NFL Thread - 2009-10

[Big Sexy]

In your Create Your MLB Playoffs thread, I was ignorant. But this, , is me. Even Christian says haha. No way he is better than Cutler. Cutler literally led the Broncos to an 8-8 year last year. He basically had Brandon Marshall and that was it. No running back, a good one anyway, and a sad excuse for a defense.

God I hate to do this to you again, but looking at the numbers it seems as if Cutler may not be that much better then Aaron Rodgers.

Cutler completed 62.3% of his passes for 4,526 yards with 25 tds and 18 picks. He had an 86.0 quarterback rating.

Aaron Rodgers completed 63.6% of his passes for 4,038 yards with 28 tds and only 13 picks. He had a 93.8 quarterback rating. Rodgers had better stats in every category except for yards.

I know you're going to say that Rodgers had a better running game and better receivers so let's look at that.

Although Denver didn't have one stand out back you know the Broncos always run the ball well. As a team they were 12th in the NFL in rushing with 1,862 yards and a 4.8 ypc average. The Packers were 17th in the NFL in rushing with 1,801 yards and only a 4.1 ypc average.

Neither team had much after the top two receivers, but Denver's receivers were not much worse then Green Bay's. Marshall is a legit Pro Bowler with or without Cutler. He and Eddie Royal put up numbers that were on par with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.

Cutler is good but he really isn't that much better then Rodgers, if he's better at all. Cutler still throws way too many picks and he was doing that with a legit number one target in Brandon Marshall. Now he has jack shit at receiver. If you take the career stats from every receiver on the Bears roster it looks like this: 97 catches for 1332 yards and 6 touchdowns. Brandon Marshall by himself last year had 104 catches for 1265 yards and 6 touchdowns. Only 4 receivers on the Bears roster have ever caught a pass in an NFL game. 86 of the 97 career receptions Bears receivers have came from just 2 guys, Devin Hester and Rashied Davis. Hester at the best is a number 2 receiver and Davis at the best is a slot receiver.

 

[Theo Mays]

Can't wait for the season boys. Haven't roamed in here before, but glad I did. I love me some football, big time Vikings fan. Can't wait for the Hall of Fame inductions tonight and then of course there is the first preseason game of the year on Sunday. Off topic, anyone interested in doing a fantasy football league on ESPN or NFL.com?

 

[CH David]

Damn it Big Sexy. I thought we were done with our debates lol. I'm not going to debate you. Numbers are numbers and it is what it is. Again, I came across in my point a little high on my home team, what can I say, I'm a homer. I didn't mean for it to sound like Cutler was amazing, and that Rodgers is horrible. I just found it funny that he said Rodgers is "maybe better". I'd agree they are pretty close. Rodgers had a good defense playing with him. If he threw a pick, his defense had the ability to stop them. The Broncos had a horrid defense, that was basically put together on the fly. Couldn't rush the quarterback, or stop the run. That is a huge difference. Also, Cutler had 616 attempts, I would think if you complete 65% of that, your doing a good job because 616 attempts will put a lot of wear and tear on your arm. 62.3% isn't bad.

The only point in all of my posts, with the exception of the excerpt Big Sexy has brought out, is that Cutler is a good quarterback, coming to a city filled with shitty quarterbacks for years. This was and is huge for Bears fans. He has weapons, underrated ones such as the tight ends and running backs, and competent, not break out like I said before, but competent receivers. With Cutler manning the offense, he can keep the defense off the field, giving them rest. A defense can't play well when they are dead tired, just trying to catch a breath, and then back on the field 30 seconds later. Also, like I said, Cutler is there for when there are close games in the 4th quarter. Good quarterbacks can lead their team down the field and score.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

So, Steve Smith was carted off the practice field after a hard collision with Chris Gamble, which left Smith with a sore/hurt shoulder.

Albeit initial x-rays were negative, this is just not the way Carolina needs to start off their Season. Ma'ake Kemoeatu is already out for the Season with an injury, and he was more or less our Kris Jenkins replacement. He was the biggest man on our D-Line, and while Peppers is without question the best on that line.. Ma'ake was who I'd consider our "anchor" to be. He was a great run stuffer, and one of the reasons New York (Giants) torched us last year in that regular season game was because Ma'ake didn't play.

