For a competition with the sheer volume of players, teams, hot dog sales and mega dollars as the NFL contains, talent movement is fairly minimal compared to many other sports.
Sure there will be plenty of wheeling and dealing at the lower end of the market as free agents ricochet between the league’s squads like the world’s muscliest and surliest pinballs, however the majority of teams have long ago tied up their franchise players to long term deals and cheesy car dealership appearances.
In saying this though, the 2012 NFL season still has thrown up a couple of transfers that are worth keeping an eye on for those counting down to season kick-off, or just trying to cobble together a Fantasy Football squad that won’t have you doing a nudey run sometime in early summer.
The biggest noise coming from the off-season was of course Peyton Manning’s magical mystery tour that saw him land at the resurgent Denver Broncos, which in turn had Typhoon Tebow besetting New York.
Both players have significant mountains to climb, and while Manning will be welcomed with open arms by pass hungry teammates in the Mile High city, cult figure Tebow could quiet rightly have incumbent NY Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez feeling a little dirty.
To date Manning’s pre-season form has been solid rather than spectacular, while Tebow has continued the bad stretch of form from his final game of the play-offs in a Jets team as ugly as Rex Ryan’s phone messages.
Elsewhere in quarterback land, Manning’s movements have allowed Matt Flynn to find a home in Seattle and Alex Smith to keep sleeping on the couch at San Francisco, while number one and two rookie draft picks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin the third (RG3) will be handed the keys to the Colts and Redskins souped up offences respectively.
Only time will tell which of these rookies will go onto be the Eli Manning (boom) and who’ll be the Ryan Leaf (bust) out of this deal, but in two teams where the only way is up they’ll be interesting to watch if nothing else.
Aside from the quarterback shuffles, the Buffalo Bills have made some big signings on their defence after leaking more than forty points per game in the second half of last season, with former Texan Mario Williams looking to lead the ‘D’, provided he packs the thermals for the trek north.
New Orleans, who have had an off-season of biblically-bad proportions thanks to the bounty gate fallout, have at least managed to swipe a decent linebacker to ease the pain (and put the boot into divisional rivals Atlanta) by signing Curtis Lofton.
Shame though they don’t have a coach, a general manager or now guard Carl Nicks, who has moved to Tampa along with problem child wide receiver Vincent Jackson.
And in proof that the Madden curse is alive and kicking (for fans anyway) star Cleveland running back Peyton Hillis is headed to Kansas, just to make sure the Browns fans officially have nothing to cheer about.
All in all though some interesting moves, and it looks as if the majority of NFL teams are heading in the right direction.
Which is more than we can say for some of their college counterparts…
What do you think will be the most significant player movement of 2012?
mushi
Roar Guru
Niners have a cup cake schedule 125-131 last year and only 5 games against 9-7 or better teams.
Worlds biggest
Guest
The Broncos O-line holds the key to there season, do there job and Peyton leads them to the playoffs. I'm a Niners supporter and surprised to read many season previews tipping them not to make it back to the conference champ game. They have a challenging schedule but reckon they can go 11-5. The Defence returns all 7 starters while the Offence welcomes Randy Moss, Brandon Jacobs, Mario Manningham, AJ Jenkins and La Michael James. That is a lot more artillery for Alex Smith.
mushi
Guest
It never works out for San Diego and the Mannings Now they've got one in the division!
Browny
Guest
Sanchez will be out by week 4. Tebow will be gone by week 7. The Jets will score their first offensive TD in week 9. Then Revis will take over at QB and show them how it's done. Then in the offseason, the Jets will move to LA to finally give them the team they've desired for so long. Sanchez can continue to model for GQ. Tebow will open the Church of Timothy Tebow, all singing all dancing. Both will continue to alternate as Jets QB in their spare time. The Los Angeles Jets should finally get a playoff spot sometime around 2023. By that stage the NFL will be predominately made up of ex cons. You can't help but cheer for the Bills on occasion. Unfortunately, I think Brady and the Pats may go a step further this year.
Chris Chard
Expert
Yeah, sorry Mushi-you are of course right. Got myself tangled up with the whole Leaf to San Diego/ Eli knocking back San Diego/Peyton and Leaf triangle.. Cheers Chris
Jared
Roar Pro
No doubt Peyton Manning will have an okay season, it is highly unlikely to be his best but he should put up solid numbers and help Denver compete in the AFC West. Tebow will be starting for the Jets by the end of the season, Sanchez is well loved but unless he gets his offence off to a flyer the fickle New York / New Jersey market will be calling for his blood. What I think will be very interesting is to see if Mario Williams can perform at a high level for the Bills like he did for the Texans. I would love to see the Bills competing for the AFC wildcard spot and Williams sacking Tom Brady on every down.
mushi
Guest
Don't you mean Peyton Manning in the manning/leaf boom bust comparison?
Frank The Tank
Guest
It was funny watching the first few Denver pre season matches and the Wide recievers were dropping passes cold, probably because they weren't used to them being in the bread basket. Manning will have an awesome year. I think the biggest thing most NFL fans are most excited about this year are all the Rookie QB's. I'm a Seattle fan and I'm excited to see how Russell Wilson goes, the fact he has beaten Matt Flynn for round 1 is massive so good luck to the kid. Also then like you RGIII and Luck and how they go will be one so many are waiting to see. I'm so excited about the season. Can't wait to see the circus at the NY Jets implode, it's a recipe for disaster have Tebow there putting unwanted pressure on Sanchez.