National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think your idea of Battle of the Network Stars is a good one. They already call this "The Pro Bowl Games". As there is no Pro Bowl. Really they are one step from making it a total social media event and party. Not too different than Pro's vs. Joes. In fact, they actually could find b-level actors and social media people who played some ball in high school, and have a few pro's out there teaching them how to toss a football through a tire. Or like when Vinateri coached Gronk to kick a FG for a beer commercial. It's almost at that level now.

I will admit a few of the skills events are okay. I like seeing the linemen for example. Dodgeball is kind of lame. The flag football game two years ago was entertaining. Came down to the end with a couple wild plays, and mild controversy. Last year I think they had more than one flag football game, making it confusing, and I don't even remember either game being interesting. Or whatever they did.

 

[Nomad]

Not really, you can see a clear decline every year for the chiefs offense the last 3 seasons as well as getting more players that continue to commit penalties. For a big culprit I think they got so used to Mahomes making magic with his legs and penalties going their way they thought they could continue the run for the foreseeable future. Reid and the offense have been stale for years and they keep doing the same plays. The also didn’t follow Belichick’s philosophy of cutting players before it’s too late, take Jones and Kelce. They weren’t playing at their high level anymore and actively harming the team across multiple games. Their upsides weren’t overcoming the down. Me personally I thought they’d have a better record due to the defense and special teams continuing to carry them.

This season the defense and special teams finally couldn’t overcome and carry the poor to average offense anymore while they stopped getting game changing penalties going their way.

When they lost to the Bengals the offense was still playing average to elite and the following season their defense and special teams started getting better.

Mahomes coming back from injury will be a mystery till we see him. They need to change up their play calls, get a physical WR/TE, and maybe a better running back. The fact the GM chose not to get Breece Hall was dumb af. But the chiefs passing attack hasn’t been good making it easier to stop the run and I don’t think EB coming back helps them at all. If able, a great pickup would be AJ Brown. Defenses wouldn’t be able to cover the speed of Thornton or Worthy, physicality of Brown, footwork of Juju and H Brown in the slot, or Mahomes running out of the backfield.

You make some excellent points but I think the clear decline in his performance was exhibited this season. He had career lows in passer rating & comp pct. His "89.6" passer rating was unprecedented as he's never gone under 90 in his career. Furthermore, he had only one 4Q/GWD comebacks (vs Indy) -- another career low. And all but one of his losses were one score games.

Last season (2024) Mahomes was as good as he's ever been, IMO. He recorded a career high eight (8) 4Q/GWD comebacks -- 7 in the regular season & the big one in the AFCCG vs Allen. Though he didn't have the huge 5000 yd & 40 TDs passing performance that he's had in year's past, he was winning games at clutch time with his playmaking skills.

Patrick Mahomes's Career 4th quarter comebacks and game-winning drives | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Patrick Mahomes Career 4th quarter comebacks for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

At the end of the day Mahomes is a bigger version of Steve Young. The only difference is Young was running & scrambling exclusively under center in the 9er's WC offense while Mahomes is primarily doing it in a shotgun-centric pro/spread offense. If they had the QB Tier rating system back then, Young would be Tier 1 for all his career. Mahomes has been Tier 1 for all his career as a full-time starter (he only started one game his rookie yr).

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6514160/2025/08/11/nfl-qb-rankings-tiers-2025-jackson-daniels/

And you bring up a great point on the uncertainty of how well Mahomes comes back from this injury (Mahomes has never had an injury of this magnitude in his playing career). Young never had a major injury in his career & played at high level way into his late 30s. Mahomes will not only have to deal with the physical aspect of his surgical-repaired knee holding up to the stress of his running & scrambling style, but the mental aspect of not getting the knee re-injured on another hard tackle

 

[Nomad]

Bills' Josh Allen expects to be ready for OTAs after foot surgery

Bills quarterback Josh Allen says he expects to be ready for OTAs after having foot surgery this week.

www.espn.com

Wow...he played the Bronco game on a broken foot.

 

[Nomad]

Ex-Broncos OC Joe Lombardi: Sean Payton 'was in one of those moods where he felt like some changes needed to be made'

Transalation: Payton was in one of those moods to fire somebody for the loss. Lol.

Hmmm....do I hear Lombardi's name being considered for the Raider job?

 

[Nomad]

Sanders gets attention for being a famous father's son not from ability or accomplishments. That is what is currently important.

