National Football League

Page 26 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Was the Alamo Bowl a glimpse of what the next Super Bowl could be if the Packers played the Pats?

Baylor won the Alamo Bowl 67 to 56 over the Washington Huskies. I watched the game and was interested in it because of the present (RG3 & receivers) and future stars (Wash QB Price). The game itself was pathetic defensively and as a result boring. It was nothing more than a track meet. I really hope the Super Bowl does not end up playing out that way. But the chances of that are higher if its the Pats vs the Pack.
 
I don't see the Patriots getting to the SB. The Packers, yes, very likely. Though SF or NO could upset them. I honestly think the Pats will get beaten before they get there, I really do. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are certainly capable, and the Steelers did it earlier this year. I think Houston, even Cincy and the NYJ (maybe, if they get there) are capable as well. Yes, in Foxboro. Look at the Patriots playoffs over the last 5+ years. They lost games they should have won, and what wins they got were usually by a small margin. They're not as good of a playoff team as people seem to think.

Should the Pats get to the SB, I don't see them running up the score like that. I think the Packers defense would hold them in check, and the Pats would step up a little. The game could be something like 42-37, sure. But it won't be a 67-56 track meet.
 
I have mixed feelings on them. On one hand, I admire the owner (Kraft), respect Belicheck's football wisdom, and like Tom Brady. They also endured a lot of tough years and tough losses (Ben Dreith game for example), and I still think SB XLII was one of the biggest anomalies in NFL history and if they had played 10 times, the Patriots would have won nine of them.

On the other hand, the whole spygate thing left a rotten feeling in my stomach. I find Belicheck to be arrogant at times. The time they danced on the Chargers field in 2007 was ugly. And I thought they rolled over like dogs last year against the Jets in the playoffs, after beating them 45-3 just a month previous, and going 14-2 that year.

Actually, maybe I should cheer for them, to see the Superbowl that should have been last year!
 
Alpe d'Huez said:
There is no way Manning and Luck play on the same team. Manning has said so himself. So there's a chance the Colts will draft Luck and trade Manning - similar to the way the 49ers traded Joe Montana when Steve Young was taking over. Montana had two good years in KC, one with a playoff win, and I could see Manning doing that elsewhere. Maybe Washington is one team. The issue is money, they'd have to eat Manning's huge contract.

Skill wise, Tebow is average (right now) but he is a good leader and motivates those around him with an infectious positive attitude. You are right in that a team with a QB in place already won't take him, nor would a winning team. This is why I said Jacksonville is a good place for him. It's a new, young team that's rebuilding. Jacksonville is sub average, needs help, and unless he has some sort of special breakout game this week, Blaine Gabbert isn't their answer. There are other teams who would be interested too, obviously.

I'm starting to think the Rams may get Luck though. They play against the 49ers who are excellent and need to win. And the Colts are playing decent with Orolovsky against the horrible Jaguars and could very well win. The Rams would then trade Luck away for another team's top pick, plus an offensive lineman, plus another common player or another pick deeper in the draft. I think Bradford can be fine with the Rams for years, they just badly need offensive line help, and another good receiver.

Rams needed indy to win to get Luck. Rams have no luck. (ughhh that was bad) Indy has an exceptionally smart front office. They will keep Luck. Rodgers was an understudy for diva Favre for years, look at him now. Backing up one of the greatest QB's in the last 50 years is a great finishing school. God...I hate indy! :mad:
 
Amsterhammer said:
WTF? The Pats spot the Bills 21 first quarter points, then score 49 unanswered (till now). I mean, WTF?:eek:

Pats opponents keep failing to bring their best weapons... chainsaws to whack off the legs of Pats receivers... and just in case that's not enough, flash bangs to disorient and blind Brady.


ggusta said:
Rams needed indy to win to get Luck. Rams have no luck. (ughhh that was bad) Indy has an exceptionally smart front office. They will keep Luck. Rodgers was an understudy for diva Favre for years, look at him now. Backing up one of the greatest QB's in the last 50 years is a great finishing school. God...I hate indy! :mad:

It wouldn't be fair would it if Luck went to Indy. But Bradford just needs more help around him, mainly OL to protect him better. He's still a quality QB I think.
 
