National Football League

[jmdirt]

3-0 is a great start...0-3 is a terrible follow... 3-3 is doable IF SEA starts cleaning things up.

 

[Unchained]

3-0 is a great start...0-3 is a terrible follow... 3-3 is doable IF SEA starts cleaning things up.

Didn't watch 1st quarter. Was impressed by Geno Smith's ability to wiggle free when it looked like he would be crushed. He also was able to get rid of the ball without loss or intentional grounding calls!! When they announced late in the game there had been no sacks on either side, really surprised. Smith under pressure constantly, and ground game restricted w 49er players untouched in the backfield every play. Bad result for Seagulls, but Smith had them in the game for most of it.
Didn't see status of SF kicker as he looked to have shoulder issue.. Had a very bike racing look like his collar bone gave up

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Stefanski will eventually have to cut Watson or risk losing his job. Hard to say how Chubb will return when he does, That injury was bad. Browns would have done better with Flacco or Dalton and now they will have to draft a QB by the looks of it or hope another good one becomes available at the right time. Watson doesn't seem to be improving at all.

Stefanski won't be the one cutting him. It will have to come from the owner, Jimmy Haslem, who pushed for Watson in the first place. I'm not even sure Stefanski can bench Watson with how that team is run. Keep in mind Stefanski was the coach of the year last season for leading the team into the playoffs with Flacco. No one in their right mind is saying Stefanski is the problem. However, this owner may not be in his right mind, and expect some miracle worker coach to come in and "fix" Watson. Even though they tried that with new OC Ken Dorsey who supposedly came up with a new playbook tailored to Watson for this year.

Cutting Watson is a death sentence for the franchise through 2026. The cap hit and dead money are more than double what Denver is eating with the Wilson disaster. Some numbers, if I'm reading them correctly:

• They'll still have to pay Watson $72m for 2025, plus $72m through 2026, no matter what.
• This money will be over 25% of their entire salary base, going to just one guy, cut him or not.
• The dead cap money is staggering:
  • If they cut him now, it's a $200m hit.
  • If they cut him after the season, but before 6/1/25 June 1st, the cap hit is $172m.
  • If they wait until after 6/1, it's "only" $119m.
  • Even in that last "best case" scenario, since the salary cap is $272m, they would be looking at a glut of almost 44%. Meaning they'd have to form a team with a cap of just $153m.
  • These numbers are rigid, because the contract is 100% guaranteed.

So if they cut him, they have to release or trade/dump Garrett, Ward, Conklin, Bitonio and Cooper just to balance the budget. [Edit: Actually, looking at those guys contracts, I don't even think that would do it. They'd have to make deeper cuts than that.] They could however have a total fire sale, trade these players away for draft picks, and come away with a haul of picks for the next 3-4 years, allowing for a total rebuild. I don't think they'll do this though, they are that married to Watson.

So you can see how first the trade, then the signing, was the worst in sports history. Making it worse was the way the Browns, and GM Andrew Barry, kept restructuring the contract to back-load it, likely at the insistence at the owner. Even worse is considering the kind of person Watson is, the damage it's caused to their franchise, their brand, and their fanbase. Smart businessmen know when to admit mistakes, just rip the bandaid off and learn from it. Stupid ones refuse to admit anything, and just double down, triple down. Not the Browns.

My guess is also that the Browns will take Shedeur Sanders in the draft. It seems very much like a Browns thing to do.

 

[Unchained]

Stefanski won't be the one cutting him. It will have to come from the owner, Jimmy Haslem, who pushed for Watson in the first place. I'm not even sure Stefanski can bench Watson with how that team is run. Keep in mind Stefanski was the coach of the year last season for leading the team into the playoffs with Flacco. No one in their right mind is saying Stefanski is the problem. However, this owner may not be in his right mind, and expect some miracle worker coach to come in and "fix" Watson. Even though they tried that with new OC Ken Dorsey who supposedly came up with a new playbook tailored to Watson for this year.

Cutting Watson is a death sentence for the franchise through 2026. The cap hit and dead money are more than double what Denver is eating with the Wilson disaster. Some numbers, if I'm reading them correctly:

• They'll still have to pay Watson $72m for 2025, plus $72m through 2026, no matter what.
• This money will be over 25% of their entire salary base, going to just one guy, cut him or not.
• The dead cap money is staggering:
  • If they cut him now, it's a $200m hit.
  • If they cut him after the season, but before 6/1/25 June 1st, the cap hit is $172m.
  • If they wait until after 6/1, it's "only" $119m.
  • Even in that last "best case" scenario, since the salary cap is $272m, they would be looking at a glut of almost 44%. Meaning they'd have to form a team with a cap of just $153m.
  • These numbers are rigid, because the contract is 100% guaranteed.

