Updates On The Offseason: Part 1

Though the NFL offseason has just begun, there have been many shufflings and rumors swirling. The first part of the offseason update includes the releasing of longtime Jags' running back Fred Taylor and other longtime NFL stars , the franchise tag, and the retirement of Brett Favre.

Who has been released?

Fred Taylor was scheduled to make about $6 million next season, so getting rid of the 11-year veteran was no surprise since he is the backup to rising star Maurice Jones-Drew. Though Taylor never got the recognition he did throughout his career, he still has some years left in him. There are some teams that come to my mind that may have interest in signing Taylor to a short term contract. Teams such as the Patriots, Chargers, and possibly even the Eagles.

Other notable released NFL players include Bucs' Quarterback Jeff Garcia and Ravens' Cornerback Chris McAlister.

Who has received the Franchise Tag?

This offseason has been quite strange, with a punter and kicker both receiving the franchise tag. Not all the NFL teams have applied their tag yet, but some have:

• Matt Cassell - Patriots
• Brandon Jacobs - Giants
• Shayne Graham - Bengals
• Michael Koenen - Falcons

Brett Favre has FINALLY retired!

The aging Quarterback has officially announced his retirement. Favre will now have to sit at home and watch the NFL games, which is not familiar with Favre, since he has played in 269 consecutive games. The 'Iron Man' of the NFL will go down as one of the greatest QB's in NFL history. But stay tuned with Brett Favre's status, as you never know when he will decide to play again, especially since the Vikings have already showed interest in him.

Looking Back At The Brett Favre Trade

What a day for New York Jets' fans when they heard that longtime Packer Quarterback Brett Favre was headed to the Big Apple. I mean, the Jets haven't had a star QB like Brett Favre since that legend nicknamed Broadway Joe Namath. I mean, sure this franchise has competed lately, but never have they actually been a contender for the Super Bowl in recent memory. So when Brett Favre became a Jet, all the fans were as excited as Andy Reid eating his favorite Cheesesteak from Geno's. So what about Green Bay? Yes, they just lost their former MVP and the Lambeau Legend, but on the bright side, they finally got to see what Aaron Rodgers really was.

Okay, first we will look at how each Quarterback did this year. Brett Favre threw 2 more completions than Rodgers did, but Rodgers had 6 more touchdown passes. Also, Favre threw 22 picks, while Rodgers only threw 13. Rodgers also added 4 TD's on the ground, while Favre managed to get his aging legs into the endzone once. It appears that the young successor has succeeded over his master, but both missed the playoffs and the Jets did manage to get more wins than the Packers.

Well congratulations for Rodgers on beating out Brett Favre on the 2008 season. But wait a second. I'm pretty sure that neither the Jets or the Packers came out on top of the Brett Favre trade. So who did? Take a look at the Miami Dolphins. Yes, I know they had no involvment in the trade, but just look at what happened when Brett Favre arrived on Broadway. 2008 Comeback Player of the Year, Chad Pennington, was cut from the Jets, and signed by the Miami Dolphins. Sure, Chad threw less TD's (19), but he also threw the least amount of interceptions between the three (7). He also had the better rating (97.4). Also, he made the Dolphins into a contender, leading them into the playoffs after having a embarrassing 2007 season. Unbelievable, the Miami Dolphins actually came out on top of the Brett Favre trade. Who would have seen that one coming!

Signed!

Pigskin Pros Challenge #2!

This week's challenge will test your creativity skills. And it's really quite simple!

Look at the picture of Brett Favre to the left. What's different? Yes, he is in a Vikings Uniform!

This week's challenge is to pick a player from the 2009 Free Agent Pool, and Photoshop your favorite team's uniform on him. Simple right?

The entry with the most creative, and most realistic looking picture will win the Challenge #2 trophy. So, do you want your Green Bay Packers to acquire Albert Haynesworth? Let us know!

Email: Alec82@gmail.com or fphlip9@yahoo.com

Please join!

We Have A Winner!

