National Football League

[on3m@n@rmy]

Lindy's Pro Football, volume 28, has some bold predictions. "Bold" meaning some special conditions may be necessary for the prediction to become true, but I'm not so sure.
1. Houston makes playoffs: embarrassing 2013 results, but still lots of talent on roster.
My take: not unrealistic that Texans make playoffs with their talent. Likely will take 2nd place in division behind Indy, but earn wild card into the playoffs.
2. Vick to the rescue: and make playoffs.
My take: even without injury to Geno Smith, this could happen. But make playoffs? They will need a wild card birth, but won't get it.
3. Cowboys implode: and end up with a record of about 3-13, aided by injury.
My take: don't think it will be that bad. Could end up 2nd or 3rd in division, but miss playoffs. Too many other good teams in the NFC will snatch the wild card.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Well, I told you Olberman was a tool.

1. Houston - We'll see. They still look no better than 9-7 to me. They may have a superb defense, but I'm questioning their offense. Still, Bill O'Brien has to be a better coach than Gary Kubiak or Wade Phillips, both of whom were just awful. Curious Chris E's take on this team.

2. NY Jets. They too look like a very good defense. But time and again media pundits and fans have seen Michael Vick as this star to the rescue, and in his entire career he's had maybe two very good seasons. He's too mistake prone, makes bad decisions, and has played poor in the clutch. But he may not start even, or need to play great if the defense is really that good.

3. Cowboys do look like they could compete for last place with the Giants. But despite his blowing big games and plays, Romo is still a talented QB with flashes of brilliance. With teams expecting them to implode, they could rise up to maybe 7-9.

I'm starting to wonder if USA Today is right on the Chiefs. There is now talk that Jamaal Charles will sit out for more money, and Alex Smith wants a better contract if they aren't committed to building a team around him. The problem the team has is that without these two guys, who replaces them? There is no one! I normally don't agree with RB's getting heaps of cash (a la CJ), but Charles is not only underpaid, he's also an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Maybe the best combination runner/receiver RB in the NFL.

Not many details on Vernon Davis wanting a new deal. but he did show up to camp and is ready to start practicing.

And for Patriots fans, Gronk is in camp with a clean bill of health. The team was worried he wouldn't be ready until late summer, but he's good to practice. But one more big injury and this guy's career may be over.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Donte Stallworth has weighted in on the Michael Sam / Tony Dungee "distraction" comments. Stallworth is no stranger to distractions, having being involved in a DUI manslaughter accident himself. But I think he hits the nail squarely on the head. Basically saying that if a team cannot accept a gay player, it won't win, period. Recall Deon Sanders said every team he played on had at least one gay player, everyone knew, and no one really cared. It was all about whether they played good. NBA player, coach and exec Olden Polynice said essentially the same thing. But Stallworth's thoughts go deeper than that, talking about internal and external distractions and how a team handles them.

"If any NFL team can't "handle the media coverage" of drafting Sam, then your team is already a loser on the field. Let me tell you why...

There are a multitude of issues that can arise in the long duration of an NFL season... some on the field, some off the field.

You won't have any idea what that on the field/off the field situation is until it's already upon you and the entire organization...

Which means that with drafting Michael Sam, you get a jump start on controlling the "media coverage" right from the onset. If an organization is inept to the magnitude of not being able to control things with prior knowledge, how will you handle the unexpected?

In my 10 years as an NFL player, I've played for 6 different teams & have been in every kind of locker room. Vet, young, mature, immature... In my experience, if your organization can't 'handle media coverage', they will suck on the field anyway..."

He talks more, gives some examples, and it's well worth reading.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

You were right about tool time olberman. And I completely agree with Donte.