Amsterhammer said:
WTF? The Pats spot the Bills 21 first quarter points, then score 49 unanswered (till now). I mean, WTF?:eek:

Pats have had a history this year of spotting their opponents pretty fat leads and then coming back in the later part of the 1st half and really acting like a whole different team in the second half. If they could get Ochocinco engaged in the offense and for God's sake, a respectable defense, they would be the favorite for the super bowl. Their defense is cr@p. The Bills suk and the pats defense gave up 3 td's in the 1st QUARTER. A stronger team will really challenge this defense.

I also think that their gameplans have stagnated. The NFL is about coaching, and the Pats have been figured out, especially in the playoffs.

They have been eliminated in the 1st game of the playoffs for the past 2 years. Every game is life and death from here on. Can they win 1 postseason game this year?

... and today the packers weren't much better on defense. I am leaning towards the Saints for the SB. Defense wins super bowls.
 
on3m@n@rmy said:
Pats opponents keep failing to bring their best weapons... chainsaws to whack off the legs of Pats receivers... and just in case that's not enough, flash bangs to disorient and blind Brady.

Brady is ridiculous. Watch Rivers and Sanchez try to put the team on their backs and will them to victory and fail miserably. Watching Brady carry this team of mediocre to somewhat above average players and make them great is like watching a brilliant sculptor work. Not that the rest of the pats are as bad as the chargers and Jets, but they are nothing like the 2007 Pats. Automatic Hall of Famer.
 
red is wrong, green is correct

Alpe d'Huez said:
Week 17 Picks:

Detroit @ Green Bay - Lions may need the win, Packers will rest after a few possessions.
SF49 at St.L - 49ers win means a bye, and they are by far the better team.
NYJ at Miami - Jets slide continues I think.
Chicago at Minn - Bears were once 7-3.
Buff at NE - Pats win means HFA, and they will do just that.
Carolina at NO - Saints likely have 3rd seed, thus likely to rest some.
Wash at Philly - Skins prepare for off season overhaul.
Indy at Jax - If Colts lose they get #1 pick, but are playing well, and Jax isn't.
Tenn at Houston - Tennessee has a very outside chance of playoffs. Houston has #3 seed locked up.
Tampa at Atl - Bucs a team with many problems.
Balt at Cincy - Big game. If Ravens win they get bye. Bengals win, they're in.
Pitt at Cleveland - Steelers win and Ravens loss means #3 seed.
KC at Denver - Orton will be motivated, but Broncos need win to secure playoff berth.
SD at Oak - Raiders have outside chance to win. Chargers search for new coach soon.
Sea at Ari - Both teams playing fairly well of late. OVERTIME - Nice try!!
Dallas at NY Giants - Winner goes on, loser goes home. Romo will play, hurt.

Looks like you will be correct on the Giants as well if the rest of this game continues like it has so far. Dallas just looks sad. Lots of problems.
 
Alpe d'Huez said:
I have mixed feelings on them. On one hand, I admire the owner (Kraft), respect Belicheck's football wisdom, and like Tom Brady. They also endured a lot of tough years and tough losses (Ben Dreith game for example), and I still think SB XLII was one of the biggest anomalies in NFL history and if they had played 10 times, the Patriots would have won nine of them.

On the other hand, the whole spygate thing left a rotten feeling in my stomach. I find Belicheck to be arrogant at times. The time they danced on the Chargers field in 2007 was ugly. And I thought they rolled over like dogs last year against the Jets in the playoffs, after beating them 45-3 just a month previous, and going 14-2 that year.

Actually, maybe I should cheer for them, to see the Superbowl that should have been last year!

I like the Pats (I am originally from New England). I just can't see them getting to the SB this year. The 2007 Super Bowl is just a heartbreaker. As time goes on, the Giants get less and less respect for the win.

