Friday, March 28, 2014

Media Friday: Week of 3/23/14

  Throughout the past week, there has been multiple headline-worthy stories within the NFL, including the 2014 annual meeting, important signings, and several important events that will affect the upcoming NFL Draft. So, without wasting any time, let's begin the first article of Media Friday by covering all of the important information this week.

Jared Allen Stays in the NFC North
  On March 26th, Jared Allen surprised the football world by signing with the Chicago Bears, one of the Minnesota Vikings' biggest rivals. Allen played for the Minnesota Vikings for the last six years, and played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2004 to 2008. With the Vikings and Chiefs, Jared Allen was a dominating pass rusher, going to five pro-bowls and being elected to four all-pro teams. During free agency, the Chicago Bears quietly offered Allen a contract, and this move went completely under the media's radar. Jared Allen will be improving an awful Bears' defensive line that was last against the run in 2013. Allen will be forming a pass rushing duo with former Raider LaMarr Houston, who was signed by the Bears just weeks ago. This tandem should be one to watch next season, and is sure to terrorize NFC North quarterbacks.
Jared Allen-Defensive End
Basic Contract Structure: 4 years, $32 million
Guaranteed Money: $15.5 million
First Year: $3 million 
Second Year: $12.5 million
Third Year: $8.5 million
Notable Stats: 52 tackles, 11.5 sacks in 2013



NFL Gives Out Compensatory Picks
  On March 24th, the NFL announced that a total of 32 compensatory picks would be distributed to 13 teams for this year's draft. In simple terms, compensatory picks are draft picks that are given to teams across the NFL in order to replace key players that were lost in free agency. These picks are generally between the 3rd and 7th rounds of the draft, and are at the end of each round. When teams are given compensatory picks, they must use that pick, meaning that the team can not trade away their compensatory picks. Most of the teams to receive compensatory picks this year only received one or two, while some teams were given up to four. Here is a list of all 32 compensatory picks that were given:

  • (Team: Draft Round: Overall Pick)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 3:97 , 5:173 , 6:215
  • Green Bay Packers: 3:98 , 5:176
  • Baltimore Ravens: 3:99 , 4:134 , 4:138 , 5:175
  • San Francisco 49ers: 3:100
  • Detroit Lions: 4:133 , 4:136
  • Houston Texans: 4:135 , 6:211 , 7:256 (Last pick of Draft)
  • New York Jets: 4:137 ,  6:209 , 6:210 , 6:213
  • Atlanta Falcons: 4:139 , 7:253 , 7:255
  • New England Patriots: 4:140
  • New York Giants: 5:174
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 6:212 , 6:252
  • St.Louis Rams: 6:214 , 7:249 , 7:250
  • Dallas Cowboys: 7:248 , 7:251 , 7:254  

2014 NFL Annual Meeting

  Every year, the National Football League holds an annual meeting with all 32 team owners and attempts to make improvements to the game of pro football. These improvements can go anywhere from tweaking goal posts to revolutionary rule changes, and this year's meeting accepted several new rules and procedures. Some of these new rules involved officiating changes, player rules, and even an edition to the goal posts. It should be interesting to see next year how big of an effect these new procedures will have, and how these procedures will change the game. To see a more detailed recap of the NFL's Annual Meeting, click here to read my previous article.

Eagles Release DeSean Jackson
  On Friday, March 28th, one of the most electrifying receivers in the NFL hit the free agent market. After weeks of speculation and rumors, the Philadelphia Eagles finally decided to let go of their star wide receiver, DeSean Jackson. During the 2013 season, Jackson had one of his best years on the football field, with over 1,300 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. After his release, DeSean Jackson is sure to find a home very soon, and is now one of the top players in the free agent market. As for the Eagles, the team will save around $6.5 million in cap space, including the cap penalties that came with his release. They will also lose their top receiver for the last few seasons, putting much more pressure on wide receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin. Over the next few days, the future of Jackson's career will be one of the most popular and facinating stories in the NFL.


Patriots Re-Sign Vince Wilfork
  Throughout the last couple of weeks, it seemed unclear whether or not Vince Wilfork would remain a New England Patriot, after requesting for his release from the team. For several years, Wilfork was a dominating defensive force that could anchor a defensive line. In 2013, however, Vince Wilfork was sidelined by an injury for the majority of the season, raising a red flag about the 32-year-old defensive tackle. Obviously, the New England Patriots decided to retain one of their defensive captains, and signed him to a 3-year deal. the contract is worth $22.5 million with $3 million guaranteed. As one of the few talented defensive players on the Patriots' roster, this was a great signing for both Wilfork and the Patriots. Hopefully for the Patriots, Vince Wilfork's age and injury will not be a factor coming into next season. 

Johnny Manziel Hosts His Pro Day
  After months of waiting, Johnny Manziel finally held his pro day in front of dozens of scouts, coaches, general managers, and even a few celebrities. Although there were hundreds of personalities in the building to watch Manziel, there was one word that could tell everyone's reaction: Wow. During his pro day, Johnny Football threw nearly flawless passes, completing 61 of his 64 pass attempts. Manziel did nearly everything perfectly during the workout, throwing accurate deep balls, moved outside of the pocket to throw, and accurately threw short passes. Although a pro day doesn't exactly show how a player will perform on the field, it certainly can help their draft stock before the NFL draft. After this outstanding pro day, it's an almost guarantee that Manziel will be moving up several people's draft boards. 

Three Big Running Back Signings
  During the first few weeks of free agency, the market for running backs was very small, with only a handful of players signed. But within the last week, there has been three notable running back signings in Maurice Jones-Drew, Knowshon Moreno, and LeGarrette Blount. Both Moreno and Blount had career years during the 2013 season, but Maurice Jones-Drew continued a steadily declining career the was ravaged by injuries. Knowshon Moreno played for the Denver Broncos last year and possibly saved his career, as well as making a trip to the Super Bowl. After leaving Denver, Moreno signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he will compete for the starting job. LeGarrette Blount lost to Moreno's Broncos as a member of the Patriots, and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And lastly, Maurice Jones-Drew switched from one bad team to another, going from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Oakland Raiders. In Oakland, Jones-Drew will play for his childhood favorite team and will split carries with the injury-prone Darren McFadden.
LeGarrette Blount-Running Back (Steelers)
Basic Contract Structure: 2 years, $3.85 million
Guaranteed Money: (Contract Information not released as of 3/28/14)
First Year:
Second Year:
Third Year: N/A
Notable Stats: 772 rushing yards, 7 TD's in 2013 

Knowshon Moreno-Running Back (Dolphins)
Basic Contract Structure: 1 year, $3.275 million
Guaranteed Money: $500,000
First Year: $3.275
Second Year: N/A
Third Year: N/A
Notable Stats: 1,038 rushing yards, 10 TD's in 2013

Maurice Jones-Drew-Running Back (Raiders)
Basic Contract Structure: 3 years, Unknown Amount
Guaranteed Money: (Contract Information not released as of 3/28/14)
First Year:
Second Year:
Third Year:
Notable Stats: 803 rushing yards, 5 TD's in 2013


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