Yeah, and can you believe they retired his number at CU to supposedly honor his impact on the program. Lol. Maybe if Sanders has a stellar performance in the pro bowl, Cleveland will retire his number? Lol

 

[movingtarget]

Bills QB Josh Allen will be ready for offseason program after surgery on broken bone in right foot

Eagles hire Packers QBs coach Sean Mannion as new offensive coordinator

 

[movingtarget]

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham hired as new Falcons GM

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Hmmm....do I hear Lombardi's name being considered for the Raider job?

0% chance. If you mean HC. In order, it will be one of these guys: Klint Kubiak, Ejiro Evero, Mike LeFleur, Vance Joseph.

Davis Webb withdrew from all HC openings early today, and immediately got offers for OC positions.

Unless you're thinking Kubiak (or one of the other guys) hires Lombardi to be OC?

Kubiak is down to three choices: HC for Raiders. HC for Cardinals, or stay on in Seattle as OC.

 

[Oldman]

They should do Battle of Network Superstars and allow celebrities or female athletes who are outstanding to play. Bruce Jenner type stuff, but the old school historically cherished selection to the Pro Bowl gone long ago, just something broadcasting crew spew out has zero value.. In college the idea of a Rhodes Scholar or Academic All American is of days gone by.. Guy like Pat Haden or Navy Academy grad like Roger Staubach don't exist anymore
not because athletes can't be accomplished students or sailors, soldiers,
it's because people don't find value in it, don't place importance on it.
Sanders gets attention for being a famous father's son not from ability or accomplishments. That is what is currently important.

How could they place importance on it. Ask Caitlin Jenner how far that takes you in life...

 

[movingtarget]

Bills agree to terms with Pete Carmichael Jr. to become new offensive coordinator

Rams hiring Browns' Bubba Ventrone as special teams coordinator

Sam Darnold displaying toughness while playing through oblique injury toward Super Bowl LX

 

[Nomad]

0% chance. If you mean HC. In order, it will be one of these guys: Klint Kubiak, Ejiro Evero, Mike LeFleur, Vance Joseph.

Davis Webb withdrew from all HC openings early today, and immediately got offers for OC positions.

Unless you're thinking Kubiak (or one of the other guys) hires Lombardi to be OC?

Kubiak is down to three choices: HC for Raiders. HC for Cardinals, or stay on in Seattle as OC.

Yes, I'm assuming Kubes is going to take the Raider job getting the opportunity to develop Mendoza (?). My thinking was wouldn't it be funny if he were to hire Lombardi as his OC playing in the same division as the Broncos. Lol.

Payton simply did a frustration firing using Lombardi as a scape goat because he's too arrogant to take the blame for the bad call on 4th & 2 going for it instead of kicking the FG. Payton calls all the plays from the sideline while Lombardi is listed as a "consultant" up in the booth during the games. So that sure as heck wasn't on Lombardi for making that bad decision.

Granted, the offense wasn't a juggernaut by any means - but above average finishing #10 in total O & #14 in scoring O. They were below average in rushing but a large part of that was because they lost Dobbins for half the year.

Lombardi's resume isn't all that bad. He was the QB coach under Payton at NO (2007-2013) during the time Brees was setting some major passing records. And he was OC at LAC in 2021 -- the year Herbert had his best passing stats to date throwing for over 5000 & 38 TDs.

Remember I've said here that I'm not a fan of NFL head coaches - that I think they're some of the most arrogant people on the planet. Well, the firing of Lombardi just solidifies that. Instead of Payton coming out & accepting full blame for making such a knucklehead decision to not kick the FG -- he fires Lombardi. Lol.

 

[Nomad]

Eagles hire Packers QBs coach Sean Mannion as new offensive coordinator

I remember Mannion at Oregon St where he was a gunslinger in the Beaver's air raid O. He was also one of the those monster QBs at 6'6" & 235. He had a relatively short NFL playing career though transitioning right into coaching.

So, what changes is he going to make with Hurts? Go back to running more out of the RPO again? Patullo wanted Hurts to run less & throw more from the pocket, and we saw how that worked out in the playoffs. Lol.

 

[Nomad]

Great leadership qualities from a 23 yr old:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/hi4zufbzb_E?si=nPb_Z1HNofXh5b4Z

 

[movingtarget]

Ravens hiring Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle as their new OC

Steelers hire ex-Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham as new DC

Packers sign GM Brian Gutekunst, director of football operations Russ Ball to multiyear extensions

 

[movingtarget]

Vikings fire general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons

Darnold success probably rubbed the ownership the wrong way...........plus they went out early in their last two playoff appearances

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Apparently last spring the Vikings were talking to the Raiders about trading away JJ for draft picks, and Adofo-Mensah squashed that decision. I imagine that discussion was going on when Darnold was still a FA and the Vikings just needed to offer him as much money as Seattle, and a promise to be the starter they would build around. This had to help seal his demise.

