The English Gridiron

The English Gridiron is an American Football blog ran by a Brit, because we get rubbish coverage in the UK. I blog about the NFL and sometimes College Football providing news, views and opinions. Get involved and comment! Tweets by @VincentWooding

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RGIII has signed with the Cleveland Browns - Hue Jackson giving him a second chance.

Bleacher Report 

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The Falcons still have needs to fill

Free agency is winding down, but there are still a handful of quality players available.

V good article about the Falcon’s outstanding needs. Their failure to address them so far is pretty worrying 

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The Eagles are Febreze’ing The Chip Kelly Era

Unless you’ve been living without the internet for the last 24 hours, you’ll have noticed that the Eagles have become the real-life version of the film ‘The Purge’. Any remnants of Chip Kelly’s presence are being removed, as though to try and wipe clean that period in Eagles history.  Let’s look at the two moves:

Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell to Miami

There was a lot of hoo hah last year when Kelly traded away LeShaun McCoy to Buffalo for Kiko Alonso. During the same offseason, they signed Maxwell to a huge 6 year $63m contract, paying him like a top 3 CB. For different reasons, neither had the season that Eagles fans would have wanted. Alonso was injured a lot (not really his fault) and Maxwell got burned a lot (kind of his fault).

This trade was a combination of three things - 1) Both have large cap numbers and the Eagles need lots of players. Shipping both off provides more cap room to sign more immediate needs for the Eagles (WR, OL, DL). 2) Production from both players wasn't what you expect from blue chip contract players last season. 3) These were some of Chip Kelly’s biggest signings. The Eagles are ensuring that any remnants of Kellys presence can't distract this organisation going forward. 

DeMarco Murray to Tennessee

This was a bad deal from the start. People blinded themselves into believing it was good business when it wasn't. It was such bad business that it contributed to Kelly getting the boot. Murray isn’t a top running back. He thrived behind the best O-line in the league in 2014, a line which would have made Trent Richardson look like Emmett Smith. What did Kelly expect when he signed Murray? The outcome was exactly what should have been expected.

The last 24 hours shows that bad business in the NFL can be reversed. It’s painful, but when your organisations trusts a sub-par coach with personnel responsibilities instead of leaving it to people who should know better, you get disastrous consequences. The Eagles suffered for Kelly’s arrogance and weakness and these moves are made to show that the Eagles are moving forward while trying to erase any memory or trace of the Chip Kelly era. 

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Robert Griffin III (RGIII) has been informed of his impending release from the Washington Redskins

Twitter

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Here's a list of every major NFL record Peyton Manning holds

These accomplishments are beyond comprehension.

Peyton is the GOAT. Here are all the records he holds as he retires

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Bills release veteran cornerback Leodis McKelvin after eight seasons

The Buffalo Bills have decided to part ways with cornerback Leodis McKelvin after eight seasons, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports. The #Bills are releasing CB Leodis McKelvin, source said. No…

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Peyton Manning is expected to announce his retirement tomorrow (Monday 8th March)

ESPN

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The Panthers have released DE Charles Johnson and the Texans have released RB Arian Foster this afternoon

Vincent Wooding

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An Ode to Roddy White

As a Falcon’s fan myself, I’m having very mixed feelings regarding the news that Roddy White is being released after 11 seasons at the Georgia Dome. 

Firstly, I think we should all pay tribute to Roddy for what he has done for our franchise.  He’s our all-time leading receiver, he’s been a leader for our team for over a decade, he’s helped to develop Julio Jones and he’s been a stalwart for Matt Ryan over his career. White embodies what being a Falcon is all about and it’s exceptionally sad to see him go. I’d like to see him retire as I wouldn't like to see him play against us, but that's a decision for Roddy and I believe he can still play in the NFL for a few more seasons. Whatever decision he makes, I wish him the best in his future endeavours.

As with my post yesterday about Peyton Manning, the numbers with Roddy don't lie. His production has steadily decreased over the last few years and he isn't the reliable playmaker he once was. He hasn't played 16 games since 2012 and he was targetted 69 times this season, the lowest since 2007. The NFL is ultimately a business, and we’ve reached a point where Roddy just doesnt help the Falcons win games anymore; a startling but sad reality of the NFL. 

Atlanta desperately needed wideout help last season to compliment Julio, but it didn't come in the form of Roddy White. It was time to move on.

Roddy, thanks for everything! You’re a true gentleman and will always have a fond place in my memory as one of the best players to every put on the Dirty Bird uniform. Best of luck going forward #RiseUp

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The Peyton Manning Predicament

Reports earlier today suggest that Peyton Manning is having a tough time with his retirement decision, suggesting the media is trying to force him out. I think Peyton Manning is arguably the greatest player the NFL has even seen, but I think he needs to realise that his playing career is over. Father Time has played its role in Peyton's career. He can't play to a competitive level in the NFL anymore. That's life. But Peyton's football life isn't over. When he announces his retirement from football, Peyton will have a wealth of opportunities to remain in the NFL as a backroom staffer, probably a nice GM or President of Football job. I have no doubt he'll thrive in any situation as well. But, I really do sympathise with Peyton and his agonising decision. Manning has been playing football since he was born. It must be a super difficult decision for him to finally hang up everything he knows and sail off into the unknown. Although football will still play a huge part in his life, I can't even begin to believe how difficult this decision must be for him. That's why I don't mind waiting for him to make his mind up, because I doubt he'll ever have a bigger decision to make in his life again. Manning should retire. His game isn't good enough anymore. He should go out on top as the World Champion he is. But please don't pressure him. Let him take his time to come to the realisation on his own. When playing football is everything you've ever known and you have to stop, it's going to be tough. But when Manning realises that there is life after football, his decision will be made a lot easier.

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Slightly hinders a teams move to LA

The Rose Bowl committee yesterday voted by 11-0 to not allow an NFL team to take up a short term tenancy in the Rose Bowl Stadium. With a number of teams looking to move to LA, the Rose Bowl was seen as a temporary stay for a team while a new stadium was built. However, this option is no longer available. There are still a number of stadiums that could be used, including Dodgers Stadium and the LA Coliseum

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I really cannot think of more deserving player for the #1 spot on the top 100 than JJ Watt. He's an absolute machine who should have been MVP this year!

Vincent Wooding

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Congrats to JJ Watt on being voted the #1 player on #NFLTop100 list!

He is the first defensive player to be voted #1 for the #NFLTop100 list!

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QB De'Andre Johnson has been dismissed by FSU for allegedly punching a girl in a bar

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For those who don't know, the Benarik award is for the best defensive player in college football and the Maxwell award is for the best player in college football

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Christian Hackenberg will be the first QB drafted in the 2016 draft

Vincent Wooding

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Because playing with fireworks wasn't stupid enough, JPP has had his $60 million tender form the Giants withdrawn because of the incident. Fortunately, he wont lose any fingers as a consequence