NFL 2010

[Sander]

As a general rule all high draft picks "impress" in camp and OTAs. It's universal PR-speak.

Yeah, from team sources. But the beat writers around the team (who are fairly hostile toward the current talent level) and people attending the camps and OTAs say the same thing. Brian Price is blowing people up in camp.

But hey, it's just training camp. We'll see how they do in actual game situations in a while.

Did you ever get your fantasy money-league going? It could still be done, but it's getting to be crunch time.

That was Twinkie, though I don't think he actually got it going.

I vote for Dallas as the most overrated team in preseason. I don't see anything different from last year that makes them any better on offense, and their defense is older and potentially worse.

The only real improvement is Dez Bryant, and he's a rookie wide receiver who probably won't make a big impact yet. They lost Flozell Adams without bring in a new OT, and Doug Free did not look good last season. But hey, this team was really good toward the end of the season until they got absolutely destroyed by the Vikings. There's no reason for them not to win a bunch of games and get into the playoffs again.

The Packers might be somewhat overrated. I expect the offense to be as good or better than last year, but the defense could be worse. They also have a much tougher schedule this year compared to last - at least on paper.

Pack defense is an interesting case. It's the second year in a system so you'd expect them to be better, but their secondary looked shaky even with Charles Woodson - who's getting up there in age. And then they also lost Johnny Jolly, which is a huge hit to their D-line.

My question about the Pats is, who's going to be running the ball?

What's wrong with Ryan Grant?

 

[Brother None]

Yeah, from team sources.

And from the press. You either hear "they look great" or you don't hear about that particular player at all. If there's a key player who is not being mentioned in camp reports, worry. When they praise him, it's meaningless. Same every year.

And then they also lost Johnny Jolly, which is a huge hit to their D-line.

And they might be forced to start Raji at NT. Despite the fact that, y'know, he's not a 3-4 NT. Maybe they'll wise up and slide him to DE.

What's wrong with Ryan Grant?

He doesn't play for the Pats?

 

[Sander]

And from the press. You either hear "they look great" or you don't hear about that particular player at all. If there's a key player who is not being mentioned in camp reports, worry. When they praise him, it's meaningless. Same every year.

Sure. That's not true of some of the fans, and it isn't true of all of the media out there. It's all just hype until they get on the field in a game, though.

Interestingly, Brian Price has been outshining Gerald McCoy by a wide margin in practice. Both seem to be a major upgrade over Ryan Sims and Chris Hovan in any case.

He doesn't play for the Pats?

I'd say that's a good thing
Somehow I read Pack there instead of Pats.

It's funny that the Pats have so many RBs on the roster yet none of them look like appealing options.

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

They're a spread offense, they split touches between four guys, they don't even carry a FB, so it's not like they're going to power sweep you 25 times a game. Individually, none of them will wow you with their stats, but I don't see them losing games because of lack of a running game either.

Who's a better 3rd down back than Kevin Faulk? He's money, like a 1st down machine. Run, catch, pass block, kick returns. Lethal on draws, screens, swings, outs, gos. Guy has a career 5.5 YPC, has sick hands, incredibly durable and a great leader. I think he's the longest tenured Patriot.

Sammy Morris is a battering ram when he's healthy, which isn't often.
Maroney is never going to live up to his 1st round billing, but he's competent, and capable of a few break-out games ever year.
Green-Ellis always impresses, but his touches always come in garbage time.

I wouldn't look at aggregate ground numbers to gauge this backfield, I'd look at how they produce when called upon in the clutch - on 3rd and 4th conversions. It's not like you even need a running game in today's NFL - Colts were dead last and could've run the table easily. But still, I'd rather have a Corey Dillon in his prime than all this pass-happy faggotry.

 

[Sander]

They're a spread offense, they split touches between four guys, they don't even carry a FB, so it's not like they're going to power sweep you 25 times a game. Individually, none of them will wow you with their stats, but I don't see them losing games because of lack of a running game either.

I do. If Welker looses some of his quickness, and Randy Moss is already losing some of it, then your spread offense is suddenly a lot worse.
I mean, you guys don't really run a spread. You run a 2-WR offense.

Who's a better 3rd down back than Kevin Faulk?

Backs who don't bobble passes on the first down line on a crucial 4th down play.

Sammy Morris is a battering ram when he's healthy, which isn't often.
Maroney is never going to live up to his 1st round billing, but he's competent, and capable of a few break-out games ever year.
Green-Ellis always impresses, but his touches always come in garbage time.

I wouldn't look at aggregate ground numbers to gauge this backfield, I'd look at how they produce when called upon in the clutch - on 3rd and 4th conversions. It's not like you even need a running game in today's NFL - Colts were dead last and could've run the table easily. But still, I'd rather have a Corey Dillon in his prime than all this pass-happy faggotry.

Brady's not Manning, though. And if Brady doesn't get over the jitters he showed last year the Pats may just move on.

I don't think the Pats can keep up being a pass-first, spread offense.

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

I'm not really worried about depth at WR or lack of offensive weapons with this team. They're loaded.
If you want to pick them apart look at OLB.

