NFL Season Thread

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:21 pm

Barring major injury, there seems to be no stopping the Patriots.

Teams seem already intimidated by that offense. One of the Cowboys players tried to hit Welker low and whiffed. You would think they'd want to punish those Pats WRs instead of letting them run through and around tacklers.

If they zone up, Brady will find the open spots. If they man up, all of their WRs can beat their man.

Colts can put up points but Harrison is injured and he seemed to be struggling before the injury.

Pats might actually win a SB by more than 3 points.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:43 pm

Rams 0-6 for the first time since 1962....On the bright side they did score 3 points today. Gus Frerotte throws 5 ints...nice. My paper bag fits very well.

Adrian Peterson...wow...wow and wow.

I never thought Id see these Bears lose a game because of Defense and special teams....as in lose when they score 31 points...Dan I see the light.

Patriots. Giving Brady receivers was not a good idea. The Colts and Jags only teams currently in the way.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:49 pm

It's official my Dolphins suck and are now the Leagues worse team. And oh yeah we just finished the easy part of our schedule. Are offense is starting to put more points on the board.

Our defense is just plain bad. God help us next week when we play NE next week.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:16 pm

I know the NFL isn't Pop Warner, and I HATE the Cowboys with venom, but did New England really need to score that touchdown with 13 seconds left in the game?

Maybe it was Belichick's revenge for Phillips' supposed comments that the Patriots' dynasty was tainted because of spying?

Either way, that late score was classless. Typical Belichick. No wonder Phillips barely even looked at King Hoodie during the post-game handshake.

Take care,
PK

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:05 am

pk500 wrote:I know the NFL isn't Pop Warner, and I HATE the Cowboys with venom, but did New England really need to score that touchdown with 13 seconds left in the game?

Maybe it was Belichick's revenge for Phillips' supposed comments that the Patriots' dynasty was tainted because of spying?

Either way, that late score was classless. Typical Belichick. No wonder Phillips barely even looked at King Hoodie during the post-game handshake.

Take care,
PK

With 30 seconds left I was on the phone with my friend.. I said, watch this and see if Belichick has any class and does not score again.. well I think the world could have predicted the outcome.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:33 am

Belichick is definitely an a-hole. No doubt about it, and he doesn't make too many friends nor does he care. I root for the Pats but really, they shouldn't have score that last TD.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:45 am

I'm a staunch libertarian when it comes to stuff like this in sports, particularly in the pros. Screw this "unwritten rule" nonsense! You're getting paid just like those guys. Stop 'em from scoring or save the whining for the stripper you bring home late on Sunday night.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:53 am

RobVarak wrote:I'm a staunch libertarian when it comes to stuff like this in sports, particularly in the pros. Screw this "unwritten rule" nonsense! You're getting paid just like those guys. Stop 'em from scoring or save the whining for the stripper you bring home late on Sunday night.

Understood, but at the same time, you don't want to show up your opponent too much. These things have a tendency to come back and bite them in the ass.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:03 am

I didn't watch the end of the game, but it seems to me by looking at the play-by-play that the one of the best (although certainly unlikely) comeback scenarios for Dallas would be a Jerome Bettis-like fumble returned for a TD the other way followed by an onside kick and a hail mary. If NE takes a knee there I think it's impossible that Dallas can go 97 yards, onside kick, and have time for another hail mary. In other words, about the only possible way Dallas has a shot in that game is if NE goes for the TD so if I'm the Dallas coach, player, or fan I'm hoping they go for it.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:10 am

As far as running up the score on the Cowboys, I will support any attempt to deliver an extra groin kick to the most obnoxious franchise in the NFL. Any team that gainfully employs TO, Michael Irvin, and Barry Switzer in a 20-year span deserves some humble pie.

Anyway, the Super Bowl is New England's to lose. Their RB situation is not good, but Maroney will probably be back next week and Kevin Faulk is servicable when you have Tom Brady. Indy is the only team that looks like a possible challenger.

It was fun watching the Vikings-Bears game, even though the Bears defense got driven on like I-88, because I got to see how a first-round running back is supposed to run. Maybe the Pats will trade some Super Bowl tickets for Cedric Benson.

It's October and I'm already thinking about the Bears draft. Feels like old times.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:10 pm

XXXIV wrote:Dan I see the light.

Like I said I would prefer I was wrong and the Bears win every game. This is an overated Defense that is getting exposed week in and out. People just can't admit it for whatever reason.

Brando70 wrote: It was fun watching the Vikings-Bears game, even though the Bears defense got driven on like I-88, because I got to see how a first-round running back is supposed to run. Maybe the Pats will trade some Super Bowl tickets for Cedric Benson.

You're right in one respect, Benson is no Peterson.

However the Vikings have an excellent Offensive line, and the Bears have a terrible O-line. Benson can't make his own holes, he is a straight ahead runner. When there is no hole he isn't going to do anything.

Since the O-Line can't move anyone off the ball, the Bears are being forced to run pitches and try and hit the ends, that's not Benson's game.