So if they cut him, they have to release or trade/dump Garrett, Ward, Conklin, Bitonio and Cooper just to balance the budget. [Edit: Actually, looking at those guys contracts, I don't even think that would do it. They'd have to make deeper cuts than that.] They could however have a total fire sale, trade these players away for draft picks, and come away with a haul of picks for the next 3-4 years, allowing for a total rebuild. I don't think they'll do this though, they are that married to Watson.

So you can see how first the trade, then the signing, was the worst in sports history. Making it worse was the way the Browns, and GM Andrew Barry, kept restructuring the contract to back-load it, likely at the insistence at the owner. Even worse is considering the kind of person Watson is, the damage it's caused to their franchise, their brand, and their fanbase. Smart businessmen know when to admit mistakes, just rip the bandaid off and learn from it. Stupid ones refuse to admit anything, and just double down, triple down. Not the Browns.

My guess is also that the Browns will take Shedeur Sanders in the draft. It seems very much like a Browns thing to do.

I find it somewhat genius that agents for Watson have a contract that is completely separate from any NFL conduct standards. I believe in due process, I also believe in settlements and pardons, but the baggage that Watson has most certainly is a factor on the field, in the locker room, he is going to be a tough sell for a Campbell's soup commercial or all those feel good United Way NFL promos

 

[movingtarget]

Didn't watch 1st quarter. Was impressed by Geno Smith's ability to wiggle free when it looked like he would be crushed. He also was able to get rid of the ball without loss or intentional grounding calls!! When they announced late in the game there had been no sacks on either side, really surprised. Smith under pressure constantly, and ground game restricted w 49er players untouched in the backfield every play. Bad result for Seagulls, but Smith had them in the game for most of it.
Didn't see status of SF kicker as he looked to have shoulder issue.. Had a very bike racing look like his collar bone gave up

Dislocated shoulder and Mason has a shoulder AC sprain.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

JAX@CHI - Jaguars are almost "England's Team", playing there so often. Lawerence played better last week, but Caleb Williams has looked slightly better every week as well.
WAS@BAL - Now we'll see just how good Washington and Daniels are. Despite their 3-2 record the Ravens are inches from being 5-0.
TB@NO - If Tampa wins they improve to 4-2. The Saints started so hot, but have lost 3 in a row.
CLE@PHI - Both teams have problems, but I think the Eagles will get it together.
LAC@DEN - Two Oregon QBs, Herbert vs. Nix. I actually like the Broncos chances. Both teams have good defenses, but Denver and Nix have improved each week, a real surprise.
PIT@LV - Raiders starting O'Connell at QB. It will matter if they can protect him. A big IF.
DET@DAL - Last year the referees completely botched a call that cost the Lions. Do they remember?
CIN@NYG - I think the Bengals are finished already, but if the lose, they go to 1-5. Bengals are all offense, and should score enough.

BUF@NYJ - New coach, won't matter. Bills have been as uneven as the Saints, Eagles, 49ers, etc. But I'll take them to win here.

 

[movingtarget]

Giants have looked better on offense so has Jones. Think they will give the Bengals a game.
Lions got hosed in their last meeting with the Cowboys. Not this time I don't think.
Washington and Ravens could be the game of the round. Ravens by a few points.
Tampa should win with Carr out again.
Jags might do enough for another win.
Buffalo are up and down but the Jets have been worse.

 

[jmdirt]

It looks like a lot of young QBs are having good day/making good throws...I like it.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Bucs showed a lot of fight laying a 50 burger on the Saints. Rattler played okay at least.

Lions may do the same on the Cowboys. What a beatdown. Just an explosive offense. Fans in Dallas chanting "Jared Goff" was something. The Aiden Hutchinson injury was just gruesome.

The Texans are absolutely for real. Only loss was to the Vikings. Though they give up too many points, for now.

Ravens impressive in beating the Commanders. Their offense surprisingly efficient. If their D can get back to where they were last season, look out!

Packers and Love looked quite good as well.

Eagles did everything they could to lose to the Browns, but Cleveland refuses to win. Hasn't put up 20 points in game this season. Watson still completing just short screens, checkdowns.

Raiders a total mess. However, the NFL advisory board unanimously approved the partial sale to Tom Brady. But it would take even him a while to fix this team.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Wow, a lot of high scoring games this week, figures the one time I’m sleeping due to work. Bucs destroying the Saints how Brady dreamed he would, and the game looked like it’d be close at halftime till the Saints fell off the wagon. Lions with a huge win and revenge for last year.

 

[Nomad]

No Offense, No Defense, No ball security, no nothing for 3 1/2 quarters of the Broncos game. Spotting the Chargers 23 points, they finally made a game of it late in 4th coming up short. Didn't help that one of the best shutdown corners, Surtain II, left the game in the 1st qtr with a concussion. Herbert quickly took advantage throwing some nice strikes deep into the secondary. It's sad how that secondary falls apart without Surtain II. But the Broncos are 3-3 & nobody was expected this with breaking in a rookie QB. And Nix is looking good showcasing his agility & playmaking ability extending plays.

