NFL Season 2010

[Leebo33]

I think the Steelers caught a lucky break, but I think by the letter of the replay rules it was the correct call. I never saw a replay that went all the way from fumble to recovery or one that even clearly showed a recovery for that matter.

But considering that the Dolphins couldn't muster a first down on 4 plays when they *had* to get one and averaged a couple of yards a rush all day, what makes anyone think they would get one on 3 plays after the touchback? The Steelers with 3 time outs and the two minute warning would have most likely had another decent shot at a field goal attempt, which I believe would have been with the wind.

Blame the NFL for putting a crew with Pittsburgh ties in that situation, but man that is some fantastic scripting if true. "OK guys, I want you to call some costly holding penalties on the Steelers early in the game and then miss a blatant pass interference on Hines Ward to cost the Steelers a touchdown so nobody gets suspicious. If it comes down to a QB diving for the end zone and fumbling at the half-yard line, we will work with CBS to control all the replay angles." And I don't know how damn lucky I got growing up near the 24th largest television market but yet being lucky enough to root for the team that the NFL goes out of their way to conspire to win! Isn't it about time that someone in MLB realizes they'd be much better off if they'd fix it so the Pirates would have a winning season every now and again?

[MizzouRah]

I agree with everyone who says these hits need to be stopped or start suspending players.

[pk500]

Was I the only one frightened by Todd Heap collapsing at the line of scrimmage for absolutely no reason when Flacco threw the touchdown pass at the end of the first half in the Ravens-Bills' game today?

Heap took no hits on the play. He barely made contact with a defender and just fell to the turf.

I'm no doctor, but there's absolutely NO way that incident was unrelated to the two big head shots he took to the head. What's even scarier is that doctors let him play in the second half. A few camera isos showed him missing easy blocks at the line and blinking his eyes returning to the huddle. I don't think the guy was all there in the second half.

I love pro football to my core, but the NFL is a human meat grinder. A rugged business providing us endless thrills.

[XXXIV]

Was I the only one frightened by Todd Heap collapsing at the line of scrimmage for absolutely no reason when Flacco threw the touchdown pass at the end of the first half in the Ravens-Bills' game today?

No you are not alone. That was not good to see at all.

[pk500]

And Steve Beuerlein's commentary when Heap returned to the field was typical of an ex-jock working an D-level game. I paraphrase:

"Todd Heap is back out there playing. I don't like to see that. I'm not sure if that's a good idea."

10-second pause ...

"But in no way am I commenting on the ability or decision of the Baltimore Ravens' staff or team doctors."

Uh, yes you are, Steve, you f*cking idiot. You can't infer that Heap should have stayed on the sidelines without indicting those who allowed him to return -- the Ravens' staff and doctors.

[Jackdog]

Nice win for the Packers. Great to see the wife cheater (While she was fighting breast cancer)get beat in his last game in GB.

Seeing Todd Heap drop to the ground was scary. I can't believe they let him back onto the field.

The refs screwed the Fins today. That was just wrong.

Good night all. I need to hit the bar to rag some purple people. Wifey has bail money.

[dbdynsty25]

I think the Steelers caught a lucky break, but I think by the letter of the replay rules it was the correct call. I never saw a replay that went all the way from fumble to recovery or one that even clearly showed a recovery for that matter.

As much as you don't think it was an issue, the ref actually admitted that they blew that call. And they did show multiple replays of the Dolphin defender getting up with the ball. So yeah...there's that.

And that no-call on Hines...are you serious. He brushed by Bell and brushed by Dansby...no way in hell they call that...EVER.

You are 100% correct that it was less than likely that the Dolphins would pick up a first down running the ball, however, they ran a lot better in the 2nd half. At least make the correct call and make the Steelers win the game by earning it, not gifting them the ball back when they clearly f*cked the call up. That is my point.

[Rodster]

They posted the run stats for the Pittsburgh D and NO ONE has run against them. They have shut everyone down. IMO that was just a cheap win as was mentioned before, they needed to earn it. And the ref saying he blew the call, his ass needs to be in front of someone at the NFL because as XXXIV and others have been saying, this sh*t is happening a lot this year.

[lexbur]

Cleveland 30, Saints 10

in the word of StepBrothers, "What the f#ck happened?"

I still can't believe it!!!

Third year in a row the lowly Browns have beaten the defending Super Bowl champs... Saints this year, Steelers last year and Giants two years ago. Weird. I guess that's what happens in the NFL when you take any team for granted.

[Leebo33]

IMO that was just a cheap win as was mentioned before, they needed to earn it.

Overcoming injuries to two Pro Bowlers (including the player that to a man everyone considers the "heart and soul" of the defense) and another starter on defense, overcoming costly turnovers including an opening kickoff fumble that setup the Dolphins in prime scoring territory, winning in the heat in the black jerseys for the third time in the past month against a good/physical team on the road, playing with 2 backups on the offensive line, making 5 defensive stops in/near the red zone, holding Brandon Marshall in check, etc.....that's not cheap. There's no such thing as a cheap win in the NFL.

I feel your pain. I've been on both sides of the equation. I've seen a shot at a mythical national championship taken away from my team when a bit of home cooking by the officials inexplicably put time back on the clock allowing for one extra play. I still remember the season in which the NFL apologized to the Steelers 3 times for botching calls. There are 130-140 plays in a football game and they all count. The officials are horrible and I'm sure they botched plenty of calls in that game and every other one on the NFL slate. You aren't going to hear me complain and blame the refs when my teams lose and I'm certainly not going to feel bad when they get an apparent gift. It all evens out as the refs are equal opportunity buffoons IMO. I can guarantee the Dolphins will be big beneficiaries of a game-changing call before the season is over.