Backs who don't bobble passes on the first down line on a crucial 4th down play.

It's hardly habitual for Faulk, seriously, who's a better 3rd down back?

Brady's not Manning, though. And if Brady doesn't get over the jitters he showed last year the Pats may just move on.

I don't think the Pats can keep up being a pass-first, spread offense.

The Patriots aren't last in the league in rushing either, they're 12th with nearly 2K collectively.

As far as jittery Brady, he threw for 4400 yards, 28TDs and a 96 QB rating. That's not too shabby. If the kid doesn't throw for 50TDs evey year it's some kind of let down?

Predicting the demise of the Patriots every year is so passe. Come talk to me after they don't win 10 games and the division.

edit: I totally forgot to mention Fred Taylor, but that's mostly because Fred Taylor is totally not worth mentioning.

 

[UniversalWolf]

Pack defense is an interesting case. It's the second year in a system so you'd expect them to be better, but their secondary looked shaky even with Charles Woodson - who's getting up there in age.

You just convinced me I'm worrying about the defense unnecessarily. I'm not worried about the secondary much. It's not going to be outstanding, but they're all gambling ballhawks and it should be as good or better than last year. Atari Bigby failed his physical, but he might've been replaced by rookie S Morgan Burnett anyway. Morgan Burnett is totally impressing in camp.

And then they also lost Johnny Jolly, which is a huge hit to their D-line.

Jolly just agreed to plead guilty to some minor charge. In exchange, he gets a suspended sentence for one year, and if he doesn't get in any more trouble in that time, his record is expunged. That outcome really makes Goodell's one-year suspension seem extreme. Either Jolly wasn't guilty of all the stuff he's been accused of in the press, or the prosecutors didn't have much evidence, because they let him walk with the kind of sentence you give a high-school kid for shoplifting.

And they might be forced to start Raji at NT. Despite the fact that, y'know, he's not a 3-4 NT. Maybe they'll wise up and slide him to DE.

Raji was named the starting NT a few weeks ago.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Dolphions anyone? I'm making a prediction for my team, Miami, 8-8. Sounds about right. At least they got rid of Ted Ginn.

 

[Sander]

I want to applaud you guys for not talking about Favre's announcement that he won't play this year... but in doing so, I guess that would make me talking about it.

Yeah, I'll believe it when it's week 1 and he's not under center. Until then, I'm not believing a word he says.

Dolphions anyone? I'm making a prediction for my team, Miami, 8-8. Sounds about right. At least they got rid of Ted Ginn.

I'm pretty high on the Dolphins. Chad Henne looked decent last year, Marshall gives them a really good WR, you have a great O-line and Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams is a really dangerous tandem. Too bad your division is so tough.

Jolly just agreed to plead guilty to some minor charge. In exchange, he gets a suspended sentence for one year, and if he doesn't get in any more trouble in that time, his record is expunged. That outcome really makes Goodell's one-year suspension seem extreme. Either Jolly wasn't guilty of all the stuff he's been accused of in the press, or the prosecutors didn't have much evidence, because they let him walk with the kind of sentence you give a high-school kid for shoplifting.

Yeah, the suspension seemed really excessive. But the league is really secretive about the real cause of those suspensions, so it's tough to know what he's being suspended for.
I don't like this conduct policy, though. The Lions' president got suspended for a month (from what I wonder) and fined $100,000 for a DUI. Seriously? I realise the NFL wants to build a brand here, but no one's going to hold some team president driving drunk against the NFL.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Yeah don't remind me. I wish the Patriots and Lions would switch spots. Then we'd go to the playoffs every year. And we know the Lions don't cheat.

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

Yes, clearly what's holding back the Dolphins is that the Patriots had a camera in the wrong area 4 years ago at a Jets game.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Yes, clearly what's holding back the Dolphins is that the Patriots had a camera in the wrong area 4 years ago at a Jets game.

Um 3 years ago. Anyways
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/sports/football/22patriots.html
and
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2010/7/3/1551025/patriots-might-have-been-caught

How do you like dem pig skins? (instead of how do you like dem apples. Get it? Nevermind I know it was stupied)

 

[Guiltyofbeingtrite]

The best thing about being a Washington fan is that you can never predict their record. The two playoff teams in the last 7 or so years were total surprises and I have no idea how well they'll do this year.

But I do know that McNabb can make up for a poor Offensive Line much better than Campbell could.

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

I see we're having difficulty distinguishing unsubstantiated claims (on a Colt's fan site no less) from irrefutable facts. It is not illegal to video tape games. It is not illegal to view and attempt to decipher an opposing coaches signals. Every team engages in this practice and teams take countermeasures to deal with it. The only infraction was the location of the camera, and even that is debatable.

Stop using it as an excuse for why your team sucks. Please give me an example of where taping coach's signals had an appreciable effect on the outcome of a Patriot's game.

I love how some people think there was some vast conspiracy going on where they read signals being called in, deciphered signals (most teams have decoy signal callers and change them up multiple times in game), then transmitted them down to every player on the filed before the ball could be snapped and that this knowledge somehow instantly conferred invincibility on the Patriots. All in the space of about 15 seconds. Yeah, right. That's why the Patriots won 3 SBs, they did that on every play. Anyone who believes that is in living in fantasy land.

