Look at that ball go (via YouTube)

We’re getting closer and closer to one of the key offseason moments for the NFL, which is of course the NFL Draft. We’re about 10 days away, to be exact. I guess people like that sort of thing.

It’s been a relatively quiet weekend for the NFL, especially when you keep in mind all the crazy shenanigans going on in baseball and golf.

One of the big stories this weekend though is the Seattle Seahawks signing Antoine Winfield. Winfield chose the Seahawks over the Vikings.

Over at Halftime Voodoo, the Aerys New Orleans Saints site, they have the latest on all the free agency news and notes for the team.

For an update on the Flacco/Unitas news we had last Sunday, The Purple Nest offers their latest reaction to the story.

Once again, there is still talk about the whole Tony Romo with the Cowboys contract…thingy…This time though, Brett Favre had a couple of comments about Romo’s situation in Dallas. I won’t spoil the story, but I will say this…THANK YOU, FAVRE! (I don’t know what to do with myself anymore)

With the Draft less than two weeks away, there will be no shortage of features on potential players. The always excellent Judy Battista of the New York Times has a profile on Princeton draft prospect Mike Catapano.

Meanwhile, signs are slowly starting to point towards the Eagles having interest in West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, this according to NJ.com. Philadelphia has the fourth overall pick.

Elsewhere, it looks like Detroit will try to fill the void left by Jason Hanson with….a Norweigan YouTube kicking sensation or something enthusiast. Havard Rugland signed a contract with the Lions. You can see the video here (screencap posted above). I’ll try not to let my Norweigan bias affect how I write stories next season.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the story on a former UW-Milwaukee basketball player and his attempt to transition to the gridiron. Demetrius Harris, the leading rebounder for UW-Milwaukee, is being evaluated for the tight end position, according to the Journal Sentinel.

In Virginia, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Virginia held a fundraising effort Saturday. The most notable people featured at the event were FOX NFL studio analysts Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long.

In the Pacific Time Zone, more specifically California, legislators are considering digital billboards for Los Angeles, which would include ads for beer and gambling, according to the Los Angeles Times. The digital billboards would be allowed near stadiums and arenas, including the future football stadium site.

Finally, our shopping item of the day comes from Amazon. For less than $7, you can purchase this Dallas Cowboys…Stop sign…Yes, a stop sign.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Gronk

It’s Monday! Put that IV of Coffee in and let’s talk some NFL!

* What on Earth, Gronk? So our favorite tight end with the New England Patriots, Rob Gronkowski, has quite the stubborn infection in his broken left forearm. According to NFL.com, sources report this could put into question Gronk’s availability for the start of the season.

According to NFL.com, doctors need to replace the current plate, which is the second plate to be placed, in his arm, but they can’t do so if the tissue is infected.

While Gronk is nearing the end of a six-week cycle of antibiotics, the player, his agent and team officials are supposed to meet soon to determine the proper course of action.

The surgical procedure around the tissue requires a 10-week recovery time, which would put Gronk in danger of missing the Patriots’ season opener.

Bad news for the Patriots. And bad news for Gronk. What are you doing, son! Stay healthy! We want to see you play!

For more information on Gronk, check out this story. And this one from USA Today, too.

* RG3 on the AP Track For Comeback. Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan believes his star QB Robert Griffin III is on the fast track to return from offseason knee surgery in top shape.

“He’ll set a record for coming back because that’s how hard he works,” Shanahan said on NFL Network. But he remained cautions as well. ”It takes time,” the coach said. “Robert will do it the right way and we’ll find out in July exactly where he’s at. He will not come back until he’s 100 percent.” » Continue reading “Monday Morning Blitz: Gronk, RG3, Flacco And More”

Now that’s a haircut you can set your watch to!

It is another Sunday, which means it is probably breakfast time. Here are some fun and interesting reads for your morning.

In Baltimore, it looks like Joe Flacco will be taking part in a movie, or moving pictures for those in the “business.” The Baltimore Sun reported Saturday night Flacco would be playing Johnny Unitas in a couple of scenes for a movie about Unitas. Whether or not this means Flacco will get a flat top haircut remains to be seen.

Last week, we didn’t post much in Aerys content, but this week is different. Over at Halftime Voodoo, there’s a terrific article and interview with Battle Sports Science.

Meanwhile, at the Dawg Pound, the site says farewell to several players leaving the Browns, including quarterback Colt McCoy.

In Dallas, much of the talk is still about the Tony Romo contract extension. Well, DeMarcus Ware has a few things to say about this contract extension.