While Benson may not amount to anything in the NFL, I hate to see another Bear take all of the blame for poor evaluation of talent (O-line) on the coaching staff's part and of course the dim witted media and fans.

It's time to start looking at the front office and coaches. They are the ones who made up the identify of this team and it's talent. They need to own up to their mistakes. For example Mike Brown had a history of injuries, so you let Chris Harris go and decided to go with McGowan (who couldn't tackle a pop warner RB apparently).

They took heat for having no pressure on Indy in last years superbowl so they got a new D-cooridnator and changed up philosphies. This new look puts Urlacher on the Line more and he can't shed blocks. Hell I had to check the past few games stats to see if he was even on the field.

When it all comes apart it's common nature for the fans and media to put all the blame on a few players. I choose to focus my disappointment with the front office and coaching staff as they are the ones who put the 2007 bears on the field.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:33 pm

I don't get the indignation over the Patriots end game.

I'm not a Pats fan (despite growing up in New England) but they didn't try to run up the score. If they were trying to run it up, Brady would have kept passing. After Dallas turned it over with just under 4 minutes left, the Pats ran their normal offense, forcing the Cowboys to burn their timeouts. After getting a first down and thus ensuring most of the time would be run off the clock in four more plays, the Pats ran it up the gut four times. They couldn't just take a knee or Dallas would have gotten the ball back with time on the clock. If you think the Cowboys wouldn't have tried to score but would have taken a knee you're nuts.

That the Cowboys couldn't stop the run even when they knew it was coming is their problem. It wasn't the coaches - they called four straight runs into the center of the line. Did the Pats try their best to get Eckel what will likely be his only NFL touchdown? Yes, that offensive line surely did. Is it running up the score to try to give a deep bench player something to remember his NFL tenure by?

There just isn't a controversy here.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:15 pm

Danimal wrote:
XXXIV wrote:Dan I see the light.
Like I said I would prefer I was wrong and the Bears win every game. This is an overated Defense that is getting exposed week in and out. People just can't admit it for whatever reason.

Brando70 wrote: It was fun watching the Vikings-Bears game, even though the Bears defense got driven on like I-88, because I got to see how a first-round running back is supposed to run. Maybe the Pats will trade some Super Bowl tickets for Cedric Benson.
You're right in one respect, Benson is no Peterson.

However the Vikings have an excellent Offensive line, and the Bears have a terrible O-line. Benson can't make his own holes, he is a straight ahead runner. When there is no hole he isn't going to do anything.

Since the O-Line can't move anyone off the ball, the Bears are being forced to run pitches and try and hit the ends, that's not Benson's game.

While Benson may not amount to anything in the NFL, I hate to see another Bear take all of the blame for poor evaluation of talent (O-line) on the coaching staff's part and of course the dim witted media and fans.

The offensive line issue is completely overstated. First of all, this is a line that has been one of the best in the league for the last two years, and a big reason why the Bears have had a top rushing attack despite an erratic passing game. Their production has fallen off a lot this year, but I can see why Angelo figured they would still perform well.

Benson is getting holes. He just can't do anything about them because he is soft and slow. Look at yesterday's game. Peterson had 175 of his 224 yards on three runs. He wasn't getting holes all day. But when his line did open up the defense, he had the speed, strength, and vision to make guys miss, shake weak tackles, and run past people. The Chicago line opened a ton of holes against a tough Vikings run defense, and Benson still finished with a 3.7 ypc average.

Thomas Jones and Ronnie Brown are running behind crap lines and they are still getting better results than Benson. He is just looking more and more like a bust, and it's a shame that Jerry Angelo gave him the job based on his draft position instead of his past performance.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:18 pm

You can add the Seahawks as one of the worse teams currently in the NFL. Here comes winless NO who hasn't score more than 14 points and they come to your home and beat you fair and square. Last week they were blanked by Pitts. Without the running game, (Alexander still injured)Hasselbeck misses an important aspect of the offense repertoire and he hasn't been as accurate throwing and when he does, the receivers are dropping the ball as hot potatoes. Thank goodness they are in a weak division.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:59 pm

I've got to agree with Brando. The OL is failing, but I think with their age and lack of depth it was a calculated risk. You can't allocate money all over the field. They're not as bad as Benson is making them look, though. His vision, elusiveness, creativity and tenaciosness are all lacking in my book. He does not look like a 1st round back...unless you're using Curis Enis as the yardstick. Which, come to think of it, is about all he is good for.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:52 pm

RobVarak wrote:I'm a staunch libertarian when it comes to stuff like this in sports, particularly in the pros. Screw this "unwritten rule" nonsense! You're getting paid just like those guys. Stop 'em from scoring or save the whining for the stripper you bring home late on Sunday night.

I agree 100%...As a Ram fan from the 70s screw the Cowboys. The Pats should have tried an onside kick.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:02 pm

XXXIV wrote:
RobVarak wrote:I'm a staunch libertarian when it comes to stuff like this in sports, particularly in the pros. Screw this "unwritten rule" nonsense! You're getting paid just like those guys. Stop 'em from scoring or save the whining for the stripper you bring home late on Sunday night.
I agree 100%...As a Ram fan from the 70s screw the Cowboys. The Pats should have tried an onside kick.