 

[Merckx index]

Welcome to the NFL, where if you knock your wife unconscious you get a two game suspension, but if you test positive for a drug that is legal in several states, you're out for the whole season.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000367971/article/ravens-ray-rice-suspended-two-games-by-nfl
Everyone is saying too light a punishment for ray rice & I agree. Goodell should be embarrassed for the leniency. What Rice needs most is counseling, and he needs to be able to stay focussed on that without football distractions. Counseling is going to take longer than 2 weeks, but maybe he can complete a good body of counseling before the regular season begins without much football related distraction. In the link above, Goodell explained the need for counseling and for Rice to continue with counseling. That's a start. But if I was Goodell I would have given Rice a 4 to 8 game suspension dependent on continued counseling. If Rice misses or drops counseling without good reason (eg: death in family) the suspension extends to one season. Or something along that line. It doesn't take much thought to come up with a punishment like that. So is Goodell's decision just another example of him trying to be a player's friend? Sometimes Roger needs to be a bad guy, and this is one of those times. IMO, FWIW.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Horrible. I even wondered if it was possible that Goodell would drop the hammer as hard on him as he has on others and suspend him for the entire season, then let him appeal it and get it down to something like half the season. After all, half the season seemed most likely either way. But only two games? That's it?

And of course, Olberman had to weigh in, stopping just short of making it about himself.

Not to be outdone on the whole Tony Dungee thing, Dan Patrick made what I thought were some good comments. Why doesn't anyone ask Tony Dungee why exactly he thinks drafting Sam would be "too much" of a distraction? Also, since he was a staunch supporter of Michael Vick's return, had he been a coach at that time of a team with a QB in need, would he have taken Vick? What if he were coaching today, would he have drafted Johnny Manziel? I'd also like to know his thoughts on what Stallworth said. I'd also like to know if Dungee knew if he ever coached any gay players. You would think he must have. Did he really not know?

Going back to Olden Polynice saying it's so old news that there are gay professional athletes and he lost count long ago how many he played with or against or coached. Here's some interesting math. The LGBT community likes to say that 10% of society are in that group. The most accurate numbers are believed to be just under 3%. The LGBT community says this is low because many people are completely closeted even in anonymous surveys. Even so, let's stick with 3%. If there are 1942 players in the NFL (plus practice squads), the math on that says there are 58 LGBT players. Are the other 57 besides Sam a distraction to their teams? Coaches? It can't be to the fans, as Sam's jersey is the sixth most popular sold right now. Even if it's just 1%, that's still almost 20 players.

Christine Brennan weighed on Dungee and the NFL as well. She does bring up a few good points, especially when you consider how popular Sam appears to be.

"...Because of Snyder and Dungy, and the comments of Incognito and Priefer, the NFL only looks older and staler and far less appealing to the very people it still would like to reach: the young, the open-minded, the people it hasn't yet completely attracted."

"Can you imagine how different sports history would be if Brooklyn Dodgers co-owner Branch Rickey had been advised by a man like Dungy, and therefore had not signed Jackie Robinson?"

Meanwhile, a day later, Jamaal Charles signed a deal and reported to camp. And USA Today writer Maggie Wilkinson says there are reasons to think the Chiefs will actually be better this season (yes, same newspaper that said they'd finish 4-12).

Marshawn Lynch however says he wants more money. If I were Seattle, I wouldn't budge on this one. I wouldn't even talk about it until he shows up for camp. He's a terrific RB, very tough. But he's not Russell Wilson (who is paid way, way less, and doesn't complain one iota). Seahawk fans will quickly remember when the team paid Shaun Alexander a heap of cash, and he was never the same player. Fool me once...

CJ has actually lined up as a slot WR for the Jets a few times in practice. This, I think, is a pretty smart move by Rex and the team. He's not going to gain 2,000 yards rushing. But he could come close to that in total yardage if used correctly and the QB can throw well.

