National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think that shows Cousins just how much the front office of Washington thought of him I guess.

All along, the plan was for Mahomes to sit one year, learn from a consummate QB, and one year is less than Aaron Rodgers had to wait.

??

Rodgers sat three years behind Favre. Unless you're counting the few snaps in garbage time he played during those seasons.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAa00.htm

Rodgers even said it benefitted him to do so:

"There's a lot of growth that can happen sitting on the bench...You can really gain in confidence every single day of practice. You can come along at your own speed. You're obviously not dealing with the pressure every week of having to perform, which is a real thing. You come along and learn the league, learn how to be a professional and learn how to take care of your body."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-aaron-rodgers-mitch-trubisky-rookie-growth-20170926-story.html

Agree there was nothing left for Smith in KC though, and no reason for the Chiefs to try to extend him, especially the cap bind they would have been in.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Superbowl: many dumbass Eagles' fans, but many great people and fans there too. The city of Rocky Balboa. What a story, what a win it would be! Underdogs. Go Eagles from a Chiefs' fan.

On that note - while I'd prefer for the Eagles to win I've got 50cents on the Pats. In the local paper there are 4 points in favor of the Pats on the spreadsheet, so that's what I'm going by. (The chance of me actually remembering how the spreadsheet works, however, is minimal.)

The halftime show should be good, you can just tell Justin Timberlake lives for the camera. (Almost annoyingly so.) And while I didn't care for his boyband days I do have to admit he's had some catchy tunes as a solo performer. So even if the game itself is a bore the halftime show should be entertaining. (Naturally, for those who don't care for the halftime shows this will be a nice time to fetch some food/beer and stretch out the legs.)

 

[jmdirt]

Superbowl: many dumbass Eagles' fans, but many great people and fans there too. The city of Rocky Balboa. What a story, what a win it would be! Underdogs. Go Eagles from a Chiefs' fan.

On that note - while I'd prefer for the Eagles to win I've got 50cents on the Pats. In the local paper there are 4 points in favor of the Pats on the spreadsheet, so that's what I'm going by. (The chance of me actually remembering how the spreadsheet works, however, is minimal.)

The halftime show should be good, you can just tell Justin Timberlake lives for the camera. (Almost annoyingly so.) And while I didn't care for his boyband days I do have to admit he's had some catchy tunes as a solo performer. So even if the game itself is a bore the halftime show should be entertaining. (Naturally, for those who don't care for the halftime shows this will be a nice time to fetch some food/beer and stretch out the legs.)

I've got 500 pushups riding on the Pats not making the spread or the Eagles winning.

I'd love to see the Pats/Tom/Bill make history, but I'd also love to see the Eagles win their first superbowl (even though they won a few champs before it was super, it was many years ago).

 

[jmdirt]

I just saw a Twit that Cousins and Elway were seen together last night. In this day and age of everyone's camphone rolling 24/7 it seems that there would be a pic/vid of this though.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I've got 500 pushups riding on the Pats not making the spread or the Eagles winning.

I'd love to see the Pats/Tom/Bill make history, but I'd also love to see the Eagles win their first superbowl (even though they won a few champs before it was super, it was many years ago).

It didn't take long for me to get confused by the spread... are you saying if the Pats win by less than 4 points you'll have to do 500 pushups? And if the Eagles win you'll have to do the pushups?

My brain wires got all crossed, it's a whole fireworks show going on here.

 

[jmdirt]

Re: Re:

According to Kurk Cousins, he found out about about the Smith trade via text message from a friend. If that is the case, that sucks. Its a business, I get that, but what ever happened to professional courtesy?! How about just being honest with people: "Hey Kurk, we are looking to trade for a free agent before the draft".

Also happens a lot in other sports like the NBA. Even players are being told before their coaches when coaches are let go. Or maybe released on Twitter first. Professionally poor. Seems that players and coaches are seen as commodities and nothing else.

Just ask Blake Griffin huh?!

 

[jmdirt]

I've got 500 pushups riding on the Pats not making the spread or the Eagles winning.

