megamanmaniac : Well, according the reports and articles I have read, the Ravens were going to release Ngata anyway. The Lions were the only team interested. So the Ravens used the logic of "Why release him when we can get a little something rather than nothing?" 

At least, that's what I've gotten out of it. 

Torrey Smith went to the 49ers. In my opinion, he's getting over paid. 
Owen Daniels went to the Broncos, following Kubiak. Can't say I am surprised there. 
And then one other Raven went poof. Can't think of who it was right off the top of my head. 

This year's NFL Draft, in my opinion, had its usual excitement. However, there weren't that many surprises as there has been the past couple years. After Tampa picked Jameis Winston with the first pick, I was just waiting for somebody like Philadelphia or Cleveland to move up and take Mariota, but nobody did. In fact, we didn't see a trade until the 49ers traded their 1st round pick to the Chargers so they could take Melvin Gordon. Even so, the Chargers only moved up 2 spots to get him...still not all that surprising.

I would give my Falcons a A- grade for this year's draft. They addressed their pass rushing needs by drafting OLB/DE Vic Beasley, somebody who I wanted all along. I'm really excited to see what he has this year. I also noticed him wearing a red and black suit. Its almost like he was expecting the Falcons to pick him! In the 2nd round, they pick CB Jalen Collins out of LSU. I like that pick too because Collins is a "long" corner...somebody that Dan Quinn has experience coaching (Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner). I also like the picks RB Tevin Coleman from Indiana and DT Grady Jarrett who was Beasley's teammate at Clemson AND he's former Falcons LB Jessie Tuggle's son!

The Falcons had a great draft and I can't wait to see what Dan Quinn and the new coaching staff can do with them.

The Draft had a lot more later round trades than I was expecting, but other than that it was a standard draft. I'll rate the first 3 seclections the Giants made (don't know enough about the other 4 guys).

Round 1 Pick 9
OT Ereck Flowers
Selection Grade: A-
I love this pick because it finally gives the Giants the help on the right side that they desperately need and a long-term option at OT for years to come. While Flowers still needs to develop a bit, I think he can make an immediate impact in pass protection, which I feel is essential to an offense that has a solid receiving corps in Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Rueben Randle. Plus, Eli is in a contract year coming off one of the best seasons of his career. They addressed a major need, and from what I'm hearing from NFL analysts, Pugh can be moved to right guard, where he belongs. With an improved O-Line, the Giants can do work on offense (and I'm looking forward to seeing them pass the ball better.

Round 2 Pick 33
S Landon Collins
selection Grade: A
The Giants traded away three picks (#40, #108 and #145) to land who many feel is the best safety in the draft. Safety was a huge concern for the Giants, but with the addition of Collins (and the selection of Mykkele Thompson in the 5th round, adding more depth to a thinned out position) improves the secondary of the Giants and helps put them in a good position to become a playoff contender.

Remaining Picks
DE Owa Odighizumwa (3:74) - He adds depth to out D-Line and can help out a lot.

S Mykkele Thompson (5:144) - He adds more depth at safety, which is good.

WR Geremy Davis (6:186) - I know almost nothing about him, so I can't comment.

OT Bobby Hart (7:223) - Don't know anything about him either.

With the draft and rookie camps gone, I feel like my Chiefs are in for a good season. With Alex Smith throwing to new receivers like Chris Conley and Jeremy Maclain, I feel like they'll be able to pick up plenty of yards through the air. 

They still have their strong running game with Jamal Charles, and will continue their amazing defense with Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Dontari Poe and with adding Marcus Peters, I feel like they'll be even better protecting the pass and the run.

On Marcus Peters, I feel like Andy Reed will be able to keep him under control, and I really hope he does. He seems like a great new talent to add to the Chiefs roaster and as long as he doesn't get into any troubles, he'll be a great player. 

I was reading Vegas Super Bowl odds, and Green Bay are favorites! I think that is a bit far fetched, but still a pretty good livelihood of happening. 
And the fact that the Ravens AND the Steelers are both at 25 to 1 is a bit surprising. 

Yesterday, I heard that New York Giants Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul injured his hands while trying to light fireworks. NFL players should make sure that they don't do stuff that could result in injury to the hand such as lighting fireworks. Not a smart move by him that's for sure.

gamerforlifeforever2 : Not only that but did you hear it cost him a 60 million dollar contract? Ouch X 2. Of course, nobody ever thinks that they're the one that's gong to get burned. Did you hear about the guy in Maine who killed himself lighting a mortar off his head? Not a lot of thought going on there. Especially now... ps - not personal, but I'll always root AGAINST Andy Dalton. I'll never get over losing the 2011 Rose Bowl to TCU. I rooted for them against the Niners in the Super Bowl back in '89 though. Ickey Woods and James Brooks were one of the best backfield tandems ever.

Ferdinand : To be fair, he was never going to accept the offer anyways. He was poised to play on that $14.8M franchise tag, and this latest incident pretty much shows that the Giants are now farther apart from seeing JPP as an expensive long-term player for them. I like JPP, but I'm starting to wonder if he really will stay with the Giants past this season.

megamanmaniac : I'm sure you know more about it than I do. I only know what I caught on ESPN or wherever. I really only follow the Packers any more. Back when I was really into fantasy I knew every player for every team and their stats, but now I just don't really care. I've never been able to root for any other teams than my favorites. When I would have a fantasy player involved in a game though, I'd be glued to the set. I might watch part of a game now if there's something special involved, but I didn't even watch the Super Bowl last year. Partly because Seattle had no business there though. lol

gamerforlifeforever2 : Well, that's one of the Giants main receivers. Is he going to be ready in time to play when the season starts? 
Ferinand: 
magamanamaniac: What do you mean about losing a contract...? 

Ferdinand : You're right about Ickey Woods and James Brooks being one of the best running back tandems ever. Now, the Bengals have one that could potentially become better, Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard are definitely the best running back duo in the game today. I'm looking forward to seeing how they'll compare to Ickey Woods and James Brooks down the road.

thing1 : Actually he's a defensive end lol.

gamerforlifeforever2 : They are definitely up there. Maybe Pittsburgh(sorry) and Philly if they stay healthy.

Ferdinand : The Steelers don't have a backfield tandem they only use Le'veon Bell. Philly on the other hand, you could have a point there. DeMarco Murray/Ryan Matthews/Darren Sproles will be a very interesting backfield to watch.

gamerforlifeforever2 : Depends on whether DeAngelo Williams has anything left in the tank. Change of scenery may revitalize him. He's no spring chicken though either way. He could spell Bell though.

Well with camps now underway for teams, we can start getting more serious regarding how the season is going to shape up. Going to be interesting to see what my Bears can do. Expectations are generally not that high. As long as they have a better season this year and show vast improvement on the defensive end, I will be happy. I know that this rebuild is going to take a little bit, but I feel like the Bears might surprise a few teams this year.