National Football League

[SHAD0W93]

Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely again. Thos doesn't look good for his chances of NFL allowing him to come back again.

Weiterleitungshinweis

 

[Koronin]

Drew Brees just set the TD record.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

It looked like the Niners weren't that focussed today and the Falcons took advantage. Now back to 5th Seed, bc the Seahawks somehow got away with a win in another game they could have lost. It's crazy. Seattle is 5 plays away from being 6-8, while 3 plays are missing for the Niners to go 14-0. Not saying this should actually be their record, obviously not, but the differences in luck between some teams are staggering.
Today it came down to 2-3 inches between TD and being short.

This is very true. But, there's a reason why SEA has all the "luck". It's name is Russ Wilson, who is arguably the best QB in the league in clutch situations. Even when he plays badly, he is unflappable and often pulls the rabbit out of the hat. Get this: he has one of the worst OL's for pass blocking (tho decent in run blocking), he does not have elite weapons at WR, tho he does have a good RB in Carson, he's got one of the worst defenses in the league. So how does he do it all the time? Any positive factors at the QB position, he's got, including the IT factor. If the game is close at the end, my money's on Wilson to pull it out, most of the time.

Some big games coming up next week. Should be fun.

 

[movingtarget]

This is very true. But, there's a reason why SEA has all the "luck". It's name is Russ Wilson, who is arguably the best QB in the league in clutch situations. Even when he plays badly, he is unflappable and often pulls the rabbit out of the hat. Get this: he has one of the worst OL's for pass blocking (tho decent in run blocking), he does not have elite weapons at WR, tho he does have a good RB in Carson, he's got one of the worst defenses in the league. So how does he do it all the time? Any positive factors at the QB position, he's got, including the IT factor. If the game is close at the end, my money's on Wilson to pull it out, most of the time.

Some big games coming up next week. Should be fun.

Who would want to be a Rams fan ? They made Russell and the Hawks look ordinary and then get slaughtered by the Cowboys with everything to play for. I think Seattle is more than just Wilson but he gets all of the attention.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

What a statement game by New Orleans defense. Brees looked masterful setting that record. So, is he better than Brady? The best QB ever? Maybe?

I'd agree with that about Wilson and Seattle.

Sad about Gordon. Anyone know what he was busted for? He wasn't the star WR in Seattle, but losing him can't help.

 

[SHAD0W93]

What a statement game by New Orleans defense. Brees looked masterful setting that record. So, is he better than Brady? The best QB ever? Maybe?

I'd agree with that about Wilson and Seattle.

Sad about Gordon. Anyone know what he was busted for? He wasn't the star WR in Seattle, but losing him can't help.

It was a good win all around for Saints. Brees is definitely a great that has been let down by his team multiple times but every great quarterback has benefits and disadvantages from the team they are in. It'll be interesting if Brees can pass Brady for total career touchdowns.

Nothing official the only thing I have seen is; for violating PEDs and substance abuse rules, and that he knew the ban might be coming. So that could be why Patriots moved on.

 

[The Hitch]

Rodgers sounds a little miffed that the sports media generally don't see GB as possible SB winners with their record. That said, a lot of the NFC playoffs will probably be played like SB games as the teams are pretty close talent and record wise. I still think the Ravens will win the AFC but I think the gap has narrowed from a few weeks ago. The Chiefs are looking better, the Bills are solid and as usual the real query is how the Patriots will go in three weeks time. their offense doesn't seem to be improving much and with the recent opposition it's hard to tell. The Texans game set the alarm bells ringing but they have the ability to do that on the day and then fall in a hole the next week which they did. Same with the Cowboys form. A few teams have crushed the Rams this season including the Buccs who put 55 on them, but then they beat the Hawks. I put the Rams ahead of the Browns but they are similar teams with talent on the squad but incredibly inconsistent. How the Browns thrashed the Ravens is a mystery. Rodgers is right about not many people picking Green Bay. All the talk seems to be about the Saints, Hawks and 49ers in the NFC. The two beat downs by the Chargers and 49ers made GB look pretty brittle to me and Rodgers was awful in both games. The Vikings are also not being talked about much but I don't see either team making it to the SB.