I'd love to see the Pats/Tom/Bill make history, but I'd also love to see the Eagles win their first superbowl (even though they won a few champs before it was super, it was many years ago).

It didn't take long for me to get confused by the spread... are you saying if the Pats win by less than 4 points you'll have to do 500 pushups? And if the Eagles win you'll have to do the pushups?

My brain wires got all crossed, it's a whole fireworks show going on here.

At least you have fireworks in your brain, mine is soapy oatmeal!

If the Eagles win or the Pats only win by a fieldgoal, Adrian at the Y has to do the pushups. If the Pats win by 4 or more, I do the pushups.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

At least you have fireworks in your brain, mine is soapy oatmeal!

If the Eagles win or the Pats only win by a fieldgoal, Adrian at the Y has to do the pushups. If the Pats win by 4 or more, I do the pushups.

Ach sooooooo. I think I get it, for the moment anyway.

500 pushups - oof! I like my bet better.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

According to Kurk Cousins, he found out about about the Smith trade via text message from a friend. If that is the case, that sucks. Its a business, I get that, but what ever happened to professional courtesy?! How about just being honest with people: "Hey Kurk, we are looking to trade for a free agent before the draft".

Also happens a lot in other sports like the NBA. Even players are being told before their coaches when coaches are let go. Or maybe released on Twitter first. Professionally poor. Seems that players and coaches are seen as commodities and nothing else.

Just ask Blake Griffin huh?!

Yes and Jason Kidd found out from Giannis that he was about to be relieved of the Bucks coaching duties but as usual a change sometimes works out at least in the short term with the assistant coach getting five out of six wins while the Bucks decide who to hire. Fizdale might get it I think. Back to the SB, the head says Patriots but everything else says the Eagles. Stephen A and Max went for the Eagles on ESPN while Shannon and Skipp went for the Patriots. Interestingly the winning margin for the Pats is usually only three points and their losses about the same.

 

[Nomad]

This is forecasted to be the coldest SB on record; 0 to below 0F by kickoff - much colder than the last SB in Minneapolis (SB 26/1992). But.....all is well & good with temperatures expected to be a comfy ~70F and no wind inside US Bank Stadium.

http://www.businessinsider.com/coldest-super-bowl

 

[Tonton]

I think that shows Cousins just how much the front office of Washington thought of him I guess.

All along, the plan was for Mahomes to sit one year, learn from a consummate QB, and one year is less than Aaron Rodgers had to wait.

??

Rodgers sat three years behind Favre. Unless you're counting the few snaps in garbage time he played during those seasons.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAa00.htm

Rodgers even said it benefitted him to do so:

"There's a lot of growth that can happen sitting on the bench...You can really gain in confidence every single day of practice. You can come along at your own speed. You're obviously not dealing with the pressure every week of having to perform, which is a real thing. You come along and learn the league, learn how to be a professional and learn how to take care of your body."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-aaron-rodgers-mitch-trubisky-rookie-growth-20170926-story.html

Agree there was nothing left for Smith in KC though, and no reason for the Chiefs to try to extend him, especially the cap bind they would have been in.

My statement was a response to a post making it look like waiting was not a good idea. It was. Being impatient is often a bad idea. Would Rodgers be what he is had he be thrown in the cage with hungry lions too early? Starting a rookie is dangerous. That was my point. I remember two weeks into that season and Manning was struggling, Leaf was flying high...and he came to KC, got murdered...the end. It's not because you draft a franchise QB that you have to start him right away. Peyton's first season was rough...he survived. Many rookies don't.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Right, as usual if the Super Bowl game gets boring there is always the Puppy Bowl on the Animal Planet channel, and if it gets really, really, really freaking boring there is the Fish Bowl on the Nat Geo channel.

Just giving all you fine folk alternatives here, that's all.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Jerry Kramer finally made the Hall of Fame!

Tom Flores still has to wait.

Would not have voted for TO.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Some final thoughts and predictions.

In order to win the Patriots just need to be the Patriots, and try to sustain drives and make sure Brady has enough time late in the game to do his magic if it's close.