Bills also snagged Pete Carmichael away from Denver to be their OC. Pete was Payton's right hand man and OC in New Orleans for years, then came to Denver as an assistant coach. The brainy/strategy type, for many years he was asked about being a HC but always said no, he wasn't interested in even being interviewed. He and Brady could make quite the tandem for Allen in Buffalo.

I fully agree how most all NFL head coaches have huge egos, "smartest guy in the room" thinking. Be that someone smug like Payton or Siriani, condescending like Belichick, or even someone fatherly like Pete Carroll. I remember hearing something aeons ago about how some "expert" once tried to give Chuck Noll some advice, and Noll told him where to shove it. Someone else said if you gave Tom Landry the same advice he'd say the same, just in a polite, gentlemanly way. 🤭

​

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Kirk Cousins expected to be cut by Falcons.

A good $60m down the toilet. Are the Falcons really going all in on the injured (and injury prone?) Michael Penix? Who will the backup be? A vet will be needed, right? Will they roll the dice and spend on Malik Willis? Sign Joe Flacco? Maybe Geno Smith after the Raiders cut him? Russell Wilson? Zach Wilson? Maybe someone will fall to them in the draft? How about picking Carson Beck in the 3d-4th round? See if he can develop? Played at UG. Might sell some tickets, certainly in the pre-season.

Strangely, maybe ALL of those guys I just named are better than ANY quarterback Kevin Stefanski has had since the Browns dumped Baker Mayfield (yes, Flacco kind of cancels himself out). Let that sink in.

 

[movingtarget]

Kirk Cousins expected to be cut by Falcons.

A good $60m down the toilet. Are the Falcons really going all in on the injured (and injury prone?) Michael Penix? Who will the backup be? A vet will be needed, right? Will they roll the dice and spend on Malik Willis? Sign Joe Flacco? Maybe Geno Smith after the Raiders cut him? Russell Wilson? Zach Wilson? Maybe someone will fall to them in the draft? How about picking Carson Beck in the 3d-4th round? See if he can develop? Played at UG. Might sell some tickets, certainly in the pre-season.

Strangely, maybe ALL of those guys I just named are better than ANY quarterback Kevin Stefanski has had since the Browns dumped Baker Mayfield (yes, Flacco kind of cancels himself out). Let that sink in.

Jimmy G will be a free agent. think the Rams will draft a QB who will probably back up Stafford until he retires. They have two first round picks but it's not exactly a good QB draft which is why teams will be interested in good back ups.. Mac Jones is possibly being linked to the Vikings. Maybe that's out the window now with the GM gone. 49ers have said they won't give Jones away as they are going to get a 3rd round comp pick for him anyway at the end of next season. Still think the 49ers try and trade him . Not sure if Mariota has been signed by anyone yet. Zach Wilson to the 49ers as another rehab project has been talked about Think Fields is a free agent. Not sure if Richardson is off contract.
Now the Browns might lose Schwartz as DC. He has a year to go on his contract and wants the Browns to release him after missing out again on the head coaches job. Browns would be stupid to fight it as it sounds like Schwartz has soured on the Browns organization and hot just because of the promotion miss. He could just sit out the year anyway if the Browns dug their toes in. Not sure if he would be fined or that's just a system for the players. Or they could agree to some sort of buy out for the final season. I know the 49ers were interested in him, and the remaining teams yet to sign a DC. Wouldn't be many.

 

[Nomad]

I think Mac Jones is as good as gone. As a former 1st rounder (15th OA), he wants to start in the league not play backup. And with his excellent performance in relief of Purdy, he showed he's got the arm & talent to start (sorry Rex "I know everything" Ryan, he doesn't have a "noodle arm" & "no business being in the NFL." Lol!). Apparently, there are several teams interested in Jones.

If you lose Jones - what's the status of Kurtis Rourke? I know he had the ACL reconstruction early last year. I believe Shanahan drafted him to be developed as a backup - maybe even as an eventual starter? (if Purdy takes a nose dive & no longer lives up to expectations).

49ers Select QB Kurtis Rourke with the No. 227 Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft

 

[Nomad]

Kirk Cousins expected to be cut by Falcons.

A good $60m down the toilet. Are the Falcons really going all in on the injured (and injury prone?) Michael Penix? Who will the backup be? A vet will be needed, right? Will they roll the dice and spend on Malik Willis? Sign Joe Flacco? Maybe Geno Smith after the Raiders cut him? Russell Wilson? Zach Wilson? Maybe someone will fall to them in the draft? How about picking Carson Beck in the 3d-4th round? See if he can develop? Played at UG. Might sell some tickets, certainly in the pre-season.

