The primary tentpole occasion of the NFL offseason has formally arrived as it’s lastly NFL Mix week. All we needed to do was wait two weeks after the Tremendous Bowl to sink our enamel into one thing new.
Half of what’s thrilling about mix week is that it’ll convey notes and sounds from NFL dignitaries which is able to assist us perceive the roster choices to be made within the coming weeks. Clearly getting details about the precise prospects is the purpose, however that is actually only a window of time the place something goes.
The enjoyable is about to start. Right here at The Skinny Submit we, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa, be sure to don’t miss any of it.
A hypothetical Matthew Stafford commerce seems like it will not assist anybody
RJ:
As final weekend started the Los Angeles Rams primarily mentioned that they have been superb with Matthew Stafford in search of a possible commerce. This felt considerably inevitable.
Stafford is without doubt one of the largest would-be dominoes who can fall throughout this offseason on the quarterback place (perhaps Kirk Cousins is the opposite? Aaron Rodgers?). There is no such thing as a query that he’s wildly gifted and the Rams benefitted vastly by buying and selling for him themselves what with parlaying it right into a Tremendous Bowl of their first season collectively… however 2025 will likely be Yr 17 for Matthew Stafford. Learn that once more. It’s insane.
Contemplate that Peyton Manning performed 17 complete seasons (he missed all the 2011 season in order that requires a little bit of an asterisk). We regard him as having performed without end and for some motive Stafford, who paradoxically confronted harm questions early in his profession, doesn’t carry that very same repute.
So far as the right here and now could be involved Stafford is definitely nonetheless a succesful participant. However to reference Manning as soon as extra… he suffered a extreme drop off in play in that seventeenth season, even when the Denver Broncos did win the Tremendous Bowl on the finish of it.
The Rams shifting Stafford would go away themselves with an enormous query mark on the sport’s most vital place, and whoever hypothetically trades for him will likely be taking an enormous gamble to say the least.
This feels bizarre.
Michael:
Has high quality quarterback play actually turn out to be so uncommon that 37-year-old Matthew Stafford may really command over $50 million in his subsequent contract, whether or not that’s with the Rams or elsewhere? Sure.
As you mentioned, he’s nonetheless a succesful quarterback, however Stafford took that very same Peyton Manning-esque step again in 2024 as he threw for simply 20 touchdowns. That’s the bottom complete he’s had in any season of his profession wherein he performed at the least 15 video games. His 3,764 passing yards can also be the bottom complete inside these parameters, as properly.
In a league that’s primarily paid gamers for what they simply obtained completed as a substitute of what their future expectations are, it doesn’t appear proper {that a} workforce would fork out that a lot cash in hopes that 2024 is extra of an exception than the norm.
So sure, this feels very bizarre.
Is the NFL doing the best factor by persevering with to tweak the kickoff construction?
Michael:
I don’t find out about you, however I actually loved the brand new dynamic kickoffs this previous season. I used to be a fan of them within the XFL and I appreciated them much more within the NFL. Now, it’s being reported that extra modifications might are available time for the 2025 marketing campaign.
First, the NFL is toying round with inserting the ball on the 35-yard line as a substitute of the 30 following touchbacks. The beginning place of the ball on kickoffs would additionally transfer again 5 yards, as properly. This could clearly push for extra returns as groups could be much less more likely to launch the ball via the again of the top zone.
NFL Competitors Committee chairman Wealthy McKay mentioned on Sunday that the proposal for groups to try to convert a fourth-and-20 from their very own 20-yard line — one thing proposed by the Eagles a yr in the past — could also be again on the desk this offseason.
I believe this might be one other superior change, truthfully. Let groups threat the biscuit a bit bit extra. Make video games extra chaotic in the direction of the top.
It’s what all of us need, proper?
RJ:
I’m going to sound very outdated right here and am okay with that… I hate all of this.
To be clear my main stance is that I’m most in favor of no matter is probably the most secure and safe for NFL gamers. That must be the highest precedence.
However are we lengthy sufficient into the brand new format — which we have been instructed was for this categorical function — to have sufficient information to achieve a authentic conclusion on? Or are we bored and making an attempt to tinker?
The kickoff is so meaningless that I’m greater than superb with simply eliminating it. Begin the groups at their respective yard strains as if this have been time beyond regulation in school soccer.
Be completed with it.
Ought to the NFL Mix keep in Indianapolis or transfer round just like the Draft?
RJ:
This topic comes up yearly and I believe you will need to say that I personally haven’t been to an NFL Mix in Indianapolis. Only for context’s sake.
For extra context although I’ve been to an NFL occasion there as I noticed the Dallas Cowboys go to the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 and had the very best time (the Cowboys misplaced badly and this was nonetheless true). Indy is a good metropolis for occasions what with how they designed it with the tunnel system and all that jazz and what’s extra… I like traditions within the NFL.
It is rather cool that the NFL Draft strikes round and that different cities and fanbases have the chance to point out off who they’re to the world at giant, however there’s something cool about how the Mix is at all times in Indy.
Maintain it there. Stop altering stuff. I’ve spoken.
Michael:
I don’t have a lot so as to add to this as a result of I agree wholeheartedly.
The mix has stayed in Indianapolis for a ton of logistical causes. Its location is centered properly round native accommodations, eating places, and different factors of curiosity within the metropolis. As a lot as I do usually imagine change is an efficient factor, I don’t suppose it’s definitely worth the effort and potential threat of throwing off the occasion’s primo feng shui for the sake of letting different cities host.
Let’s simply hold this un-broken factor very a lot un-broken.
Which place group is your favourite to observe on the NFL Mix and why is it going to be the offensive/defensive linemen?
Michael:
I’m able to plant my flag on this hill and maintain it like my life relied on it.
All of the talent positions will get probably the most consideration as a result of followers prefer to see the quickest speeds and furthest jumps, however you may’t inform me that’s extra thrilling than watching the most important human beings on the planet do the identical actual drills whereas hauling round 80-100 kilos extra of physique weight. Seeing gargantuans fly throughout the sphere and soar via the air won’t ever get outdated.
Positive, seeing that 175-pound large receiver run a 4.32 within the 40-yard sprint is cool, however what about watching a 310-pound offensive deal with run a 4.80? Or the 285-pound defensive finish recording a sub-4.6 and leaping over 35 inches within the vertical?
Convey on all of the dancing bears, please. It’s must-watch tv, in my view.
RJ:
My reply is a little bit of a cheat.
I don’t have anyone particular drill that I like greater than the opposite, however I actually get a kick out of once they impose totally different 40-yard dashes over each other and mess around with it.
The NFL Mix issues, don’t get me incorrect. However that is glorified testing and information acquisition.
If I have to vote then the linemen can have my vote so Michael shouldn’t be alone.