In Oakland, the Raiders released Rolando McClain Friday. Oakland has made lots of changes as of late. Read the Silver Lining for more on the Raiders.

With the NFL Draft coming up later this month, NFL.com is publishing a team by team list of the best and worst draft picks.

Speaking of the NFL Draft, it looks like the sons of Joe Montana and Cris Carter will be making appearances at the super regional combine.

Over at NFL.com, the finals of their bracketology best play ever thingy or whatever is going on now. The choice is between the DeSean Jackson punt return for a touchdown against the New York Giants and the Steve Young playoff touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings. Voting will continue until Tuesday.

Looking for a shopping item, well you can purchase this 49ers bedding sheet set on eBay.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Happy Monday! Here’s a few headlines to get you through your lunch break!

Elvis Dumervil has signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

Elvis Has Left… Denver

After a pretty dramatic week that included Fax-Gate, Elvis Dumervil and the Denver Broncos have parted ways and he’s headed to the Baltimore Ravens. A team that desperately needs some players. Thanks Joe Flacco!

Per NFL.com, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Dumervil’s contract is worth up to $35 million. He will receive $1 million in base salary in the first year and a $7.5 million signing bonus. Schefter also reported that Dumervil has a $3.5 million injury guarantee on next year’s option bonus, guaranteeing he’ll receive $12 million in the contract.

Aerys NFL’s own Brenda Stidham talks about the timing issues with Elvis and the Broncos. Check out Denver Horse Force. For more on the deal from the Ravens perspective, check out Aerys’ The Purple Nest.

Other items

* Tim Tebow might be one of the nicest people alive. Just ask the Wichita State basketball team. That’s all.

* Darrius Heyward-Bey might be the mystery wide receiver Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been talking about. DHB is set to meet with the Colts either tonight or tomorrow. Check out this story. » Continue reading “Mid-Day Monday Blitz: Elvis Goes Baltimore, Tebow And More”

Anquan Boldin

Anquan Boldin didn’t want to settle for less than he thought he was worth. So the Baltimore Ravens have reportedly traded him to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth round draft pick.

A big fat thanks to a guy that helped lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl win just a few weeks ago.

The Ravens did need the salary cap relief, however.

The Super Bowl champs decided to give Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco a huge pay day with his six-year contract worth over $120 million. While, the Elite One did deserve a pay day for his performance, it’s looking more ridiculous when a team has to move its arguably best receiver to make salary cap room. Considering Flacco will probably go back to his mediocre self in Week One of the 2013 season.

Oh well. The Ravens won the Super Bowl this year. That’s all that matters, obviously.

Win when you can!

Per NFL.com:

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome came up with a solution that could strengthen a fierce competitor while leaving his team worse off in the long run. NFL.com’s Albert Breer reported Monday, citing a Ravens source, that Boldin will be traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2013 sixth-round draft pick. A 49ers source told Breer that the deal is done.

The Baltimore Sun first reported the trade. Per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the trade will not be official until Boldin — currently on an African mission — passes a physical.

Breer also reported that there will be no alteration to Boldin’s salary in 2013 — he still is set to make $6 million this season. A 49ers source told Breer that the sides might consider something later.

The 49ers weren’t the only team interested in Boldin, Rapoport reported Monday. According to a Ravens source, Baltimore also discussed a Boldin trade with the Minnesota Vikings. But the Vikings didn’t offer as much as the Niners, according to Rapoport.

 

Three years ago, Newsome netted Boldin and a fifth-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a third- and fourth-round pick. Playoff hero or no, Newsome did well to collect a draft pick for a player about to enter the declining phase of his career. Boldin wasn’t going to see his $6 million salary, in which case the Ravens would have simply released him on Tuesday.

From the Niners’ point of view, Boldin fills a major need for a reliable receiver opposite Michael Crabtree while casting doubt on Mario Manningham’s future in San Francisco. It also suggests the 49ers envision another red-shirt year for 2012 first-rounder A.J. Jenkins, who barely saw the field as a rookie.

The trade from one Harbaugh brother to another speaks volumes about the respect Boldin carried in Baltimore. Now he returns to his familiar stomping grounds in the NFC West.

For more on this deal from the Ravens perspective, please check out The Purple Nest!

Hey Everyone! Happy Monday! Sit back with your favorite morning beverage and check out these links to help kick start your day.

Flacco Is Chatty Chad Y’All

The NFL’s newest millionaire and Super Bowl MVP quarterback, Joe Flacco, was interviewed by USA Today at Kurt Warner’s Flag

Joe Flacco. The Elite One.

football charity event in Arizona. He had quite a lot to say and since he’s making the big bucks now, USA Today listened!

