NFL Season Thread

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:42 am

I think Kornheiser is like a lot of sports reporters in that he got a name and made his money and doesn't have to work hard anymore. Look at his old radio show on ESPN - he would talk about pretty much anything. Sports was about #3 on the list of topics. The same seems to be true of his local show in DC - from what I have heard when up there and listening. Michael Wilbon still keeps up with sports and takes his job seriously - which is the reason that the show still works.

Personally, I would go with a 2 man booth or get someone more dynamic that Kornheiser. I get the feeling he doesn't much like the job anyway and would probably be relieved to not have to travel and do the game every Monday night.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:07 am

I want Cosell, Gifford and Dandy Don -- the only MNF booth team that EVER has mattered an iota. That was broadcasting magic.

Take care,
PK

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:50 am

Hell, I get that they want to cross promote PTI but why not have Wilbon in there instead of Kornheiser if you're going to do that? At least Wilbon knows football better and has informed opinions. I'd be happy if they ditched Kornholer and replaced him with Vermeil or Ditka.

drbaseball · Post by **drbaseball** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:20 am

greggsand wrote:
drbaseball wrote:Did anyone hear Charles Barkley on MNF tonight? I know he drives some folks nuts, but I really thought he was really good. Would love to see him in the Monday booth on a regular basis. Would be a definate upgrade over Kornheiser.
I love PTI, but on MNF, it's shocking how little Tony knows about football. Ex#1:tonight he was shocked to see Akers still playing thinking we was '100 years old' - huh? Ex#2:Last year on a Rams game, he was shocked to Stephen Davis playing on the Rams - uh, ever hear of show prep?? I'd still take him over Miller (dark days indeed).

Kornheiser is better than Miller, no contest. I was just amazed at how entertaining Barkley was in the booth. Not sure how he would hold up over the long hault, but I think it would be interesting to find out.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:20 am

kevinpars wrote:I think Kornheiser is like a lot of sports reporters in that he got a name and made his money and doesn't have to work hard anymore. Look at his old radio show on ESPN - he would talk about pretty much anything. Sports was about #3 on the list of topics. The same seems to be true of his local show in DC - from what I have heard when up there and listening. Michael Wilbon still keeps up with sports and takes his job seriously - which is the reason that the show still works.

Personally, I would go with a 2 man booth or get someone more dynamic that Kornheiser. I get the feeling he doesn't much like the job anyway and would probably be relieved to not have to travel and do the game every Monday night.

That's why I love Kornheiser. He treats sports as the diversion they are, rather than as the life and death grist of debate that most talk radio hosts do. His MNF work is definitely not his best, and I wouldn't shed tears if he left. His radio show is where he belongs anyway!

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:03 pm

Patriots to use the spy cam controversy to go undefeated?

http://www.slate.com/id/2174127/nav/tap3/

What is scary is how good the defense is playing without Seymour and Harrison.

Brady has a lot of time and Welker is finding dead spots in the zone easily.

Pats players are upset that the controversy might diminish their 3 SB wins?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:23 pm

One week after fumbling away a win, Seahawks win a thriller vs Bengals in the last minute with Burleson's TD. I still can't figure them out.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:30 pm

Seattle could be 3-0.

Meanwhile, Moss is going to have a huge year and they were saying he took a pay cut from $10 million to like about $3 million?

He could get a 1.75 million bonus if he has 85 receptions.

Whether the Pats win it all or not, it would be surprising if he doesn't demand a bigger contract next year.

Did he really take a cut or defer money or restructure?

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:59 pm

wow, the bears really suck. Another defending nfc champ that won't make it back to the SB this year?

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:02 pm

Inuyasha wrote:wow, the bears really suck. Another defending nfc champ that won't make it back to the SB this year?

Only one Bear really sux....All of the Rams really suck.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:08 pm

Actually, I don't think this is Grossman's fault.

Cowboys offense is humming so Grossman was trying to make a big play to get his team back.

He has two ints. but the first one, Muhammed didn't complete his route, letting the DB step in front of him on an in-cut.

On the Rams, sounds like Jackson had a decent day but Bulger stunk up the joint. Too bad, I have Bulger on one of my FF teams. But I started Romo.