 

[Oldman]

I'd incentivize Marshawn Lynch. His half life with his running style is not long term no matter how big the heart. His contribution to date has been incredible and he deserves respect but offering to retire unless he's paid does not respect the team that made his success possible. Go to camp, dude.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

"Roger Goodell is paid millions to maximize revenue, protect the interests of the league and ensure future growth.", as stated in this:
B/R Goodell/Rice link
Bleacher report link above about why it may take public outcry for NFL to change its stance on domestic abuse.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

On Lynch: I had to ruminate on this. Incentivizing his contract might work for the team financial plan, and might be something he'd go for. Because of Christine Michael, who is Lynch's heir apparent, I have heard Lynch wants to restructure his contract so he does not necessarily get more money over the next 2 years, but gets more money this year and less the year after. If I was Schneider, here is how I'd TRY to view Lynch: Seattle really got Lynch at a bargain because he was a bit of a disappointment in Buffalo; Lynch is really the face of the organization, and represents the style of football coach Carroll wants; and Lynch has outperformed his contract with Seattle. Bottom line: this is one case I think Lynch deserves a little more whether it is by restructuring, incentivizing, or otherwise. And despite what some media and league personnel may think, he's a good dude and reliable teammate.

 

[ToreBear]

Tony Dungy

Tony Dungy’s statement regarding his Michael Sam comments

Posted by Mike Florio on July 22, 2014, 1:00 PM EDT
[Editor's note: In response to quotes that appeared in Monday's Tampa Tribune, Tony Dungy has released a statement. The full content of it appears below.]

On Monday afternoon while on vacation with my family, I was quite surprised to read excerpts from an interview I gave several weeks ago related to this year’s NFL Draft, and I feel compelled to clarify those remarks.

I was asked whether I would have drafted Michael Sam and I answered that I would not have drafted him. I gave my honest answer, which is that I felt drafting him would bring much distraction to the team. At the time of my interview, the Oprah Winfrey reality show that was going to chronicle Michael’s first season had been announced.

I was not asked whether or not Michael Sam deserves an opportunity to play in the NFL. He absolutely does.

I was not asked whether his sexual orientation should play a part in the evaluation process. It should not.

I was not asked whether I would have a problem having Michael Sam on my team. I would not.

I have been asked all of those questions several times in the last three months and have always answered them the same way—by saying that playing in the NFL is, and should be, about merit.

The best players make the team, and everyone should get the opportunity to prove whether they’re good enough to play. That’s my opinion as a coach. But those were not the questions I was asked.

What I was asked about was my philosophy of drafting, a philosophy that was developed over the years, which was to minimize distractions for my teams.

I do not believe Michael’s sexual orientation will be a distraction to his teammates or his organization.

I do, however, believe that the media attention that comes with it will be a distraction. Unfortunately we are all seeing this play out now, and I feel badly that my remarks played a role in the distraction.

I wish Michael Sam nothing but the best in his quest to become a star in the NFL and I am confident he will get the opportunity to show what he can do on the field.

My sincere hope is that we will be able to focus on his play and not on his sexual orientation.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...statement-regarding-his-michael-sam-comments/

Can't really see any thing wrong with Dungy here. Sounds like a manufactured media storm.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Certainly when you toss in people like Keith Olbermann.

I do hope, and I imagine it may happen in the future, we'll get a chance to hear him answer some questions like those I posed before. Such as, if he had been coaching a team that needed a QB at the time Michael Vick was let out of prison, would he have pursued Vick?

Speaking of Vick, there seems to be a great deal of talk in camp that while Geno Smith has mostly been working with the 1st team, Vick has thrown some passes that make people assume he'll be the starting QB at some point. But I'll say as I have many times, I think he's overrated, over-hyped, mistake prone especially in tough situations, and never lived up to his potential, despite flashes of brilliance. Not to be outdone in NY,Calvin Pace said he thinks the Jets will supplant the Seahawks as the best defense in the NFL. I do think they are going to be very good, but...

