2008 NFL Season

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:27 pm

I think the biggest positive of this years Dolphins team is the fact that they don't turn the ball over (only 10 so far) and they are fairly good when it comes to penalties against. Now, that could be why they look particularly bad in the past few weeks since the penalties are starting to mount for some reason. I'm not quite sure how you go from the least to the most penalized after the midpoint of the season, but whatever. I guess it happens.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:50 pm

Rodster wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:
XXXIV wrote:Welcome to the Marc Bulger experience.
I enjoyed it...one of my favorites this year!

Now the issue is why has Miami looked so bad for like 4 weeks in a row now? Apparently they just aren't very good...and they've been lucky. So I guess, all of that bad luck last year that had them lose a ton of close games is coming back to them this year and they are getting the flip side. That's the only reasoning I can come up with. They haven't looked particularly good on either side of the ball...but they do have 6 more wins than last year. LOL. Awww well.
I don't know why the media hasn't picked up on this as well. They're treating the 7-5 Dolphins like they are a really good team when in reality they are basically the same 6-10 team they were last year. The only difference is they have Chad Penny at QB but more importantly are much better coached as opposed to last years debacle. This team reminds me of the 2003 Cowboys when Parcells took over the team.

He basically lit a fire under their butt and got a few more wins out of them. I say it'll take the Dolphins top brass another 2-3 years of drafts and FA to make them divisional champs and contenders to the SB.

I'm pretty sure they were 1-15 last year,not 6-10. I think your all being a little to hard on the Phins. There are a lot of teams pulling wins out of there a$$es. Indy scores 10 against the pathetic Browns and still win

On another note, the Bucs are 9-3, largely due to its defense,which is about to take a big hit, when D coordinator Monte Kiffin goes to join junior in Tennessee.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:59 pm

snaz16 wrote:I'm pretty sure they were 1-15 last year,not 6-10.

And I'm pretty sure he meant that they were a 6-10 team that lost close games to end up 1-15...whereas this years 6-10 team is getting those breaks (and an easy schedule) to be a 7+ win team.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:31 pm

Little OT but interesting:

http://www.slate.com/id/2205571/

I don't know it seems the NFL teams still weigh physical talent above football accomplishments. For instance, that is why a player like Jay Cutler, who didn't win big in college, was drafted ahead of players who won more.

Or why they can find good players from small schools.

In fact, it's more of an accomplishment to find these small school players who become good NFL players than it is to pick out the best players putting up ridiculous stats at traditional HS powerhouses.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:32 pm

Leebo33 wrote:
GTHobbes wrote:The hit that Ryan Clark laid on Wesley Welker during yesterday's Steelers-Pats game was one of the hardest hits I've ever seen. I don't know how in the world Welker was able to get up and walk off the field after that one...he must be one tough dude. Man, what a hit.
I love the Steelers, but that was a dirty hit by Clark. There was no need to hit Welker in that situation let alone leave your feet to do it. He deserves a big fine. Those types of plays should have been retired with George Atkinson or left to the Rodney Harrison's of the NFL.

Of course, if the NFL does fine Clark it will be typical hypocrisy since they showed the hit while previewing one of their highlight shows this evening.

It was a nice win for the Steelers but Ike Taylor's taunting penalty was embarrassing as well. The Steelers shouldn't be allowed to do any taunting until they can beat the Patriots in a playoff game.

Interesting...The NFL said today that the hit by Clark was a clean one, and that there shouldn't have been a penalty (and that no fine will be assessed). Go figure.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:26 pm

Hey fellas two questions:

1) What was the reason for banning the horse collar? It doesn't look nearly as bad as a late hit.

2) Can someone explain the difference between last years kick off rule, i.e. "elect to receive or kick vs defer to the second half? Sounds like the same thing to me just different terminology.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:57 pm

1. Too many people breaking their legs. A defender (Roy Williams usually) grabs the back of the should pads at the collar and then throws their body onto the legs of the running player. It doesn't end well.

2. It's the same thing. Deferring just means you'll take the ball to begin the 2nd half.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:00 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:1. Too many people breaking their legs. A defender (Roy Williams usually) grabs the back of the should pads at the collar and then throws their body onto the legs of the running player. It doesn't end well.

2. It's the same thing. Deferring just means you'll take the ball to begin the 2nd half.

1) OK makes sense

2) Talk about making things overly complicated, thanks NFL.

Phototropic · Post by **Phototropic** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:15 pm

Although rare, you can choose to kick off again after deferring to the 2nd half.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:37 pm

The Dolphins are poised to be tied for 1st place in the AFC East. A win, a Jets and Patriots loss gets them a tie for 1st.

Oh and they're still a lucky 6-10 team

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:44 pm

Rodster wrote: The Dolphins are poised to be tied for 1st place in the AFC East. A win, a Jets and Patriots loss gets them a tie for 1st.

Oh and they're still a lucky 6-10 team

Yup. And who called most improved on Page 1? It's gonna be a race between them and the Falcons.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:12 pm

A three way tie in the AFC East and only the divisional winner will probably make the playoffs. Indy is 9-4, Tennessee is 11-1, Pittsburgh will be 9-4 with a loss today and the Ravens could also be 9-4 with a win.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:40 pm

Rodster wrote: Pittsburgh will be 9-4 with a loss today

oops

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:01 pm

I knew the Steelers were going to win the game when Tomlin called a defensive timeout on 2nd down with 1:54 left. How is that for faith in your defense? I love that kind of agressiveness! Tomlin has really made strides in year 2.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:53 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Tomlin has really made strides in year 2.