LOL...I can't remember for sure...but I think it was Jimmy Johnson with the Hurricanes that said..its not our fault your team sucks.
The Cowboys should have lost to the Bills. There is 1 team that can compete with the Pats...and thats the Colts.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:42 pm

Its amazing how one player can hide all the miserable players on your team. But when that player goes, all the holes come out.

THe falcons are a miserable team with a miserable owner and a GM who does not know jack about how to build a team.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:47 pm

RobVarak wrote:I've got to agree with Brando. The OL is failing, but I think with their age and lack of depth it was a calculated risk. You can't allocate money all over the field. They're not as bad as Benson is making them look, though. His vision, elusiveness, creativity and tenaciosness are all lacking in my book. He does not look like a 1st round back...unless you're using Curis Enis as the yardstick. Which, come to think of it, is about all he is good for.

You guys are making it out like I am supporting Benson. He is everything you both say, but the O-Line is bad. I'm 41 and have spent 20 of those years watching game film, I'll stand by my point that the O-Line is terrible, so we will just agree to disagree.

All I am saying is Benson is only going to be productive running dives and slants, when the hole is right in front of him and the bears are not clearing those out. He won't make a cut back on a pitch if there is a hole, he isn't capable of it.

It's not like these holes where there last year, the difference is Jones would cut back and make something out of nothing. After 2 quarters the Defense would start playing the cut back, put in Benson and run him straight ahead and those old ass O-linemen could handle the D-line who was leaning. It's not rocket since why they can't open up those lanes this year.

This is who we brought to the dance, he can't tango he only knows how to waltz. So lets put some f***in waltz music on and get to moving people off the ball.

Having said all of that, you should still win when your offense puts up 31 points. I'm more concerned with that then whether Benson has a 100 yard game on 15-16 carries.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:50 pm

bdunn13 wrote:Its amazing how one player can hide all the miserable players on your team. But when that player goes, all the holes come out.

THe falcons are a miserable team with a miserable owner and a GM who does not know jack about how to build a team.

I think you're being too harsh on your GM, isn't he Rich McKay? He helped Tampa win a Super Bowl. Sometimes it's not just the GM's fault but how the organization is structured, i.e. Head Coach having final say on player personnel and a nosey owner who doesn't know one lick on how to build a Championship caliber team.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:01 am

Rodster wrote:
bdunn13 wrote:Its amazing how one player can hide all the miserable players on your team. But when that player goes, all the holes come out.

THe falcons are a miserable team with a miserable owner and a GM who does not know jack about how to build a team.
I think you're being too harsh on your GM, isn't he Rich McKay? He helped Tampa win a Super Bowl. Sometimes it's not just the GM's fault but how the organization is structured, i.e. Head Coach having final say on player personnel and a nosey owner who doesn't know one lick on how to build a Championship caliber team.

Yes he is, but he is a moron. You build an offense around an OL and this team does not have one.... Vick ran for a reason and now that we have a slow white guy as a QB, its obvious.

Petrino won't be back next year. He has already lost the team and rightfully so.

This is the Falcons first 1-5 start since Vick got hurt.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:05 am

That's too bad. Hopefully we can show Cameron and Mueller the same door, lol. This year the Dolphins have gone from average to pathetic in 1 year. Signing an aging OLB for $30 million and a 37 year old concussion riddled QB is not the formula for success either.

Want to trade teams?

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:13 am

I would surely trade teams. Your team has a history of winning.

My team has never had back to back winning season. Has never won a SB. Has less winning seasons since Carter was president than the Pats do since 2000, could win ever game for 7 years and still be a losing franshise.

In the offseason we signed the highest paid FB in NFL history, Ovie Mughelli. He does not even hardly see the field. I did see him tonight catch 1 pass and catch a return as he was the upman on kickoffs. What a moronic signing by a miserable organization.

And I am so angry right now... I am so sick of my teams sucking all the time.. Why do I care so much when you have guys like Joe I can't catch Horn on the sideline laughing right after he makes a drop.. I truely believe players don't care.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:39 pm

97 yards in less than 2 minutes for a winning TD. I had to double-check I was watching the Bears.

Awful, awful, awful late game play calling by the Eagles. I have no idea why they didn't run more with less than five minutes in the game. Even hitting "Ask Madden" would have produced better clock management.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:33 pm

Brando70 wrote:97 yards in less than 2 minutes for a winning TD. I had to double-check I was watching the Bears.

Awful, awful, awful late game play calling by the Eagles. I have no idea why they didn't run more with less than five minutes in the game. Even hitting "Ask Madden" would have produced better clock management.

I told my friend he better call John Elway cause there is no way the Bears are going 97 without any time outs....Gotta give Griese alot of credit that was as good as it gets.

The Rams...well they are moving to NFL Europe.

Brady...Like Im saying every week.... Whos idea was it to give him receivers?