For me it was even earlier that i saw flaws in GB. They got beaten at home by the Eagles, on Thursday night where the home team has an even bigger advantage.

And then 1 week later I think, an average Lions squad outplayed them in GB and they needed the refs to pull out a dubious win for them.

I always had a soft spot for GB because I felt Rodgers was a perfect example of how the team is responsible for a teams success and not just the qb.
I mean even something as simple as a coin toss. 2 years in a row Rodgers was eliminated from the playoffs when GB was a big threat because the other team won the coin toss for overtime and scored. He could do nothing. In 2014 it was even worse because, well in every alternative universe GB win that game.
Meanwhile Brady won the coin-toss in SB 51 and he got the ball.

But despite this, I don't have much respect for this GB team this year compared to the other teams with that record. The beat-downs by the Chargers and 9ers afterwards showed this even more.

With Rodgers they are of course capable of upsetting good teams in the playoffs.

As I understand it, even if Vikings beat them this week, the Packers will get the division win and with it the 3 seed or maybe even 2 seed, because they hold the tiebreaker for some reason.

I mean lets see how that game goes first. Its not outside the realm of possibility that they do become a force for the playoffs. But they are imo fortunate to be where they are so far.

 

[Nomad]

True! Well, do that and they are in great shape going into the playoffs anyway. But teams rarely back into the playoffs and do well. Having said that, all of their losses this year have been close, and at times they have looked superb on both sides of the ball. They were also banged up at times this year (including yesterday). If they heal up enough, this team is stacked and prime to make a deep playoff run.

Kirk Cousins by any stat is a very good QB, or no stat at all. He has an excellent arm. he's currently 3rd in the league in passer rating at 111.1. Some pundits don't like that stat, so looking at ESPN's QBR he's 8th (7th if you remove Stafford). Ironically, QBR is supposed to diminish the importance of perceived "padded" numbers, but Dak Prescott is 3rd, and his games seem like many were padded. So Cousins isn't too bad for an overpaid guy who can't win games for you (according to some talking heads).

These were all before the draft, or very early in his NFL career. Bill Pollian was one, saying he'd make a better receiver (he quickly admitted he was completely wrong once Lamar started to play). There were others: https://bleacherreport.com/articles...kson-will-not-be-able-to-play-qb-at-pro-level

First, I don't believe much of what Colin Cowherd says. While I find him entertaining at times, and he does his research and love sports, his opinions are so often spectacularly wrong, but asserted as if he had insight that was factual or highly likely, thus focusing anything he says on him, inflating his own ego. He is right though about Baker needing to keep his mouth shut a little more.

Baker Mayfield is a coaching issue as much as anything in my opinion. Freddie Kitches is not head coach material, and promoting him to that to that level was a big mistake by the Browns. His team is undisciplined, lacks focus and consistency, and Mayfield's play is often a result of that. This is not to imply that had the Browns kept Gregg Williams (bigger on discipline), or managed to lure Lincoln Riley, the team would be headed to a 13-3 season with Mayfield looking like the next Peyton Manning. Mayfield needs work, but he needs a better HC, the whole team does. I expect the Browns to fire Kitchens and make a pedal-to-the-metal push to get Riley to be their head coach next season. That is, if Riley says he's interested.

Josh Allen has actually improved steadily in his career so far. He has the strongest arm in the league, and makes some throws few others can make, plus he's athletic and moves well runs well without being a running QB. He made way too many mistakes last year, and at the start of this year, but he's playing better and looks like he still has a bright future.

Sam Darnold has at times looked like a future starting QB who could take a team to the playoffs, to a struggling player who can't handle the speed or athleticism of the NFL. One game/drive/play he plays like Andrew Luck, the next he plays like Paxton Lynch. How will he fare, and how the Jets fair in 2020 I think will determine his future more than this season.