First off, we want to congratulate all of this week's participants. We recieved more entries than we imagined, and we are very appreciative of that. Also, if you didn't win this week, keep trying! There will always be a weekly challenge.

The first winner of the Pigskin Pros challenge is....
BENJAMIN HLAVKA!
Click here to see your trophy!

What we really loved about Ben's plan was the he addressed the defense with the first two picks (he even traded the 1st overal' to KC). We also loved that he selected QB Josh Freeman with their 2nd round selection. He signed notably Albert Haynesworth, Mike Goff, and Bryant Johnson.

Other entries has signed both Nmandi Asomugha and Haynesworth. Although this would improve them, its very unlikely this would occur.

Congratulations Benjamin, for you will be forever known as the first ever Pigskins Pros. Challenge Winner!

Tune in tomorrow for Challenge #2!

Reminder!

Last day to play our weekly challenge!

Hurry, the Lions are in need!
http://pigskinpros.blogspot.com/2009/02/0-16-to-16-0.html

We have received several entries, and are excited to present the trophy to the winner tomorrow! I want to thank all of you who have participated in the first ever Pigskin Pros challenge, and look forward to dishing out the second challenge on Tuesday!

Good luck to everyone,
Pigskin Pros Staff

Recapping the 2008 NFL Season

TOP PLAYS OF 2008



The Worst of 2008 ( A.K.A The Detroit Lions )



Hardest Hits Of The 2008 Season

Countdown To Free Agency: Salary Cap Numbers

It's coming.
Like that eventual Philadelphia Eagle post-season collapse.
Like that eventual Terrell Owens mid-season tantrum.
Like that eventual Tony Romo classical choke job.
We all know it's eventually going to come, but this time, it's coming hard.

Somewhere in that long five month thought process of Brett Favre deciding whether or not he is going to return to the NFL (I like to call this period: The Off Season), lurks a day that fans and players both enjoy: The start of NFL Free Agency.

This year, Free Agency starts on February 28th. On this day, owners and general managers will reach into their pocket, pull out their change, and come to terms with unrestricted free agents looking for a job. This is an important step in the off season, as well as improving a football team. Big name free agents will demand huge pay, and in return, owners will demand excellent performances.

NFL Free Agency Day is a holiday. It is a glorious time for the "NFL Nerd". And that's exactly what I am.

However, in order to sign big name free agents, you have to have the dough. (Joke: Except if you're the Redskins). In order for you to get prepared for the start of free agency, we will provide you with several, "Countdown To Free Agency" articles. These will keep you on your toes, and provide you with better information come that glorious last day in February. So, if you're ready, to start things off, I have come up with a list of every team's salary cap status. This way, you can tell how much your favorite team has to spend on their next big star.

Amount of cash to spend

1. Tampa Bay: $42 million
2. Arizona: $41 million
3. Denver: $34 million
4. Kansas City: $33 million
5. Tennessee: $31 million
6. Miami: $28 million
7. Buffalo: $27 million
8. Detroit: $26 million
9. San Francisco: $26 million
10. Houston: $25 million
11. Philadelphia: $25 million
12. Cincinnati: $22 million
13. New England: $21 million
14. Minnesota: $20 million
15. Atlanta: $20 million
16. Pittsburgh: $19 million
17. Baltimore: $19 million
18. Chicago: $19 million
19. Green Bay: $18 million
20. Cleveland: $17 million
21. Jacksonville: $16 million
22. San Diego: $14 million
23. NY Giants: $11 million
24. Dallas: $10 million
25. Carolina: $9 million
26. Seattle: $9 million
27. St. Louis: $8 million
28. Oakland: $4 million
29. Indianapolis: $2 million OVER THE CAP
30. Washington: $3 million OVER THE CAP
31. New Orleans: $5 million OVER THE CAP
32. NY Jets: $7 million OVER THE CAP

Tune in for more free agency information.
Including: Team Top Needs, Rumors, and our analysis.

-Alec
alec82@gmail.com