National Football League

[ChewbaccaD]

to say that we suck would be an understatement. I can't take any more, i'm going to bed.

u g l y...

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Not so fast! Skins making this a game, but may run out of time. Skins don't suck. They just had the misfortune of being first to play Kelly's offense.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Package-12 defensive coords who have experience defending that kind of Philly offense may be in high demand in the NFL if Philly keeps this up.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Sheesh. The juvenile brat Harbag running his mouth off again in response to Clay Matthews out-of-bounds hit on Kaepernick...

"I think that young man works very hard on being a tough guy," Harbaugh said Monday of Matthews. "He'll have some repairing to do to his image after the slap."

Sounds like the kettle calling the pot black.

Then this...

"If you're going to go to the face, come with some knuckles, not an open slap," Harbaugh said Monday.

Worst part is, Kaepernick is starting to sound a bit like his coach. Read the whole story HERE

 

[zastomito]

I just love how Americans love their athletes big, dumb, humble and mute. The minute you express your opinion (if it's not 'I'll give 110%, try to win, this is a team sport, we have faith in our coach, we play for the fans' etc.)
Kaepernick called spade a spade. Matthews is not a rookie, it was an intimidation attempt, he knew that Kaepernick was going out of bounds.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I just love how ....

No. I just hate how the older, supposedly more mature adult reacts to S: that is 100% guaranteed going to happen on the field at some time or another. The game itself is intimidation. Deal with it.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Clay Matthews is one of the best LB's in the NFL, he also made a dumb mistake in a passionate situation. Nothing more, or less. But Harbaugh should watch what he says, this is the kind of talk that screws with team chemistry, because some players aren't going to feel the same as you, or react the same as you. Especially cool headed veterans.

I wouldn't count the Skins out of the hunt. As on3m@ says, they were the first to play Kelly's offense, and on top of that RG3 was rusty. Even if he says he wasn't, he was and it showed. A few passes just over, a few just under. That's what happens when you miss the entire pre-season. Washington will bounce back.

That loss for the Chargers, wow. Maybe they shouldn't have fired Norv?! I mean, it was the same result as when he was there. Have to credit Houston though, they came to play and didn't quit.

I don't know how well Tebow would play in either Arena or the CFL. I say that because Arena is so fast, and Tim's release is slow, and he isn't a quick strike QB (very often). The CFL is filled with more passing than the NFL. Remember, he's been to three QB guru's now, each of them trying to change his mechanics and prep him for the NFL, and none really could. If you believe that Bleacher Report link I posted above, he's actually regressed in his time since college. If you don't believe it, you'd be hard pressed to say he's improved. Tough days ahead for Tim.

 

[zastomito]

Clay Matthews is one of the best LB's in the NFL, he also made a dumb mistake in a passionate situation. Nothing more, or less. But Harbaugh should watch what he says, this is the kind of talk that screws with team chemistry, because some players aren't going to feel the same as you, or react the same as you. Especially cool headed veterans.

I wouldn't count the Skins out of the hunt. As on3m@ says, they were the first to play Kelly's offense, and on top of that RG3 was rusty. Even if he says he wasn't, he was and it showed. A few passes just over, a few just under. That's what happens when you miss the entire pre-season. Washington will bounce back.

That loss for the Chargers, wow. Maybe they shouldn't have fired Norv?! I mean, it was the same result as when he was there. Have to credit Houston though, they came to play and didn't quit.

I don't know how well Tebow would play in either Arena or the CFL. I say that because Arena is so fast, and Tim's release is slow, and he isn't a quick strike QB (very often). The CFL is filled with more passing than the NFL. Remember, he's been to three QB guru's now, each of them trying to change his mechanics and prep him for the NFL, and none really could. If you believe that Bleacher Report link I posted above, he's actually regressed in his time since college. If you don't believe it, you'd be hard pressed to say he's improved. Tough days ahead for Tim.

That is exactly why it's cheap shot. He's a pro baller, vested veteran, he was having a great game (2 sacks till that point), plus it was not even a borderline situation, Kaep had nowhere to go but out (another guy was closing down from the goal line). I can understand overzealous rookie doing it but Matthews, no way.

RG3, way overrated. So is Shanny.

They shouldn't have fired Marty. Everything went downhill from there. They had amazing core of players and if Marlon McCree had taken a knee after intercepting Brady they were gonna win the SB.

Tebow is a dead weight.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

It was a stupid cheap shot that even Clay admitted to later as such.