I'm not sure what to make of Josh Rosen just yet. He barely played last year on a horrible Arizona team, and was then traded to a nearly as bad Miami team. Both season's he barely played at all. When he did, he was certainly sub par. What I have seen from him he seems to have an issue pulling the trigger, seeing the first few options, taking and making the best throw. Curious where he ends up next year, if the Fins take a QB in the draft. They are going to end up with the 4th or 5th pick, and Justin Herbert has the makings of a starting NFL QB. Would Miami take him then, and jettison Rosen? I could see that.

Having just typed all, that, there is no question Lamar Jackson was the best QB taken in that draft, maybe the best player (pancake monster Quenton Nelson probably takes that spot) . He's an amazing athlete, great with his arm in addition to his legs, and on his way to the MVP in my opinion. Russell Wilson closing out the season with big wins with his arm could sway judges his way though, especially if Jackson doesn't play a lot or doesn't push things the rest of the way and the Ravens sit him in week 17.

GM John Dorsey is crediting Kitchens with Mayfield's 2nd half success in his rookie season and the team's turnaround from the previous 0-16 season - that's why he was promoted from OC to HC in the first place. And Mayfield also wanted him as HC and Mayfield gets what he wants. Lol. This is Dorsey's first hire as a HC and I would be surprised if he's fired (egg on Dorsey's face) but AZ did fire Wilks after one year so maybe you'll be right. Nonetheless, with all that offensive talent surrounding Mayfield, the offense should be averaging 40 pts a game and the team playoff bound. Mayfield is not a franchise QB, IMO.

Good points on Allen. Buffalo has turned it around big time in just Allen's 2nd yr. This is exactly what owners want to see when they invest so much in a 1st round high draft pick franchise QB. (7th).

Darnold couldn't do it his second full season at the helm. Just face it- the Jets are a bad team - no playoffs since 2010. Gase is supposed to be an offensive minded guru and we haven't seen anything with his Darnold led offense. His HC record is terrible at 28-34 with one good 10-6 season at Miami. Barring injury or illness, it's make or break time for Darnold & Gase next year. Keep in mind that Darnold was the 3rd OA pick and some draft experts had him at the #1 OA. His rookie contract is near identical to Mayfield's.

Rosen did start virtually his entire rookie season. Recall Bradford was the starter and got injured in the 3rd game (imagine that. Lol). So, Rosen started the following week for a total of 13 games. He was 3-10 and the team ended up at 3-13 which pissed off ownership because this was the worst team record in franchise history. So, Wilks is booted and Rosen is basically given away to Miami (traded for a late 2nd rd pick & 2020 5th rd pick).

When people say it's not about wins with QBs, it is in this situation throwing out a 1st rd, high draft pick QB that you trade up to get after just one season for reasons other than non-football related matters. I've never heard of anything like this before. Even Paxton Lynch, as terrible as he was, got 2 yrs at Denver. The Cardinals spent almost $33 mil on 3 QBs in 2018 - Bradford, Rosen, Glennon - who are no longer on the roster! Man, they better hope they hit it big next year with the Kingsbury & Murray show or the fans should start questioning the sanity of that organization.

But as I said, Rosen is bonafide bust - couldn't beat out Fitzy. Then Fitzy isn't producing any results by mid-season and Rosen gets to start 3 games and goes 0-3 and finds himself back holding a clipboard. Now Flores says this about the QB situation with 2 meaningless games left:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article237837164.html

"Asked if he wants to see Rosen in one of the final two games, Flores indicated that’s not a priority."

“We will always do what we feel is in the best interests of this team and play the guy that gives us the best chance to win; we feel that’s Ryan,” Flores said. “It’s [been] that way for the last 8 to 10 weeks.”

Sounds like Rosen may not be part of Miami's future (and there's some pre-draft chatter that Miami might take Tua!).

And there's that word "win" again.

 

[movingtarget]

What a statement game by New Orleans defense. Brees looked masterful setting that record. So, is he better than Brady? The best QB ever? Maybe?