On Anquan Boldin not accepting anything less than he’s worth: 

* ”Without him, we don’t win the Super Bowl. He’s a huge part of this team and someone I want to see back. Obviously, when you’re a player of his caliber, you believe you’re worth a number and that’s what you should get. He’s going to stick to his guns, and that’s the way it should be.”

On Getting Paid:

“This league is about going out and performing and playing well and having fun doing so. But it’s also our livelihood and it’s about getting paid. So teams are going to let go of you as soon as they can. So when you’re playing, you have to make sure you can get as much money as you can because that’s what’s going to take care of your family down the road.”

On Ray Lewis’s leadership style:

* ”Oh, it’s funny. His speeches come from the heart, but there’s definitely times where I’m sitting there kind of chuckling to myself. It’s all good. There’s nobody that’s more passionate about what he does than that guy. So you just sit back and take it all in, but there’s times where he says some stuff and you’re like, ‘Man I don’t know what that meant, but I like how he said it.’” » Continue reading “Monday Morning Blitz: Flacco, Gronk And More”

Let’s just jump right in with good stuff:

120.6 MILLION DOLLARS. Joe Flacco (QB of the Super Bowl-winning Ravens) signs the NFL’s richest contract, making (yes, it’s so big it needs repeating) $120.6 million over 6 years. And to celebrate, he goes to McDonald’s. I don’t know why he didn’t get an ice cream cone.

In other big news, the Jets may trade Darrelle Revis. You can hear his opinion in this video interview with Seattle Seahawks Michael Robinson More importantly, he comments on Rex Ryan’s thing for feet.

And finally, the other big piece of news is that former All-Pro pass rusher Shawnee Merriman has announced his retirement. I guess this means it’s lights out for “Lights Out” Merriman.

Back up everyone. I’m about to predict the future.

Actually, linebacker Von Miller of the Broncos already did, claiming that Denver will win the Super Bowl this year. Let’s check back with this in a couple of months.

And of course, ladies and dudes everywhere are trying to predict the draft. Here’s a professional opinion. Here’s my opinion:

What? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Emily Ritter is a contributing writer for Aerys Offsides. She always gets ice cream at McDonald’s and sometimes she tweets about it @ebritter2.

Welcome back for another Sunday edition of the Morning Blitz. I don’t know what you’re eating for breakfast, but I can smell it from here. I must say, it smells quite good. Although I think somebody is burning the toast. Take note, Mister or Miss Person Eating Toast.

It’s inevitable that Kansas City will be having Alex Smith on the team. However, the former No. 1 overall pick has connections to Kansas City through his foundation program. Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star has all the details on how Smith’s foundation is making an impact on youth in KC wanting to attend college.

We stay around the region with this story. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch has the story of David Bass, a Division II lineman trying to make it to the NFL.

It looks like it is all over for Randy Moss in San Francisco. Moss announced on Twitter Saturday he wouldn’t be back for a second season with the Niners. Normally, a video montage of Moss in San Francisco would be acceptable in this instance, but that requires effort. There are much greater concerns that I have to be focused on. For example, your breakfast!

With free agency starting soon, teams are either looking to re-sign or let go of players. The Atlanta Falcons are releasing several players, including running back Michael Turner. The Landing has much more on the Falcons latest cuts. » Continue reading “Sunday Morning Blitz: Smith, Flacco, Moss, Falcons Plus More”

He’s the Super Bowl XLVII MVP and he’s this week’s Tight End Tuesday!

That’s right! Congrats to you Joe Flacco!

Flacco was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens as the 18th pick of the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Delaware.In his rookie year, Flacco started all 16 regular season games and by leading the Ravens to two road wins in the playoffs. Flacco is the eighth rookie quarterback in NFL history to start a playoff game and the first rookie quarterback in league history to win two of them. » Continue reading “Tight End Tuesday: Joe Flacco”

The best or most skilled members of a group.

That’s what elite means.

When you think of an NFL quarterback who is elite … Who comes to mind for you?

Peyton Manning? Tom Brady? Aaron Rodgers? … Joe Flacco?

A lot of people think they are elite. That just because they win a Super Bowl, they are worthy of being paid the most money in the league at their given position. Maybe they are? Maybe they aren’t. Enough of that…  We want to know … Who do you think IS MOST ELITE! Here’s a poll. Answer it! And… comment below. Let us know why you think this guy is most elite! Thanks!

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