Nfl

[dfbovey]

What are your thoughts on the start of the season?

Being a Redskins fan, I didn't know what to expect coming in. But I was pretty happy with the way the first week went. Next week they play the Eagles, that game will be a true test!

I think the offense will have it's bright spots, but I also think that there will be days when the defense will have to dominate to win the game.

Should be an interesting season!

Teams I expect will make the playoffs from the NFC-

East- Redskins, Eagles
South- Saints
North- Packers
West- Rams, 49ers

Bears should be close as a wildcard along with Tampa

AFC-

East- Miami, Patriots
South- Titans
North- Steelers
West- Broncos, Raiders

There are alot of teams in the AFC that I just don't know about yet. Seems wide open!

[Chris Piers]

Man, I loved watching the Pats/Steelers game on Monday night. Goddamn, any pro football game is always so damn entertaining.

Hopefully the Pats will get more respect as the season progresses and not be seen as the underdog all the time, although that is kind of cool.

My playoff picks:

AFC

East - PATRIOTS! (although I think this is the most competitive division and you could argue a case for any of the teams)
South - Titans
North - Steelers
West - Broncos, Chiefs (though I may change my mind on them after a week or two)

NFC

East - Eagles, Redskins
South - Saints (but I want to pick the Bucs, if for no other reason than Shaun King went to Tulane with me)
North - Packers definately, but watch out for Chicago as the defending division champs
West - Rams

[Inkthinker]

Being a football fan in Tampa is certainly interesting... for the longest time the Bucs were so unbelievably bad that only the most die-hard fans wore those gawdawful colors at all (orange and white.... you end up looking like a merengue or something) but when they got that little overhaul a few years back it was all new... now we were number 6 in the league or something, I believe? And if we hadn't been ROBBED in the Superbowl Playoffs a few years back by the Rams (still slightly pissed about that) we'd probably rank higher.

Of course now there's got a new coach and all... so it's somewhat interesting to see where it's going. Mind you, I'm not much of a football fan myself, but I got into it a few years back when friends of mine were rabid fans, and some of it rubbed off on me. I can now watch a game without getting too bored, and more or less follow the action. It makes hanging out in pubs more tolerable, anyhow...

By the way, who won the Saints/Bucs game last Sunday? I missed the last bit of overtime when it was 20-20... how did it go down?

[Chris Piers]

dfbovey, I think we've fatally misjudged how interested pj members are in the NFL. Everyone is quite obviously most interested in who's going to win the XFL Million Dollar Game this year. My money's on the Seattle Toilets although the Minnesota Sick Toads offer some fierce competition.

By the way, the Saints won 26-20 in OT. They're a pretty good team this year.

[Exiter]

heh not everyon here is a total geek
like me




go chargers

[PencilVillian]

Originally posted by Chris Piers
By the way, the Saints won 26-20 in OT.

It was a touchdown interception that won the game. The Bucs were punting from inside their 5 yard line and a saint was practically left untouched and ran right to the punter who was trying to kick. The punter (an ex-quarterback) tried to throw the ball while he was being slammed to the ground but it was a poor pass and was caught in the endzone for a touch down. A tough loss but the game was excellent especially that last second rush off the field to kick the field goal to tie.

I'm a huge 49ers fan but I don't have cable so I missed watching their performance against the giants. I'll have to check them out this weekend (hopefully) and see how they match up against the broncos who beat the rams in week one. I'm definately looking forward to the seattle and arizona games this season as well as the steelers vs. the bucs in december.

[dfbovey]

Originally posted by Chris Piers
dfbovey, I think we've fatally misjudged how interested pj members are in the NFL. Everyone is quite obviously most interested in who's going to win the XFL Million Dollar Game this year. My money's on the Seattle Toilets although the Minnesota Sick Toads offer some fierce competition.

By the way, the Saints won 26-20 in OT. They're a pretty good team this year.

LOL, I think you're right Chris... My money is on "He hate me" for league MVP :rolleyes:

I think that the Pats proved themselves not to be a one year wonder with their performance against the Steelers. They pretty much demolished a team that is supposed to be an AFC front runner! I think that they'll get their respect as the year moves forward.

[BenitoCereno]

Titans >> all


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's my entire contribution to this thread.

[penciljack]

I'm not totally sure of the Patriots' status as "the real deal" just yet. Keep in mind that Cincinnatti beat the Steelers last year. I'll need a couple more games before I'm convinced of the Pats' status. And the Steelers, too.

Being a Browns fan, I also need to see another few games to be convinced one way or another about their status, too, though. I think our defense is better than how we played Sunday against the Chiefs.

Anyway, weird things always happen on opening day. I think the midway point of the season will be a good time to judge who's really what.

All I can say with certainty ,though, is that I'm darned glad football season is here again.

[Bruce]

I've never really been a football fan.
My family is from Rhode Island and is an everything boston or new england fan. Grew up watching the pats, red sox, Bruins,and Celtics sucking every year. Its great seeing one of your teams doing well. Hopefully they will keep it up.

[Phil Clark]

Amen to that.

[ahem]

GO RAMS!

Opening day was a fluke.

i hope

[dfbovey]

Phil,

Rams are still contenders no doubt, but it's very hard to go into Denver and win a game. They have a great home advantage. Martz is also an idiot for not kicking that field goal. That is what lost them that game! They will have a tougher time of it though, teams are starting to figure out that if you pressure Warner, you can beat the Rams.

Terry,

This is true, but I am going to give the Patriots the benefit of the doubt for now. :)

[Chris Piers]

Terry is a tool for not loving the Patriots. No more backrubs.

[penciljack]

*sob*

[Phil Clark]

Originally posted by dfbovey
...Martz is also an idiot for not kicking that field goal. That is what lost them that game!

No argument that is what lost them the game. But an idiot? Man, if it had worked Martz would be called a genius.

[Inkthinker]

Originally posted by PencilVillian


It was a touchdown interception that won the game. The Bucs were punting from inside their 5 yard line and a saint was practically left untouched and ran right to the punter who was trying to kick. The punter (an ex-quarterback) tried to throw the ball while he was being slammed to the ground but it was a poor pass and was caught in the endzone for a touch down. A tough loss but the game was excellent especially that last second rush off the field to kick the field goal to tie.