I'd agree with that about Wilson and Seattle.

Sad about Gordon. Anyone know what he was busted for? He wasn't the star WR in Seattle, but losing him can't help.

When the Colts beat the Chiefs convincingly I thought they were turning the corner but have gone backwards ever since. Not sure what their injury situation is like. Detroit also looked quite good earlier in the year then fell to pieces. Gordon suspension might be drug related again ?

 

[SHAD0W93]

Brissett and Hilton were both injured for awhile and Brissett hasn't been the same missing passes etc.

The only articles I have seen about Gordon are for violating PEDs and substance abuse policies and allegedly he knew a ban was possible.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I always had a soft spot for GB because I felt Rodgers was a perfect example of how the team is responsible for a teams success and not just the qb. I mean even something as simple as a coin toss. 2 years in a row Rodgers was eliminated from the playoffs when GB was a big threat because the other team won the coin toss for overtime and scored. He could do nothing. In 2014 it was even worse because, well in every alternative universe GB win that game.

I'm going to argue 2011 was worse, simply because of the way it ended. They started the season 13-0. Then, after an upset loss to the Chiefs, decided to coast into the playoffs, resting many players, mostly on offense. Rodgers had not played for over three weeks when they faced the Giants in the divisional game, a team they had beaten in New York a month earlier. The Giants were playing well, and the Packers fell completely flat. Their defense looked tired, and their highly prolific offense looked completely out of sync and rusty, with receivers dropping a season high 9 passes from Rodgers, thus ending a season where they went 15-1.

I agree with you on them this year. There's talk of Seattle eeking out games and how they could be a .500 team at this point, but I'd say the same about the Packers. The difference is that several of Seattle's wins have been impressive, gut it out, clutch wins. Green Bay? Not really.

I'll say as I did before, in the playoffs, in every overtime each team should be able to get the ball once. The NFL first implemented this OT rule when they changed OT rules, the coup de gras was that 2009 playoff game where the Peyton Manning led Colts lost a playoff game in OT to the Chargers, and Manning was seen on the sidelines, helpless, as the Colts never saw the ball in OT. The following season the rule was changed to how it should be in the playoffs, with both teams offense getting the ball once (unless there's a defensive score that wins the game). Two years later they changed it to where if the first team in OT gets a TD, the game is over. I'm fine with that in the regular season, but not in the playoffs.

GM John Dorsey is crediting Kitchens with Mayfield's 2nd half success in his rookie season...

As an offensive coordinator, with Gregg Williams (more "business" and disciplinary) as HC. I'm not implying Gregg should be their HC, only that Freddie greatly benefited from that, and has been promoted in a classic Peter Principle manner to his level of incompetence. He's not terrible, but he was a great RB/assistant coach and good OC, not a good HC, not for this team, and not for Baker as a HC. My gut tells me as well when Lincoln Riley said he wasn't interested in coaching in the NFL last year, Cleveland's top choice vanished, giving Freddie the job.

Let me be clear, I don't see Cleveland up and canning Freddie on black Monday unless they know they can get Riley next season. League rules prevent them from any kind of business talk about that, but nothing can prevent them from speaking, and this has happened many times in the past. Pete Caroll to Seattle, Jon Gruden back in Oakland, etc. If Riley really wants to coach in the NFL, and he Dorsey and Jimmy Haslam and the Johnson's talk and get along, I can see it happening quickly. If Riley isn't interested, then Freddie has a chance of sticking around. It may require a lot of conversations about what went wrong, and how to fix it, but they could keep him.

A similar situation could happen with Urban Meyer in Washington. Haskins played under him at OSU, and played very well. Plus, Alex Smith played under him in Utah, and Alex has future QB coach written all over him.

As to Baker, he definitely needs work, I do not dispute that at all. He makes way too many mistakes. I just wouldn't completely close the book on him just yet.

