Alex Monfreda

With the NFL Combine now finished, here's a recap of all the work I did while at the event. Clemson LB Trenton Simpson on Patrick Mahomes, AFC West: tinyurl.com/3a9a4eaf N.C. State kicker Christopher Dunn talks Raiders' All-Pro punter A.J. Cole: tinyurl.com/bdh27svu

The optics of the Raiders, Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins is this: It was a conversation for an 8/9-game rental, no matter how you slice it. With Kirk Cousins’ efficient play over the weeks, many are disappointed to not see a 1st- or 2nd-round pick. But the truth of the matter is, a 3rd-rounder is quite a handsome payout for a 38-year rental, and a 1st was never in the deck. I’m not too sure a 2nd was at any point, either. Let me paint the picture from both sides. For the Raiders: You sit 4-5. The season is very much still ongoing, but you sit in an unfavorable spot when thinking about the postseason. There are 8 games left in the season, and an extra $80M becomes guaranteed if Cousins remains on the roster for the 5th day into the 2027 season. *Keep that bit of information in the back of your mind as we will be returning to it.* What that means is, no matter what, Cousins would be released sometime in the upcoming offseason to relieve this stipulation, though that does not take away from a possibility of him returning on a new deal. *We will return to this portion momentarily.* Ultimately, as the Raiders, you are either choosing 8 games with your 38-year-old QB at a 4-5 record while neglecting to give your first-overall pick any reps heading into Year 2, or trading those 8 games and the ripple effect it would have on your first-overall pick for a draft pick. The Raiders chose the latter, and intelligently so. From the Vikings POV: There are 9 games left on the year, as you’ve already had your bye. And that is what you’re trading for upon acquiring Kirk Cousins. That, and only that. This is the part where we go back to Kirk unquestionably being released this offseason to erase the $80m guaranteed kicking in should Kirk be on the roster next year under his current contract structure, meaning he would be a free agent for some amount of time this offseason. This part is critical — this is the time where the Vikings, had they not traded for Kirk and waited until the Raiders inevitably released him this offseason, could (and presumably would) swoop in and snatch up Kirk without giving up any assets whatsoever. Instead, the Vikings agreed to the handsome price of a third-rounder for 9 games of Kirk Cousins play that they couldn’t have otherwise gotten. To Minnesota, they sit 6-2 with a dominant defense and efficient special teams play winning games in spite of a poor offense, that’s categorized as a poor offense largely due to abysmal QB play. If this year is any indication, Kirk Cousins goes a long way in fixing that. So, to the Vikings, it’s worth the hefty price tag to compete for a Super Bowl this year. But that does not change the fact that the Raiders got the Vikings to fork over a 3rd-rounder for a 9-game rental, for a player who would’ve been an 8-game rental for the Raiders regardless. Which is the exact reason why a 1st- or 2nd-round pick was simply unrealistic, and a 3rd-rounder was a handsome price as is.

Dear X, There’s nothing I love more in this life than football and the content surrounding it. Breaking down film, analytics, journalism, and talks with fans on social media. I’ve spent these last few months battling health issues to continue doing the thing I love most. Unfortunately, as things have progressed, I have found myself no longer able to power through and keep up with my passion. I have stepped away completely throughout these last 2 week, and will continue parting ways with the thing I love most, indefinitely, as I focus on my health. This isn’t goodbye. This is see you later.

I will never forget the day a school’s social media admin presented “fight” as an option in the face of what was implied to be an active shooter.

We have reached the part of the game where we no longer know what a DB is

Cherry picking to fuel your agenda. Now do Chargers games outside of SoFi this year ..

Darn it, rip the part where I talked about how impressive it all was 💔

Thank you come again (Fun game!)

Here’s the rip to Tre Tucker that mostly everyone enjoyed seeing. Out of the gun, starts left and uses a little more time this time to let this develop downfield. Goes to his right after about 2 seconds and sees nothing but green grass between he and Tre. Rips it for a big gain.

People will tell you the Patriots deployed prevent defense against Fernando Mendoza based on the score being lopsided. Please do not listen to these people (albeit Pats scheming was without complexity at this point). This rep is a simple one but I was a fan. Mendoza starts left, where the Patriots’ D takes away both options. Didn’t want to risk slot defender jumping the route and heading into the opposite end zone. Goes through 3 reads in about 1.5 seconds, which Raiders fans who were concerned with his ability to go through his progressions should be happy to see. Locates Ian Thomas who sits in space, who also happens to be the lone open target here, and lets Ian do the rest. Good move by Ian post-catch, might I add. Again, it’s simple. But it’s a rep that shows how ready for NFL action the rookie is. Goes through his reads quick. Hangs in the pocket. Locates the only open man and lets his guy do the rest.

The “patting the ball” is so unbelievably lazy. Both INTs are off-balance throws with less than ideal ball placement as a result, and one of the throws was across his body on the move. Malik has those throws in his bag, but not on that one. But it’s easier to blame patting a ball

I don’t know who told you Kirk Cousin’s arm is even in the same universe as Matthew Stafford’s (at this point in their respective careers), but that person is not your friend. I recommend cutting them out of your life completely because they are an untrustworthy, evil being.

Kubiak: “Best I can give you is he’s playing this week”

Raiders coming in at 3rd-most pressures on blitz packages. Perhaps Rob Leonard should look to bring pressure more often.

BTJ is all the proof needed that a player can do something their rookie year, then turn into an entirely different player every week of every year since, and all fans will remember is that singular year way back when, when they did something. Consider why he’s even available ..

MLFootball, you have posted this several times over the years and it has never once been true. What is the purpose of posting the same blatantly untrue story over and over again?

Stepped away from social media to continue his journey of world peace and prosperity. We could all learn a thing or 2 from his mission.

Not only does this have nothing to do with the Raiders, but one could argue the Raiders are the most progressive football team in the history of football, and they’d probably win that argument. Raiders a lot of things. Non inclusive isn’t one of those things.