NFL off season rumors can be more entertaining that the actual games sometimes. This off season has not failed to provide us with entertaining storylines to keep us entertained as we wait for football to come back. Story after story headline after headline football fans have been continuously talking about football since Seattle made Denver look like a pop warner team in the Super Bowl. So far through february there have been a couple big stories that have been in the news day in and day out.
Jim Harbaugh Trade?
The first time we heard about Harbaugh and the 49ers being on the outs was about a week ago when Cleveland said that Harbaugh was available. There’s no denying that the Browns were pursuing Harbaugh and that the 49ers didn’t immediately shut them down or that their head coach wasn’t available. As the dust settles from the initial explosion of this news, we are left to ponder how bad is the relationship between Harbaugh and the San Fransisco front office. Harbaugh has had a successful run with the team and they are definitely a Championship contender year in and year out.
Harbaugh was the guy that came in and was able to put all the talent together and mold the 49ers into a championship team. For the front office to be ready to walk away and explore other options at head coach, then it must be bad. The fact is that any front office knows that when you have a coach that’s a proven winner he’s someone you should keep around. Especially since it’s not a given that the new coach will be successful at all. This is a fun topic of conversation and it will probably gain momentum as new information comes out.
Kirk Cousins Trade Talk
Cousins has been a back up in Washington his first two seasons in the league and has performed well a couple times when his number has been called. Ever since the Redskins took Cousins there have been whispers about a quarterback competition with first round pick and starter Robert Griffin III, or if the team can trade him for a draft pick. Those talks got louder when Cousins came in and saved the day when Griffin was hurt during the Ravens game their rookie year. The week after when Cousins played very well and got the win against the Browns, fans were either screaming trade him or start him.
In his sophomore season Cousins got to start in the preseason and the last three games of the season. Even though he lost all three he showed some flashes and showed a lot of potential. Now he has expressed interest in having a chance to start in the NFL (hint hint wink wink). The same week Washington made it known that they would take a second round pick for Cousins but nothing less. Cousins is a good player, but with as deep as this year’s quarterback class is I doubt they’ll get a second rounder for him. I also doubt the way the front office and Cousins so synchronized with their announcements they probably have no offers. This will definitely be fun to watch but nothing more than that.
Draft Stock
Poor college players, they can be All-Americans on the field SEC defensive player of the year or win the Heisman trophy their freshman year. If they kill it at the combine or their pro day their draft stock will fall faster a sack of bricks. There are so many players that have played well on the field but just don’t size up when it comes to the measurables, some no doubt will fall because of the performance of the combine All Stars. So far some have quarterback Blake Bortles moving into the number one slot after he showed well, and players like Teddy Bridgewater sat out in Indianapolis. From what I’ve heard since the quarterbacks worked out this weekend a lot of teams have learned from past mistakes and aren’t jumping to any conclusions. But it will be interesting to see where it all goes from here.
Farewell to a Legend?
Some feel that star defensive end Demarcus Ware may not be guaranteed a spot on the Cowboys 2014 roster. It’s no secret that the Cowboys are low on cap room and high on needs. After another 8-8 season which did not include playoffs, the team is focused on getting back to the postseason. This week Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones admitted that Ware is in danger of being cut because of the $16 million he’s scheduled to make this year. If Ware wants to stay in Dallas he can no doubt just restructure his deal. I believe he will find away to stay on the team and get a new deal done, Ware seems like a good guy and an excellent teammate. It will still be fun to watch the drama unfold, who knows we may see Ware in new colors for the first time in his professional career.