Let me put this in better terms. We.. might be fucked.. for run stopping, now.

As for the Steve Smith situation, this isn't exactly the first Season he's had injury issues. He's missed games with a sore toe, broken leg, and even the flu. But all in all, I'd be willing to bet Smith is in our Starting line-up come Week 1, when games start to count.

The only reason I hate this, is because if he doesn't play at all in the Pre-Season, and he does little to no practicing, he could be "rusty" come Week 1. Doubtful, but its possible.

 

[Ty Burna]

Damn it Big Sexy. I thought we were done with our debates lol. I'm not going to debate you. Numbers are numbers and it is what it is. Again, I came across in my point a little high on my home team, what can I say, I'm a homer. I didn't mean for it to sound like Cutler was amazing, and that Rodgers is horrible. I just found it funny that he said Rodgers is "maybe better". I'd agree they are pretty close. Rodgers had a good defense playing with him. If he threw a pick, his defense had the ability to stop them. The Broncos had a horrid defense, that was basically put together on the fly. Couldn't rush the quarterback, or stop the run. That is a huge difference. Also, Cutler had 616 attempts, I would think if you complete 65% of that, your doing a good job because 616 attempts will put a lot of wear and tear on your arm. 62.3% isn't bad.

The only point in all of my posts, with the exception of the excerpt Big Sexy has brought out, is that Cutler is a good quarterback, coming to a city filled with shitty quarterbacks for years. This was and is huge for Bears fans. He has weapons, underrated ones such as the tight ends and running backs, and competent, not break out like I said before, but competent receivers. With Cutler manning the offense, he can keep the defense off the field, giving them rest. A defense can't play well when they are dead tired, just trying to catch a breath, and then back on the field 30 seconds later. Also, like I said, Cutler is there for when there are close games in the 4th quarter. Good quarterbacks can lead their team down the field and score.

That's all great and wonderful that Cutler is a good quarterback, the problem is he doesn't have any wide receivers to throw to, period. Hester is overrated as a wide receiver, and who else they got? Greg Olsen, who is still a little unproven. I will give him the benefit of having Forte in the backfield now, Rodgers is hoping and praying that Ryan Grant can return to form this season from his horrid last year. Chicago's defense meanwhile is getting older, and last year could be a big indicator on how things could go this year. They started to look sluggish come the 4th quarter, even if their offense was doing well and keeping drives alive. Also to add to that Tommy Harris did have a second surgery done to his knee, so he may not be up to the elite D lineman that Chicago is hoping he can be. Looking ahead Chicago traded it's future for a QB that is good, and has the potential to be great. I can't necessarily disagree with that, considering I wanted Minnesota to go get him myself, but the price Chicago paid for him was too much. Cutler's proven to be an above average QB, but to give up all those draft picks, he needs to become a top flight QB right now, rather than later. It could be a disaster for the Bears if Cutler's development suddenly takes a step backwards.

As far as Green Bay goes, Rodgers is a solid QB, again he's an above average QB that tries to minimize mistakes, but he has to take a step forward this year in order to help his offense out. I think Ryan Grant was nothing more than a flash in the pan and isn't the strong running back that Green Bay was hoping he would be. Donald Driver is getting up there in age, and they don't have a go to TE like they did in previous years. Greg Jennings is a very good wide receiver so at least he has one target to throw to. I don't think they will do as well as everyone thinks they will, that transition to the 3-4 defense is going to hurt them pretty badly, the reason being that the players they have are not accustomed to the 3-4, and a lot of them are not tailored to play in a 3-4 defense. I think their rushing defense will suffer, and in a division with Matt Forte and Adrian Peterson, it's going to cost them dearly. I think Rodgers will end up being the better QB than Cutler, but to be honest, at the moment I hate both their guts by proxy of being a Vikings fan.