Speaking of QB competitions. Early reports from Cleveland are that Brian Hoyer is well ahead of Johnny Manziel in almost every respect. It's as if people have forgotten that Hoyer was actually playing quite good on a fairly crummy offense before getting hurt.

The best rookie QB so far appears to be Teddy Bridgewater, who has been both modest, while looking very prepared and focused from day 1, and even split some reps with the first team with Matt Cassell, impressing the entire Vikings team (remember how high Bridgewater was on scout lists early last year, and how far he sank based on...his Pro Day of all things?!).

The Raiders have been very impressed with Kalil Mack, with Reggie McKenzie comparing him to Clay Matthews in his ability to get a jump on every play, in every way. Quite the compliment. The Raiders may have overpaid for Tuck and Woodley, but Mack says they have both been good mentors to him, so in the long run (and the Raiders are about the long run right now), it may turn out to be not such a bad buy.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

gooooodell's an a$$hat!

He has no problem dropping the hammer for the hippy lettuce / Roids, when it comes to making a stand on an issue of domestic violence he lets it slide.

He always get a "warm" welcome down here during Super Bowls. I'm sure that won't change. haha

 

[Oldman]

On Lynch: I had to ruminate on this. Incentivizing his contract might work for the team financial plan, and might be something he'd go for. Because of Christine Michael, who is Lynch's heir apparent, I have heard Lynch wants to restructure his contract so he does not necessarily get more money over the next 2 years, but gets more money this year and less the year after. If I was Schneider, here is how I'd TRY to view Lynch: Seattle really got Lynch at a bargain because he was a bit of a disappointment in Buffalo; Lynch is really the face of the organization, and represents the style of football coach Carroll wants; and Lynch has outperformed his contract with Seattle. Bottom line: this is one case I think Lynch deserves a little more whether it is by restructuring, incentivizing, or otherwise. And despite what some media and league personnel may think, he's a good dude and reliable teammate.

Totally agree. Like your take on the two year window. I don't think there's the risk he'd soft-pedal like other players looking to bleed out his longevity. Not part of his character.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

good input there ToreB, Alpe, and well Glen_W for making me LMAO at the image of that on top of his head.

Here's how to save the NFL and prevent it from becoming a 2-hand touch league: an instructional video on how to tackle, which has received applause from people like John Madden. The purpose: to show how to tackle, and how to teach tackling starting at low speed to master the fundamentals, then gradually applying it to full speed practice. These techniques will keep the game exciting, maintain the intensity, while making the game as safe as possible from a technique standpoint. It should be no surprise that these techniques are similar to, or derived from, tackling in rugby (ding-ding, no helmets).
http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Pete-Carroll-tackles-a-serious-issue-with-instructional-video

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Totally agree. Like your take on the two year window. I don't think there's the risk he'd soft-pedal like other players looking to bleed out his longevity. Not part of his character.

I can't take credit for the 2 year window. That's all Marshawn, which he hinted at as a possibility several months ago. I am typically much more conservative and old school.

Since speculation is that Christine is the heir apparent, this could mean Marshawn's stats could take a dive in 2014 if Christine gets more touches during the regular season. Hence, Marshawn may see his best leverage to increase his pay is his 2013 stats. So restructuring to more now, less later, but same overall total makes sense for him. Seattle may also have more cap space now than they will in 2015 when contracts for players like Maxwell, Avril, KJ, Malcolm Smith, Kearse, Carp, TJax, and nearly a dozen others are up. And then in 2016 contracts are up for Wilson, BWagz, Okung, Sweezy, Mebane, Turbin plus a few. And they will prolly want to tie up Wilson in 2015 rather than wait until 2016. So, less to Marshawn in 2015, but more now, could make sense for the organization.

 

[SirLes]

The irony is that rugby has been looking at the NFL, talking about "hits" rather than tackles.

2 rules that make tackling a bit safer in rugby are having to use the arms no just shoulder charge (although they push boundaries on that one more often now) and making the tackler responsible for putting the tackled player down safely if they are lifted in the air.