Except when the offense goes for it on 4th down. It has gotten to the point where I'm shocked if they actually convert. I don't want to see another run up the middle near the goalline on 4th the rest of the season. They are so terrible in those situations that they make the Eagles look successful.

I'm excited for the win though. I pretty much wrote them off at one point in the 4th, and I'm still not sure how they won. It amazes me how poorly they play so often on offense considering the talent they have and the past success they have had. Of course, it only seems to happen against the NFC East, so maybe we won't have to worry about another showing like that until the Super Bowl (except for the Baltimore game, which may make today's output look like a shootout).

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:57 pm

Nice to see Arizona clinch it today. I've been a life-long Cards fans (grew up in St. Louis area), and it's been pretty brutal. Yeah, the division sucks, but the cards usually suck, too - so I'll take it. Unfortunately, they've been pretty sh&t against quality teams. Prob a 1 & done in the playoffs.

I do think Warner locked the MVP today. Hell, his numbers are better this year than his 2 MVP seasons. Nice story.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:18 pm

Yeah congrats to Cards and Warner fans. You guys beat up my Dolphins real bad.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:29 pm

Tell you what if the Packers make the playoffs I'll donate $50 to the Wounded Warriors project, if they don't I'll donate $25 and you need to change your avatar to a Bear logo until the Superbowl is over.

Done! Great bet my friend. Thanks!!

JD,

Give me the address to send my $25 donation and let me know if you need help with that Bears avatar or not. I know technically it's not mathematically over but it may as well be.

[/quote]

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:44 am

The Ravens D choked off any chance of Washington doing anything offensively in the game. I'm surprised Washington scored 10 points. Lewis and Suggs were like two circling vultures over the head of Jason Campbell pretty much the entire game.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:32 am

Even though both divisions are bastions of mediocrity, the AFC East and NFC North are making things interesting. Too bad the Lions couldn't hold on and beat the Vikings.

I am kind of surprised how bad the Packers are. I really thought they would win the North handily.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:08 am

Without Tom Brady, yeah the AFC East is now pretty medicore which is why the Dolphins are tied for first with NY and NE.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:24 am

Brando70 wrote:Even though both divisions are bastions of mediocrity, the AFC East and NFC North are making things interesting. Too bad the Lions couldn't hold on and beat the Vikings.

I am kind of surprised how bad the Packers are. I really thought they would win the North handily.

I'm pretty ambivalent about the Bears making the playoffs. On the one hand I'd like to see them win just to stick it to the Vikes and Pack. OTOH, I'm not too enthusiastic about seeing a team that shitty make the playoffs just to be a bye for some other team. The NFL fan in me doesn't want the Bears anywhere near the playoffs.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:02 am

RobVarak wrote:
Brando70 wrote:Even though both divisions are bastions of mediocrity, the AFC East and NFC North are making things interesting. Too bad the Lions couldn't hold on and beat the Vikings.

I am kind of surprised how bad the Packers are. I really thought they would win the North handily.
I'm pretty ambivalent about the Bears making the playoffs. On the one hand I'd like to see them win just to stick it to the Vikes and Pack. OTOH, I'm not too enthusiastic about seeing a team that shitty make the playoffs just to be a bye for some other team. The NFL fan in me doesn't want the Bears anywhere near the playoffs.

The way things are going, though, I think they could win the wild card round. I think they could beat the Bucs, Panthers, Falcons, or Cowboys at Soldier Field in January. They obviously had victory in their grasp against the first three, and the Cowboys are wildly overrated and heading south quickly.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:34 am

Brando70 wrote:
RobVarak wrote:
Brando70 wrote:Even though both divisions are bastions of mediocrity, the AFC East and NFC North are making things interesting. Too bad the Lions couldn't hold on and beat the Vikings.

I am kind of surprised how bad the Packers are. I really thought they would win the North handily.
I'm pretty ambivalent about the Bears making the playoffs. On the one hand I'd like to see them win just to stick it to the Vikes and Pack. OTOH, I'm not too enthusiastic about seeing a team that shitty make the playoffs just to be a bye for some other team. The NFL fan in me doesn't want the Bears anywhere near the playoffs.
The way things are going, though, I think they could win the wild card round. I think they could beat the Bucs, Panthers, Falcons, or Cowboys at Soldier Field in January. They obviously had victory in their grasp against the first three, and the Cowboys are wildly overrated and heading south quickly.

Stop looking into Lovie's eyes during press conferences. His soothing tones and ad infinitum repeating of nonsense have suckered you in.

They stink! Drew Brees is going to have 500 yds by halftime on Thursday. All you're doing with your rationalizations is feeding the Lovie/Angelo monster that is doing everything it can to justify overpaying old defensive players and trying to run out a team with no WR's while also distracting you from a draft history that makes the last act of Ishtar look like Citizen Kane.

Step away from the kielbasa-flavored Kool-Aid. I like it too, but it's the path to ruin I tell you!

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:37 pm

RobVarak wrote:Stop looking into Lovie's eyes during press conferences. His soothing tones and ad infinitum repeating of nonsense have suckered you in.

They stink! Drew Brees is going to have 500 yds by halftime on Thursday. All you're doing with your rationalizations is feeding the Lovie/Angelo monster that is doing everything it can to justify overpaying old defensive players and trying to run out a team with no WR's while also distracting you from a draft history that makes the last act of Ishtar look like Citizen Kane.

Step away from the kielbasa-flavored Kool-Aid. I like it too, but it's the path to ruin I tell you!

But his eyes are so hypnotic

Honestly, I can't judge this Bears team effectively because I could see them winning out and also losing all three games. However, I like their chances against a Saints team that's 1-5 on the road.

At this point, all I can do is root for my team to win.