Some things never change:
- Randy Moss unhappy anywhere (currently Vikes)
- Suh gets fined, this time $100K for illegal block. Yeah it was illegal, but I am not sure it was with ill intent. Sometimes, or more often than you'd like, players make stupid mistakes (Maybe Clay made a segue for Suh ). So I'm not sure this recent play ranks at the same level as his stomping on the Packer lineman a few years ago, or when he about ripped a Browns QBs head off while slamming him to the turf, or the Schaub groin shot. Well, so you decide (the fouled: Vikes #65)...

(We'll see how long NFL or Fox allows this clip to hang out there publicly.)

Report @ Bleacher's
Report by FOX Sports
NFL.com link with clip

Rulebook

 

[zastomito]

Would like to see Suh Wondelic test...

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Funny thing is, you see him interviewed and he doesn't talk like an idiot. His IQ must drop 30 points when he puts on a helmet.

RG3, way overrated. So is Shanny.

Why do you say that? I do think RG3 will not have the same year as last, but he's smart, has a strong arm, and accurate. He was definitely off last week, but I think mostly because of rust. One could speculate that because their offense was so dynamic last year, he ran so much, that he wasn't put into pressure QB situations he will face this year, and thus throw more picks and have more games like against the Eagles. That, we shall see.

I still think Andrew Luck is going to be the guy who has the fantastic 2nd year. RG3, Tannehill and Kaep (3rd, technically) will all do fine, up and down, mostly up. I think Russell will be similar, but I have a gut feeling he'll adapt better than the others down the stretch and shine.

They shouldn't have fired Marty. Everything went downhill from there. They had amazing core of players and if Marlon McCree had taken a knee after intercepting Brady they were gonna win the SB.

No question on the play, and game. The Chargers were the best team in the NFL that year. Firing Marty was a mistake. But you also have to remember he had a terrible record in playoff games. I would argue that hiring Norv was the real mistake.

Weekly predictions later.

 

[zastomito]

Why do you say that? I do think RG3 will not have the same year as last, but he's smart, has a strong arm, and accurate. He was definitely off last week, but I think mostly because of rust. One could speculate that because their offense was so dynamic last year, he ran so much, that he wasn't put into pressure QB situations he will face this year, and thus throw more picks and have more games like against the Eagles. That, we shall see.

I still think Andrew Luck is going to be the guy who has the fantastic 2nd year. RG3, Tannehill and Kaep (3rd, technically) will all do fine, up and down, mostly up. I think Russell will be similar, but I have a gut feeling he'll adapt better than the others down the stretch and shine.


No question on the play, and game. The Chargers were the best team in the NFL that year. Firing Marty was a mistake. But you also have to remember he had a terrible record in playoff games. I would argue that hiring Norv was the real mistake.

Weekly predictions later.

I didn't say that because of this game but because of last years performance. Lots of lateral passes, screens, bubble screens etc. Lots of plays created with his legs.
This year things will be different, teams have tape, solid scouting reports. Plus the injury.
Like the kid so I'm hoping that I'm wrong.

Luck is the best QB out of the college since Payton Manning. Kaep showed he doesn't need to run, so has Willson. I like Tannenhill but the jury is still out.

Funny thing is that the difference between Marty and Dungy is SB win. Plus Marty always took rebuilding teams and turned them in the contenders. If he was allowed to continue he would of lucked into a SB on a strength of his squad. And they played beautiful football...

 

[Amsterhammer]

Obviously going for the Pats tonight - remainder to follow.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I actually found myself rooting for the Jets. But every opportunity seemed to end up in a pick.

What an ugly game though. But interesting. Also going to be interesting to see if Mangold gets fined for his knee-hit on a Pats player out of bounds. Suh might cry injustice if not.

 

[Amsterhammer]

NYJ @ NE
STL @ ATL
CLE @ BAL
CAR @ BUF
MIN @ CHI
WAS @ GB Against all common sense, I know.
TEN @ HOU
MIA @ IND
DAL @ KC
SD @ PHI
DET @ ARI
NO @ TB
DEN @ NYG Peyton to win the fratricide.
JAX @ OAK
SF @ SEA Toss up.
PIT @ CIN

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

NYJ @ NE - Mess of a game. Feel sorry for Geno, thrown to the wolves.
STL @ ATL - Falcons bounce back.
CLE @ BAL - As do Ravens
CAR @ BUF
MIN @ CHI
WAS @ GB
TEN @ HOU - Ten looks better though.
MIA @ IND - May be close.
DAL @ KC - Don't believe in Dallas.
SD @ PHI - Eagles move into first.
DET @ ARI - Close, but Cards at home.
NO @ TB
DEN @ NYG - Giants drop to 0-2.
JAX @ OAK - Raiders get a win.
SF @ SEA - Oh my, can't wait for this!
PIT @ CIN - Bengals look good, Steelers to rebuild.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