Mind you the fact that you can be hit from any side in NFL particularly having just received the ball is a scary thought. A hospital pass in rugby was a nightmare but at least you knew where the hit was coming from.

 

[leftover pie]

In today's preseason game, Eli Manning 6/7 - 43 yards. . . NO INTERCEPTIONS!

I suspect he's back to his very best, expecting huge things from the giants this year.

 

[SirLes]

Eli's stats are going to look a lot better this year because of the nature of the offence.

It was weird watching the game and seeing the Giants do a lot of quick short passes/screens meanwhile the Bills went long unsuccessfully on first down a couple of times early on just like the Giants used to do.

They also have a demon pass rush whereas the Giants strength is now the secondary and possibly even the linebackers for the first time in years.

Interesting times.

I think you will see a far more consistent offence from the Giants this season. Under Gillbride it was dependent on so many different things coming together to work. When it did work it was unstoppable but working week in week out was not a strength. As a fan you never knew what was going to happen from week to week.
The question will be for the new offence is will it be able to beat the best when it really matters or will it be effective up to a point.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

In today's preseason game, Eli Manning 6/7 - 43 yards. . . NO INTERCEPTIONS!

I suspect he's back to his very best, expecting huge things from the giants this year.

Wait until he has to throw the ball 40 times with his butter arm in a steroid neck body... The Ints will come in big chunks.
Good for him the dumb heads in NYC didn´t realize that, even after 8 seasons. Thus he still collects millions year in year out for.... nothing.

 

[leftover pie]

Wait until he has to throw the ball 40 times with his butter arm in a steroid neck body... The Ints will come in big chunks.
Good for him the dumb heads in NYC didn´t realize that, even after 8 seasons. Thus he still collects millions year in year out for.... nothing.

I predict we'll see Eli throwing the ball no more than 7 times a game this year.

Giants will go back to the offense that won them Superbowl XXV, milk the clock and run up the middle trying to gain 3.34 yards per play.

Hostetler bootlegs and dumpoffs to bavaro.

 

[The Hitch]

Baseless saying Jerry Jones will be haunted by his decision to pass on manziel until the end of his days

So he passed on Tom Brady, he passed on Aaron Rodgers, he passed on Drew Brees, but the decision he will take to his grave is taking a top rated o linesman at 16 over a qb everyone else paased on despite the hype, when he already has a top qb on his roster who is more or less single handedly keeping a 3-13 team in perrenial playoff contention.

 

[Oldman]

In today's preseason game, Eli Manning 6/7 - 43 yards. . . NO INTERCEPTIONS!

I suspect he's back to his very best, expecting huge things from the giants this year.

At 7 yds per reception I think Foxxy's right; he'll need to throw a few more and maybe try for 10 yarders before he's clearly improved. At least at short throws he's not getting sacked 2 times for each pass...

 

[Oldman]

I predict we'll see Eli throwing the ball no more than 7 times a game this year.

Giants will go back to the offense that won them Superbowl XXV, milk the clock and run up the middle trying to gain 3.34 yards per play.

Hostetler bootlegs and dumpoffs to bavaro.

That equals a first down, every series! As long as you don't miss any extra points you'll at least tie every game.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Sorry Leftovers... I agree with Foxy & Oldman about not getting too excited about that performance by Eli.

FWIW, I think Johnny F is going to bust, and so Jerry Jones was smart to pass on him in the draft. Jones did right by trying to rebuild an OLine to protect his QB.

WTH is going on in Bears camp??? Rookie CB Fuller makes a play on Martellus Bennett, and Bennett responds by slamming Fuller to the ground. That's not the surprising part. The effed up part is the Bears ending the practice, then fining and suspending Bennett for his part in the little fracus. The Bears organization is being stupid on this one. To me, the incident was all about nothing. STORY & VIDEO LINK HERE