Good points on Allen. Buffalo has turned it around big time in just Allen's 2nd yr. This is exactly what owners want to see when they invest so much in a 1st round high draft pick franchise QB. (7th).

I'm going to dig my post up in about 5 years. I believe when we get to the year 2025 the one QB from this draft who will be the closest thing to a star at that time will be Allen. I wasn't one of the ones who said Cleveland should take him first in that draft, but early into his first season, heck even the pre-season, you could see his potential, it was most apparent in a big win over the Vikings. Not just the rocket launcher arm, but able to look across the field, move around well, and run if necessary. He was only making too many errant decisions and throws, but he's slowly but surly cut that down quite a bit. Josh is playing well now, and still has a great deal of upside, and he's just 23 years old.

When people say it's not about wins with QBs, it is in this situation throwing out a 1st rd, high draft pick QB that you trade up to get after just one season for reasons other than non-football related matters. I've never heard of anything like this before. Even Paxton Lynch, as terrible as he was, got 2 yrs at Denver. The Cardinals spent almost $33 mil on 3 QBs in 2018 - Bradford, Rosen, Glennon - who are no longer on the roster!

Yes, crazy!

I don't think Miami will take Tua. I think he's going to fall in the draft further than the 4th or 5th pick (where Miami is likely to pick). But Justin Herbert looks like a pro QB, and I could easily see Miami taking him then, dumping Rosen, and keeping Fitz around, with the expectation that if Herbert doesn't start week 1, it doesn't take long before Fitz is benched and the team belongs to Herbert. But it's still just December, so who knows?

It is however super obvious that Burrow is going #1 to Cincinnati. I'm not going to say he'll be a star there, or even have a great rookie season, but he will most definitely give them a fresh start, and yes, start from week 1 next season, with Dalton gone.

 

[jmdirt]

RE: Josh G

On one hand I want to say who cares about football, I just hope he gets his life sorted out, but the reality is that football will likely be part of figuring it out. I feel like the SEA organization could help (and might), but hopefully the NFL doesn't just cut him off. BUT, the bottom line is that I hope he can get 'right' whatever that looks like.

 

[jmdirt]

I just did a quick scan of the pro bowl roster, and I'll think more about it later, but HTH did A Rodge make it? Statistically is he even in the top half of QBs this year, and he fails the eye test too. He is still A Rodge and can pull stuff out, but he is not a pro bowl QB this year.

EDIT: Cousin is better than Rodgers this year...

 

[BullsFan22]

I just did a quick scan of the pro bowl roster, and I'll think more about it later, but HTH did A Rodge make it? Statistically is he even in the top half of QBs this year, and he fails the eye test too. He is still A Rodge and can pull stuff out, but he is not a pro bowl QB this year.

EDIT: Cousin is better than Rodgers this year...

The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest. The Seahawks only have two players named, Wagner and Wilson. The Ravens have 12, which is a record.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest. The Seahawks only have two players named, Wagner and Wilson. The Ravens have 12, which is a record.

I agree with this and jmdirt's take. Pro Bowl (&MVP for that matter) are superfluous.

 

[jmdirt]

The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest. The Seahawks only have two players named, Wagner and Wilson. The Ravens have 12, which is a record.

Absolutely. All Pro is also kinda fake too, BUT...

 

[SHAD0W93]

I agree with this and jmdirt's take. Pro Bowl (&MVP for that matter) are superfluous.

Same with the NFL top 100 players.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

RE: Josh G

On one hand I want to say who cares about football, I just hope he gets his life sorted out, but the reality is that football will likely be part of figuring it out. I feel like the SEA organization could help (and might), but hopefully the NFL doesn't just cut him off. BUT, the bottom line is that I hope he can get 'right' whatever that looks like.

Pretty good read here about the respect for Josh as a person and teammate, etc. https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...rdon-suspension-means-seahawks-outlook-season
So I hope he gets everything back on track. I'm not hopeful though because "can't make a horse drink", right? As to his future in the NFL, it's been said by a former player (Schlererth) that indefinite means permanent. But that's not necessarily true because Josh has been suspended indefinitely before and made it back to the NFL. It would be nice if Seattle could help him, but I'm not sure he can be around their facility.

