Steelers MMQB: NFL Offseason News
By Kim Myers
Better hat for Pouncey.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:
- Detroit Lions give Matthew Stafford a hefty contract extension
- Michael Vick will have to compete for QB job says Kelly
- Johnny Manziel leaves Manning Camp early
- Pouncey Twins questionable head gear at birthday party
Give yourself a round of applause Steeler Nation. You’ve made it this far and have just seven Sundays left without Steelers football. There’s no shortage of cheap shots to be taken at some players this week, so let’s dig right in, shall we?
The Lions rewarded quarterback Matthew Stafford for not making the playoffs with a contract extension which included $27.5 million signing bonus. The Lions now have $62.3 million alone in signing bonuses for Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and Ndamukong Suh. Apparently it takes a lot of money to lose every year. Clearly, the Lions are hoping to be on the upswing seeing as how Johnson is one of, if not the best wide receiver in the game, Stafford isn’t a horrible quarterback and Suh can’t seem to really piss off Goodell no matter how dirty of a player he is. Well done, Detroit!
Remember when the Philadelphia Eagles were referred to as the “Dream Team”? Yeah that was fun. The Eagles have been underperforming for what probably seems like an eternity to fans and they’re hoping the tides have turned with the new sheriff in town, Chip Kelly. Kelly, who created nonstop buzz as the head coach of the high-powered offensive Oregon Ducks, has come out to say that the quarterback decision will be decided by competition, and that Vick’s job isn’t guaranteed. Last season Vick split time with Nick Foles because, well Vick doesn’t play a season in the NFL without getting injured. The wild card in the mix at QB for the Eagles will be draft pick Matt Barkley, who will probably play just about as well as you’d think a QB out of USC will play in the NFL. Butt fumble anyone? Should be interesting to see the Eagles offense under Kelly, nonetheless, no matter who is behind center. I have a hard time believing that a 33 year old Vick can keep up with the temp that Kelly runs without tapping out anyway, forgetting the fact that he’s just plain an injury waiting to happen.
The Manning brothers held their annual quarterback passing academy this weekend and Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel had been on hand as a counselor. Manziel left the camp early citing “dehydration”. I get “dehydrated” too when I’m hung over. You can drink like eleventy billion gallons of water and never have to go pee. Pictures surfaced over the internet of Manziel enjoying the nightlife during camp and then the sudden departure led to the rumors that he was asked to leave over his partying ways. Peyton Manning, however, didn’t indicate as such and backed Manziel,
“I enjoyed meeting Johnny. I can remember a 20-year-old Eli missing a meeting and catching some flak. We always have counselors who leave early. Johnny was great with the campers for the time he was here. He had to leave early. I wish him the best and I want him to come back as a counselor next year.”
Is it just me or do you kinda hope that the Mannings also teach how to do hilarious commercials in their camp? Those guys are marketing gold. Manziel is supposedly resting at home and will gear up for SEC media days this week. That should be entertaining.
Speaking of partying pictures showing up on the internet, Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey and his twin brother, Mike, were out celebrating their birthday a little early this past weekend and were spotted wearing matching “Free Hernandez” hats as Craig brought to you yesterday. Possibly they mean a different Hernandez? Yeah, probably not. The twins were teammates of Aaron Hernandez at the University of Florida where they are now being brought up in the story of a shooting that took place in 2007. Now I think it’s important not to overreact or underreact to this. First off, they’re just hats. But, on the other hand, they went to the trouble to have hats made to show support for a guy facing some serious murder charges. Not the best fashion statement, if you ask me. You’d think that the Pouncey twins, who for the most part, have stayed absolutely trouble-free so far during their NFL careers, would have better sense than to show support for a guy who’s own team can’t get rid of every sign of him fast enough. I don’t understand the calls for his release, though. I think that’s a bit harsh.
What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation?
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