The disaster continues with Jacksonville losing big to the Bears now 1-5 & looking all but out of any playoff contention (of the 201 teams that started 1-5 since 1966, only four have made the playoffs). I would imagine if this nonsense continues over the next couple of weeks, either Lawrence will be benched or Pederson fired.

Sad state of affairs for the Raiders. What a poor product out there. Mark Davis should be ashamed to show his face at the games. The "Silver& Black" are now becoming the laughingstock of the league. Lol. Madden, Stabler, Lamonica, etc are all rolling over in their graves.

 

[Nomad]

The Aiden Hutchinson injury was just gruesome.

They're saying the injury is similar to the tibia fracture that Alex Smith had. Reports are that he had surgery as soon as he arrived at the hospital. Unbelievable that in one split second your season comes to a screeching halt on a routine play where he's done that pass rush technique probably hundreds of times.

View: https://youtu.be/aWo-ur71zvo?si=GJSt_Lyqv2Wb2c9x

 

[movingtarget]

Cowboys are who we thought they were against a good run offense. Dak was mediocre as well.

Polished win by the Ravens. Henry back to his best which makes the Ravens even better.

Good win by the Buccs in a very sloppy game. Buccs ran the ball well.

Bengals grab another much needed win

Good win by Green Bay. Cards had an off day.

 

[Unchained]

Nomad saw some of the same games I did obviously. Chargers at least stayed on message and tried as hard as possible to lose a slam dunk!!
Throughout was impressed with lots of long runs from scrimmage, unhappy to see a repeated similar injury from a low throw and receiver bent in half and all looked painful.
Detroit has got to be really really torn, won in style, but too high a cost. Bucs and Mayfield did a bunch of stuff right today.
New Jersey Giants had too many bent field goals. Jones is not NFL material, he almost looks like he is a robot doing all the correct moves just a half second too slow.
Dallas?
Eagles won but looked like turkeys doing it..
I really really hope that Buffalo NY Bills absolutely get another NJ Jets coach fired tomorrow, A dream would be Rodgers benched!! Let go Bills!!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The disaster continues with Jacksonville losing big to the Bears now 1-5 & looking all but out of any playoff contention (of the 201 teams that started 1-5 since 1966, only four have made the playoffs). I would imagine if this nonsense continues over the next couple of weeks, either Lawrence will be benched or Pederson fired.

It won't be Lawerence. Did you watch? I was up and watched, he played well for the 2nd week in a row. Even the play calling wasn't terrible, but it was a series of mistakes, and a porous defense that killed them, and that could eventually doom Pederson. But it may doom DC Ryan Nielson within a week or two. He may want to start looking for a flat in London figuring the Jaguars may not pay for his flight back.

Sad state of affairs for the Raiders. What a poor product out there. Mark Davis should be ashamed to show his face at the games. The "Silver& Black" are now becoming the laughingstock of the league. Lol. Madden, Stabler, Lamonica, etc are all rolling over in their graves.

Like I said, Tom Brady can't arrive and start making hard decisions fast enough.

Cowboys are who we thought they were against a good run offense. Dak was mediocre as well.

$60m a year, for this.

New Jersey Giants had too many bent field goals. Jones is not NFL material, he almost looks like he is a robot doing all the correct moves just a half second too slow.

They are stuck in a similar place as many other teams. Yes, he's not very good. But who are you going to get to replace him?

Hutchinson's leg break was not a compound fracture, like Alex Smith, Joe Thiesman. So that's "good" news. A quick search says very healthy, young people can heal in as little as 4 months. This may help Hutchinson dream he can return in time for a Super Bowl, if the Lions get there, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[Unchained]

It won't be Lawerence. Did you watch? I was up and watched, he played well for the 2nd week in a row. Even the play calling wasn't terrible, but it was a series of mistakes, and a porous defense that killed them, and that could eventually doom Pederson. But it may doom DC Ryan Nielson within a week or two. He may want to start looking for a flat in London figuring the Jaguars may not pay for his flight back.

Like I said, Tom Brady can't arrive and start making hard decisions fast enough.

$60m a year, for this.

They are stuck in a similar place as many other teams. Yes, he's not very good. But who are you going to get to replace him?

Hutchinson's leg break was not a compound fracture, like Alex Smith, Joe Thiesman. So that's "good" news. A quick search says very healthy, young people can heal in as little as 4 months. This may help Hutchinson dream he can return in time for a Super Bowl, if the Lions get there, but I wouldn't count on it.