On different note, he should be able to stay out of trouble with the law if he chooses to live in:

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Presuming Gordon's only problem is weed (is that a "problem" for him? For how many people? I wonder.) If so, I still contend it's absurd that the NFL tests, let alone punishes players for using it. The NHL is somewhat vague on their testing and don't really punish anyone they catch using, the NBA just loosened their rules in testing, MLS testing is vague but they don't report anyone they "catch" using it, MLB has given up on reporting or penalizing anyone for using it (they do test, and if they see an issue, may act to help with counsling for the athlete), this including the minor leagues, which used to be very strict. Football is a far more physically demanding sport than any of those (save maybe Hockey). It's also obviously not a PED, but a scientifically accepted remedy for pain (and a host of other things). Here's a quote from Martellus Bennet, former NFL tight end.

“There are times of the year where your body just hurts so bad…You don’t want to be popping pills all the time. There are anti-inflammatory drugs you take so long that they start to eat at your liver, kidneys and things like that. A human-made that. God made weed.”

As to that map, this is really a political issue I suppose, but I didn't realize there were that many states that denied it for medical use, or any states. That seems almost cruel to me. We're talking people with issues like AIDS, cancer, MS, glaucoma and a host of other painful, awful things.

Sorry, back to football. I noticed after Monday's near perfect performance Drew Brees going 29 of 30, resulting in the completion-percentage record for one game, plus the 4 TD's and no ints, he talked about the one pass he didn't complete, telling Lisa Salters, "that one may haunt me for a little bit", which sounds like he's joking, except he wasn't. Is that incredible dedication? Or obsessive perfectionism? Both?!

Drew Brees says his one incompletion against Colts will 'haunt me for a little while'

The Saints quarterback broke the NFL's all-time record for passing TDs on Monday, while also finishing 29 for 30

www.cbssports.com

Just a reminder no Thursday games this week, but three games on Saturday. HOU@TB, BUF@NE, and LAR@SF. All could be good.

 

[BullsFan22]

Presuming Gordon's only problem is weed (is that a "problem" for him? For how many people? I wonder.) If so, I still contend it's absurd that the NFL tests, let alone punishes players for using it. The NHL is somewhat vague on their testing and don't really punish anyone they catch using, the NBA just loosened their rules in testing, MLS testing is vague but they don't report anyone they "catch" using it, MLB has given up on reporting or penalizing anyone for using it (they do test, and if they see an issue, may act to help with counsling for the athlete), this including the minor leagues, which used to be very strict. Football is a far more physically demanding sport than any of those (save maybe Hockey). It's also obviously not a PED, but a scientifically accepted remedy for pain (and a host of other things). Here's a quote from Martellus Bennet, former NFL tight end.

“There are times of the year where your body just hurts so bad…You don’t want to be popping pills all the time. There are anti-inflammatory drugs you take so long that they start to eat at your liver, kidneys and things like that. A human-made that. God made weed.”

As to that map, this is really a political issue I suppose, but I didn't realize there were that many states that denied it for medical use, or any states. That seems almost cruel to me. We're talking people with issues like AIDS, cancer, MS, glaucoma and a host of other painful, awful things.

Sorry, back to football. I noticed after Monday's near perfect performance Drew Brees going 29 of 30, resulting in the completion-percentage record for one game, plus the 4 TD's and no ints, he talked about the one pass he didn't complete, telling Lisa Salters, "that one may haunt me for a little bit", which sounds like he's joking, except he wasn't. Is that incredible dedication? Or obsessive perfectionism? Both?!

Drew Brees says his one incompletion against Colts will 'haunt me for a little while'

The Saints quarterback broke the NFL's all-time record for passing TDs on Monday, while also finishing 29 for 30

www.cbssports.com

Just a reminder no Thursday games this week, but three games on Saturday. HOU@TB, BUF@NE, and LAR@SF. All could be good.