In order to win the Eagles need to press Brady at least some, preferable push him out of the pocket, without rushing more than 5 guys. They also ideally will be ahead at halftime, and at some point in the 4th quarter, and keep Brady off the field. And don't make mistakes. If they can sustain some drives late, they can win the game.

Patriots 26, Eagles 20

MVP: Tom Brady

 

[jmdirt]

I was entertained! Fun game to watch!

Now I will go into NFL withdrawals! Maybe the Olympic coverage will help...

 

[Nomad]

Definitely an entertaining game! And Alpe good call in reference to your bullet points on what Philly would need to do to win.

A couple of thoughts: What happens with Foles? Usually SB winning MVP QBs are penciled in as starters for the next several years barring injury issues (look how long Flacco has been at the helm after winning a SB several years ago). Not surprising, the reports are coming in that several teams might be interested in his services. This reminds of the iconic song from The Clash; "Should I stay or should I go"...should Foles stay as a backup or should he go somewhere else to start?

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-super-bowl-ranking-nick-foles-top-10-landing-spots-for-next-season/

Second thought: Would Brady throw a curve ball and decide to retire? He looked every bit of 40 on his last two possessions. He loses McDaniels next season. Gronk's hinting at retirement. He suffered the thumb injury a few weeks ago and he's probably had a few concussions in his career. What else is there to prove? Historically not many starting QBs over 40 last long in the league without major injuries (e.g., Favre in his comeback seasons).

 

[The Hitch]

The way it ended felt anti climatic for me. The guy could have sacked Brady and ended it. But Brady threw it and the clock only hit 0 around the time the ball landed.

So first I didn't know if time had expired or not. And then you waited the mandatory 10 seconds for flags that happen in 30% of such long throws.

The Eagles players themselves didn't run around like sb winners do on the last play but stood there. Only when they showed pederson hugging people did it seem like the result was confirmed.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Yay

 

[movingtarget]

Knowing how competitive Brady is my guess is that he goes at least one more year. Muted sort of game, nothing too unexpected, only one turnover, missed kicks as usual. Funny when one of the game callers expected both of the reviewed Eagles TDs to be overturned and neither one was ! It seems that even now no one still knows with certainty what constitutes a fair catch, a ball not under control and a legal TD ! Next year could be even more interesting with the Jags and Rams on the way up and the Bills having their first taste of the playoffs for a while and teams like the 49ers looking to consolidate on a much better second half of this season.

Eagles obviously improved on last year but the Rams and Jags were the big improvers, wonder what Kansas can do next year ? Remains to be seen if Seattle, Pittsburgh and the Falcons remain in contention. I get the feeling that all three teams will be no closer to winning the SB next year, Seattle have some gaps to fill. Wonder where Cousins will end up ? Lots of rumours about Foles moving on as well. Vikings have some QB decisions to make as do the Giants, Denver and the Cardinals.Will the Browns finally find a QB of substance ? Patriots will also be hunting for one obviously or at least a younger better back up than Hoyer.

 

[BullsFan22]

Brady was certain before the game he'd be back for next year. I don't doubt that. People didn't expect them to make it back to the SB this season, perhaps even last season, but they made it and were close to winning again. I don't think his level will drop to a point where he is ineffective and the Patriots become so bad that they don't even make the playoffs, but I do think his level will drop. A 41 year old (at the start of next season) QB that's been around since 2000 will not sustain and will have more dips in his game.

So the question becomes, what will Kraft and the management do in the offseason? Who will they trade, who will they buy to help Brady? They have to improve their offense, because as good as Brady and the offense is, they can't rely on them to always outscore opponents and pray that they'll have possession last...That's what lost them the game.

As far as the other teams are concerned, who knows. The old guard: Seattle, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, New Orleans, Baltimore, and a couple other regular contenders have things to work on. The new guard: SF, Minnesota, Philadelphia (yeah, why not put them in here as well??), etc have bright futures. SF, Minnesota, Philly all had quarterback injury issues during the season, but the guys that stepped in did a heck of a job (to put it mildly), so they are interestingly all in the same boat...what to do with the QB's next season? SF is in a more clear position as Jimmy G. is definitely their no 1 and he'll be there for a while, it looks like. Minnesota and Philadelphia have, perhaps, tough choices to make. Ride Keenum and Foles or....? My guess is Wentz will be the primary QB, so not sure if Foles will get the nod. Perhaps he'll like to move somewhere else?? Keenum to me looks like he'll be no 1 in Minnesota, but maybe not...have no idea!!