The pats seem to rather embrace their role as villains.
 
ggusta said:
Brady is ridiculous. Watch Rivers and Sanchez try to put the team on their backs and will them to victory and fail miserably. Watching Brady carry this team of mediocre to somewhat above average players and make them great is like watching a brilliant sculptor work. Not that the rest of the pats are as bad as the chargers and Jets, but they are nothing like the 2007 Pats. Automatic Hall of Famer.

I couldn't agree more on Brady.
 
Jun 22, 2009
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Five wrong picks again. That Matt Flynn was something else for the Packers! How many offers will he be getting now? Will Luck really go to Indy? Who will get RG3? Can the Skins trade up from fifth and find themselves a QB to build a team around? So many questions....

Apropos Cowboys :D - indulge me, please.

Dallas Cowboys Release Jerry Jones

IRVING, TEXAS—In an attempt to cut the franchise's losses and "move forward in a positive direction," the Dallas Cowboys severed ties with controversial owner Jerry Jones Monday, ending their tumultuous 20-year relationship with the divisive figure.

According to sources within the Cowboys organization, the decision to release Jones was influenced by the lack of any playoff victories in more than 12 years, the owner's distracting sideline antics, and his selfish, "me first" attitude, which many said was having a cancerous effect on the clubhouse.

"We value Jerry's contributions to the Cowboys over the past two decades, but it has become painfully clear that we just don't share the same priorities," Cowboys public relations director Richard Dalrymple said. "This wasn't an easy choice to make, but we're confident it is a decision that can only make our team better."

"Losing to our NFC East rivals the Giants in our brand-new stadium was really the last straw," added Dalrymple, who said Jones "insisted" that the $1.2 billion facility would solve all of the team's problems. "The Cowboys need to focus on winning, and we can't do that with Jerry's incessant ego-boosting publicity stunts, or this opulent sports venue that's devoted more to himself than achieving postseason success."

Cowboys officials called Jones Sunday night to inform him he was being cut from the team, ordering the 66-year-old owner to clean out his luxury box and remove his personal belongings from the premises immediately. Jones, who was reportedly stunned to be removed from his ownership duties, issued a statement on his website thanking himself for all his hard work and years of service.

"Well, damn, looks like the 'Boys couldn't handle Double J anymore," the blog post read in part. "I'll never forget my time in the Big D, and how I single-handedly won three Super Bowls. Don't worry, Jerry Jones will land on his feet somewhere, and when he does, Dallas better watch out."

Jones' questionable conduct on and off the field almost certainly played a role in sealing the troubled owner's fate. Although some members of the Cowboys' management have reportedly contemplated Jones' termination for the past several years, sources said his recent association with known criminals as well as a perceived lack of character and poor leadership qualities provided ample reasons for his release.

Ultimately, team officials said that Jones had become an embarrassment to the storied franchise.

"Between the opportunistic condemnations of game plans, the uninformed evaluations of draftees, and the paranoid delusions that players and coordinators were scheming against him, it's no wonder the Cowboys have had enough," NFL Today commentator Boomer Esiason said. "Maybe his absence will finally give the team a chance to start living up to its full potential."

"Just watching the Cowboys practice without Jones leering at them, you can tell that morale has already greatly improved," Esiason continued. "They seem so loose and relaxed and their faces are just lighting up with smiles. This is the first time Tony Romo has had fun since he put on the Cowboys uniform."

Former Cowboys head coach and Fox Sports analyst Jimmy Johnson speculated that the team's real motivation for cutting Jones was that the aging owner, who turns 67 in October, is well past his prime and would have continued to cost the ball club too much money.

"His skills have really diminished the past few years, and he just can't make the moves that he used to," said Johnson, adding that the rest of the NFL was passing Jones by every day. "When you get older you start to slow down, and as you try to compensate, you wind up making poor decisions."

"He had to eat more than $9 million dollars of salary cap just to get rid of Terrell Owens," Johnson added. "In this economy? What was he thinking?"

From the Onion.;)
 
Jul 29, 2009
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ggusta said:
Brady is ridiculous. Watch Rivers and Sanchez try to put the team on their backs and will them to victory and fail miserably. Watching Brady carry this team of mediocre to somewhat above average players and make them great is like watching a brilliant sculptor work. Not that the rest of the pats are as bad as the chargers and Jets, but they are nothing like the 2007 Pats. Automatic Hall of Famer.

