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Via Mark Maske of the Washington Post:

NFL owners are prepared to negotiate with the players’ union about changing Commissioner Roger Goodell’s role in the league’s player disciplinary system before the end of the 2015 season, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. It is not clear how Goodell’s role would be modified.

[…]

The negotiations could result in an extension of the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the union that currently runs through 2020.

As I’ve indicated in the past, no matter how much bad PR the commissioner’s office sustains, the owners won’t relent on this power without getting a concession from the union in return. Extending the current CBA, one that the owners have good reason to believe favors their side, strikes me as a smart exchange on their part.

The Ravens will have a few notable players out or doubtful for Sunday’s game.  Of most interest in the out category is their first round rookie Breshad Perriman.  This leaves the Ravens’ receiving targets rather thin apart from Steve Smith.  Although Smith and Aqib Talib have a long history from their NFC South days, I would think that Chris Harris would get the lion’s share of coverage on Smith, leaving Talib, Bradley Roby, and others on other targets.

Also out for the Ravens is #2 RB Lorenzo Taliaferro, which could put more wear and tear on Justin Forsett.  And noted as doubtful is DE Timmy Jernigan, the player that likely allowed the Ravens to trade away Haloti Ngata.

The Broncos, meanwhile, are relatively healthy, with only Kenny Anunike out for sure.  However, as you know they will also be without TJ Ward and Derek Wolfe for this game.  Perhaps the most encouraging note is that Emmanuel Sanders wasn’t listed on the injury report at all.

Aldon Smith is in the #Raiders building & will sign. He chose them over the #Jaguars, #Bucs & #Rams, I’m told. It’s a one-year deal.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2015

I’ll leave this for the rest of you to discuss.

UPDATE [Nick]:

Per Santa Clara County prosecutors office, Aldon Smith charged today w/ 3 misdemeanors, inc DUI w/ prior. Will be arraigned on Oct. 6.

— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) September 11, 2015

So we have arrived at the first day of the 2015 NFL season. Everybody does season previews, so somebody here at Thin Air should as well and that’s where I step forward with what was my originally planned Midweek Musings.

The only projections I’ll make are how the teams finish within a division and which teams go to the playoffs. Otherwise, I’ll talk about the observations I have about each team, their strengths and weaknesses and which coaches might have their jobs on the line. And yes, there will be as much snark as there is smart observations, so be prepared.

Let’s get this underway, shall we?
Continue reading Midweek Musings Bonus: 2015 NFL Season Preview

Bills signed Marcel Dareus to a six-year, $108 million extension, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2015

Marcel Dareus' deal includes $60 million in guaranteed money, highest guarantee for a non-QB in NFL history. Dareus suspended week 1, too.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2015

As always, the first contract numbers leaked to the media are inflated, so take those with a grain of salt.  But considering that Dareus was taken with the pick immediately following Miller, there’s little doubt that John Elway’s going to have to get a hefty checkbook out next offseason should Miller have the type of year we’re all expecting him to have.

A purely subjective list, of course, but in my own subjective opinion it’s not too far off on what I would think.  If you’re like me and despise slideshows, you can find the full list beyond the fold. I’ll flesh out my opinion in the comments, and feel free to talk about this or the owners in general. (Yet another opportunity to bash Dan Snyder, perhaps?)

Continue reading Aaron Wilson Ranks The Owners

Just in time for the start of the season comes the latest revelations, via ESPN’s Outside the Lines, about the relationship between Roger Goodell and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; specifically, how Goodell expedited the Spygate investigation and furthered perception that Goodell favored Kraft, only for Goodell to reverse course when Ballghazi (Deadspin’s term is so much better) came along and annoyed Kraft in the process.
Continue reading Midweek Musings: Here We Go Again, Goodell

At 1 PM on Saturday, the Denver Broncos announced that 20 players had been cut and two players moved to meet the 53-man roster. They include: Continue reading A Brief Overview of This Weekend

You can find the final Broncos roster here.

Also, there have been a few uniform number changes for current Broncos and the newest additions.

The Denver Broncos have claimed two players off waivers.

Broncos claim TE Mitchell Henry off waivers from Green Bay and center James Ferentz from Houston. #9News #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) September 6, 2015

It’s not surprising the Broncos added a tight end. The Ferentz addition is a little surprising, as one would have thought the Broncos would claim an offensive tackle.
Continue reading Broncos Final Roster Moves: Two Claimed; Ball, Gradkowski Cut