Strangely, maybe ALL of those guys I just named are better than ANY quarterback Kevin Stefanski has had since the Browns dumped Baker Mayfield (yes, Flacco kind of cancels himself out). Let that sink in.

They have slick Easton Stick & Emory Jones, an UDFA out of Cinncinati, in reserve. Both are bonafide dual-threats with Stick having been in the league now for several years (he started a few games when he was with the Chargers).

And if they go looking in the draft, Beck, like you said might be a good choice in the 3rd - 4th rds. Or Cade Klubnik (dual-threat out of Clemson) who's a 3rd/4th rd projection.

They're definitely all in on Penix Jr. - they have to be. The whole future success of Falcons becoming winners again is all contingent on Penix Jr developing into their franchise QB. He's one of 6 QBs that Atlanta has ever drafted in the 1st rd and as an 8th OA selection, he ranks 4th highest drafted. It's boom or bust with Penix Jr (and you know Matt Ryan was hired to see that's it's accomplished).

Good point on his injuries & I would think there's some concern about him being injury prone. On the plus side, he says his rehab is going great & he plans on starting week #1:

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (ACL) aiming to be ready for Week 1

 

[Nomad]

Good article on Maye vs Darnold; a dual-threat vs a pure pocket passer:

Patriots’ entire Super Bowl LX fate may rest on Drake Maye’s shoulders (and legs)

The New England Patriots made the playoffs and won the AFC East Division largely on the arm of the team's young quarterback, Drake Maye. Yet, in the three playo

musketfire.com

 

[movingtarget]

Good article on Maye vs Darnold; a dual-threat vs a pure pocket passer:

Patriots’ entire Super Bowl LX fate may rest on Drake Maye’s shoulders (and legs)

The New England Patriots made the playoffs and won the AFC East Division largely on the arm of the team's young quarterback, Drake Maye. Yet, in the three playo

musketfire.com

if any defense is going to limit the scrambles it's the Hawks and if that happens the Patriots run game will have be at least average.

 

[movingtarget]

I think Mac Jones is as good as gone. As a former 1st rounder (15th OA), he wants to start in the league not play backup. And with his excellent performance in relief of Purdy, he showed he's got the arm & talent to start (sorry Rex "I know everything" Ryan, he doesn't have a "noodle arm" & "no business being in the NFL." Lol!). Apparently, there are several teams interested in Jones.

If you lose Jones - what's the status of Kurtis Rourke? I know he had the ACL reconstruction early last year. I believe Shanahan drafted him to be developed as a backup - maybe even as an eventual starter? (if Purdy takes a nose dive & no longer lives up to expectations).

49ers Select QB Kurtis Rourke with the No. 227 Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft

Roarke was back at light practice just before the playoffs but he's still seen as a 3 not a 2. They also have Martinez. Think they will still try pick up another another QB. Think Martinez is a free agent. Roarke's ACL wasn't as bad as usual. He actually played on it for the remainder of his final college year before he had the operation.

 

[Nomad]

if any defense is going to limit the scrambles it's the Hawks and if that happens the Patriots run game will have be at least average.

They said that about the Bronco D and Maye burned them for 65 yds on 10 carries, 1 score, with 6 of those rushes for 1st dn yardage. Maye can also pass as good as Darnold, which makes him a double danger. If Maye's shoulder is okay & not a problem, I think the Hawk's D will have a hard time containing him.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

If the Patriots are going to win, Maye's legs are going to be one of the key reasons why.

In Atlanta I had forgot about Easton Stick. Outside of one terrible game against the Raiders when on the Chargers, he has actually been a serviceable backup for sure.

I agree someone is going to give something up for Mac Jones, and they should. He was at his best this last year, and also seemed much more mature, very capable and deserves a shot.

If he doesn't go to the Vikings, are they really going to roll the dice with JJ McCarthy? He's been between okay in streaks, and downright terrible. This is the guy Jim Harbaugh said was the best QB in that draft, and had the best pro day he had ever seen.

As to Jim Schwartz, what the hell were the Browns thinking? He would just happily support them hiring Monken and stay on in support? My guess is the Browns, being the Browns, weren't even thinking at all, period. Browns will have to release him from his contract in some buyout, and another team will take him as their DC for sure. A couple cryptic notes from Browns defensive players imply the will miss him. One said if Schwartz could get out on the field and play (at 59), he would! That's how much passion he has.