As a Giants fan I'd say Manning has done pretty well at carrying a team for large parts of the season. I'm glad he's getting a bit more respect this year. He has also had to nurture a number of new receivers and deal with almost all of them missing games or playing banged up.

A point about Aaron Rodgers who everyone has been saying is amazing all year. Interesting that his back up just out performed him. Not suggesting that this means Rodgers is rubbish but it does suggest the rest of the team is pretty damn good whch makes his life easier. Compare that with what has happened to the Colts this season.

With regards the Giants play off chances I really don't know. If they play their best they could go a long way but it wouldn't surprise me if they flopped either. I think they have a pretty good chance against the Falcons as they're at home and are capable of beating either SF or Green Bay away from home (although not favourites) but I just cannot see them beating the Saints at their place. They have destroyed us in the past two meeting and we haven't looked remotely like we know how to stop them.
 
I love the Onion!

Dallas sure did collapse. In several games this year. I think the team is trying to give Jerry a heart attack and kill him off. Some teams in the NFL are on the upswing (Carolina, Houston, Cincy, Detroit, Seattle), some teams are on the downswing. Dallas is one of those teams.

ggusta said:
They (Indy) will keep Luck. Rodgers was an understudy for diva Favre for years, look at him now. Backing up one of the greatest QB's in the last 50 years is a great finishing school.
I don't see that happening. Luck will not sit for more than a few games. Rogers was taken 23rd in the draft and viewed as being fairly raw. He wasn't even the certain projected replacement for Favre for a couple of seasons. Rogers also learned very little from Favre. Both have said they got along okay, but Favre wasn't the teacher, the coaches were, and Rogers was taught to play his own style, not imitate Favre.

Luck is the top prospect in the last decade. He will be able to do as Elway and Eli and dictate where he goes, and that a team is built around him and expect to start, probably from day 1. There is no way he will go to Indy and sit in the bench for a few years until Manning retires. Having said that, he could go there, and they could co-exist. But that's only if Manning really wants to remain a Colt and accepts that he will be replaced at QB in the 2012 season, unless Manning somehow leads them to something like a 10-1 start.

There is definitely the chance though that the Colts will trade Manning as I said several posts ago. I actually think this is likely. The only issue is finding a team that will take on his contract, but some would. I can see him going to a team of vets and winning a few years before retiring (like, Washington, where he would fit well. Maybe Miami, or Cleveland).

I agree that Matt Flynn just played himself into a starting QB job somewhere next year. Granted, the Packers have the best receivers in the NFL, but there were also other backup players in there. Plus the Lions have a decent defense and were playing hard. I can definitely see Flynn going somewhere like Seattle, Arizona, Washington, etc.

With the 6th pick the Redskins could get Griffin. The draft goes 1. Indy, 2. Rams, 3. Vikings, 4. Browns, 5. Buccaneers. The only team in there that could take Griffin is Cleveland if they want to dump McCoy. The Rams need OL help and will take Kalil of USC. The Vikings need DB help and receivers, Ponder has a future there. TB needs a coach who can work with Josh Freeman before his confidence is shattered.

I think several potential future QBs will be found in the 2nd round. Jones and Tannhill may drop that far. They haven't played great at the end of the NCAA season, but still have loads of potential. There's also Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, Austin Davis, Brandon Weeden (who will play opposite Luck tonight), etc.

Playoff picks in a future post...
 
Amsterhammer said:
Dallas Cowboys Release Jerry Jones

IRVING, TEXAS—In an attempt to cut the franchise's losses and "move forward in a positive direction," the Dallas Cowboys severed ties with controversial owner Jerry Jones Monday, ending their tumultuous 20-year relationship with the divisive figure... From the Onion.;)

LOL! That was a hoot. :D:D:D
 
Jun 15, 2009
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Lost by one game (ATL going 10-6). How do i put the "I love Lance avatar" on? :rolleyes:

Since the beginning i had Big Mäc on, i just can´t remember how to upload.

