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NFL Offseason Schedule

Since there are two months left until actual football is played, I thought it would be a good idea to present a list of Restricted Free Agents that are left out there.  Today is the deadline for old clubs to send tender to unsigned unrestricted free agents to receive exclusive negotiating rights for rest of season if the player is not signed by another club by July 22.  This is also the deadline for old clubs to send tender to their unsigned RFAs or to extend an offer to retain exclusive negotiating rights.  This is what the St. Louis Rams are up against in regards to Safety O.J. Atogwe.  The Rams have been in constant talks with the safety, but if they don't place a high tender or sign him to an extension by midnight, he will become an unrestricted free agent.  

June 1-11 begins all of the Organized Team Activities, while June 15th starts mandatory mini-camps across the NFL.  Late July is when training camps begin, and Preseason starts in August. 

Here is a list of remaining unsigned RFAs team by team:

Panthers Looking for Help on the Offensive Side of the Ball

According to NFL.Com analyst, Gil Brandt, the Carolina Panthers will look to draft some help at the wide receiver position this year.  The Panthers, who do not have a 1st round draft pick, have the 48th overall pick in the draft. According to the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers have been seen all over scouting WR talent, and are in desperate need to help out 31 year old Steve Smith.  While Smith is still among the best in the league, he is constantly hassled with double-teams, and it would be great for QB Matt Moore to come into the season with a little bit more help.  Although top prospects Golden Tate and Dez Bryant will be long gone, look for the  Panthers to key on LSU's Brandon LaFell, USC's Damian Williams.

This is a good idea for the Panthers.  They need someone to step up and help out Steve Smith.  He's turning 32 and he isn't going to be around forever.  I saw John Fox roaming around paying attention to Aaron Hernandez, as well as WR David Nelson while I was at Pro Day.  Nelson really stepped up and showed me something when he ran a 4.47 in the 40 yard dash.  Look for some type of help on the offensive side of the ball with their top pick.   

Peppers Ready to Bounce out of Carolina

Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers has made his thoughts known and it's obvious that he is on his way out of town.  Espn's reporter, Adam Schefter, said a few weeks ago that Peppers was not pleased with the way the Panthers were handling his contract situation.  The Panthers have not contacted Peppers about the contract, or even spoke to him about retaining his services.  Last year, Peppers was not pleased with having the franchise tag placed on him, and apparently he will get his wish this year and be able to move on.  Peppers desperately wants a long-term deal and would like to make more than the $18 million he made while under the franchise tag.  If Carolina decides to place the franchise tag on Peppers, it would cost them roughly $21.8 million.  

There are plenty of teams out there that could use his services this upcoming season, but it's a matter of who is willing to fork out the cash.  Peppers will most likely want a 4-7 year contract, and I don't really know who would want to commit that type of money to a player who would turn 37 by the end of that contract.  Peppers is no doubt going to be a huge asset to any team that signs him, but I just don't think the money that he wants is going to be there.  Look for the New England Patriots, who desperately need help with the pass rush, or even the Oakland Raiders since they love to overpay for talent. 

Top NFL Draft Prospects

17. Sergio Kindle, OLB

San Francisco(8-8)

Kindle has all the tools to become a great pass rushing outside linebacker in the NFL.  He has a combination of speed, strength, and athleticism that puts him on the top of the list.  Not great in pass coverage, but definitely has the tools to become a great playmaker.  Great tackler, great at finishing plays, and can get to the quarterback with above average moves.  He can be a defensive end if picked up by a 4-3 defense or a great 3-4 OLB. He would definitely be a steal if he lasts until the San Francisco 49ers' pick.    

Why he's good for the 49ers:

The 49ers have the ability to pick best player available with this pick that they got from the Carolina Panthers.  Sergio Kindle gives them another big play threat from the linebacker position.  He will only improve a defense that allowed 229 yards through the air per game.  Washington Redskins' DE/LB Brian Orakpo would be a good comparison.  He definitely has all the tools to put up those type of numbers in his rookie season if given the opportunity

Frustrated Roger Goodell Expects Uncapped Season

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that unless an agreement is reached between the Players' Association, that there will be an uncapped season in 2010, unfortunately.  Although it sounds good for players, this is a huge blow for a league that has kept good standing with their players.  This season will be hard for players that have been in the league for less than six years and were planning on cashing in on a huge payday.  According to the rules of an uncapped season, players that have less than six years experience in the league will be considered restricted free agents.  This is amendment to the rule of four years experience and will cause certain players to remain with their teams for better or worse.  Players such as Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, who is at odds with his team, are less likely to be given huge contracts because of the restricted label.  Because of this restricted label, teams wanting to sign the players are forced to give some sort of compensation for the team's loss and this will very well be the sticking point for any contract that is offered to free agents.  This uncapped year is not only going to hurt restricted free agents, but also some of the big name unrestricted free agents, such as Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers.    Peppers has been at odds with the Carolina Panthers and it is believed that they will allow him to walk without placing the franchise tag on him.  The problem is, that with an uncapped season, the Final Eight Plan comes into affect.  The Final Eight Plan stipulates that the eight clubs that make the Divisional Playoffs in the previous season have additional restrictions that limit their ability to sign unrestricted free agents from other clubs  The catch is, that these teams can not sign unrestricted free agents until an unrestricted free agent is signed away from their team and in the case of all final eight teams, the first year salary of any unrestricted free agent signed to replace those lost can't exceed the first year salary of the player lost.  This is something that few are really grasping because everyone believes that it is going to be a "free-for-all" and all these teams will get better when that just simply is not the case.  The best thing for the league is a Collective Bargaining Agreement. There is nothing good that will come from an uncapped year next year and the likelihood of a lockout the year after.  

Is There Cause for Concern in New Orleans?

There's trouble brewing in New Orleans and the wheels are starting to fall off what was once a well-oiled machine.  New Orleans has dropped games against the Dallas Cowboys, who were on life support coming into that game, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose coach, Raheem Morris, has been on the hot seat all season.  After the shocker last night, in which Bucs RB Cadillac Williams ran for his first 100 yard game since 2006, QB Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints are left questioning their lack of desire to finish this season strong.  During the last two weeks that ended in losses, New Orleans has struggled mightily against the run, allowing 145 yards on the ground to the Cowboys and 176 yards to the Bucs.  If the Saints want to finish with the #1 seed in the NFC, they will have to play better against a Carolina Panthers team that is looking to play spoiler.  It starts with stopping the RBs, namely Jonathan Stewart, who gashed the New York Giants for 206 yards on the ground and ended all playoff hopes for the team. 

The Saints are in trouble... with the injury to RB Pierre Thomas and the injuries that RB Reggie Bush has dealt with throughout the year, the strength that the Saints once had on the ground is becoming their weakness.  Also, the big plays on defense that was once a common trend is becoming non-existent. I just haven't seen that fire that was once in the team these past four weeks, ever since their dominant win over the New England Patriots.