Damn! That sounds like good, edge of the seat stuff, too... wish I hadn't missed it.

Yeah we got the best little field-goal kicker in the league... Martine Gramatica (sic?) cracks me up every time I see him, since he looks like a Little League Football player in his uniform. But then he kicks a goal across half the field and it's like, "damn, little guy can KICK..."

Plus every time he gets a goal he's mobbed by players 3 times his weight. Too funny to see... :D

[dfbovey]

Originally posted by pclark


No argument that is what lost them the game. But an idiot? Man, if it had worked Martz would be called a genius.

Not really, I would have just considered him lucky ;)

[Phil Clark]

:mad:


:p

[penciljack]

Martz would be a genius if he won a lot of games without the quality of players such as Faulk and Warner. As it is, I just think he's lucky to have these guys ;)

[Phil Clark]

I prefer to think that it is the combination of Martz, Warner, Faulk, Bruce, etc... that makes the team magic. But any one of them on their own with different teams would still excel.

[FIG]

GO 49'ers

[AZRAEL_BAT]

What are your thoughts on the start of the season?

Being a Redskins fan, I didn't know what to expect coming in. But I was pretty happy with the way the first week went. Next week they play the Eagles, that game will be a true test!

Should be an interesting season!


How do you fill NOW?!
funny how things change!

Specking of which


Teams I expect will make the playoffs from the -

AFC-

West- Broncos, Raiders

Dam thows were the days:(

[KRAZYRICKY1]

redskins & ravens will be at the top this year.

[dfbovey]

How do you fill NOW?!
funny how things change!


I want to be cautiously optimistic as a Skins fan. But to be honest I'm at the point where I'll believe it when I see it. There are a lot of young players that need to step up, especially on the offensive line and at WR for this to be a successful year. But they should definitely be improved, just by having a competent coaching staff and a QB that the team can have confidence in.

The organization seemed to do the right things this offseason though. The media has been sensationalizing the Haynesworth situation to an annoying degree. Most of which has been false speculation and unsubstanciated rumor. Like the team attempting to trade him, which never happened and the team said they were never actively persuing.

All I know, is 4-12 was an embarrassment, and I hope better things lie ahead this year.

[CM_Cooza]

I fear for the Redskins in the coming years, particularly their defensive side. I think Jim Haslett is going to drive that unit into the ground. His track record as a D Coordinator/Head Coach is horrendous. As a huge Saints fan I experienced what he is capable of doing. He took over a Steelers D who was ranked top 5 for years, and with each year he was under control they steadily dropped each year. As a head coach for the Saints he started out hot and gave the Saints a playoff win, but then was mired in mediocrity and eventually fired. Most recently in St. Louis his units have been downright turrible.

I just don't see the advantages of moving into a 3-4 when the Redskins D has been productive in the 4-3 for years now, and not to mention their best defensive player is not thrilled with playing an unnatural position.

Saints repeat World Champions!!!

[AZRAEL_BAT]

Im prayin the Raiders have good year Im not talkin play offs or anything- I just dont want another year of double diggit losses

[Bruce Lee]

The Redskins are my second favorite team. The Steelers are my favorite--have been since the '70s when Mean Joe Green played. Anyway, the Redskins should have a much better year this time around. The last few years haven't been good for them. I never thought Campbell was a very good QB. He never seemed comfortable in the pocket, and he was, at best, extremely inconsistent. It seems like the 'skins have the tools to get the job done this year, so I'd like to see them deliver.

[dfbovey]

CM_Cooza,

I am skeptical of Haslett as well. Although he will have significantly more talent in Washington than he ever did with the Saints or Rams IMO.

The Redskin defense has been good, but they need to create more turnovers. Blache was very conservative and had a bend but don't break philosophy.

[AZRAEL_BAT]

. I never thought Campbell was a very good QB. He never seemed comfortable in the pocket, and he was, at best, extremely inconsistent.

ya know ‚i‚was thinking this wen the media was all over the raiders pickin him up hes not a bad adition but he ant no starter, Bruce Gradkowski should be the starter, he was the only sign of hope last season

[dfbovey]

Campbell is decent but not spectacular. He's a game manager, but not the type that can put a team on his shoulders and win a game.

Everything else needs to be working around him in order for him to succeed. But I do think he is a bit better than anyone else the Raiders had.

But his problem is that he went to an organization that's even more disfunctional than the Redskins have been in recent years. I wish him well but I don't think he's a good fit there.

[AZRAEL_BAT]

I actually fill bad for Campbell, but things seem to be smoothing out in Oak they actaully make RATIONAL draft choices to fix there awfull line, so he may not have to worry about the pocket falling apart after 5 sec. Poor Charlie Frye got hit every down in the last game against the Ravens, cause he'd wait in the pocket till the last sec, the game was actually close till they HAD to put lazy ass Russell in the game.


Oh n I pick the Jets for the Super Bowl, must be nice to be in NY, as the Giants start to slow down, the jets start to rise.

[dfbovey]

**** Albert Haynesworth by the way...

[Toxic Monkey]

Thank the Lord the Redskins took Haynesworth off the Titans hands

[dfbovey]

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out with Haynesworth.

Skins traded for Jamal Brown today, vast improvement at right tackle. Feel a bit better about McNabb not getting killed.

[dfbovey]

Now they are rumored to be the front runner in a trade for Vincent Jackson. I guess even with the new front office in place, they don't like having draft picks.

But I guess the minute you sign a guy like McNabb you go into win now mode.

[Ebernaught]

I hope you Redskins fans ain't getting too excited about Mcnabb, the Cowboys love sacking him the most.GO COWBOYS!>D

[AZRAEL_BAT]

Well training camp starts in a week or so.
This wait is just killing me! maybe I should try again to watch baseball...

[scmarooney]

I can't wait for the season to start, this is the worst time of the year for sports with no Football, Basketball or Hockey. I'm a baseball fan, but you have to take a longer view as each game isn't as important as in other sports.

All the news-media has Tim Tebow fever here in Denver since he was drafted. It's like the second coming of Elway or something, LOL....