Alpe, I only know the problems, not any answers!! But what I do trust is lots of professionals and if they say quality quarterback candidates are slim pickins' I am down for that..
Something in me has faith that Brock Purdy or grocery boy Kurt Warner types are out there if they can just crack the code..
I may have that day piled on to New Orleans' Rattler but the guy played pretty decent.. Dirt or someone said lots of light from young quarterbacks this week!! That's for sure..
Justin Fields probably talking himself to sleep asking why he waited so long..

 

[Nomad]

Hutchinson's leg break was not a compound fracture, like Alex Smith, Joe Thiesman. So that's "good" news. A quick search says very healthy, young people can heal in as little as 4 months. This may help Hutchinson dream he can return in time for a Super Bowl, if the Lions get there, but I wouldn't count on it.

Some of the initial reports yesterday were indicating a compound fracture. So, no compound fracture is very good news reducing the risk of infection. If you recall all Smith's problems was related to the post-op infection that almost resulted in a lower-leg amputation. Indeed great news for Hutchinson moving forward.

Aidan Hutchinson undergoes successful surgery after gruesome leg injury in win over Cowboys

Aidan Hutchinson has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Unchained]

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh to wear heart monitor for two weeks; no plan to miss games

 

[Nomad]

It won't be Lawerence. Did you watch? I was up and watched, he played well for the 2nd week in a row. Even the play calling wasn't terrible, but it was a series of mistakes, and a porous defense that killed them, and that could eventually doom Pederson. But it may doom DC Ryan Nielson within a week or two. He may want to start looking for a flat in London figuring the Jaguars may not pay for his flight back.

I think it could be Lawrence especially if they continue on this downwards spiral. And no, I didn't watch the game. I'm not getting up at 7:00 AM on a Sunday just watch a game - I'm just not that much of a diehard fan. Lol.

What I do know is the Jags only scored 15 pts while the Bears scored more then double that. No doubt the Jags have a bad defense - they're 30th in scoring defense (28.6). But the Ravens aren't much better at 26th (25.2). However, the Ravens are 4-2 because of much better offensive production than the Jags. The Ravens have the #2 scoring offense at 29.4 vs the Jags at only 21st (19.4). The Ravens are also #2 in total O vs #15 for the Jags.

Simply put the next "Peyton Manning" isn't putting enough points on the board to win games & compensate for their below-average defense. That's on him - he's got to find ways to score & win games. He's in charge of the offense. Jackson is getting it done with a less than stellar defense. You can't keep making excuses for these #1 OAs that are supposed produce & win games. Win or be benched.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Jets just got screwed by that DPI on a uncatchable ball.

 

[movingtarget]

Rodgers wants Mike Williams and Greg Zuerlein fired............

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Nice win for the Bills. Too many penalties by both teams. Not sure what's next for the Jets. They aren't going to bench Rodgers. But despite several good throws, and he'll forever be the king of the hail mary, they just didn't get it done on offense any more or less than with Saleh. A handful of opportunities, and they couldn't execute.

Something in me has faith that Brock Purdy or grocery boy Kurt Warner types are out there if they can just crack the code..

I think we'll see more of the Geno Smith, Sam Darnold type QBs rise up. Problem is, for every Geno Smith, there's also a Mitch Trubisky, who gets numerous chances and never shows improvement.

I also think there are young, back-up QBs out there who if in the right situation, might turn into a starting QB. The timing has to be the right amount of playing, sitting, and right team. Tyson Bagent comes to mind. Maybe Jake Haener. Since we're talking about the Giants, some people think Tommy DeVito, but I'm not sure he has it.

At some point a player from the UFL may end up playing, and surprising some people, similar to Warner. Adrien Martinez was MVP in the UFL and looked good playing for the Jets in the pre-season. But so did Luis Perez briefly playing for the Chargers, and they cut him anyway. So who knows?

Justin Fields probably talking himself to sleep asking why he waited so long..

He actually didn't look as good this week against the fairly weak Raiders. He didn't blow the game, but he played much better when they beat the Chargers, and Broncos. The Steelers play the Jets, then Giants. If they win both games, and they should, Fields will be in the driver's seat as the starter. But if he loses one game without playing really good, I can see him being benched for Wilson, who this week was not on the injury report, at all, and fully healthy. It will be interesting to see what Tomlin does. One thing to all of their credit, is Russ has been quiet as a mouse of late. I have a feeling Tomlin sat him down at one point and let him know flat out who was completely in charge, and if he heard any "Mr. Unlimited" or cooking type BS, Russ would find his ass on the bench, for a long time.

 

[movingtarget]

Be interested to see if Darnold can keep it going for the rest of the season. Meanwhile the Colts are getting more out of Flacco than the Browns are getting out of Watson ...........still........

 

[movingtarget]

Raiders trade WR Davante Adams to Jets for conditional third-round pick

 

[jmdirt]

Raiders trade WR Davante Adams to Jets for conditional third-round pick

Jets to the superbowl...oh wait, maybe not...