Short PO-Rankings:
AFC
1- PIT
2- NE
3- HOU
4- BAL
5- CIN
32... err 6-DEN

NFC
1-NO
2-GB
3-NYG
4-DET
5-ATL
6-SF

Picks WC-Weekend;

CIN 13, HOU 21
DET 24, NO 38
ATL 20, NYG 24
PIT 20, DEN 10

AFC-Game PIT over HOU
NFC-Game NO over GB
SB NO over PIT

Regular-Season-MVP: Brees
 
Nice to see you post Foxy. Welcome back.

I have to admit I really like the Saints as well. They seem to be peaking at the right time, they are an explosive team, with plenty of experience, and possibly the best coaching staff in the NFL. I only question if they can beat the Packers, in Green Bay, on grass, in the cold, and snow. They can, but will they?

In the AFC there is no doubt the Steelers know how to win this time of year. But they are so banged up, and getting older, I don't know that they will. The Patriots will be trying to exact revenge when they play resulting in another tough, close game, and if the Steelers have to go through Baltimore I think there's a good chance they'll get clobbered (again) by what appears to be a healthy Ravens team.

Some picks:

Detroit at New Orleans - Should be great fun to watch.
Atlanta at NY Giants - Which NY Giants team shows up?
Cincinnati at Houston - Though it will be a close, tough game.
Pittsburgh at Denver - Steelers know how to win games like this.

This sends New Orleans to San Francisco in what could be the game of the year. Followed by Atlanta getting blown out by Green Bay. If the Giants can beat the Falcons I think they could give the Packers trouble, due to styles. This all could give us a Saints-Packers game that would be something to see.

Thus the AFC sends Houston to Baltimore and Pittsburgh to New England (pretty sure that's right). I like Baltimore in the first game, the second is a tossup, but probably the Steelers.

I'm sort of leaning towards a Saints-Ravens SB, with the Saints winning. Though can easily see the Packers getting there.

MVP - Drew Brees (or Aaron Rogers)
ROTY - Cam Newton (or Andy Dalton)
DPOY - Terrell Suggs (Patrick Willis if he hadn't missed 3 games)
 
Sorry Chargers fans, despite the fact there are several potential good coaches out there, and your team desperately needs a change, the team owners in their infinite wisdom decided it would be a good idea to keep Norv Turner.

As Rex Ryan said, that team is loaded with talent, and has been for the last 5+ years, and they manage to lose at the worst times, great at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, all at the hands of Turner. I guess some teams just accept disappointment. Put another way, the Oakland Raiders have Commitment to Excellence as their brand, the Chargers should have "Commitment to Mediocrity".

Oh, if the Chargers come back and make it to the SB in the future with Turner as their coach, please bookmark this link so you can quote this post and I'll freely admit I'm a total idiot who doesn't know anything about football and should stop commenting on it.
 
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
Lost by one game (ATL going 10-6). How do i put the "I love Lance avatar" on? :rolleyes:

Since the beginning i had Big Mäc on, i just can´t remember how to upload.

Oh here. Let me help.
1. Click on "UserCP" on the left side of the menu bar just under your "Welcome 'username' "
2. In the left hand menu pane and under "Settings & Options" click on "Edit Avatar"
3. Assuming you have prepared a custom avatar to upload from your computer, select the "use custom avatar" radio button, then use option #2 to browse to the location on your PC where your avatar is.

Easy. If I can do it, anyone can. OFC I get to restore mine to the my original.
fe633b358c78903508fb86afe87dcb72.gif
 
What Alpe said... welcome back Foxxy.

Yes, I too agree either NO or GB for the NFC will advance to the big dance, the Super Bowl. AFC though is a real crap shoot. We could make good cases for any one of PIT, NE, HOU, and BAL. I think PIT though is more on the outside looking in. They are banged up as Alpe said. That may be enough to outweigh their experience. If I had to pick 2 teams with the best chances, IMO I like either NE or BAL.
 
I don't see Houston getting past the second round. That's if they can beat Cincinnati. Whomever wins that game goes to either NE or Baltimore and loses. Houston has an awesome defense, but they are missing their best offensive player (Schaub), and best defensive player (Williams), and backed into the playoffs losing three in a row.