I'm going to be hugely interested in seeing if Mike Shanahan can turn around the `Skins this year. He's a legend here in Denver, and even though he had a few bad years, I still think the ownership of the Broncos treated him a bit shabbily the way they let him go.

[makoi]

Being a Pats fan, I'm looking forward to a season where we are not favored to win the AFC East anymore. Belichick and Brady seem to be at their best when everyone doubts them. I'm looking forward to seeing how our young players develop and being Randy Moss's contract year, how motivated he's going to be.

Also, working here in DC, I can tell you that everyone's pretty excited about McNabb and Shanahan being here.

[AZRAEL_BAT]

I'm going to be hugely interested in seeing if Mike Shanahan can turn around the `Skins this year. He's a legend here in Denver, and even though he had a few bad years, I still think the ownership of the Broncos treated him a bit shabbily the way they let him go.

I couldn't believe when they let Shanahan Go, Denver's not making any sense lately, But that's all good for me cause I'm a Raiders fan:D

[KRAZYRICKY1]

Go RAVENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

[Bathill8]

GOO PANTHERS!!......why isn't there a fantasy league for PJ members? ...or is there?

[KRAZYRICKY1]

I've tried it two years in a row, but most of the guys didn't even update there roster.

[scmarooney]

I couldn't believe when they let Shanahan Go, Denver's not making any sense lately, But that's all good for me cause I'm a Raiders fan:D

Yeah, I couldn't believe the Broncs let Shanahan go either. Josh McDaniels (new coach at Denver) looks like he's about 12 years old. I know he came from the Patriots and came highly recommended from Belichek and company, but he doesn't exactly look like an NFL head coach. There's definitely going to be a quarterback controversy here in Denver this year as to who is going to get to start, the sports guys are in a lather about it already and training camp hasn't even started.

As far as the Raiders go....LOL. They've been bad for so long that I actually hope that they can turn things around there. The whole thing with Jamarcus Russell was just a travesty. I love the rivalry between the Broncos and the Raiders, so-- even though I hate me some Raiders, I want to see a good game too....

[scmarooney]

Sorry to dredge this one up from the depths, but I just spent today watching a bunch of games and wondered if anybody else is excited about the new NFL season getting underway?

The Broncos have had a tumultuous couple of years between Tebow last year and the excitement of the playoffs and all the come from behind stuff.

This year, all the talk was about the Broncs getting Peyton Manning in the off season and whether or not he would be even a fraction of his old self? I was one who was not convinced that it was a good move until I finally saw him in a regular season game earlier tonight on Sunday Night Football! Color me convinced at this point :D! I am firmly on the Manning bandwagon!

Also watched a good bit of the Jets game and Sanchez looked dominant. Glad to see they squeezed Tebow in there for some plays too, even if they aren't letting him throw the ball :D!

How is everybody else's favorite teams stacking up for the 2012 season this year?

[amadarwin]

Well, the Fin's Tannehill got introduced to the Texan D-line pretty well. It'll be interesting to see how he reacts when every new D-line he faces puts their hands in the air. I know there's a safety out there waiting for a teeth jarring blind side blitz to welcome him to the NFL properly. So far, it's the same old Dolphins. Crossing my fingers that it gets better from here.

As for my other team, the Niners, I have been a long time Alex Smith hater. When Harbaugh gave him an extension I thought he was nuts. Watching his no mistake play (he didn't have many last season either), I'm slowly coming around, especially since he seems to be able to find his WR's now. Ask me how I feel about him in week 12.

As for your Bronco's, I didn't doubt Manning would be able to play at the level he's been at. I was just curious how the hits would affect him. Thankfully, he didn't take too many - and he usually doesn't - so the Bronco's should be ok. I personally think he's going to make an awesome offensive coordinator when he finally retires from playing.

[Popninja]

How is everybody else's favorite teams stacking up for the 2012 season this year?

The Pats looked real good yesterday. Real good.

[Deth]

I have lived in San Diego for the better part of 15 years and have slowly become a Chargers fan. But they have been sucking for the past few years. I hope they are able to improve their rushing defense and get some kind of consistency in their offense.

[dfbovey]

Couldn't be happier with RG3's production in the season opener.

[scmarooney]

As for my other team, the Niners, I have been a long time Alex Smith hater. When Harbaugh gave him an extension I thought he was nuts. Watching his no mistake play (he didn't have many last season either), I'm slowly coming around, especially since he seems to be able to find his WR's now. Ask me how I feel about him in week 12.

The 49ers going into Green Bay and pulling out a win there on week one tells me they haven't lost a step from last season. I was kind of like "Alex Who?" last year, but this year I don't think there are going to be too many people asking THAT question ;)!


The Pats looked real good yesterday. Real good.

The Patriots look good pretty much EVERY year :D! Aside from the Oakland Raiders the Pats are the one team I love to root against in the NFL. Just something about Bill Belichek rubs me the wrong way (probably the fact that he sent his little Satan- Spawn Josh McDaniels over to Denver a few years back and we're only now getting things unscrewed again :D!)


I have lived in San Diego for the better part of 15 years and have slowly become a Chargers fan. But they have been sucking for the past few years. I hope they are able to improve their rushing defense and get some kind of consistency in their offense.

The Chargers are strange because they seem to start off very cold and then get really hot by the end of the season. I think they just have to stay close, a game or two out of first place and they could take the AFC West this year. Now if they could get hot at the start of the season and STAY hot....


Couldn't be happier with RG3's production in the season opener.

Yeah, RG3 looked AMAZING. Reminded me of Elway. That was a real upset beating the Saints like that!

[amadarwin]

Getting the Saints D to cut your teeth on as a rookie QB was a gift. RG3 looked good out there, but I want to see how he performs against the better secondaries.

I'd like to take this moment to thank Ray Rice and the Ravens D for giving me a resounding comeback victory. I'd also like to curse Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd for not catching at least one more pass between them. Cost me a victory in another league by .4 points...

[NickRocks]

I don't even LIKE the Jets, and I bought a Lord Tebow jersey

I BELIEVE

[amadarwin]

Wow, that was some godawful football last night. Chicago's D looked pretty good against the Pack, but even they couldn't overcome Cutler's mistakes.