What about the Rams? What will they do? They should be satisfied with the season they had. Will they make significant moves in the offseason? They have the RB position dialed...

KC? Denver? Raiders? What about that division?

What about the bottom dwellers? Chicago, Cleveland, Dolphins, Jets? Will Buffalo continue to improve or was it pure luck that won them a playoff berth? Lions? Will the Cowboys do anything?

 

[Tonton]

Bravo Eagles! Great game to watch.

Brady will be back. Belichick? Not so sure. For the first time, he was active in getting his coordinators head coaching jobs. Like he wanted to unload his staff, empty house. NE is not a happy family, as we came to find out.

 

[jmdirt]

RE: the two reviewed TD catches: IMO really there was no question about the Ertz TD because he clearly took three steps before diving, he was a runner so once he broke the plane it was a TD. I don't know why CC was so stupid about it, maybe he was trying to make a point. The Clement one is clearly a catch by any sensible rule, its only under the clustermess catch rule that it leaves some question. Even then, even though very close, its a catch/TD.

RE: Foles future: There is no doubt that there will be teams talking to him. He had a great '13, moved on, but struggled. I think that he is ready to be the SB MVP on a regular basis now. He played NCAA in AZ so maybe the Cards will look to create some buzz with him?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I agree with those who said the game was kind of subdued, even though it was close. It was like we were all waiting for the last 3 minutes to see if Brady could pull the win out, or not. And this time it was just too much to ask of him, though he nearly did it.

Very happy for Nick Foles, who was all but discarded by the league when the Eagles were able to get Sam Bradford, and Nick didn't play so well for the Rams (under Jeff Fisher). He is under contract for next season, and I don't see the Eagles making any decision on him until training camp, at least, to see if Wentz is fully recovered from his ACL tear. But if Wentz is healthy, I don't see Foles taking his job. Then where does he go? Arizona is a good guess, and I'm sure he's be welcome there.

I don't see Brady retiring, Gronk either. I also think Belicheck will find a new AC and DC and the Pats will contend once again. But I have to agree, it's only a matter of time before Brady's age catches up to him. But he is coming off an MVP season, and just threw fro 500 yards and almost won yet another SB. So even if he just slips a little, he'll still probably be one of the best QB's in the league. The reason I don't think Belicheck is retiring is because both coordinators are leaving. If he were retiring, there would have been wind of it internally, and either McDaniels or Patrician would never have been thought of as leaving.

I can perhaps see a coaches decision not starting Malcom Butler if he pissed someone off, or had some vague illness, but once the Eagles started going after Eric Rowe in some situations, why not at least get Butler on the field in nickel packages, at least to make the Eagles think about him?? Dont’a Hightower, and former Pats Jamie Collins, Brandon Browner, and Alfonzo Dennard all said the same in so many words. Butler was upset after the game, but did Tweet later thanking the Pats as a team for giving him an opportunity in the NFL.

I have no idea why Cris Collinsworth, or anyone else questioned the Ertz catch. This is getting absurd at this point. Agree on the Clement catch, being close, but a catch. Props to the refs for sticking with the ruling on the field. Actually, I think the refs did an excellent job all game. Very few penalties, and no real problems. Just some close calls that in the end they got right, on the field.

As to next year's teams to watch, I think the Rams are definitely one of them, the Jags too, probably. Though they could fall back a little, it won't be that far. SF is another team that may not make a serious run next year, isn't far away. I'm curious what Josh McDaniels can do with a completely healthy Andrew Luck in Indy. Ignore rumors saying he'll stay in NE, unless Belicheck does retire, as I said above. Josh was too emotional when HC of Denver a few years back, but I think he's learned a lot since then.