Those games will be tense. A lot riding for all teams, except the Bucs, who were eliminated from playoff contention a while back. They've been playing well though almost since they had little to no shot. They've had nothing to lose, and perhaps that's why they are on a roll, playing loose. They'd like to keep that going, I imagine. The Texans are in a very tight divisional race with the Titans and also looking to improve their seeding for the playoffs.

The Bills vs Pats game will be good too. The Bills may have had the benefit of an 'easy' schedule, but they've took advantage of it and also beat good (if not inconsistent) teams like the Cowboys and Steelers. Being in New England, you have to give the Pats the edge, but I think much of the country will be happy to see the Bills beating the Pats and setting up a crucial week 17 game against the Jets. Now even if the Pats haven't looked as good as they have in previous years, and Brady has been mediocre for much of the season, it's hard for me to see how they'll stumble and lose their final two games (both at home) and lose the division. I'll be happy for the Bills if they can snatch the division on the final day.

The Rams vs Niners will be fascinating as well. The Rams, apart from the drubbing they received from the Cowboys, have played well the second half of the season, while the Niners are 3-3 after starting the season 8-0. Their defense hasn't been as impressive the last few weeks, and this being a divisional game with the Rams fighting for their playoff lives and the Niners for the division, the #1 seed and a first round bye, it'll be intense. The loss to the Seahawks really kind of exposed the Niners, and that crazy loss against the surging (it must be said) Falcons must have shaken up their confidence. That's a pick em' if you ask me.

 

[jmdirt]

Presuming Gordon's only problem is weed (is that a "problem" for him? For how many people? I wonder.) If so, I still contend it's absurd that the NFL tests, let alone punishes players for using it. The NHL is somewhat vague on their testing and don't really punish anyone they catch using, the NBA just loosened their rules in testing, MLS testing is vague but they don't report anyone they "catch" using it, MLB has given up on reporting or penalizing anyone for using it (they do test, and if they see an issue, may act to help with counsling for the athlete), this including the minor leagues, which used to be very strict. Football is a far more physically demanding sport than any of those (save maybe Hockey). It's also obviously not a PED, but a scientifically accepted remedy for pain (and a host of other things). Here's a quote from Martellus Bennet, former NFL tight end.

“There are times of the year where your body just hurts so bad…You don’t want to be popping pills all the time. There are anti-inflammatory drugs you take so long that they start to eat at your liver, kidneys and things like that. A human-made that. God made weed.”

As to that map, this is really a political issue I suppose, but I didn't realize there were that many states that denied it for medical use, or any states. That seems almost cruel to me. We're talking people with issues like AIDS, cancer, MS, glaucoma and a host of other painful, awful things.

Sorry, back to football. I noticed after Monday's near perfect performance Drew Brees going 29 of 30, resulting in the completion-percentage record for one game, plus the 4 TD's and no ints, he talked about the one pass he didn't complete, telling Lisa Salters, "that one may haunt me for a little bit", which sounds like he's joking, except he wasn't. Is that incredible dedication? Or obsessive perfectionism? Both?!

Drew Brees says his one incompletion against Colts will 'haunt me for a little while'

The Saints quarterback broke the NFL's all-time record for passing TDs on Monday, while also finishing 29 for 30

www.cbssports.com

Just a reminder no Thursday games this week, but three games on Saturday. HOU@TB, BUF@NE, and LAR@SF. All could be good.

If JG's "crime" is just weed, I take back everything from my previous post about him because IMO weed is not a 'problem' that he needs to overcome. Adults should be able to make their own decisions about how to deal with things...the NFL lets players booze all they want, pop pills all they want... May I present Brett Favre as the first poster child for that (not the actual first by any stretch though).

I hate the Saturday games on NFL network (used to be on ESPN) because I don't pay for cable!

Has anyone else noticed that our post count has been frozen for a while now? At Thanksgiving time I was near 3998, and now I'm near 3,998.. I only noticed because I was thinking 'wow 4,000 post...what a waste of time!'