[scmarooney]

I missed the game last night but from what I've heard it sounds like Cutler wasn't doing his team any favors. Cutler is another ex-Bronco and at the time he was traded (for nothing) by then-coach McDaniels to the Bears it seemed a epically bad move. Now it doesn't seem so bad :D.

Some good games coming up this weekend. Looking forward to the Jets vs. Steelers game. It's a long haul to Monday night football, though, as I wanna see how Manning does on the road (in Atlanta)...

[amadarwin]

Jets/Steelers should be interesting. No Palamalu, no Revis, no Keller and no Harrison...

[scmarooney]

Most of the games I watched today were pretty lopsided.

RG3 had a pretty good game but Washington just made too many stupid mistakes and in the end it came back and bit them.

Apologies to New England fans, but I enjoyed watching the Pats lose to the Cards today. Talk about a game I never saw coming. Maybe the Pats just believed their own hype this week and didn't take the Cards seriously?

The Giants pulled out a squeaker and what's up with the Saints 0-2 start? The stuff with the bounties in the off-season must have really thrown them for a loop? The 49ers are looking really strong, and the Chargers looked good today too.

[thEbrEEze]

Can't believe the Bucs let the giants score 25 points in the 4th quarter.

The Niners game was good, they look like the team to beat this season.

[KarAnde]

so thebreezes post has me less afraid to ask, how are the niners doing so far i havent been watching

[thEbrEEze]

Niners are 2-0 and looking strong. They beat both the Packers and Lions

[amadarwin]

The niners will continue to be hot as long as the defense is there. They're like the 2001 Ravens, but with a slightly better QB. The true test will come when the defense is out of step and Smith has to carry the team.

And nice win for the Dolphins. Too bad not many teams will be as soft as the Raiders...

[scmarooney]

The Broncos had an embarrassing and ugly first quarter against Atlanta tonight. If not for those four turnovers (3 of them on Manning interceptions) the might have actually won this thing, or made it a much closer game than the final score reflects. They're gonna have to win some games on the road if they're going to make it to the playoffs this year...

[NickRocks]

the niners will beat us (the giants) because we gave them MARIO MANNINGHAM

WHAT THE HELL MAN :mad:

[thEbrEEze]

The Panthers looked as bad as the Raiders tonight! Sucks cause I started Cam Newton in fantasy this week.

The Niners are currently ranked #1 in power rankings. Their defense is just so good. Defense wins championships. I think in all of their games so far they haven't let anyone get over 80 yards running the ball.

[amadarwin]

you think that's bad? In one league I started Lafell, hoping Newton would take advantage of that depleted Giants secondary. Thankfully, in another league I started Brown and Bennett...got a nice head start going into sunday.

[thEbrEEze]

So happy the regular refs are back! That call at the end of the Green Bay game last Monday was ridonkulous!!

[InkDrop]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1469665/sadeli.gif

[scmarooney]

^ Eli Manning reminded me of a little kid on that last field-goal try by the Giants.

This week had some good games and others that were blowouts. I was relieved that the Broncos finally broke their 5 year losing streak, at home, to the Raiders in convincing fashion this week. The 49ers just trounced the Jets at home today too, wonder how long the Jets' coach is going to continue his 2-quarterback "strategy", as it seems both of them together are equal to about one really bad NFL quarterback :D!

[KRAZYRICKY1]

Eli always looks like a little kid in the pee wee football league with his facial expressions and putting his head down on bad plays. lol
Oh little Eli does it again. lol

[amadarwin]

The 49ers just trounced the Jets at home today too, wonder how long the Jets' coach is going to continue his 2-quarterback "strategy", as it seems both of them together are equal to about one really bad NFL quarterback :D!
funny thing is the 49ers showed the Jets how effective that strategy could be, with the right pieces. I give Tebow three years in the nfl before he becomes a lifetime 3rd stringer or out of football entirely. He'll never develop into a QB when teams only use him to run gimmicks.

[thEbrEEze]

Looks like Romo just lost his starting gig after Monday night!

[amadarwin]

nah, not yet.

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/180qn79k8yfgtgif/original.gif

[NickRocks]

time for tebow to start already, cmoooon

[scmarooney]

time for tebow to start already, cmoooon

I haven't really been keeping up with the fan-reaction or what the local media in New York is saying, but the drumbeat sort of started up in Denver, last season, the same way. Orton was pathetic, getting nothing done, looking bad on the field and saying dumb things in the press, and everybody wanted Tebow to get a shot....

Seems like if you jump forward a year and replace Orton with Sanchez then you have a remarkably similar situation? I never really was that huge a fan of Tebow, but he was terrifically exciting to watch in the 4th quarters when he was staging a comeback. If he can do that, AND rescue the Jets season nobody will pay attention to the nay-sayers in the press and the fans in NY will love him.

Of course that's a whole LOT of "ifs" :D!

[amadarwin]

Yeah but even Denver acknowledged that Tebow wasn't the final solution by trading him as soon as they could. They chose a high risk/reward QB over their 1st round draft pick. That should tell you something. He reminds me of Flutie. Short, mobile, and dynamic player, only Flutie could THROW.

[NickRocks]

Tebow is the answer.

[amadarwin]

Sure, if the question is, "Who do you put on your team to make it worse?"

[Guru_George]

Article (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/richard-sherman-beats-tom-brady-taunts-pats-u-104646336--nfl.html)

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ICf1bM_4ZySZVhHu9HNReA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnflexperts/yahoo_umadbro.jpg

[Popninja]

Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger, can I take your order?

[Carl_Shinyama]

Article (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/richard-sherman-beats-tom-brady-taunts-pats-u-104646336--nfl.html)

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ICf1bM_4ZySZVhHu9HNReA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnflexperts/yahoo_umadbro.jpg

That's what Brady gets!

"Come see me after the game."

Sherman sure did, didn't he, son?

[scmarooney]

That Seahawks vs. Pats game was a good one! Very exciting to watch and I loved the ending (no offense to any Pats fans). Not sure that all the trash-talk is in the best interest of good sportsmanship, though? Seems like someone, somewhere, is going to make him eat his words and burn him in the future. By ANY standards, Brady had a heck of a game and passed for over 400 yards.