On Inside the NFL, they were saying Cowboys don't have to give Romo a big contract after this year, they could franchise him. The guy said Bulger had had several good years so his extension this offseason was worth it but Romo would have to prove his worth a couple more years.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:41 pm

Grossman was bad, but the defense gets the blame for this one. The combination of bad tactics, terrible execution and injuries was just horrifying. Briggs, Vasher and Harris going down on top of Dvoracek and Brown is just awful.

That said, they could not deal with the combination of Romo's mobility and TO's size and ability. When they blitzed, Romo skated around it and took advantage of the thin coverage. When they played Cover-2, TO just found every soft spot and the Dallas O-Line did an incredible job of bottling up Tommie Harris.

Those first two Dallas drives of the second half were humiliating, stomach-punch debacles.

Add the drops, lack of burst from Benson and Grossman's typical mediocrity and you have an embarassment.

This is one of those horrible expectation-changing games. I expected the Bears to come down to earth against the 1st place schedule, but with Minnesota, GB and Detroit all gaining ground it's going to be a long year even in the previously-soft division.

The decision to stand pat with Rex and Griese looks even more egregious now. Going to Griese is almost certain to improve the QB play, but will do nothing for the injuries on D, the poor running game, the aging OL or the lousy WR play. Then we're back on the hunt for a QB.

F---k!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:07 am

Rex needs to go boys....

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:45 am

There's no way I'm laying this one on the Bears D. If they had any kind of help from the offense, they would have probably kept Dallas to 17 points.

Instead, the blame has to go on what is arguably the worst backfield in the NFC. Grossman is Grossman. I think the Bears were right for letting him start the season and see if he would progress. He definitely has the physical skills to play the position. But his decision making is just awful, so it's time to sit him while the season is young. However...

Putting Griese in works only if the Bears still had Thomas Jones and Benson. Letting Griese manage that power running game and work some passes to Berrian and Desmond Clark would probably score enough points to win 10-11 games.

But Angelo made the worst decision of his career by trading the best offensive weapon the Bears have had since a pre-injury Neal Anderson. Now they are stuck with a big RB who plays small, has no field vision, and no burst, with a backup RB who is a less talented version of the starter. And he's a fumble machine to boot. So now if they make the QB switch, Benson will still be Benson, and Griese will have to throw 30-35 times in a lot of games. Not Griese's strength or a recipe for success. I smell 7-9 lurking around the corner.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:20 am

You can say Grossman isn't the guy who'll take the Bears to the next level.

But the Cowboys were going to roll all night. Bears dodged a bullet with the dropped pass in the end zone and the blocked FG.

So they won't sign Grossman after this season. On one of the pregame shows, they said McNabb may end up there next year.

I don't think any QB is going to lead the Bears to victory over Pats or Colts in the Superbowl. Unless that QB is Manning or Brady whom the Bears miraculously take away from those teams.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:33 am

Romo is a good QB, and Owens one of the best WRs in the game. They are going to move the ball around. The Crayton drop was a big break but so was the Berrian drop for the Cowboys. The point is without the turnovers, the Bears are right in that game against the best team in the NFC.

You cannot win football games when you have an offense that can't score. The Bears cannot score because their QB turns it over too much and their starting RB is Curtis Enis 2.0. You can overcome a medicore passing game with a good running game and vice versa, but you can't overcome both being mediocore. The Bears have a championship-caliber defense, maybe not the best but definitely in the top 5, and it's going to suffer a lot of games like yesterday because the GM whacked the running game in the knees. I at least understand why they gambled on Grossman, but I have regretted Cedric Benson ever since the Bears wasted a top 5 pick on a running back they didn't need.

The Cowboys definitely have what it takes to get to the Super Bowl. Their defense can make plays, and they have a very good balanced offense. The SB is the AFC's to lose, but I think Dallas is sitting a level above everyone else in the NFC.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:35 am

Don't go anywhere near Ralph Wilson Stadium if you want to stay healthy. Bills lose Posluzny, probably for the season, and Losman for at least two weeks.

The M*A*S*H* list of injured starters after just three games:

QB Losman -- sprained knee (two to three weeks)
MLB Posluzny -- broken forearm (probably out for season)
CB Webster -- broken forearm (out for season)
FS Simpson -- broken ankle (out for season)
OLB Newman -- high ankle sprain (out indefinitely)
CB/KR McGee -- bruised ribs (game to game)

These top reserves are hurt:

TE Everett -- neck
OLB Wire -- sprained knee
DE Denney -- broken foot
OL Whittle -- torn hamstring (out indefinitely)

Injuries are a part of the game, but this is ridiculous. And Buffalo's defense wasn't exactly stacked before the injury bug hit. Not at all.

