February 26, 2016

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 06:00 AM - 13 comments

Andrew Ladd: 'Chicago was at the top of my list'

posted by tommybiden at 10:21 AM on February 26, 2016

Awesome pickup for Chicago to bolster another cup run.

Jets fans and the organization never wanted to see him leave but going above the 6 years at $6 million per offer for a 30 year old forward would have been a terrible move, especially for a young developing team.

His agent has him convinced a better situation will present itself before next season possibly based on the deal Anaheim did for Kessler. A deal which almost everyone agrees requires the Ducks to win a cup or 2 in the next 2 years to be considered anything but a huge mistake. Yes, Ladd is a far better player than Kessler will ever be, but I suspect establishing value based upon what Kessler's people fleeced Ducks management into might result in Ladd getting less than the Jets offer, or possibly even ending up back in Winnipeg for less money and term.

The majority of Jets fans will be cheering for the Ladd and the Hawks come playoff time. He's a class act and it's good to see him get another shot at a cup.

posted by cixelsyd at 11:38 AM on February 26, 2016

Us 'Canes fans miss Ladd as well. I was there for the 2004 draft when the 'Canes selected him. We traded up in the draft to get him and the crowd went bananas when Bettman called his name.

posted by NoMich at 01:01 PM on February 26, 2016

Manziel's domestic violence case has been sent to the county DA's office for referral to a grand jury.

The Browns don't have a conduct clause in his contract so they can cut him now? They could save themselves 12 days of discomfort and uncertainty if they got it over with today.

If there's no conduct language, I'm not surprised. It wouldn't be the first slip up ever made in the Cleveland front office.

There's no future in waiting to hear anything from the league on this. Manziel and his girlfriend were at a hotel, but they must have used the stairs instead of the elevator.

posted by beaverboard at 01:12 PM on February 26, 2016

Rob Frid, a former major junior and minor-league enforcer, says a career built on fighting has left his life in pieces.

posted by tommybiden at 04:06 PM on February 26, 2016

The Browns don't have a conduct clause in his contract so they can cut him now? They could save themselves 12 days of discomfort and uncertainty if they got it over with today.

They can get something for him if they trade him, as opposed to just cutting him, right?

posted by Etrigan at 04:10 PM on February 26, 2016

I'd bet Jerry Jones would grab him in a minute.

Jerry's always looking for "character" players.

posted by cixelsyd at 05:51 PM on February 26, 2016

I would be shocked if Jones picked him up now. The allegation is too serious and his level of play last season too weak.

The Browns holding on to him for a few more days or weeks must be a salary consideration.

posted by rcade at 07:52 PM on February 26, 2016

Why would anyone take a chance on Manziel, when RGIII is also out there for the gamble?

At least RGIII has shown a season of quality as a pro.

posted by grum@work at 08:30 PM on February 26, 2016

I've been thinking RG III makes sense as a Dallas acquisition, as long as it's a cheap deal.

posted by rcade at 09:06 PM on February 26, 2016

Any chance of Manziel going to Dallas may have ended along with the Greg Hardy ex-character-periment.

If the Texans had heeded Wade Phillips' urgent pleading and drafted Manziel, I think J.J. would have enjoyed jerking a knot in his tail on full contact practice days.

I don't know what league Johnny would fit into at this point. I think he's got some guaranteed money coming from Cleveland after March 9. Step one is finding a way to keep him from becoming Johnny Winehouse.

posted by beaverboard at 09:37 PM on February 26, 2016

posted by rcade at 10:13 PM on February 26, 2016

Not sure if that's better or worse than the time the Dolphins asked Dez Bryant if his mom was a prostitute.

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:55 PM on February 26, 2016

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