NFL 2013-14

[RobVarak]

One of the worst coached Bears games I can remember seeing.

I change my prediction of 8-8 to 7-9.

Hard to coach your way around a defense that gives up yards like that. That final drive in regulation was pathetic. Made an utterly s*** QB look like Peyton Manning.

[Rodster]

Oh oh, Billicheat is back in the news :}

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10065 ... d-patriots

[Danimal]

One of the worst coached Bears games I can remember seeing.

I change my prediction of 8-8 to 7-9.

Hard to coach your way around a defense that gives up yards like that. That final drive in regulation was pathetic. Made an utterly s*** QB look like Peyton Manning.

I'm sorry a few weeks ago when I said the defense was pathetic you said it's not a defensive league anymore.

I saw a coach who was not coaching to win but was trying to preserve a win. Pretty much what the last coach did we ran out of town. You get a break on the INT and then you run it 2 straight times in short yardage. Maybe he hasn't been paying attention but we can't run in short yardage. We don't have a defense who can preserver a win. BTW Chris Conte should be arrested for stealing because that guy is robbing the Bears of money.

Then kicking the field goal on 2nd down. Sorry if the ball is at the 20 yard line I'm ok with that, not a 47 yard kick, especially when Fote was getting 4-5 yards a clip in that series. I could go on but whats the point, the typical Bears fan who thought a coaching change meant we were going to the playoffs will have excuses to justify the f*** we are seeing.

I think there is a good chance this team loses its last 4 games and end up 6-10. Can't wait for the talk then. But no worries Rob you have the Cubs to look forward too LOL

[RobVarak]

I'm sorry a few weeks ago when I said the defense was pathetic you said it's not a defensive league anymore.

It's not. Not even remotely. Unfortunately, the rules do require that you put a defense out there and it should probably be one that won't let Matt Cassel drive a team 80 yards after burying him with a 4th and 11.

Seriously though, I find it hard to crap on Trestman for a questionable decision or two when you have a dozen players out there whose repeated mistakes were far more central to the reason the team lost. It's a talk radio trap.

[DivotMaker]

Oh oh, Billicheat is back in the news :}

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10065 ... d-patriots

Pretty pathetic coming from a 2-10 team.....

[Danimal]

Rob,

Can we run in short yardage? If we need a yard do you think our best option is to run a power I iso play? When is the last time we have picked that up? If I know that won't work, you know it won't work, hell everyone on God's green earth knows it won't work. Why does the head coach do it twice in a row?

There is also no other coach in the NFL who is going to kick a 47 yard field goal in over time with 2 more downs to gain yardage or maybe even a first down, if i recall forte rattled off 5 yards on the first play. No matter the reasons given, there is no way to explain that away.

I also resent the fact you're implying I get my thought process from talk radio. Ask my wife why I was yelling at the screen in both those situations, maybe it's because I know something about football.

This article perfectly sums up how I felt yesterday and even more so today. http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... st-offense

His coaching style on offense has changed down the stretch and I have no idea why.

[10spro]

Big stakes tonight between the Seahawks and Saints. Home field NFC advantage is for grabs for the winner and we all know how well these two adversaries are when they play in friendly confines. However, if there's one game where i can see SEA losing at home is this one as D. Brees will try to exploit one of Hawks' strongest assets in their secondary, thanks to a couple of weed heads that don't seem to get the message. And in B. Browners' case, a second time offender.

Win, and they'll the first team to clinch a spot in the playoffs. It should be a heck of a match up.

[RobVarak]

Dan,

Your resentment is misplaced. I wasn't saying that your thought process was inspired by the phone-in meatballs. I was saying that by focusing on Trestman, you're missing the forest for the trees, which is a mistake that is often made on talk radio. I know you know the game well and I'm certain you were calling him out for it in real time.

Your specific criticism of him for the 2nd down FG is certainly legitimate and I'm 100% certain that if Trestman were honest, he'd admit it as well. They could have done a number of things to improve their chance at that FG. I agree that he made a mistake. I just don't believe that mistake is sufficient to be considered a predominant cause of their losing. His negligence was vastly overshadowed by the poor play of the team, especially the defense and McCown down the stretch.

As for his evolution toward conservatism, I think that's completely explained by the teams awful penalty record over the last 4 games. They've become a disaster, and I think that (coupled with the bizarre Vikings facemask on the FG) made him particularly jittery about taking any snaps more than necessary. Again, not an excuse. It was the wrong call. But I understand why he did it.

