sports uncensored 24/7

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:

Sims To Eagles, Scheffler to Lions in 3-Team Deal

According to multiple reports, the Detroit Lions have shipped linebacker Ernie Sims to the Philadelphia Eagles, who will trade a fifth-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos, who will send tight end Tony Scheffler and a seventh-round pick to the Lions. This move was made due to the question marks concerning Sims health, as he is coming off of an injury that kept him out of 5 games last year.  The main concern with Sims has always been his ability to help in run support, and it was not too huge of a risk for the Eagles to snag him for a fifth-round pick.  Scheffler, who was already on the outs in Denver, adds another weapon for QB Matthew Stafford, and it is unknown whether or not last year's first-round draft pick Brandon Pettigrew can fully recover from the torn ACL he suffered last year.  

The main problem I have with this trade is the fact that the Lions are adding yet another hole in a defense that ranked dead last in points, total yards, and passing yards given up per game.  Although Scheffler is a nice addition to the offense, Ernie Sims is a valuable LB, despite the fact that his performance dropped off a little in 2008.  Look for this to be a huge upgrade for the Eagles, who desperately needed an upgrade in their linebacker corps.  Sims will be a huge upgrade on the weakside, and will provide better run support than many critics think.  Denver, who received the fifth-round pick from the Eagles, are just stockpiling picks and it wouldn't surprise me if they made a few draft day trades to move up at some point to nab a player that they covet.  

Marshall Headed to Miami Dolphins

Just a day after rumors that WR Ted Ginn was on the Miami Dolphins' trading block, sources have told ESPN that the Denver Broncos will trade bad boy WR Brandon Marshall to the Dolphins for a 2nd-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, as well as a 2nd-round pick in next year's draft.  

"Marshall is scheduled to fly to Miami to take his physical and, if he passes, sign what will be one of the most lucrative wide receiver deals in NFL history, according to league sources."

Marshall, who is a one of the best receivers in the league, will help this offense greatly.  This might allow the Dolphins to hold on to Ted Ginn and allow him to hold down the slot position, which is a position he is better suited for.  This also makes the AFC East a lot more interesting, because this is a definite answer to the New York Jets' trade for the other troubled WR Santonio Holmes.  

Dolphins Looking to Trade Ted Ginn

Due to the lack of productivity as a serviceable WR, the Miami Dolphins are rumored to be shopping former first-round draft pick, Ted Ginn per NFL.Com.  Ginn, who is an extremely valuable asset as a special teams player, has only caught five touchdowns as a receiver in three years.  The Dolphins could look to package Ginn with picks for someone like Denver Broncos' WR Brandon Marshall now that he has signed his tender, or could move up from the 12th pick in this years NFL Draft to pick up a player high on their draft board. 

Dez Bryant could be an option here, but I don't think that they would have to move up in order to draft him.  A lot of rumors have been swirling around Clemson RB C.J. Spiller, and that would be a nice addition to their team, especially with the type of trouble that RB Ronnie Brown is in right now.  Ginn has shown his abilities in the special teams game, but I have never seen his as a good WR overall.  He lacks size, and at times, has shown that he can't hold onto the ball.  IF they net a decent return, it will be worth it, because I don't see Ginn as a long time contributor.

2010 NFL Mock Draft

2010 NFL Mock Draft

2010 NFL Mock Draft

11. Denver Broncos(8-8)

ILB Rolando McClain (Alabama)

With a sound pass defense, but a porous run defense, the Denver Broncos select Rolando McClain with the 11th pick in the draft.  What McClain will bring is size, instincts, and play making ability to a defense that managed to allow 129 yards per game on the ground.  Although ILB Andra Davis recorded 90 tackles this past year, he is very slow and more of a "read and react" type of linebacker, who makes most of his tackles well downfield.  McClain brings more of an "attacking" style of play, and can help shore up the middle of the defense.  Add to it the fact that Davis will be 32 mid-season, makes me think that this is a perfect fit for McClain.   

Why he's a good fit for the Broncos:

McClain has all of the characteristics needed to become a dominant linebacker in the NFL.  With a soft run defense, and with the best linebacker in the draft sitting there, it would be foolish to not pick him up.