After last weekend, some notes on a few teams:
Carolina - Not ready to challenge. That D should be their strength, but gave up ~440 yards (almost 300 passing, another 150 rushing). MLB Kuechly still leads that D, but...
Buffalo - looking more like a challenger. Spiller and Manuel/passing are a good combination to keep the O balanced. Played Carolina, so O/D stats are above.
Chicago - look out Green Bay. You have company.
Washington - After a couple games with RG3, Skins may have let RG back too soon. Yeah he's making some great plays, but he's throwing a lot off the back foot and not stepping through on too many others. Point is, he looks like he's playing a little afraid. That's a head thing, something that a little more time in recovery could improve. So the O is not going so well, and the D is really lost. If Skins are going to play RG3, he needs the D to step up big time so the O is not put under so much pressure.
KC - I like the Andy Reid / Alex Smith thing going on. But Dallas OTOH...
Dallas - I have not found many Dallas fans who believe in Dallas. Again, Romo not bad stats. But Dallas is not finishing drives. They lose by 1 point to KC, and only get 3 field goals on 3 drives. All they needed was one TD on just one of those 3 drives and they beat KC. Forget stats. Finish drives.
SD - surprised me by beating the Eagles. Maybe tape of week 1 (Phil vs Wash) helped SD prepare.
Steelers - Tomlin said after game last night that he has the ppl on the roster to turn things around. He has to say that as HC. But really? I'm not buying that optimism. I agree w/ Alpe... Steelers need to rebuild, and with new talent. They are not rebuilding yet.
Cincy - Looking like a real challenger. Can run, throw, Dalton looking pretty good. They can play D. OK... it was just PIT they played last night. I will wait until they play teams like NE, GB, SF etc. before I make that a definite statement.
SF - Seattle papers are saying that until SF is beaten in a game that matters, SF is still the team to beat. I buy that b/c I respect most of their guys (except the she-guys ). But SEA gives me confidence. And believe me, last Sunday night mattered.
SEA - I spent first 3 quarters on return flight from SoCal. So I only saw the last quarter. And what a quarter! More thunder in SEA than the weather. 136 decibels... I'm taking my earplugs next week.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

13-3 last week!

It was actually a bone headed play by Kuechly that really hurt the Panthers. But EJ Manual was superb. Great poise.

I agree with you on RG3. Should have sat both last week and this one is what it looks like to me.

KC's won more games already than all of last year. They actually look...good! Tied for first (for now).

Thought Chicago was better than the pundits were saying. Can't understand why same pundits thought Dallas would be better. Really?

Seattle is just a juggernaut. D looks like the 2000 Ravens. They won't lose at home all season. No one is going to want to play them there in the playoffs either. But they do have some tough road games. Hou, Atl, NYG, SF.

Look for Philly to be like this all season. Lots of yards and scoring streaks, followed by defensive gaps and sloppy play.

People forgot that despite some bad picks, Rivers is an excellent QB. They just had a terrible coach the last few years. That same coach is showing he's not even that great of an OC, though the Browns OL is terrible. Maybe worst in NFL.

Jaguars fans held a protest at the stadium, wanting the team to sign Tebow. Not going to happen. Jags need more than a miracle.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

New forum login procedure (login on cyclingnews.com home page and then select forums, instead of going to the forum page and logging on there) must be messing with lots of forum users, since there have not been many posts recently. Blame it on Microsoft... those terrorists. (either that, or I'm not very observant.) Anyone remember one of the first MS Word versions that had a thesaurus synonym for jack@$$... came up Bill Gates. Ouch! Wonder if that programmer ever got caught.

13-3 eh? Back at your old habit of making the paid experts look uninformed. All of em on ESPN were no better, and most were a bit worse than that.

Prolly the pundits thought Dallas would be better b/c JJones gave Romo that ridiculous contract (the highest paid QB at the time of contract signing), and that cash for one guy (& most important guy, the QB) translates to team performance. That works if the necessary other bodies and system are present. I'm thinking JJ is just about certifiably... uh, off his rocker.

Defense wins championships. I don't know about current stats, but it used to be in the 80's that if a team allowed an opponent to score less than 17 points then there was like an 85% probability that the team who does so wins. Turnover ratio is huge too. In Seattle's case, wait until Clemmons is back in about 2 weeks, then Irvin.