 

[Nate DaMac]

Well I haven't followed the offseason as intently this year as I have in the past, but I have been able to keep up on most of what's going on in KC this year. The signing of Cassell had me very skeptical to say the least. A QB with one professional year under his belt didn't exactly seem like the answer. So obviously when we gave him a 6 year extentsion, I was baffled. Now however, with us acquiring Amani Toomer and Bobby Ingram or Engram I don't remember exactly, I have a little more hope. We may have a little bit of a passing game, and LJ should have a good year with the passing game opening up. With the 2-14 season we had last year, the potential to finish 2nd in the AFC West is a giant step forward. I know Toomer and Engram aren't exactly the answer to long term success, but with a young QB and Bowe not having a veteran WR to show him the ropes, I think they have an opportunity to grow. Our defense will still likely be horrid, but with Oakland in shambles, Denver being whatever Denver is, and San Diego...

 

[Theo Mays]

If anyone is interested in doing a fantasy league, PM me your email address and Ill send you the invite. I need a few more members, league is on ESPN.

 

[48.7 is Approximately 49 Times Better Than You]

Michael Vick has officially signed a 2-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. He's going to report to camp tomorrow, and will be eligible to play in the rest of the preseason games.

I don't see the point, really. Donovan McNabb is a rather good scrambling quarterback in his own right. Maybe he can do the Wildcat thing, be a receiver or a back... At least someone is taking a chance on Vick. This could be a great story of redemption. Welcome back, Vick. Don't screw up.

 

[Paradox]

So I'm watching the game on espn. When it comes across the air that Michael Vick has signed a two year deal with the Eagles. So what do you guys think about this? And what do you think this means with McNabb and Vick being on the same team...

Mod Edit: Not spam, I merged his thread into this one.

 

[Baller]

I think this is a great move for Philadelphia, McNabb is usually injured so when Vick is ready to step in he will be able to play. He signed a 2 year deal, which is surprising as I thought only a 1 year deal would be in order.

Now McNabb cant be happy with this in anyway however, as he wasnt even happy when they drafted Kevin Kolb. Will Michael Vick be a good fit in Philadelphia? I think he is as he is similar scrambler like McNabb not as good a thrower of McNabb but when week 6 comes along Vick will be ready to step in.

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

McNabb says he endorseed this deal and tried to get the Eagles to make it happen. Hopefully this is how he feels and not just Donovan the Company Man saying what the media wants to hear.
I think they are going to move Vick around, throw him in at running back, wide receiver, tight end in receiving downs, qb on occasion. Philadelphia is an organization that wins, maybe not Super Bowls, but overall they win, they make sound personal decisions over the course of the last decade so I think this may work out for both parties, if not it's not a big loss. They already have their number 1 qb and their heir apparent in Kolb.

 

[Big Sexy]

Anyone who thought that Vick would come back and be a starter right away for any team is either stupid or naive. Mcnabb has been friends with Vick since he tried to recruit Vick to come to Syracuse. It was Mcnabb who went to coach Andy Reid and suggested that they go after Vick.

Kevin Kolb has not been very impressive since coming into the league so Vick can compete for the back up job as well as get some time at running back and receiver. Anyone with Vick's ability can find a way to get into games and make an impact.

It's only a one year deal with a team option for a second year. If he can show that he has his act together off the field and he can still play on the field, then another team could give him a chance to compete for a starting job in the future.

 

[Christian Battlez]

Vick will be a great fit for the Eagles. He can play runningback,receiver,wildcat,and quarterback. Mark my words we will see Vick throw a ball to McNabb at some point this year. Good signing and im glad someone gave Vick a chance at redemption.

Yesterday I watched the Vikings/Colts preseason game and even though Sanders and Bethea weren't active for the game I was really impressed with Sage Rosenfels and Visanthe Shiancoe. Shiancoe has potential to be a great weapon in our passing game and a good safety net for Jackson or Rosenfels. Sage could win the starting job if he keeps it up while Jackson is hurt.

Today I watched the Bears/Bills game. Last year the Bears weakness on defense was their passing defense while their run defense was good. From what I saw in this game expect more of the same. Trent Edwards was 10/10 at one point in the second quarter. Thats horrible for Bears fans. Cutler also wasn't very impressive as he threw a ball directly to Leodis McKelvin for a pick and another ball way over Devin Hesters head into double coverage almost throwing another INT. This ain't Denver anymore Jay...your recievers can't bail you out.

 

[Theo Mays]

I love this pickup for the Eagles. Vick gives them a new player to work around and he brings a whole another dimension to the football field.

Yesterday I watched the Vikings/Colts preseason game and even though Sanders and Bethea weren't active for the game I was really impressed with Sage Rosenfels and Visanthe Shiancoe. Shiancoe has potential to be a great weapon in our passing game and a good safety net for Jackson or Rosenfels. Sage could win the starting job if he keeps it up while Jackson is hurt.

I too was impressed with Sage. I'm a big fan of TJack and will always support him, but Sage might be the best option if the Vikes want to win. Shiancoe is the man. I've loved him since his backup days as Giant. I'm so glad he is turning into a reliable option and a big time threat at TE. Makes me look pretty smart saying he'd turn into a capable TE. I see a big year from him and a potential pro bowler.

 

[X]

I can't believe how quickly everyone is jumping on Michael Vick's dick. He's fast. That's about his only talent. He's a shit QB with a shit arm. You guys realize this guy hasn't played football in years now, right? And you expect him to just come in and make an impact? Ridiculous, the guy is going to struggle to even keep up with the rest of the team, he hasn't been in any training. I could see him being used as receiver or RB, but I'm not sure he'd be successful at either of those positions. Being fast isn't enough to be a good WR or RB, it takes alot more than that.

Vick will contribute almost nothing to the Eagles this year.

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

I can't believe how quickly everyone is jumping on Michael Vick's dick. He's fast. That's about his only talent. He's a shit QB with a shit arm. You guys realize this guy hasn't played football in years now, right? And you expect him to just come in and make an impact? Ridiculous, the guy is going to struggle to even keep up with the rest of the team, he hasn't been in any training. I could see him being used as receiver or RB, but I'm not sure he'd be successful at either of those positions. Being fast isn't enough to be a good WR or RB, it takes alot more than that.

Vick will contribute almost nothing to the Eagles this year.

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you on this topic. While I am an Eagles fan I have never been a Michael Vick fan. But I think the kid, while probably not considered a good human being, is a talented football player. True, he has been sitting in a prison cell and is not in football shape or up to the speed of the game. But he has two weeks left in training camp and won't see game action until week 6 at the earliest. So physically, if he puts in the time, he can get into football shape. The mental aspect, learning the playbook for whatever position (QB, WR, RB, TE) is going to be a bigger challenge because while he is physically gifted I don't believe he is the smartest athlete.
As far as contributing to the team this year, I guess it depends on what your defenition is. I don't see him lining up as a starter anywhere on the field this year. I think he'll get a handful of plays a game at various positions and making an impact with all the athletes the Eagles have now, with Maclin and Jackson at WR, Westbrook and McCoy at RB and McNabb at QB. Any combination of those guys on the field will have the potential for excitement.
Don't get me wrong, I won't be taking him on any of my fantasy teams but I think he'll definitely have an impact (positively) on the Eagles this year.
I don't think the Eagles expect a huge contribution from him, especially this year. I think this was more of a favor for Tony Dungy. That coupled with Andy Reids sons being in prison, the Eagles were a good spot for giving him a second chance and setting him up to return to somewhere else in the NFL after his Eagles contract runs out after next season. If he can prove that he is a team player and a model citizen.

 

[BooCocky]

I always thought Vick was a hell of an athlete with a very strong arm but an innaccurate one at that. He's just in Philly to get life back on track. Nothing more, nothing less. I can almost guarantee they will decline the 2010 option. Someone is going to end up paying Vick a lot of money because of his athletic ability.

Now on to my Steelers. They looked alright on Thursday night. Ben played real well and made some decent throws. Our line looked a little better, and Limas Sweed was actually catching the ball. My Man. Shaun McDonald was a nice pick-up, he has reliable hands, and good speed. Our passing game should be a lot better than last years. We have Holmes, Ward, Miller, McDonald, Sweed, Wallace, and Dallas Baker.

Our first team defense looked great once again, and I was impressed with Ziggy Hood. he has some speed for a big man, and showed a lot of determination when rushing the passer. i expect great things from him this year and for years to come. Also, Dixon impressed me with his passing.

Also, even though he isn't A Steeler, Tyler Palko looked good and should be battling St. Pierre for a roster spot. St. Pierre sucks, he has been in the NFL for years and still looks petrified when lining up behind center.

Anyways, go Steelers.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

I am really interested in this NFL season. With the Patriots off missing the playoffs and what appears to be a mild decline from the Colts, there's really no clear cut pre-season favorite. I guess you have to look at the Steelers as the team to beat.

My focus, as always, in the NFC North. As a HUGE Green Bay Packers fan, I am totally over the Favre deal, in love with Aaron Rodgers, and looking for the defense and the Ryan Grant Running Attack to return to its 2007-08 form. I feel very good about the Pack this year, and the division is wide open. 3 teams have a legit shot.

Green Bay is a solid and VERY young team, only improving.

Minnesota may have been a SB favorite with Favre, but instrad they are stuck with a QB controversy involving two very average NFL passers. Peterson remains the best thing on two legs in the league, though, and don't overlook the fact that the Vikes have one of the most consistent place kickers in the league in Ryan Longwell - that can make or break a lot of games.

Chicago is so enigmatic, and I think they are set up to fail. Their defense shit the bed last year, Cutler looked awful his first pre-season game, and he has no real receiver to throw to. Chicago just doesn't have enough, I don't think.

The Lions will win 2-3 games because of the upgrade in QB. Whether those will be divisional games remains to be seen. If either Green Bay, Minnesota, or Chicago lose to Detroit, a worthless franchise, it will be seen as a waste of a week of preparation by the coach.

My NFC North predictions:

Minnesota - 10-6
Green Bay - 8-8
Chicago - 7-9
Detroit - 2-14

 

[TheOneBigWill]

For a Pre-Season game that means nothing, tonight's game was pretty damn well exciting from start to finish.

Out of this game, I've noticed a few bright spots for Carolina. Before I bring that up, I also want to point out how much I laughed when I "viewed" the forum when I got home and noticed NorCal talking shit on Delhomme - when his team is the fucking Niners. I get Delhomme isn't the greatest, but he's at least helped lead Carolina somewhere other than the end of the regular season and then an extra long vacation.

Now then.. the two bright spots in this game..

Mike Goodson: While he didn't start out impressing me, he finished well enough to make me be fine with him taking up the 3rd string behind Williams & Stewart. Goodson has some speed - as in, torching fast start, stop, re-start speed. His TD run proved that, as he left Defenders in the dust, after stopping flat-out and restarting in the opposite direction.

I think Goodson is going to help Carolina become similar to the Giants in what I believe they'll do the most this Season. Run, run and run some more.

Hunter Cantwell: 4 for 4, for 67 yds, including a 21 yd rush and a TD on the game tying drive. Including a 2 pt conv. that ties the game with under a minute to go. This alone proves that he deserves a spot on the roster more than fucking Josh McCown.

I don't give a shit what type of "experience" McCown holds, the guy isn't a good football player. He's had opportunities and literally fumbled & thrown them all away. Cantwell wasn't ever given a huge chance in College, since he played the majority of his College stay behind Brohm. However, I think he could be a definite replacement for Josh McCown.

Other Thoughts: As for the negative Jake Delhomme comments, its a fucking Pre-Season game that means all of nothing.. and Steve Smith, his favorite target, didn't even suit up and play. So what did you really expect? He still went 5 of 9, for 38 yds. What, not the 200 yd game you'd expect in a Pre-Season game? Come on guys, I thought you were Football fans who knew the sport.

Williams had another decent outting, considering it was the Panthers unofficial first game back. And Stewart sat out.

I wanted so badly to see a great showing by Jason Carter, as we're lacking at WR - but for a guy who strives to catch everything in practices, he sure missed WIDE OPEN passes tonight.

Finally, while our Offensive Line should be amazing - we completely seemed out of sync tonight. We gave up like 5 different turnovers, with 4 of them coming off fumbles. Not the best. But once again, its to be expected in the first Pre-Season game.

 

[X]

A source close to Brett Favre said the quarterback, pending a physical, will sign a contract with the Minnesota Vikings for between $10 million to $12 million, according to ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

Well, what a shocker. And by shocker I mean we all knew this was going to happen, and I don't think any one of us outside of Ty and the other Vikings fans really give half a shit. I've lost all respect for Favre, and it's never coming back. Either stay retired, or don't tell us you're done Brett. Stop playing this fucking game for YEARS now and taking up all the news. It's annoying, and you come off as an adolescent.

This will obviously be a huge help to the Vikings. They now have a real QB, and not a junk arm like Jackson. This in my mind pushes the Vikings into a serious contender, and likely winner of the NFC North.

Thoughts? Ty, how long before you wet yourself buddy?

 

[Baller]

Ugh. I personally believe this will split the locker room thus making it worse for the team and I dont think he can last a full season in the NFL anymore. Since the Vikings are giving him 10-12 million I dont think it is a 1 year deal, so the Vikings really have no faith in their quarterbacks.

I am so tired of Brett Favre retiring and unretiring, but anyway now that he is a Viking will this help the Vikings or hurt them?

 

[Baller]

My Dolphins looked good defensively last night as the rookie Smith at cb is going to win the starting job over 1st round pick Vontae Davis. I think the Dolphins despite the toughest schedule in the NFL can go 9-7 and possibly get the wild card. What do you guys think about the Dolphins this year?

 

[Ty Burna]

Well, what a shocker. And by shocker I mean we all knew this was going to happen, and I don't think any one of us outside of Ty and the other Vikings fans really give half a shit. I've lost all respect for Favre, and it's never coming back. Either stay retired, or don't tell us you're done Brett. Stop playing this fucking game for YEARS now and taking up all the news. It's annoying, and you come off as an adolescent.

This will obviously be a huge help to the Vikings. They now have a real QB, and not a junk arm like Jackson. This in my mind pushes the Vikings into a serious contender, and likely winner of the NFC North.

Thoughts? Ty, how long before you wet yourself buddy?

Cleaning the mess up now as we speak. Fucking right on, I had lost hope for this season (see the Favre thread), but now we're right back on track. I don't care if you've lost respect for Favre or anything like that, hell I Hated the man for as long as I can remember being a Vikings fan. But the fact remains he will be a big boost to our offense, we have a legit starting QB, and with that running game and defense backing him up, Favre won't have to throw for 400 yards a game like the Jets started to rely on him doing towards the end of last season.

As far as the other QB's go, I think Sage gets the back up spot, Jackson goes to third string, and Booty gets the fuck out of town. Booty has never looked good enough to be an NFL QB, and Jackson has the ability to run, so keep Jackson, cut Booty.

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

I am also tired of hearing about this story, it takes up too much time on the ESPN networks. Everyone knew this was going to happen towards the end of camp. This will definitely help the Vikings as now teams won't be able to throw 8 in the box to stop Peterson because he may be a geriatric indecisive fuck, but he is better than the rest of the jokers the Vikings were going to roll out.

 

[Ty Burna]

Ugh. I personally believe this will split the locker room thus making it worse for the team and I dont think he can last a full season in the NFL anymore. Since the Vikings are giving him 10-12 million I dont think it is a 1 year deal, so the Vikings really have no faith in their quarterbacks.

I am so tired of Brett Favre retiring and unretiring, but anyway now that he is a Viking will this help the Vikings or hurt them?

....Divide the locker room how? The two quarterbacks who are pissed Favre is coming in vs. everyone else who knows that those two quarterbacks couldn't tie Favre's shoelaces? It's a one year deal no doubt about it, we have the cap space for it so that ain't a big deal. Basically everyone in the Vikings knew it was a given Favre was gonna come back and sign with them so I don't know why everyone is so surprised by it. The thing with the locker room is that the Vikings have very sound veteran team leaders, unlike the Jets, and will bring Favre into the team fold. Favre never wanted to go to the Jets and it showed when he kept himself away from everyone, this isn't the case, Favre wanted to come to Minnesota so I see him fully integrating with the rest of the team.

As I said in the NFL thread, this is going to help the Vikes out a ton. Jackson is piss poor and Rosenfels is sketchy as well. At least with Favre you have a tried and true starting QB who even at 39 is still at the very least in the top 15 of Quarterbacks in the league. Where were Jackson and Rosenfels? not even in the top 32, and I'm dead serious about that. So Top 15 QB or two quarterbacks rated as backups trying to start? Yeah easy decision here. He will open up the running game by making defenses respect the passing game. This will allow All Day to run rampant when he'll finally have some running lanes instead of facing 8 or 9 men in the box. Easy call here, it helps us out.