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Maybe this s/b in the dog thread, but, well, Gardner Minshew mania is back!

 

[movingtarget]

Those games will be tense. A lot riding for all teams, except the Bucs, who were eliminated from playoff contention a while back. They've been playing well though almost since they had little to no shot. They've had nothing to lose, and perhaps that's why they are on a roll, playing loose. They'd like to keep that going, I imagine. The Texans are in a very tight divisional race with the Titans and also looking to improve their seeding for the playoffs.

The Bills vs Pats game will be good too. The Bills may have had the benefit of an 'easy' schedule, but they've took advantage of it and also beat good (if not inconsistent) teams like the Cowboys and Steelers. Being in New England, you have to give the Pats the edge, but I think much of the country will be happy to see the Bills beating the Pats and setting up a crucial week 17 game against the Jets. Now even if the Pats haven't looked as good as they have in previous years, and Brady has been mediocre for much of the season, it's hard for me to see how they'll stumble and lose their final two games (both at home) and lose the division. I'll be happy for the Bills if they can snatch the division on the final day.

The Rams vs Niners will be fascinating as well. The Rams, apart from the drubbing they received from the Cowboys, have played well the second half of the season, while the Niners are 3-3 after starting the season 8-0. Their defense hasn't been as impressive the last few weeks, and this being a divisional game with the Rams fighting for their playoff lives and the Niners for the division, the #1 seed and a first round bye, it'll be intense. The loss to the Seahawks really kind of exposed the Niners, and that crazy loss against the surging (it must be said) Falcons must have shaken up their confidence. That's a pick em' if you ask me.

Rams are out of the playoffs, they had to win last week. The final two games should give some indication of whether the 49ers are on the downward path. The Falcons game was very sloppy. Leading by 10 they should have put the game away but they went back to their old style of dropping easy catches and turning over the ball. If they lose both games no one will want them in the playoffs although both games are divisional rivals. Rams have looked better but shouldn't be getting blown out by the Cowboys, a 7-7 team in a weak division especially when they still had a chance at that stage for a playoff spot.

Not sure about the Hawks exposing the Niners. If they kicked the FG they would have won. Niners and Seattle is always a hard fought game although the Hawks in recent times have a much better record. Niners beat them last year with a back up QB. Niners have to learn to close out the close games but kickers these days tend to fold under pressure it seems. Some critical injuries also haven't helped them on defense over the past month and they are short of another quality receiver. They have some good young WR's who are not reliable at the moment. Without Sanders and Kittle their offense would be in big trouble. Luckily Mostert has stpped up at RB also.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I like the Saturday games because I don't have work though will have to watch on my phone.

 

[Nomad]

I like the Saturday games because I don't have work though will have to watch on my phone.

Dak limited in practice with a right shoulder injury:

Weiterleitungshinweis

"Dak banged up his shoulder early on in the game, so he’ll be somewhat limited in practice,” Garrett said. “They did an MRI and everything seems to be OK. But he just banged it up and it’s hard for him to function right now. So we don’t anticipate him throwing much in practice.”

"During the portion of practice open to the media, Prescott stretched with the team—using his left arm to stretch each quad—and tossed passes to running back Ezekiel Elliott with his left hand. Prescott then watched as backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Clayton Thorson threw to receivers during their pat-and-go drill. Prescott, who has never missed a practice or game in four years since Dallas drafted him, did not throw. After the session, the quarterbacks eschewed their usual drills to huddle with quarterbacks coach Jon Kitna."

"Everything seems to be OK?"...but yet "it's hard for him to function right now?"

Doesn't sound "OK" if he couldn't throw the ball at all in practice. We'll have see what the trainers do with that shoulder come Sunday. Less than 100% on a throwing shoulder could be a factor.

Everything is on the line for Dallas - win and the division title is theirs. Lose and not only do they need to beat the Skins the following week but they would need the Eagles to lose against the Giants.