Just watched the Broncos pull of a completely improbable come back on Monday Night Football tonight against the Chargers. Broke a bunch of records too. I ALMOST quit watching after the terrible first half. It was just embarrassing, but I decided to stick it out as I was flipping back and forth between football and the NLCS tonight and was glad that I didn't totally give up hope!

If the Broncos could figure out how to play as good in the first half as they do in the second, they would be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season :D!

[dfbovey]

RG3, first QB in the history of the NFL to both throw and run for TDs of over 75 yards in a single season. First QB in the Superbowl era to have 100 yards rushing in a game along with 2 TDs. QB passer rating over 100. Having a monster year so far. Keeping the Skins in games despite a defense that seems to have fallen off a cliff this year compared to last.

[Popninja]

Just watched the Broncos pull of a completely improbable come back on Monday Night Football tonight against the Chargers. Broke a bunch of records too. I ALMOST quit watching after the terrible first half. It was just embarrassing, but I decided to stick it out as I was flipping back and forth between football and the NLCS tonight and was glad that I didn't totally give up hope!

LOL. When I went to bed, it was 17-0 Chargers. So typical for the Chargers to just throw a lead like that away.

[amadarwin]

yeah I quit watching the chargers game at the half to catch up on Revolution (which I think I'm deciding isn't all that good). I flipped back and all of a sudden it's 21-24.

[dfbovey]

Typical of any Norv Turner coached team.

[NewYorkPicasso]

Norv Turner's whole career is based off of his success as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys back in their hey day, but anyone could have been a great offensive coordinator with that offense which had a hall of famer at every key position Aikman, Smith, irvin, Novacek, Johnston, Tuinei, Newton, etc, etc. Once he had to do it with regular mortals he has consistently showed how bad he really is.

As far as RG3 goes, he is an amazing talent, but his first real test will come this Sunday courtesy of the Big Boys in Blue.

[amadarwin]

Nah, I think he'll be solid all year. What'll do him in will be next year's sophomore slump. Ask Cam Newton.

[KRAZYRICKY1]

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh snap!

[dfbovey]

Norv Turner has had success with his offenses with every team he has coached. But overall team success has always eluded him. He is a bit of a ***** and his teams take on his personality.

[dfbovey]

Nah, I think he'll be solid all year. What'll do him in will be next year's sophomore slump. Ask Cam Newton.

Mistake to compare Griffin to Newton. Only thing that will make Griffin slump is possible injury. He's a much more heady player and student than Newton is. Much better passer too, more accurate.

[scmarooney]

RG3, first QB in the history of the NFL to both throw and run for TDs of over 75 yards in a single season. First QB in the Superbowl era to have 100 yards rushing in a game along with 2 TDs. QB passer rating over 100. Having a monster year so far. Keeping the Skins in games despite a defense that seems to have fallen off a cliff this year compared to last.

RG3 has been very impressive and entertaining to watch this year. I just hope he learns to slide feet-first and protect himself a bit more, that concussion he got a couple games back isn't something he should try to repeat ;)! I'm pretty sure Coach Shanahan is counting his blessings that the Skins got RG3.

Really looking forward to seeing how well he does against the Giants on Sunday.

[amadarwin]

Mistake to compare Griffin to Newton. Only thing that will make Griffin slump is possible injury. He's a much more heady player and student than Newton is. Much better passer too, more accurate.
Not sure I agree with that yet. But then again, I haven't watched RG3 play beyond the highlights yet. Last year Cam looked every bit as good as RG does now, with less rushing. Then again, he also had a very underrated WR in Steve Smith (who's been plagued with sorry arse QBs throughout his career). They made each other look good. But, after having a year of film on him, teams have started to figure him out. RG is mostly doing it with his legs (barring the two 300 yd games vs weak secondaries). If I were teams, I'd take a look at how Atlanta shut him down (91 passing yards, 7 Rushing). Eventually, I expect RG to become a better QB than Cam is/was - he has what Cam doesn't: A good coaching staff. I half expect him to have a Randall Cunningham type of career...

[thEbrEEze]

RG3 was a beast last week. Over a hundred yards RUSHING for a QB is ridiculous! And that was after having a concussion. I don't know what's happening with Cam Newton. I have him on my fantasy team and he hasn't been getting it done.

[scmarooney]

RG3 and the Skins did NOT have a good day against the Steelers today, they just looked unprepared and unprepared. Maybe it was those crappy uniforms that the Steelers were sporting today :D? Was happy to see the Giants roll into Dallas and win their 4th in a row off of the Cowboys, and the Pats spanked the Rams in London today; not sure a lopsided game like that is going to win many NFL converts across the pond, though?

The Broncos and Manning dominated the Saints earlier tonight and they finally seem to have everything working in sync for the first time this season. The best part is that the next 9 games (with the exception of Baltimore) look relatively easy compared to the first part of the season.

[amadarwin]

is there anyone out there that can cover Gronk?

[dfbovey]

Not sure I agree with that yet. But then again, I haven't watched RG3 play beyond the highlights yet. Last year Cam looked every bit as good as RG does now, with less rushing. Then again, he also had a very underrated WR in Steve Smith (who's been plagued with sorry arse QBs throughout his career). They made each other look good. But, after having a year of film on him, teams have started to figure him out. RG is mostly doing it with his legs (barring the two 300 yd games vs weak secondaries). If I were teams, I'd take a look at how Atlanta shut him down (91 passing yards, 7 Rushing). Eventually, I expect RG to become a better QB than Cam is/was - he has what Cam doesn't: A good coaching staff. I half expect him to have a Randall Cunningham type of career...

I disagree with that 100%. RG3 is the #3 rated passer headed into this week. And top 15 in rushing. Cam Newton put up a lot of passing yards but was nowhere near as efficient or accurate.

Atlanta shut him down because he took a hit to the head and had a concussion. So yeah, a good way to shut him down would be to hit him in the head and knock him out of the game.

RG3 is and has been a much more efficient passer and a more effective runner than Newton. Higher completion percentage. Much better TD to INT ratio and just makes better decisions. Have to watch him play before you compare.