All of this is just part and parcel of something that bothers me about NFL analysis. It's so much more entertaining to look at 2-3 coaching decisions per game instead of 20-25 physical or mental errors on the field that are often harder to identify and usually much harder to isolate.

[Brando70]

Rob,

Can we run in short yardage? If we need a yard do you think our best option is to run a power I iso play? When is the last time we have picked that up? If I know that won't work, you know it won't work, hell everyone on God's green earth knows it won't work. Why does the head coach do it twice in a row?

There is also no other coach in the NFL who is going to kick a 47 yard field goal in over time with 2 more downs to gain yardage or maybe even a first down, if i recall forte rattled off 5 yards on the first play. No matter the reasons given, there is no way to explain that away.

I also resent the fact you're implying I get my thought process from talk radio. Ask my wife why I was yelling at the screen in both those situations, maybe it's because I know something about football.

This article perfectly sums up how I felt yesterday and even more so today. http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/ ... st-offense

His coaching style on offense has changed down the stretch and I have no idea why.

There's no excuse for the 2nd-down FG attempt. I agree with that completely and that has been his worst decision of the year. But Forte has actually had a decent average in short-yardage situations this year, and given that the Bears had two chances to get one-yard and wanted to keep the clock running, I don't think that was a bad call.

It was a bad loss yesterday, no doubt, but I don't get how anyone can blame the problems this season on anything except the defense. Losing three Pro Bowlers, a veteran starting middle linebacker, and having your top defensive lineman fall off a cliff unexpectedly would be hard for most teams to handle. Add in a busted McClellin and two horrendous safeties, and I don't know how any coach could make this defense work.

Not to let Trestman off the hook, as he has made some mistakes for sure. But this team's problems are clearly with the defensive personnel.

[Danimal]

Brando,

I'm not blaming the coach and letting the players off the hook. I've been harping on the defense since week 2. Should we be able to run for a yard...Yes. On 4th and 11 should we be able to cover...Yes. Should Chris Conte look like he has been on a football field before...questionable.

As bad as this defense is, and it is god awful and I don't think the injuries can be used as an excuse. This game and the Lions game could of been won. So while the players play the games, an experienced coach will work with his strengths and cover his weaknesses.

If you need a yard the way the Bears are currently comprised after what you have seen for 12 games. Which do you think gives you a better shot.

1. Run a power I iso to the LEFT side of the line twice in a row.
2. Spread out the receivers and throw a slant to Marshall, Alshon of the Black Unicorn (was waiting all year to get that nick name out)?

If you really think it is #1, we will agree to disagree.

[MizzouRah]

The fake punt the Rams pulled today at their own 20 was f***in disgraceful. Fisher get your head our your ass you piece of s***!

First and only time I will ever say this...Wish Bradford was playing! We miss you Sam!

On the bright side..the Rams still have another first round draft pick from the dumbassskins....Lets go Giants!

Did you see that roughing the passer call on Dunbar? The NFL is getting really painful to watch!

[10spro]

With dominating performances like tonight, Seahawks don't need the pot heads for all I care. Saints just could not run nor air the ball tonight. Bring on the whiners next weekend.

[Brando70]

With dominating performances like tonight, Seahawks don't need the pot heads for all I care. Saints just could not run nor air the ball tonight. Bring on the whiners next weekend.

They are going to be really tough to beat at home. That dismantling of the Saints might be the most impressive of the season.

[Brando70]

Brando,

I'm not blaming the coach and letting the players off the hook. I've been harping on the defense since week 2. Should we be able to run for a yard...Yes. On 4th and 11 should we be able to cover...Yes. Should Chris Conte look like he has been on a football field before...questionable.

As bad as this defense is, and it is god awful and I don't think the injuries can be used as an excuse. This game and the Lions game could of been won. So while the players play the games, an experienced coach will work with his strengths and cover his weaknesses.

If you need a yard the way the Bears are currently comprised after what you have seen for 12 games. Which do you think gives you a better shot.

1. Run a power I iso to the LEFT side of the line twice in a row.
2. Spread out the receivers and throw a slant to Marshall, Alshon of the Black Unicorn (was waiting all year to get that nick name out)?

If you really think it is #1, we will agree to disagree.

