

2.  Baskett is not fast by any means, and there's certainly no proof of him being faster than Wilford.

[ice grillin you]

granted if wouldnt take much for baskett to become a wilford but could he at least prove to be an everydown nfl wr for one season before we annoint him anything....thats not asking too much is it

[PhillyPhanInDC]

FALCONS CUT A PAIR

The Atlanta Falcons have cut LB Edgerton Hatwell and LB Ike Reese.

Both were signed as unrestricted free agents in 2005.

Hartwell was signed through 2010, and he was scheduled to earn $2.87 million in base salary this season.  Reese was under contract through 2008.  He was due to make $940,000 in base salary this year.

Since both were released on the first day of the league year, it's possible that the Falcons took advantage of the rule that treats the move as a June 2 transaction, thereby spreading the cap hit from any remaining bonus money over two years.

It'd be good to have Ike back on STs.

[ice grillin you]

absolutely...and for leadership...if nothing else get him back for a year so he can retire an eagle like he should

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Ike is good for the role that Shawn Barber played last year.  Barber's a FA too.