The Chargers and the Saints are two teams that intrigue me in that they both have QBs nearing the end of their career, but who can still really play, with a lot of talented young players. The Saints were a whisker from going to Philly in the NFC championship. I also fully expect Malcom Butler to sign with the Saints in the off season. Similar about the Packers. They are loaded with talent, and will have Aaron Rodgers back. The Viks need to pick a QB, sign him, and move on. My guess is it's Bridgewater, unless he really isn't fully healthy.

 

[King Boonen]

I watched the game, have to say it felt more like a basketball game than a football game. Seemed like both offences looked like they could easily move the ball around and score with every drive. Neither defence seemed to be able to make inroads into the opposition apart from those last couple of plays. Philly especially seemed to have huge amounts of space to move the ball about in or run it.

Commentary in the UK was massively biased towards the Pats. They way they were calling it you would have thought the Pats were steamrolling Philly and they were lucky to be in contention, and there was an obviously assumption that the Pats would win it on the last drive, no matter what happened.


It was a reasonable game, but I didn't think it was as good as the commentary team were saying.

 

[jmdirt]

Re:

I agree with those who said the game was kind of subdued, even though it was close. It was like we were all waiting for the last 3 minutes to see if Brady could pull the win out, or not. And this time it was just too much to ask of him, though he nearly did it.

Very happy for Nick Foles, who was all but discarded by the league when the Eagles were able to get Sam Bradford, and Nick didn't play so well for the Rams (under Jeff Fisher). He is under contract for next season, and I don't see the Eagles making any decision on him until training camp, at least, to see if Wentz is fully recovered from his ACL tear. But if Wentz is healthy, I don't see Foles taking his job. Then where does he go? Arizona is a good guess, and I'm sure he's be welcome there.

I don't see Brady retiring, Gronk either. I also think Belicheck will find a new AC and DC and the Pats will contend once again. But I have to agree, it's only a matter of time before Brady's age catches up to him. But he is coming off an MVP season, and just threw fro 500 yards and almost won yet another SB. So even if he just slips a little, he'll still probably be one of the best QB's in the league. The reason I don't think Belicheck is retiring is because both coordinators are leaving. If he were retiring, there would have been wind of it internally, and either McDaniels or Patrician would never have been thought of as leaving.

I can perhaps see a coaches decision not starting Malcom Butler if he pissed someone off, or had some vague illness, but once the Eagles started going after Eric Rowe in some situations, why not at least get Butler on the field in nickel packages, at least to make the Eagles think about him?? Dont’a Hightower, and former Pats Jamie Collins, Brandon Browner, and Alfonzo Dennard all said the same in so many words. Butler was upset after the game, but did Tweet later thanking the Pats as a team for giving him an opportunity in the NFL.

I have no idea why Cris Collinsworth, or anyone else questioned the Ertz catch. This is getting absurd at this point. Agree on the Clement catch, being close, but a catch. Props to the refs for sticking with the ruling on the field. Actually, I think the refs did an excellent job all game. Very few penalties, and no real problems. Just some close calls that in the end they got right, on the field.

As to next year's teams to watch, I think the Rams are definitely one of them, the Jags too, probably. Though they could fall back a little, it won't be that far. SF is another team that may not make a serious run next year, isn't far away. I'm curious what Josh McDaniels can do with a completely healthy Andrew Luck in Indy. Ignore rumors saying he'll stay in NE, unless Belicheck does retire, as I said above. Josh was too emotional when HC of Denver a few years back, but I think he's learned a lot since then.

The Chargers and the Saints are two teams that intrigue me in that they both have QBs nearing the end of their career, but who can still really play, with a lot of talented young players. The Saints were a whisker from going to Philly in the NFC championship. I also fully expect Malcom Butler to sign with the Saints in the off season. Similar about the Packers. They are loaded with talent, and will have Aaron Rodgers back. The Viks need to pick a QB, sign him, and move on. My guess is it's Bridgewater, unless he really isn't fully healthy.

One thought too is that we don't know how well Wentz will recover. I hope that he will be back to 100%, but who knows. Indy expected Luck to be back and we know how that went.

McDaniels might not be leaving...