Take care,
PK

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:40 am

Brando70 wrote:There's no way I'm laying this one on the Bears D. If they had any kind of help from the offense, they would have probably kept Dallas to 17 points.

Brando, the offense did not allow this to happen:

Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards in 4:46.

Drive: 10 plays, 91 yards in 5:56.

That was the worst that I've seen the Bears D play since the playoff game against Carolina. Granted, it was without Briggs and Vasher, but it doesn't look like either of them is going to be back soon. And it wasn't like the D was worn out from being left on the field by the offense, as those were the first two drives of the half!

Those drives were absolute killers, and virtually everyone on D had a hand in letting them happen. Just insulting and humiliating to let those happen at home.

I agree with your criticism of Angelo, but even with their offense clicking the Bears are never going to win a game when the defense gives up multiple 5+ minute drives of 80+ yards at home.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:41 am

Did Thomas Jones have a good year yet when the Bears drafted Benson?

Or maybe he had one good season but with a top 5 pick, they couldn't pass up a potential franchise back. It would really sting if there was a QB prospect they could have taken instead but IIRC that draft was about running backs -- Brown, Williams, Benson.

Unfortunately, when you pick someone that high, you have to eventually play him because of the salary cap implications.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:01 am

I agree with Brando 100%...you cannot play defense without an offense forever. You get worn out. That asshole the bears have for a qb is wasting a great defense and a great special teams.

Its time to wake the f*** up!

rex is s***.

The defending of this sack of s*** has reached the level of absurdity.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:18 am

The Benson fumble was the turning point, the way it was in the San Diego game. Grossman than makes a lob into triple coverage to seal the win for Dallas. The turnovers are just killing them. The defense definitely didn't play very well but 17 points after two long Cowboy drives is not bad.

WCO, Jones was just under 1000 yards the year before the Bears drafted Benson, and would have had it if he had not been hurt. I could have seen them taking an RB in round 2 or 3, but they didn't need to spend a top 5 pick on a running back when that position was at least pretty good. The top 10 players from that draft have not really panned out, although Braylon Edwards could, but the point is Frank Gore, Marion Barber, and Brandon Jacobs were all available later in that draft.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:24 am

XXXIV, I feel for you with the Rams. I gorged on Sunday Ticket yesterday and watched a good portion of that game because I have Jackson and Bulger on my fantasy team. I can't believe they are having so much trouble scoring with the players they have. Bulger just looked awful.

Also, I am impressed with the Packers. Their defense is good, and Favre looks like he's enjoying himself more than he has in recent years. They still need a running game but they look like a team that can make the playoffs.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:06 pm

Well it's all hindsight about Barber and Gore.

But who else could they have drafted with that pick?

I say the same thing about Alex Smith. I guess Edwards seems to be more productive than any of the top 10 picks in 2005. Carlos Rodgers at #9 seems to be doing okay.

Merriman at #12 is the stud of that draft so far.

EDIT: That should be the 2005 draft, not 2000.

drbaseball · Post by **drbaseball** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:54 pm

Someone tell me why I drank the kool-aid this year and pulled the trigger on Cardinals season tickets? Granted, they are playing close games, but at the end of the same they are the same ol Cardinals.

Were the wide recieves on Leinert's USC teams only 2 feet tall? I've never seen a quarterback throw so consistently low on virtually every play.

I can't go to the game this Sunday, but I envision the first true crushing of the season. The Steelers are going to have their way. Given that 1/2 of the stadium will be rooting for Pittsburgh anyway, this one is going to be ugly.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:11 pm

Grossman is pretty bad, but I don't know what you guys are watching. It doesn't matter who is running or throwing the ball, that Offensive line is horrible. They can't pick up a stunt, the don't slide protection. The RB's whiff on blitz pickup.

The Bears D got worked last night, yeah fatigue played a role in it. But Owens had almost 100 yards receiving at halftime. Now with probably harris out for most of the year and who knows with Briggs. It's not looking good.

I said before the season I was thinking 8 wins for this team, I am moving that down to 6.