Overnight News 14/03/2018
- Mar 15, 2018
- 4 min read
Joe Thomas calls it a day
Joe Thomas is considered one of the best offensive linemen to play in the NFL in the last 15 years. The value and talent that Joe Thomas has brought to the Browns in the last 11 years is simply astounding, look at these stats:
- Drafted in 2007 as the third overall pick
- He made six All-Pro teams in a seven-year period
- Invited to 10 Pro Bowls out of 11 (and only missed the last one because of injury)
- He did not miss a single play in his career until his 2017 injury
- He played 10,363 consecutive snaps which is the longest streak in the NFL since it began recording snap counts in 1999
The retirement of Joe Thomas is a loss for the entire league, not only was he outstanding on the field, but off the field he was a model of a man and widely respected amongst his peers. Thomas hosts his own, popular podcast called the “ThomaHawk Show” and said that he “is staring at a knee replacement in the future and was surprised and happy to have even survived physically to play seven games in 2017”.
Its clear that his mind and heart wanted to carry on playing, but sadly his body would simply not allow it. There is no doubt that in 5 years’ time he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. See you in Canton Joe.
Tyrann Mathieu is released
There had been much speculation as to what the Cardinals would do with the ‘Honey Badger’ on the signing of new head coach, Steve Wilks and rumours began to fly almost immediately. According to the Cardinals this was solely a financial decision and not one motivated by Mathieu’s production. Tyrann refused to take a pay cut, and rightly so, he’s betting on himself, and that confidence is what we expect from such a competitive player.
New HC Steve Wilks did not quite see Mathieu as a fit with the new defensive scheme they will eventually run for the 2018 season onwards, however to pin this move on a financial decision, but then spend money bringing back Mike Glennon as Sam Bradford’s back-up is absurd.
Whilst listening to the Around the NFL podcast, NFL Networks Gregg Rosenthal said that during an interview he did with Tyrann, Gregg suggested to him that “he could wind up making more money in free agency than if the Cardinals kept him” and Mathieu’s reply was “my agent thinks so, too”. So for Tyrann, this move was about him betting on himself, which I think will work out.
Two possible landing spots. 1. New York Giants, which makes sense when you think that their new defensive coordinator is James Bettcher who spent the last five seasons with the Cardinals as well as the Giants need in the secondary. 2. The New York Jets, this is primarily on the Jets needs at secondary, and adding someone like Tyrann will always be a plus, however, the Jets HC Todd Bowles is his long term partners step farther which means he not only is familiar with Tyrann as a player, but also as a person.
Trevor Siemian is a Viking
It was, as is normally the case NFL Network Insider Ian Rapport who reported last night that the Vikings have finalised a trade with the Broncos for Trevor Siemian, a 2018 pick and a 2019 pick.
Siemian will partner Kirk Cousins (if the inevitable happens and he signs with the Vikings, which at the time of writing this, he is yet to do officially) and provide back-up duties. The Vikings have got a good deal with this trade. Siemian has started 24 games in the past two seasons with 30 TD’s, 24 INT’s and a 59.3 completion percentage.
This move makes sense for both the Vikings and the Broncos. The Broncos now have Case Keenum with former first-round pick Paxton Lynch as back-up. Elway and Denver also hold the 5th overall pick, allowing them to take a QB if they so choose. The Vikings and Broncos making smart decisions when it comes to Quarterbacks.
Nate Solder heads to the Big Apple
After a long career with the Patriots and a few Super Bowl rings, Nate Solder has parted ways with Brady and Belichick and is headed for the Giants in the Big Apple. The deal Solder has negotiated is outstanding to, let’s look in more detail at the deal, as reported by ProFootballTalk at NBC Sports:
1. Signing bonus: $16 Million
2. 2018 Base Salary (fully guaranteed): $5.9 Million
3. 2019 Base Salary (fully guaranteed): $12.9 Million
4. 2020 Base Salary: $9.9 Million
5. 2020 Roster Bonus (due first day of the league year): $3 Million
6. 2021 Base Salary $9.9 Million
7. 2021 Roster Bonus (due first day of the league year): $4 Million
8. Annual Workout Bonuses of $100,000
Whilst it is a costly deal for the Giants, it immediately upgrades what was a disastrous offensive line last season and mediocre at best the previous season.
The move is a smart one, and should provide Eli Manning with some protection after being beat upon last year. The deal also makes Solder the highest paid offensive linemen in the NFL.
It must hurt Patriot fans to know he has gone to the Giants, the team who has delivered two crushing Super Bowl losses to the Patriots.
AJ McCarron heads to Buffalo
AJ McCarron was first linked to the Browns for good reason. But, it’s the Buffalo Bills who have finally given AJ McCarron a home, granted it seemed to be the only landing spot for AJ. However, there Is no doubt he deserves a starting role. He has been a back-up for four years after being drafted in 2014 in the fifth round by the Bengals.
McCarron played his college football at Alabama and became the first quarterback to win back-to-back national championships in the BCS era. McCarron is considered to be a great game manager and decision maker.
McCarron was teased with a starting job in 2017 when he Browns and Bengals agreed on a trade in exchange for a second and third round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, the Browns failed to file the paperwork before the leagues 4pm deadline.
It will be interesting to see how McCarron performs with the Bills, however he certainly will be a QB to watch in the 2018 season and could produce some excellent results for the Bills, armed with their already bolstered roster.
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