[dfbovey]

RG3 and the Skins did NOT have a good day against the Steelers today, they just looked unprepared and unprepared. Maybe it was those crappy uniforms that the Steelers were sporting today :D?

10 dropped passes by Redskin WRs today. Can't win with that, and bad defense.

[NewYorkPicasso]

Giants are setting themselves up for another run at the title. Saints are done. Falcons won't be tested until they meet the Giants in the NFC Championship game. Packers are back in form but there is something missing with them. 49ers don't seem anywhere near as good as last year. I don't think the Packers are the same team since the Giants shellacked them last year. Patriots are going to coast to the playoffs but this is the Broncos year. The Broncos are in mid season form and getting better. Having an immortal at the helm will do that for a team. Manning vs Manning in the Superbowl?

[amadarwin]

Atlanta shut him down because he took a hit to the head and had a concussion. So yeah, a good way to shut him down would be to hit him in the head and knock him out of the game.
no, you're right. I completely forgot that they popped him good when I wrote that.

So far, teams that win against the skins are keeping him in the pocket. He makes good decisions (though his recievers like to drop the balls), but he breaks open games when he starts running. Much like the Wildcat that tore teams open the first year they let it loose in the NFL, teams will learn to beat the option more consistently.

[scmarooney]

A great day of football for my Denver Broncos! I'd like to personally thank the Houston Texans for choking in Indianapolis today and giving the Broncs a late Christmas Gift of home field advantage through the playoffs :)! The Texans' game against Cincinnati should be an interesting one next week!

I watched RG3 and the `Skins dash the Cowboy's dreams of making the playoffs earlier tonight and I can't wait to see how they do against the Seahawks. The Seahawks looked totally unbeatable against the 49ers last week, but this week they seemed a bit more down to earth.

Anybody have any predictions for whose going to make it to the big game this year? Seems like it could be anyone this year!

[amadarwin]

I'd like to see a Broncos/Colts AFC Championship game.

[50%grey]

I always found it funny in a sport that is dominated by management that the staffs don't count towards the cap, and that no owner seems to take advantage of that fact.

For instance if I owned the Cowboys, I know that the cap will only effect the players in the game and no one else.

Why not pay to get the best possible staff in football, the best recruiter, the best coaches etc..

For example, if the NFL decided tomorrow that there would be no more cap, the richest owners would load there teams with the best players in the league, and the competitive aspect of the game would be destroyed.

Yet they do not do this with there staffs which in football are sometimes more important then the people on the field. There's no cap on staffs, dirty secret of the NFL.

[KRAZYRICKY1]

Cause most of the time best don't always work good together.
Colts vs Denver will happen but of course Denver will prevail and I'm predicting Seahawks/Green Bay vs Texans/Broncos. (Texans to win it all if they can get there act together.)
I just completely dislike New England, Broncos don't have enough fire power, Green Bay is finally running the ball, but Seahawks & Texans are the most complete teams in the playoffs.

[50%grey]

Cause most of the time best don't always work good together.

That's a fans gut reaction, but is far from the truth in the NFL. The best staffs dominate in the stats categories every year.

Management aren't players, they don't need to synch up on the field.

A top recruiter alone can make a playoff team. The game is dominated by selections, play calling, as well as injury management.

But even then that is missing the point, Staffs have an unlimited amount of money that can be spent on them in a game where they are as important as the athletes.

No other sport is like that.

[amadarwin]

I get ya, Fitty, but I don't think it's as easy as you say. At the end of the day, the Owner's bottom line is affected by all the salaries. On top of that, he has to find staff that'll work well together, lest we forget Buddy Ryan punching his offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Can it be done? I'm sure there's a way. Does it guarantee championships? I don't think so. The ROI of investing in the staff is not a good one, imo. It's better to go with a great coach and rely on him to get a top notch staff under him based on his preferences. Look at the Cowboys. For years they had to deal with a meddling owner. The Raiders, too. Though Jerry Jones seems to make better decisions than Al Davis, it doesn't guarantee them a championship.

[50%grey]

Jerry Jones seems to be the worst offender of all times when it comes to this.

They have the number 1 sports team for years as far as money earned.

He could have easlly paid Wade a head coaches salary to take over there defense. Yet he lets him go, and Wade helps make the Houston Texans a playoff team instantly.

Last month he could have paid Sean Payton enough money where he wouldn't ever consider going back to NO, money that doesn't effect there bottom line at all. Yet they pass?? there current head coach has a 50% win rate which will never see them a superbowl.

But the biggest thing is that option is available for anyone with money, and owners are still tight with there money... If it was the players with the no cap they would buy every star player in the NFL.

Makes no sense to me, If I owned Dallas I would purchase the best staff that would work well together based off of people who specialize in making those choices. Even Belichick will walk from the patriots if you gave him enough money.

That choice even being there is crazy in a game where the staff can make a playoff team.

[amadarwin]

Now that you mention Belichek, it brings up another point. Some coaches like to be in control. Some owners, especially Jerry Jones, haven't warmed up to that idea. I can't imagine Belichek willing to leave what he has if he didn't at least have GM status or something similar.

[50%grey]

Give them whatever they want imo, the league can't stop you.

For example in Jerry Jones case, I would have paid Wade an enormous salary, and let him have Cart Blanche on the Defense. He would answer to no one.

The League can't stop me from doing this, where they can stop me from buying 2 teams worth of all star defensive players because I will go over the cap.

If it was any other sport, I would say the staff probly doesn't make that a big of a difference, and it is mostly the Athletes that rule the show.

The NFL is nothing like that. Staff is so huge in terms of wins, everything from recruiting to the play callers.

[scmarooney]

Yikes 7 teams fired their head coaches today! Talk about a job with a brutal turn-over rate :D (but it has a pretty good compensation package, I hear ;)!)

Wasn't surprised to see the Chargers fire Norv Turner, or the Chiefs fire their coach either. Wonder how many of them are going to end up as offensive or defensive coordinators next year?

[amadarwin]

Yeah, sad to see Andy Reid go. Taking on the Vick project did him in. I have no doubt he'll find another team though.