Pittsburgh's best bet is that Houston beats Cincy so they can go to NE. Then Houston beats, or beats up on Baltimore. But I honestly don't see the Steelers beating the Ravens. Mendenhal is out for the year. Clark is out this week. Roethlesberger is banged up. Polumolu is banged up. Harrison, Carter, Pouncey, Sanders, Wallace, Woodley. These guys are all starters and have been on the "questionable" list for about a month straight and now have no time to heal. Granted, these guys are tough, no doubt about it. But to be that hurt and heading into Baltimore, who beat them twice this year. I just don't see it. The Ravens have one name guy hurt, and that's Boldin, who is healing and says he will be fine and play. The Ravens expect to be at full strength in two weeks.

The team with the best shot at beating the Ravens as I see it is New England, in Foxboro. But the Pats are so sketchy, it's hard to tell if we'll see them at their best, or asleep at the wheel.
 
Jun 15, 2009
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First of all, hope you all like my new avatar. I feel embarrassed. But that comes a long with losing a bet. Thanks ATL ;)

Alpe d'Huez said:
Nice to see you post Foxy. Welcome back.

I have ...

Pitt has the best Pass-D (4,9 Y/PP allowed = 23% !! better than NFL-Avg.; for comparison: GB allowed 7,2 and NE allowed 7,1. Thus, there is no room for a single average day by Brady or Rodgers. Unluckily: Those things happen to every NFL-QB from time to time.), same as (almost) every year they reach the SB. This year they are even more dominating than for example the famous Bears D of 1984, 1985 and 1986! All that says is that Big Ben is overrated. He´s a good QB, but sacked wayyy too much during his career. He´d be just like every other QB if not playing for PIT. After all i can safely say, PIT can even win w/o him.
And as we know: RB´s are irrelevant for success.
But still my hope is you are right, and PIT has too much injuries to prevail. But even worse would be if the Ravens make it. Take out their infamous comebacks this year and we all would have been spared of seeing them in the post season. Hope they don´t hit another luck streak in the playoffs. Please no more dull SB-Champ like the 2000-Ravens.

Alpe d'Huez said:
Sorry Chargers fans...

Oh yes. They keep the worst ever coach in sports history for another year. It´s disgusting. What a waste of talent. Yes even Rex Ryan would have won some SB´s with this great group of players. Now the window of opportunity is closing forever for SD. What a sad sad story...

on3m@n@rmy said:
What Alpe said... welcome back Foxxy.

Yes, I too agree either NO or GB for the NFC will advance to the big dance, the Super Bowl. AFC though is a real crap shoot. We could make good cases for any one of PIT, NE, HOU, and BAL. I think PIT though is more on the outside looking in. They are banged up as Alpe said. That may be enough to outweigh their experience. If I had to pick 2 teams with the best chances, IMO I like either NE or BAL.

I go with NO, because at least they field a average Pass D (6,31 Y/PP allowed = 16th in the NFL). Thus they can afford a average day by Brees. BTW, Peyton is great: He preaches balance since years. Just to please the mainstream and not get hit hard for his pass happy style. Unlucky for Martz: He wasn´t that clever and got axed. Good bye CHI...

Back to Peyton: He does it all right. He plays to the strenght of his players: pass, pass, pass. A nice bye product: His team surprisingly finished 4th (!) in rushing offense (4,94 Y/R) b/c defenses try and fail to defend the historically greatest passing game.

Alpe d'Huez said:
I don't see Houston getting past the second round.

They field the 2nd best Pass D (5,21 Y/PP) and showed that Yates, yes even Delhomme can keep them in games (thanks to the D holding the opponents to low scores). They´ll surprise.

After all: Predictions for the post season are easier than in pre season, b/c we have some numbers to work with. Still i wasn´t that bad with my NO, GB and HOU picks. CJ $ucked as promised. He might be the happiest lottery winner of all time. ;)

So greedy McCaskey: DON´T pay Forte. Better look out for some WR´s and OLers.

Cheers.