Jesus H., you make Cleo Lemon your fucking starter and then blame the Patriots camera crew for why you can't win? Reality check.

Favre up to his old tricks again.

I honestly don't care anymore. I'm so starved for a championship that I wouldn't mind if Favre retired and unretired once a week before gameday.

That's the thing, it can only bother you if you pay attention. I don't see why people get so upset about these games he plays. I kind of like to see the way he makes the media dance and flip-flop. It's almost like he's doing some kind of Andy Kaufman joke on them.

The best thing about being a Washington fan is that you can never predict their record. The two playoff teams in the last 7 or so years were total surprises and I have no idea how well they'll do this year.

But I do know that McNabb can make up for a poor Offensive Line much better than Campbell could.

Cowboys are overrated, Giants will take a nose-dive this year, and Philly is very green. Washington could start to move in the right direction this year IMO.

 

[ManWithNoName]

I see we're having difficulty distinguishing unsubstantiated claims (on a Colt's fan site no less) from irrefutable facts. It is not illegal to video tape games. It is not illegal to view and attempt to decipher an opposing coaches signals. Every team engages in this practice and teams take countermeasures to deal with it. The only infraction was the location of the camera, and even that is debatable.

Stop using it as an excuse for why your team sucks. Please give me an example of where taping coach's signals had an appreciable effect on the outcome of a Patriot's game.

I love how some people think there was some vast conspiracy going on where they read signals being called in, deciphered signals (most teams have decoy signal callers and change them up multiple times in game), then transmitted them down to every player on the filed before the ball could be snapped and that this knowledge somehow instantly conferred invincibility on the Patriots. All in the space of about 15 seconds. Yeah, right. That's why the Patriots won 3 SBs. Anyone who believes that is in living in La-la land.

Jesus H., you make Cleo Lemon your fucking starter and then blame the Patriots camera crew for why you can't win? Reality check.

Ok calm down it dosen't even matter since we have a winning record against the Pats. Also the first link which talked most about their alleged cheating was the New York Times, thats not in indiana. I didn't say there was a vast conspiracy I just said they cheated. And Nick Saben is something were tring to forget. Horrible coach and he left us after repeatedly saying he wouldn't leave. Ted Ginn was also his 1st round draft pick. What an idiot.

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

Saban is an excellent coach, but a Grade A prick

 

[ManWithNoName]

Saban is an excellent coach, but a Grade A prick

Oh yeah he was the coach of Alabama this year. Dang that makes me mad. Leaves the Dolphions in the middle of the season with no coach and goes on to win the biggest bowl game.

 

[Brother None]

That outcome really makes Goodell's one-year suspension seem extreme.

Goodell has no obligation to explain suspensions and that is probably the biggest flaw in this system. However, the NFL has its own private investigators on cases like these, and doesn't need "evidence" with as much bureaucratic strictures as the court did. The court might not be able to prove enough, but that's not relevant to what the NFL concluded on its own.

Couldn't do the same for Broth I wager.

Raji was named the starting NT a few weeks ago.

Sorry to hear that. Prepare to be owned in the trenches.

I want to applaud you guys for not talking about Favre's announcement that he won't play this year... but in doing so, I guess that would make me talking about it.

We were doing really well yes, so shut up. I feel no need to discuss that little manipulative drama queen.

being a Washington fan

Condolences.

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

He won it all at LSU too, but the guy's personality makes Belichik look warm and fuzzy. That's hard to do. Supposedly they are good friends, can you imagine the barrel of laughs those two are together?
Some people are good at playing dictator to college kids, by that shit doesn't fly in the NFL, I think Saban was in over his head. It's shameful how these coaches (Petrino, Kelly, Kiffen) lie and lie up to the last minute when they know all along what they want to do. It's especially shameful in college as the kids aren't pros cashing paychecks (at least outside of USC they don't) and they commit to a program b/c of the coach only to have him leave unexpectedly like that.

I feel no need to discuss that little manipulative drama queen.

How is he manipulative when you can easily ignore him? The media loves pushing this shit, they start drooling like Pavlov's freakin' dog whenever his name comes up. They're complicit in his little charade. He couldn't do this without them amplifying and magnifying everything he does ad absurdum. I don't see his face in front of any cameras, but there's probably hundreds of parasites spouting of rumor and conjecture about him.

 

[Brother None]

How is he manipulative when you can easily ignore him?

What? Are you saying anyone who can be ignored isn't manipulative by definition? I do not think it means what you think it means
You think this shit was accidental? Whatever. You can lay all the blame at the media's feet if you like. They're all annoying, but heck, at least I get the media's motivations, they get more hits for chewing the cud on Favre. Favre? I dunno what he stands to gain except being a vindictive bitch.

I don't see his face in front of any cameras,

No, but he's texting and nodding to people enough.

Again, whatevz, can we put a moratorium on wasting time talking about Britfar? Even Haynewsworthy is more interesting.