SEA does have a challenging road schedule, but really not much worse than most of the other contender teams (exception being Denver). Example, Strength of schedule for some of the teams looks like:
Team...... SOS (overall)
SEA....... 0.516
SF......... 0.520 (GB, @SEA, @NO, SEA, ATL)
GB......... 0.533
CHI........ 0.502
NYG....... 0.486
WAS....... 0.498
PHI......... 0.496
ATL........ 0.504
NO......... 0.539
NE......... 0.508
BAL........ 0.535
HOU....... 0.473 (@BAL, @SF, and host SEA, NE, and DEN)
IND........ 0.461
DEN....... 0.430 (BAL, @NYG, @NE, @HOU... they could, go, all, the, way)

 

[zastomito]

Currently Chicago is the most underrated team. They played two tough defenses and a probable division champion and are 2-0 while they yet have to hit their stride.

Rivers is a great, great QB. Surprisingly mobile, excellent pocket awareness, top-notch accuracy, quick release. A lot of Norve's glory comes from his days in Dallas where he had HoF offense. Never managed to replicate that success. Bangcartoons had great little flash movie called Norvaway that really said it all.

Congrats on 13-3 this early in the season.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

@Zasto... you are right about Rivers. I have personally watched him shred my team's defense up to several years ago. And I have not been paying attention lately. SD nearly beat Houston on week 1 of this season, and Houston has the #4 overall stats for defense, and #3 passing defense through week 2. Now OTOH, Philly stats through week 2 has them at #30 in overall defense and #31 in passing defense. Give Rivers a defense like that to work against and he can make it a real long day for opponents.

& Chicago is #4 in Bleacher's power rankings heading into week 3 (up 4 from last week's #7, and currently ahead of GB at #5 this week)... http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1774691-nfl-power-rankings-where-does-every-team-stand-heading-into-week-3/page/30

 

[manafana]

great sport to follow i love the NFl and works well with cycling season too. Interesting thursday night match with eagles playing 3rd game in record 10days

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Just when you thought the Browns were on the brink of a breakthrough, they trade RB Trent Richardson to the Colts for the Colts first round pick in 2014. Here are explanations of why the Browns made the move...
ESPN LINK.
BROWNS Official Site
As reported by Adam Schefter, apparently the Browns liked Trent (the #3 overall pick in 2012) but felt he was not the style of runner they were looking for in HC Chudzinski's system, and they (the new management and coaching staff) liked the idea of building the team more than they liked the player. In the next draft, the Browns will have 10 picks including 2 picks in rounds 1, 3, and 4. The move also clears cap space. Look for the Browns to go after a franchise QB in the 2014 draft.

In the meantime, not only are the Browns without Trent, QB Weeden is out with an injured thumb. Hoyer gets the start next Sunday vs the Vikes.

Seattle is a juggernaut on defense. They had the SF QB under wraps most of the night. But it is not just the front 7 making the difference. Seattle is playing the secondary differently to fill the middle of the field more (with S Thomas) and to take away the easy middle routes. They can get away with this because of the exceptional play of the corners (Thurmond, Browner when he returns, and Sherman). < READ MORE ON THAT. I don't expect many other NFL teams to be able to do that because they lack the secondary talent, so against those teams Kaepernick should be able to run up much bigger numbers. Back to Thomas... just when a QB thinks he knows where Thomas is going, Thomas could take a few steps back to provide more outside cover responsibility. That flexibility in the safety (& corner) positions for Seattle makes it more difficult for QBs to know where to go with the ball.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Same log in problem here. Couldn´t do anything for some days until i saw the post of "3m@n@rmy". Thanks, and fully agree with you;... those phucking terrorists....

@ Alpe; you may tell the editors they should give the hint for new login procedure on the front page. Like they did inform the users when the forum was down... Thanks in advance.

Go Philly tonight. Nice offensive show so far. At 1-1 all good. They only need a 9-7 record to go for the superbowl win.
As expected, Vick rules. Isn´t that good Alpe?

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Defense wins championships.

Myth debunked long time ago. Only that the pundits still repeat it many times, even nowadays. That´s why it´s kept in many heads persistently.

Scoring is up in playoffs, even tough the best defenses play there. And keep in mind, the weather is cold in january (thus it should effect "offensive" teams negatively like it does in the regular season, but it don´t). On "sunny" waether & surfaces at the superbowl, scoring is skyrocketing compared to the regular season.

Same goes with total yards gained, yards per pass, etc... all up in playoffs & especially superbowl.

The mind plays tricks with us. We remember the 70s Steelers and think that´s the rule. Yet the 70s were the exception.
Same goes with that great defensive teams like the Bears. W/o a efficient passing game, no championship...

You can´t win w/o offense (exception BAL-2000), even if you field a great D. Same goes the other way around. No D, and your great O is useless.

Actually teams win who at least field above average units on both offense and defense (execpt you are the NYG, but that´s another story). In the end (statitically) the "offensive" teams have a slight advantage.

But defense wins champsionships is crap (ok, in soccer or hockey it might be true; but who cares ).