Normally, I would not recommend the Bears run two power running plays in a row. But given the situation and Forte having a strong game, I can see why they would call that twice. Even with the challenges they have with power blocking, that's still a high percentage play and one that won't stop the clock if it fails. Not saying it was the best call, but not the worst either.

Trestman did have some bad decisions in the second Lions game, and any time they have trusted Michael Bush has been a coaching fail. Even the Bears defense could stop him.

[XXXIV]

Did you see that roughing the passer call on Dunbar? The NFL is getting really painful to watch!

Painful is correct. That was a killer goodell job. The whole first qtr plus was an officiating joke. nbaesue.

With dominating performances like tonight, Seahawks don't need the pot heads for all I care. Saints just could not run nor air the ball tonight. Bring on the whiners next weekend.

They are going to be really tough to beat at home. That dismantling of the Saints might be the most impressive of the season.

Yep...Dont see them losing at home... No I dont.

[DivotMaker]

Mercifully, the Texans fired Gary Kubiak today. Should not stop there and fire GM Rick Smith while he is at it....

[dbdynsty25]

Mercifully, the Texans fired Gary Kubiak today. Should not stop there and fire GM Rick Smith while he is at it....

Is it really the GMs fault there? Serious question. He's got a talented team, just didn't have the right two guys to lead it (Kubiak and Schaub). It's almost a guarantee that the next coach will get coach of the year next year because there is quite a bit of talent on both sides of the ball and there's no where to go but up it seems.

[wco81]

Yeah there's talk that they could have a Chiefs-like turnaround next year.

Schaub just isn't good enough. He could have had Johnson on that fourth down play and then the next series he tries to force it into Johnson.

But they would still have a good shot to win the division next year. They wouldn't beat too many of the top AFC teams but even if you get the best QB in the draft, it would take a couple of years to develop. We know Alex Smith isn't going to beat the top AFC teams in the playoffs either but they're still going to have a good year because of the defense and running game they have.

Sounds familiar?

There's talk they could get Clowney though to pair with Watt.

[DivotMaker]

Mercifully, the Texans fired Gary Kubiak today. Should not stop there and fire GM Rick Smith while he is at it....

Is it really the GMs fault there? Serious question. He's got a talented team, just didn't have the right two guys to lead it (Kubiak and Schaub). It's almost a guarantee that the next coach will get coach of the year next year because there is quite a bit of talent on both sides of the ball and there's no where to go but up it seems.

Giving Matt Schaub a $60M contract renewal last year for starters and most of the Texans 1st round draft picks have been disasters(except for JJ Watt). This past draft was truly horrid as two draft picks have already been released for drug violations (Sam Montgomery of LSU 3rd round pick for one). Signing an injured Ed Reed who has also been released after 7 games. Shall I continue?

[XXXIV]

Giving Matt Schaub a $60M contract renewal last year for starters and most of the Texans 1st round draft picks have been disasters(except for JJ Watt). This past draft was truly horrid as two draft picks have already been released for drug violations (Sam Montgomery of LSU 3rd round pick for one). Signing an injured Ed Reed who has also been released after 7 games. Shall I continue?

No. That will do. Thanks.

[Danimal]

It's snowing in so many games today, I love watching football like this.

[MizzouRah]

It's snowing in so many games today, I love watching football like this.

Fantastic, especially the Lions - Eagles game.

[RobVarak]

Fun to play in when you're a kid. Looks good but ruins an NFL game IMO.

[XXXIV]

Fun to play in when you're a kid. Looks good but ruins an NFL game IMO.

Yes, yes and yes.

Fun to watch and was great to play in as a kid but they are not playing the same game in Philly. Lions have gone for two after both TDs.

As I write that...Eagles hit two big pass plays to get a TD. Then miss their try for two.

Could be a some "superbowl" in NJ...

TWO TERRIBLE booth reviews so far. One in Baltimore and one pretty scary one in Cincy. These refs are just getting worse. How is that even possible? Pretty sad.

EDIT: Good booth review in Pittsburgh. One in a row. The zebras are heating up!

[Danimal]

Fun to play in when you're a kid. Looks good but ruins an NFL game IMO.

As usual your opinion is wrong Just joking and I can understand your point of view but I'm just enjoying the hell out of it.

Besides if weather is going to ruin games, why don't we just put every team in a dome?