[Carl_Shinyama]

That's a fans gut reaction, but is far from the truth in the NFL. The best staffs dominate in the stats categories every year.

Management aren't players, they don't need to synch up on the field.

A top recruiter alone can make a playoff team. The game is dominated by selections, play calling, as well as injury management.

But even then that is missing the point, Staffs have an unlimited amount of money that can be spent on them in a game where they are as important as the athletes.

No other sport is like that.

In the NFL, there's no recruiting.

If you managed to put together a top staff, there exists a good possibility that, in a league of revenue sharing and salary caps for the players, and the fact that it's a copycat league, other teams/organizations will come and poach your staff, and you're forced to fill that spot(s) for the following year. It's not feasible in practice.

That, and the Redskins have pretty much proven throughout the years that spending more money (on not just the players, but the coaching staff as well) does not equate to more wins/success.

Perpetual success like the Patriots and the Steelers comes primarily from drafting well every year and managing the salary cap, not on how much spending you do on coaches.

[Carl_Shinyama]

Yeah, sad to see Andy Reid go. Taking on the Vick project did him in. I have no doubt he'll find another team though.

Looks like he's signing on with Arizona.

[amadarwin]

Looks like he's signing on with Arizona.

Crap, that's just what I need, another well coached team in my league to challenge my niners.

[scmarooney]

Yeah, sad to see Andy Reid go. Taking on the Vick project did him in. I have no doubt he'll find another team though.

I thought I heard that the Cardinals were going to interview him this week? They are also supposed to be talking with the Offensive Coordinator of the Broncos. Apparently there has also been interest in Jack Del Rio who is the Broncos' Defensive coordinator, but he was also head coach for Jacksonville a few years ago, and has said he'll be very picky before signing on to be a head coach again.

The NFL is funny like that because it seems if you have the least bit of success other teams come a poaching for coaching talent! Couldn't be that the Broncos got (extremely) lucky and landed a guy named Peyton Manning in the off season, could it :D?

[amadarwin]

The NFL is funny like that because it seems if you have the least bit of success other teams come a poaching for coaching talent! Couldn't be that the Broncos got (extremely) lucky and landed a guy named Peyton Manning in the off season, could it :D?

Well, considering they made the post season with a joke of a QB last season and turned around and made it again so easily this season doesn't hurt the offensive coordinator at all. Having Manning definitely made it easier this season I bet. Less praying for 4th quarter miracles. ;)

[Carl_Shinyama]

Crap, that's just what I need, another well coached team in my league to challenge my niners.

Go Seahawks!

[amadarwin]

Go Seahawks!

And to think, there was a time I liked you.

[KRAZYRICKY1]

Ray Lewis retiring say it ain't so

[amadarwin]

Ray Lewis retiring say it ain't so

Well it was either him or Tony Gonzalez. Ray probably saw that there was no improvement he could make to that horrid defense if he came back next season. He has a ring, so there's some solace in that. When he goes to CBS broadcasting, he can flash that at Dan Marino a few times....

[scmarooney]

Ray Lewis retiring say it ain't so

Never seen a guy that could motivate his teammates before a game like Ray Lewis! He's a first-ballot hall of famer for sure. And Amadarwin's right, he'll have a second career as a broadcaster if that's what he wants to do.

[KRAZYRICKY1]

Are he can do more commercials with Paul Rudd

[amadarwin]

Looks like Reid may sign with the chiefs. I see a big future for McCluster if he can handle the workload. Watch out SCMarooney, your Bronco's may have to actually earn the division in a couple of years....

[scmarooney]

^ yup looks like Reid signed with the Cheifs: LINK (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=kansas+city+chiefs&source=newssearch&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDAQqQIoADAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Fstory%2F0ap1 000000122169%2Farticle%2Fandy-reid-officially-the-coach-of-kansas-city-chiefs&ei=5rznULVvjfyoAZjrgWg&usg=AFQjCNE8WR_9KpoJm1CXFqt2d7feqKQWIQ&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM)

This is good with me as the AFC west has been pretty weak the last few years (with the exception of the Broncos the last 2 or so)! I long for the days of yore when the Raiders were a threat and the Chiefs and Chargers were perennial playoff threats as well :)!

I'm actually a little worried that the Broncos might have mortgaged their future (in the next 5-10 years, anyhow) by breaking the bank to get Manning here in order to win another superbowl. If Elway's gambit (he's the GM for the Broncos) doesn't pay off there could be some really lean years ahead for Denver after Manning retires.

Of course there is no guarantee on a guy like Andrew Luck or RG3 either, those guys could get hurt tomorrow or two years from now and end up looking like busts also?

[weaponsmith104]

Well the redskins lost(much to my dismay)but RG3 is gonna heal up, and yet again, take us to the playoffs next year. Redskins would have won the game if Shannahan wasn't so ignorant to leave RG3 in after re-injuring his knee.

[scmarooney]

Well the redskins lost(much to my dismay)but RG3 is gonna heal up, and yet again, take us to the playoffs next year. Redskins would have won the game if Shannahan wasn't so ignorant to leave RG3 in after re-injuring his knee.

RG3 is going to take the `Skins to many playoffs in future games (if he can stay healthy), and so will Andrew Luck with Indy. Russell Wilson will do the same with the Seahawks, and his team is still in the playoffs. If I was Atlanta I would be VERY nervous going up against Seattle next weekend!

It's been an amazing year for rookie quarterbacks in the NFL. Probably hasn't been a year like this since 1983 when Elway, Kelly, Marino and Eric Dickerson (obviously not a QB, but he still holds the single season rushing record), were all drafted.

[dfbovey]

MRI for RG3 tomorrow. Hopefully he won't need surgery. Disappointed with the outcome of this game but excited for what the future holds for the Redskins. Hopefully Griffin has learned some valuable lessons this year on how to keep himself healthy, that'll be the most important thing he could take from this season.

[amadarwin]

Griffin getting hurt had nothing to do with them losing, imo. Athlete's play hurt all the time with little difference. Ray Lewis led the team in tackles still nursing that triceps, for instance. Seattle outplayed them after the half, doubly so when Griffin went down for the count.