That said, I do think that the NFL should have to answer for placing Pittsburgh-based officials in that situation. Why not have them officiate in Tampa or anywhere else for that matter?

[Brando70]

The Bears signed DeAngelo Hall today to play wide receiver after he and Jay Cutler demonstrated such great chemistry yesterday.

[Jackdog]

The Bears signed DeAngelo Hall today to play wide receiver after he and Jay Cutler demonstrated such great chemistry yesterday.

[RobVarak]

The Bears signed DeAngelo Hall today to play wide receiver after he and Jay Cutler demonstrated such great chemistry yesterday.

I just figured that somewhere around halftime he figured that he would throw the ball to someone who might actually be inclined to make an effort to catch it.

[XXXIV]

That said, I do think that the NFL should have to answer for placing Pittsburgh-based officials in that situation. Why not have them officiate in Tampa or anywhere else for that matter?

The way he called the plays in the second half against the Bucs yesterday, I am left wondering if Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur isnt Tampa Bay based

[pk500]

It apparently took the NFL one week to change the culture of head shots with its new enforcement of the rules.

The NHL has introduced new rules to curb head shots over the last few seasons, and the culture of skull-knocking continues.

Anyone else notice that?

[XXXIV]

It apparently took the NFL one week to change the culture of head shots with its new enforcement of the rules.

The NHL has introduced new rules to curb head shots over the last few seasons, and the culture of skull-knocking continues.

Anyone else notice that?

Yep and I agree.

Thats cause the football players know that the NFL will enforce and the hockey players know that the NHL will play stupid.

[pk500]

It apparently took the NFL one week to change the culture of head shots with its new enforcement of the rules.

The NHL has introduced new rules to curb head shots over the last few seasons, and the culture of skull-knocking continues.

Anyone else notice that?

Yep and I agree.

Thats cause the football players know that the NFL will enforce and the hockey players know that the NHL will play stupid.

Good point. The difference between Roger Goodell, who has teeth, and Gary "Gums" Bettman.

[10spro]

It apparently took the NFL one week to change the culture of head shots with its new enforcement of the rules.

The NHL has introduced new rules to curb head shots over the last few seasons, and the culture of skull-knocking continues.

Anyone else notice that?

Yep and I agree.

Thats cause the football players know that the NFL will enforce and the hockey players know that the NHL will play stupid.

It's no much that they play dumb, but they're so many grey areas still in the so call shots to the head rules that I have a feeling they have problems understanding what blindside really means to all parties involved. The NFL at least calls the suspensions fairly regardless of who the player is. Culture shock is right PK, and unless someone is paralyzed in the NHL, that same old culture will drag on.

[dbdynsty25]

Yeah Rod...I wouldn't go as far as to say it was a cheap win. There is no such thing. The Dolphins really should have been up by more than 2 points at the time, so that's not the issue. The issue is the incompetence even while using replay. It's one thing to miss the call on the field...it happens when a bunch of 60 year old dudes are the refs, but to F it up even after looking at a 15 min. replay is inexcusable.

[Danimal]

Correct ! Based on your logic the Dolphins should have been given the ball. It was clear from all angles one Dolphin picked up the loose ball and a second Dolphin joined him.

Actually that is not what I was saying, based on the replay they made the right call. I think the mistake came in when they blew it dead without going through the pile to determined possession. If that had occurred at midfield they would of determined possession and then ruled down by contact. The officials made a mistake and in this case it probably cost the Dolphins the game.

[Brando70]

Yeah Rod...I wouldn't go as far as to say it was a cheap win. There is no such thing. The Dolphins really should have been up by more than 2 points at the time, so that's not the issue. The issue is the incompetence even while using replay. It's one thing to miss the call on the field...it happens when a bunch of 60 year old dudes are the refs, but to F it up even after looking at a 15 min. replay is inexcusable.

Those dead-ball change-of-possession replays almost always cause problems. I agree that it looked like it should have gone to Miami, but it's like plays where a guy fumbles but the play is blown dead before the defense recovers the ball.

[Danimal]

I just figured that somewhere around halftime he figured that he would throw the ball to someone who might actually be inclined to make an effort to catch it.

The pass returned for a TD and the one at the end of the game we poor decisions. So while you can write off 2 of them as receivers not fighting to the ball you can't write off those 2.

[MizzouRah]

That said, I do think that the NFL should have to answer for placing Pittsburgh-based officials in that situation. Why not have them officiate in Tampa or anywhere else for that matter?

The way he called the plays in the second half against the Bucs yesterday, I am left wondering if Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur isnt Tampa Bay based

haha.. I would agree!

[ScoopBrady]

Last night's game showed a perfect example of how officiating is getting worse and worse on the field in the NFL. I understand that these officials have to make quick decisions on plays that happen so fast but that touchdown call that had to get reversed was just terrible. I have no idea how an official who was standing right by Harvin could have possibly called that a touchdown even if it happened in double-time. Good thing it didn't cost the Packers one of their challenges. Far too often coaches have to waste one of their challenges on ludicrously blown calls.

Oh, and not one dirty hit but plenty of big hits over the weekend. In other words, the game I know and love. Didn't resemble flag football to me at all.

[XXXIV]

Oh, and not one dirty hit but plenty of big hits over the weekend. In other words, the game I know and love. Didn't resemble flag football to me at all.

For this I give thanks