On the NFC side, I'm worried about Seattle. Matt Ryan has been stinking lately, so I have no doubt Seattle will eke by. After my Niners maul the Pack, they'll have to face their rivals, who destroyed Kapernick, but lost to Alex Smith...

[dfbovey]

Proof is in the pudding. Redskins marched up and down the field in the first quarter. He tweeked his knee at the end of the first quarter and was completely ineffective after that point. Stayed in the game, and injured himself even more serious in the 4th quarter. I am hearing now that he has an acl/pcl ligament tear and might possibly,miss the entire 2013 season.

The tweak in the first quarter had him limping off the field. He could no longer run and he was far more inaccurate with his passes. Struggled mightily with his foot work and being able to push off. It was definitely a factor.

[scmarooney]

The playoff games this weekend were all fairly interesting to watch, even if it was just for a half in some cases :D!

I'm a bit gutted over the Broncos loss to Baltimore, but have to say when you made as many mistakes as the Broncos did (Manning's turnovers, the awful secondary of Denver's defense, a missed field-goal that the kicker would usually make in his sleep) it's kind of hard to see how you are going to win? Still it was an entertaining game to watch after I turned off Homer-mode in the 4th quarter! (when Manning knelt with 31 seconds to go in the 4th quarter I just sort of felt in my gut it wasn't going to go their way, they weren't even taking a shot down field for the win. When you play not to lose you usually don't win...)

The Green Bay vs. San Francisco game was entertaining, mainly because of Colin Kaepernick running the ball like Walter Payton :D! The Falcons vs. Seattle game was pretty good (if you're an Atlanta Fan in the first half and a Seattle fan for the 2nd half, right up to the last 30 seconds or so.). The Falcons just seemed to turn if off in the 2nd half and sort of sat back and didn't do much. It got them the win, but I gotta think they're going to have BIG troubles if they try that against the 49ers.

And Belichick's Patriots won in a walk-off that never felt close. I am looking forward to a replay (with a very different outcome this year ;), I hope) of last year's AFC championship game. I've got a feeling that Baltimore's Defense is going to give up big points to Brady's high powered offense, though. Baltimore's D gave up 35 points to the Broncos despite all the mistakes that the Broncos were making on Saturday.

My pick for the superbowl this year is the 49ers against the Patriots and I think it's going to be a really close game (I hope so, anyhow ;)!)...

[amadarwin]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's been a long time since my Niners held the Lombardi aloft. First things first though, have to get past atlanta, who practiced against a mobile qb last game to prep for this one. Plus they already beat the niners once this year.

[Mase]

Game ON, Amadarwin!

[amadarwin]

Game ON, Amadarwin!

Atlanta's so stoked at their first ever Matt Ryan post-season win that they'll forget they have another game and CHOKE!! The Smith's are gonna rain on Ryan's parade!

[amadarwin]

And does anyone else think Ray Lewis's Win-One-for-the-Gipper retirement ploy has legs for another game, let alone 2?

[thEbrEEze]

Plus they already beat the niners once this year.

What are you smokin? Niners never faced Atlanta in the regular season! Their 3 L are from Minnesota, St. Louis and NY.

95 percent of the Falcons opponents had records .500 and under. They haven't faced a defense like San Francisco's. and if the game last night was any indication ATL defense gets tired quickly. They let Seattle come back from a 20-0 lead and almost blew the game. My call: San Francisco by a touchdown.

On the AFC side, I flippin' hate the Patriots which doesn't erase the fact that their good. Go Baltimore!

[KRAZYRICKY1]

I still think the Texans will win it all....................



































Ok back to reality, actually its going to be Ravens vs 49ers. Falcons got lucky, and don't deserve to make it to the Bowl & who cares to see the Pats in another superbowl. But on the flipside it would be nice to see the pats vs 49ers and Moss catches the the winning TD against his formers team.

[scmarooney]

And does anyone else think Ray Lewis's Win-One-for-the-Gipper retirement ploy has legs for another game, let alone 2?

It'll certainly get some air-time (read filler-time) in the pre-game show, but the Raven's Defense is just not very good this year (better, apparently, than the Broncos, though :D!). If the Pats had all of their receivers healthy I could foresee Brady putting up some legendary numbers against them. As it is he's probably just going to chew them up and spit them back out as he moves the offense up and down the field virtually at will. Kills me, though, as I hate the Pats almost as much as I hate the Raiders :D!

[amadarwin]

What are you smokin? Niners never faced Atlanta in the regular season!

geez, you're right. I was paying too much attn to the announcer hype. They were referring to the last time they played each other, which was the 2010 season, where the Falcons won at home 16-14. That was the Singletary era, so it doesn't count. Falcons are going down!!

[scmarooney]

Looks like amadarwin's 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens are going to play in the big game this year.

I'm feeling a little better about the Bronco's losing after seeing Baltimore shut down Brady and company in the second half. Just seems like it's Baltimore's year to make it to the big game, and they must be the best team in the AFC making it through the teams they did in the playoffs.

Seems like the Falcons tried the same gameplan they had last week, and it came back to bite them. They got nothing done in the second half, tried to sit on a lead and the 49ers pulled it out.

Anybody have any picks for Superbowl 47? I've gotta think the 49ers are going to be prohibitive favorites for the odds makers, but the Ravens have defied all of the odds so far!

[amadarwin]

I missed the first half of the Niners game. But caught the beginning of the second half, where they took the opening drive down the field and scored. then they got 2 turnovers (that they did nothing with). Next thing you know, Gore takes it in for the lead. I just KNOW it was because I was watching. :)

Glad Lewis's Gipper strategy is working out for him. Hopefully it loses it's impact in the superbowl.

Funny, I was rooting for the Har-bowl all last season but fell way short. This year I didn't even give it a second thought, and now here we are!

[KRAZYRICKY1]

I still think the Texans will win it all....................



































Ok back to reality, actually its going to be Ravens vs 49ers. Falcons got lucky, and don't deserve to make it to the Bowl & who cares to see the Pats in another superbowl. But on the flipside it would be nice to see the pats vs 49ers and Moss catches the the winning TD against his formers team.



What did I say, huh!

I should be a fortune teller:lml-: