NFL Thread - 2011-12

[TSG]

So I caught the second half of the Chargers/Seahawks game, and was extremely impressed by two players on Seattle's offense. Those two were Thomas Clayton and Josh Portis.

Thomas Clayton was in straight Jerome Bettis mode at running back, as he didn't gain that many yards relative to his carries but was chugging forward hard when he got the ball and picked up many crucial short gains, and broke a few bigger runs, including the one that scored the touchdown that gave the Seahawks the final lead of the evening. Josh Portis, on the other hand, showed a great knowledge of routes and a great accuracy for medium length throws, completing a good amount of them, and showing a knack for running the ball when needed, in a Mike Vick like sense. He also scored a nice touchdown off of a throw on the run, on a play that should have been dead in the water, which really showcased his patience on the play and ability to keep it alive with precision throws. It was a very impressive performance from him, and he ended 5/9 with a touchdown, 69 yards, and a 117.4 rating. He did start off shaky, but to be fair showed a great deal of comfort in his first NFL experience.

Yes, they were up against a back-up defense, but they showed a great deal of potential, and I was impressed. The offense looks bright for Seattle if these weapons progress for the next few years.

 

[Taker Sucks]

Since I am in Chicago I missed My cowboys but I headed on NFL.Com and it seems we came back in the last 15 secs with Stephen McGee and won it 24-23. Looking at the stats the starters werent in for a long time and it seems not even the backs up truly stayed in. I doubt this was a accurate representation of how the season will be ,but you never know.

 

[Big Sexy]

The Ravens got a very nice pick up today trading a 4th round pick in next years draft to the Bills for Lee Evans. Evans is the speedy, vertical threat the Ravens were looking for this off season. He and Anquan Boldin will be a nice one two combo for Joe Flacco. People were concerned when they cut McGahee and Mason but they have replaced them nicely with Ricky Williams and Lee Evans. Overall I'd say the Ravens are an improved team over last year.

 

[The Crock]

The Ravens got a very nice pick up today trading a 4th round pick in next years draft to the Bills for Lee Evans. Evans is the speedy, vertical threat the Ravens were looking for this off season. He and Anquan Boldin will be a nice one two combo for Joe Flacco. People were concerned when they cut McGahee and Mason but they have replaced them nicely with Ricky Williams and Lee Evans. Overall I'd say the Ravens are an improved team over last year.

Love this move, personally. Evans is better than Mason at this stage in his career and he will certainly give Flacco another great weapon to work with. Coupled with Boldin it gives the Ravens a nice combination, with Boldin being more of a possession receiver and Evans being a deep threat.

I also think Williams will replace McGahee nicely. I didn't think McGahee was that irreplaceable to them and he really wasn't, which is highlighted by the Williams signing.

The Ravens are my favorite to win the AFC North and these moves are helping their case.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Love this move, personally. Evans is better than Mason at this stage in his career and he will certainly give Flacco another great weapon to work with. Coupled with Boldin it gives the Ravens a nice combination, with Boldin being more of a possession receiver and Evans being a deep threat.

I also think Williams will replace McGahee nicely. I didn't think McGahee was that irreplaceable to them and he really wasn't, which is highlighted by the Williams signing.

The Ravens are my favorite to win the AFC North and these moves are helping their case.

As a lifelong Bills fan (no apologies necessary) I continue to be confused by the moves they have made over the past 10 years through trades, free agent signings and the draft.

This seems to be one of the worst moves they have made. Not that they traded a guy that has produced for many years, been a model citizen, adds something to offense, can be a legit no. 1 wideout, and has had to deal with a QB and coaching carousel for years but how they did it and what they got for him.

Why trade Evans now if you are only going to get a (most likely) late 4th rounder? It would have made more sense to wait for some injuries and teams to get desperate. Let a market build for your player, don't just give him away for next to nothing after most teams have set their line up via the draft and free agency. The Bills are going to be shit with or without Evans, might as well take a chance and see if they can at least get 75 cents on the dollar, not 40 cents of the dollar.

Also, sorry to all the Steeler fans, the Bills may have just put the Ravens over the hump in the AFC North.

 

[Unsold Bacon]

I'm shocked that no body posted this yet but Miami Linebacker Channing Crowder retired at age 27 a few days ago saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. He is now saying he might return though. He also said he was "not impressed" with Chad Henne.

First, what better way to help your family then by making a very large salary playing in the NFL. It looks like he is now realizing that.It doesn't matter to me what he does but I think I make a good point .

Also with Chad Henne, is anyone impressed by him? Miami really fucked their team up but failing to trade for Kyle Orton. With a half decent quarterback they can be much better. Brandon Marshall stats have also gone significantly down. Marshall averaged 102.33 receptions,1,237 receiving yards and 7.667 touchdowns each year in Denver since his second season. Since pairing up last year with Henne his stats declined to 86 receptions,1,014 yards and 3 touchdowns.

 

[Big Sexy]

Also with Chad Henne, is anyone impressed by him

His first year as a starter he played solid and then last year he didn't get worse but he didn't get better either. He was just average. He needs to show improvement this year but the guy has only had two seasons as a starting qb.

Miami really fucked their team up but failing to trade for Kyle Orton. With a half decent quarterback they can be much better.

Kyle Orton really isn't that great. His stats the last two years were a little inflated because of the offense Denver ran. He is better then Henne at this point but Orton has no more upside. If Henne can get his mind right and get on track he has the natural talent to be better then Orton. With what Denver was asking for (which I believe was a second round pick) that's just too much to give up.

Brandon Marshall stats have also gone significantly down. Marshall averaged 102.33 receptions,1,237 receiving yards and 7.667 touchdowns each year in Denver since his second season. Since pairing up last year with Henne his stats declined to 86 receptions,1,014 yards and 3 touchdowns.

He has only played one year with Henne and the Dolphins were a run first team last year. When Marshall was in Denver that was a pass first offense.

At least give Henne this season to prove what he can do before you are so quick to judge his abilities. Two seasons as a starter is not enough of a sample. He should show good improvement in his third year, if not then you can say he'll never be a good starter.

 

[Mustang Sally]

... Channing Crowder retired at age 27 a few days ago saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. He is now saying he might return though.

Reporters spend so much time seeking quotes from athletes, and we spend so much time reading them; but they're generally worthless. As it is, "to spend more time with my family" has become a cliche that can mean anything, from "I want more money" to "I'm sick of playing this f'n game" to "I better get out before the drug test comes back."

What does it say about Crowder's devotion to his family after he decides to return to football? How does he explain away that one?

It reminds me of Lou Piniella when he managed the Chicago Cubs in 2010. The team was expected to contend for a world title. When they didn't, Piniella quit the team with two months to go in the season, saying his elderly Mother was sick and needed him to care for her full time.

It made me wonder: If the Cubs were still in contention in August, would he have found it necessary to be at her side?

Take a good guess.

 

[LSN80]

Also, sorry to all the Steeler fans, the Bills may have just put the Ravens over the hump in the AFC North.

Don't count on this happening so far. I understand that Evaans was a first round pick, and had a few good seasons for Buffalo. But hes only gone over 1000 yards receiving in 2 of his 7 seasons, so lets not make Evans out to be more then he is. He's not a scary guy that can beat you himself. Where was Evans last year when Stevie Johnson broke out? Having the worst season of his career, 37 catches in 13 games. averaging less then 2 catches a game for a pass first offense.

While this trade has received considerably more buzz, don't sleep on the Steelers signing Jericho Cotchery. A solid route runner with excellent hands, Cotchery is a poor man's Hines Ward in many ways. He adds depth to an already deep Steelers WR corps, one with a star in Mike Wallace, an aging but still dependable Ward, speedstar Antonio Brown, and when healthy, a very good route runner with good hands in Emmanuel Sanders. Cotchery is the same way as Evans; he's not going to be a game changer or a No. 1 receiver. But Evans has shown nothing in preseason thusfar, and Cotchery stepped right into the Steelers lineup and lead the team in receiving yards and scored a TD. In essence, Evans at best just cancels out the losses of Houshmanzadeh and Todd Heap, and Williams the loss of McGahee. The Steelers showed up big-time against the Eagles last night, dominating the Eagles on defense, and running and throwing on them the entire game. Much of this is my bias, because it's always very close between the Steelers and Ravens, but the Steelers have the easier schedule, and I expect they win the AFC North once again.

 

[BooCocky]

As I am not a fan of pre-season football but last nights Steelers game got me a little pumped up for the regular season. The Steelers first team offense fired on all cylinders, and so did our first team defense. At one point in the game our second team defense was playing right with the Eagles first team offense.

Roethlisberger looked phenomenal and so did many of our receivers. Brown clearly beat Samuels on the 29 yd td pass. Ward played smart on his long td grab by running with Ben. Cotchery made a nice catch for his td and our entire defense played great. Keenan Lewis had a nice INT, Polamalu also had one and Clark made a nice grab on his.

Normally the Steelers show nothing in pre season but the cross town rivalry added something. Vick looked bad throwing 3 picks. The hypes too much for them. I expect them to be mediocre this year. Vick got lucky last year. He's not a good passer. I expect the Giants to win that division.

 

[Adam Rush]

Ryan Williams, the Cardinals' 2nd round draft pick, might be out for the season. That looks good for Beanie Wells. Not good for the Cards, though.

 

[Big Sexy]

I'm currently watching the Lions take on the Patriots in the pre season and Detroit continues to look damn good. Stafford has been tremendous throughout the pre season and he is currently 12-13 for 200 yards and 2 tds. The only incompletion he threw was a dropped td pass by Nate Burleson. Outside of the drop Burleson has looked good, Calvin Johnson who I see as a top 3 receiver in the league made a great catch on the last drive. The running game has struggled somewhat but is getting better and the offensive line has looked great. Stafford also took his first big hit since coming back from the shoulder injury and he got up right away.

On defense they have also improved a lot from last year. They are still a work in progress but they have a ton of great young talent and will only get better as the season progresses. They may have the best defensive line in all of football, led by Ndamukong Suh. Obviously this is only the pre season but I haven't seen the Lions look anywhere near this impressive for over a decade.

 

[Megatron]

I'm currently watching the Lions take on the Patriots in the pre season and Detroit continues to look damn good. Stafford has been tremendous throughout the pre season and he is currently 12-13 for 200 yards and 2 tds. The only incompletion he threw was a dropped td pass by Nate Burleson. Outside of the drop Burleson has looked good, Calvin Johnson who I see as a top 3 receiver in the league made a great catch on the last drive. The running game has struggled somewhat but is getting better and the offensive line has looked great. Stafford also took his first big hit since coming back from the shoulder injury and he got up right away.

On defense they have also improved a lot from last year. They are still a work in progress but they have a ton of great young talent and will only get better as the season progresses. They may have the best defensive line in all of football, led by Ndamukong Suh. Obviously this is only the pre season but I haven't seen the Lions look anywhere near this impressive for over a decade.

I'm trying to keep my excitedness down since it is only preseason, but I'll be damned if I can't get pumped up for a team that hasn't been any good in over a decade. Stafford has looked great all preseason. They showed his numbers - 24/31 350ish yards and 5 TDs to 0 picks. I know one game was against Cincinnati (who I don't think will be much good) but Stafford has been on the money with most of his throws and the incompletions have either been drops or just him throwing it away. I haven't seen many bad throws from him.

And I'll keep saying it - people should not be afraid of him getting hurt again. He's 100%. He's stronger in his upper body then he was in his first two seasons. He has no better chance of getting hurt then Brees, Brady, Rodgers, or anyone else. I know people want assurance of that he is healthy and can take a hit, but I was never concerned that he would break with one hit.

But yes, this is the most excited I've been for the Lions in a while. This team has potential to be very, very good.

 

[Big Sexy]

Michael Vick has gotten the second $100 million deal of his career. This one covers the next 6 years and makes him the third highest paid player in the league behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. $40 million is guaranteed from the deal. Vick's money troubles he had with his arrest should now all be taken care of. This puts even more pressure on him and the team going into the season but Vick is certainly the type of player who can handle that pressure.

 

[Davi323]

It is so hard for me to not to start drinking the Lions kool-aid right now. It's like right there, sitting on the counter, with a glass full of ice right next to it, and dammit, I am thirsty!

I have been a long time Lions sufferer, going back to 1989. Every year, Lions fans think that "we'll get 'em next year for sure!" and they never do. For 15 years, I was one of those fans, who always thought the team was at least 3-4 wins better than they actually were. But once he who shall not be named completely trashed the team, I vowed to never let my Lions slappiness get in the way of a rational, logical analysis of what the team could and couldn't do. I put away the kool-aid, so to speak.

But, after seeing what Jim Schwartz has done so far, the team he has assembled, reading the positive press from the national media, hearing Mike and Mike say that if Stafford stays healthy they are a playoff team, seeing everyone gush about Suh and Megatron, I will be damned, but those Lions slappiness feelings are sure coming back in a hurry. There is a sense of true hope with this team instead of despair, and that is something we Lions fans have not had much chance to get used to. Maybe the tide has turned. God I hope so.

RIP KILLER

 

[Scuba 06]

Obviously the Lions are a better team than anything we've seen in a long while. They have little problem getting points on the board but i'm not sold on them being any serious threat. I could see them going 8-8, maybe 9-7, though nothing over that for sure. A potential playoff spot is 50/50, they are in an extremely competitive division with the Superbowl champs and two other teams with some of the best defenses in the league. They are still the Lions, and I need to see more of the defense in the first couple games. Stafford is a decent QB, has looked strong in preseason but I have to laugh at all the love this guy gets when he hasn't really proven anything yet. He cant even stay healthy a full season and as a starter he's only won about 3 games. Bad team or not, with the time he has spent on the field the two previous seasons, he hasn't done anything to warrant all this talk of him being close to an elite QB. For being #1 pick, his first season he had 13td/20int, 61. qb rating. Now in the games he played in for 2010, he did well 6td,1int. Still he only played like 3 or 4 games and you cant really get anything out of that. Hill and Stanton did just fine in the Lions system winning the last 4 games against teams like the bucks and pacs, so i dont know why Stafford gets all this love. He's played well in preseason, well good, now stay healthy and put up good numbers when it counts and then people can discuss whether he's a legit top 15 QB. Anyways if Lions dont play consistently good defense hard to see them go above 500.

 

[The Bearded One]

Peyton Manning's neck may be in worse shape than previously thought. I saw they are re-evaluating Manning's neck. At first, as a Jags fan I was pretty happy about this news. The Colts are a five win team at best without Manning, so I was going to be happy to see the downfall of the Colts. But then I realized they would be in contention for the first overall pick in the draft. It's just the Colts damn luck that they would get Andrew Luck and get another great quarterback for another 15 years. So please, Peyton, get well soon, but not too soon.

 

[Theo Mays]

The Vikings hooked up Chad Greenway to a 5 year contract extension. All I can say is that it's about freaking time. Greenway has been our most underrated player for the past couple years. Not just on the defense but in the whole league. He is one of the best 43 OLB in the league and he just doesn't get the credit he deserves. Hopefully the high level of play continues, which I expect it would and Greenway further develops into a leader on the defense. Now we just gotta hook up Peterson and I'll consider this season somewhat of a success no matter the outcome.

 

[Big Sexy]

Great job by the Vikings locking him up because he is one of the better linebackers in the league.

Here's a question to stir up some discussion in here: What division is the best, top to bottom, in the NFL?

I'd actually say it's the NFC North. That's the only division in the NFL that I think could have all 4 teams potentially finish at .500 or above. The Packers are arguably the best in the league as the defending champions. The Bears overachieved last season but they did make the NFC Title game and have a lot of talent. The Lions are one of the best young teams in the league and I have them making the playoff this year. Even the Vikings have a great chance to make some noise with Donovann McNabb at quarterback who I believe still has 2-3 good years left in him as a starter. Remember they were in the NFC Championship game just 2 years ago and the team really hasn't changed that much.

The AFC East is great with the Pats and Jets at the top and Miami as a possible 7 to 9 win team but they have a bottom feeder in Buffalo. The AFC North is lead by the Ravens and Steelers and they have an up and coming team in Cleveland, but they also have arguably the worst team in the league in Cincinnati. The AFC South had three teams with winning records last year in the New Orleans, ATL, and Tampa, but Carolina is one of the worst teams in the league. Top to bottom the NFC North looks like the best division to me.

 

[Scuba 06]

Id still say the NFC East is the best, but yeah their Northern counterpart is definitely getting better. Yeah even though every team in the NFC North is pretty solid, I cant say teams like the Lions, Bears and Vikings are on the same level as the Eagles, Cowboys or Giants, all of which have true playoff potential. The same just cant be said for the NFC North teams, where only Green Bay looks like a lock for the postseason. Yes the Lions or maybe the Bears make the postseason but it isn't a sure a thing as the top 3 NFC East teams. The Redskins aren't even as bad as they are portrayed in my opinion. With McNabb and Grossman playing pretty average and no major stars on the team they still won 6 games. I think their team will get better and is one of those teams that has the potential to shock a heavily favored team any given week. But yeah the North will definitely be very competitive and it will be nice to see those up and coming teams give the champs a run for their money.

 

[Big Sexy]

Id still say the NFC East is the best, but yeah their Northern counterpart is definitely getting better. Yeah even though every team in the NFC North is pretty solid, I cant say teams like the Lions, Bears and Vikings are on the same level as the Eagles, Cowboys or Giants, all of which have true playoff potential. The same just cant be said for the NFC North teams, where only Green Bay looks like a lock for the postseason. Yes the Lions or maybe the Bears make the postseason but it isn't a sure a thing as the top 3 NFC East teams. The Redskins aren't even as bad as they are portrayed in my opinion. With McNabb and Grossman playing pretty average and no major stars on the team they still won 6 games. I think their team will get better and is one of those teams that has the potential to shock a heavily favored team any given week. But yeah the North will definitely be very competitive and it will be nice to see those up and coming teams give the champs a run for their money.

I'd say the Lions and Bears have a better shot at the playoffs then the Cowboys or Giants. The Cowboys have a lot of talent and will be improved under Jason Garrett but don't forget they went 6-10 last season and they didn't really get better roster wise. Romo is back but it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy. They don't have a proven number 1 running back and they lost depth at receiver. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are great as starters but behind them you have virtually nothing.

The Giants are a team that has mediocrity written all over them. They have a very young defense and their success basically is based on what how that defense plays. Overall there are a few conferences I'd take over the NFC East, especially with the Redskins looking to be a bottom of the barrel team.

 

[Megatron]

I do think the NFC East and the NFC North are the top two divisions (with the Panthers holding the south down just a bit) and if I were to compare the teams in order (1v1, 2v2) in terms of on paper this year, this is how I see it -

Packers > Eagles (GB loading up with more talent coming back from injury, all are familiar with the system. Rodgers is more consistent then Vick)
Bears < Cowboys (Bears were on the fortune of a lot of luck, the Cowboys were a good team (5-3) when Garrett took over)
Lions > Giants (injuries hurt the Giants, and the Lions do have a lot of pieces that can break out)
Vikings > Redskins (Vikings have the better QB situation and defense, although Washington looks like they'll get pressure and have a solid run game under Shanahan. If McNabb performs like 2 years ago McNabb they could be .500)

So I say, top to top, ones best vs others best, the NFC North slightly edges out the East. I know I'm slightly banking on the Lions potential, but they were a very competitive team last year and the Giants look like the Packers this year with their injury problems, only they don't have quality backups to take their spot.

 

[Big Sexy]

I think the Cowboys are being slightly overrated going into this season. Yes they had a great finish under Jason Garrett but that isn't uncommon for a team to do when a coaching change happens mid season. Back in 2008 the 49ers started 2-5 under Mike Nolan and finished 5-4 under Mike Singletary but that only translated to an 8-8 season the next year.

The Cowboys also have a lot of questions on offense. The O line isn't that great and they just cut a pro bowl guy in Andre Gurode. They have a great tight end in Witten and their starting receivers are good but they have no depth at the position. Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley, and rookie Dwayne Harris round out the receiving group. At running back they have no proven number one guy. They are obviously going running back by committee with Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, and Demarco Murray but they did that last year and were just a middle of the pack rushing offense. On defense their secondary is still a big question. Rob Ryan will help the defense improve but I still don't see it being an amazing defense. I think 8 or 9 wins is the best the Cowboys can do this season.

 

[Theo Mays]

The NFC South is another division to throw in there due to the fact that the Saints, Falcons, and Bucs are rather talented. The Panthers however hold that division back as they aren't exactly spectacular. Throw in the NFC North and East as well. It's crazy how talent those three divisions are. Hell even the AFC has some top notch division in the AFC East and North. Bengals and Bills sort of hold them back. In the end I'm giving the slight edge to the NFC East over the NFC North, but it is really, REALLY close. The Eagles and Packers are very talented teams and probably the two most talented teams in the NFC as a whole. Despite injuries, I still think the Giants are a near playoff team and will do well despite all that. I also believe the Cowboys will bounce back. The talent is most certainly there and I think they are playoff team as well. I feel the Bears are overachievers and I think both Dallas and New York are better than Chicago in most regards. Lions are all potential right now, but I do believe they are 2nd best in the North, but not quite as good as the Cowboys and Giants. I'd rank the Vikes near the Bears and the Redskins are clearly the bottom of the 8 teams. Like I said it is close, but I think the East is slightly better.

 

[Big Sexy]

David Garrard has been released by the Jaguars. This is somewhat surprising as he was seen as the starter going into the season. He has been inconsistent at times in his career but he was still a solid starter who put up good numbers and had a winning career record. The move does, however, save the Jags money and allows the Blaine Gabbert era to come sooner.

Josh McCown will be the starter at the beginning of the season but that won't last long. As for Garrard he will be picked up as a back up and maybe even potential starter for some teams. Miami, Baltimore, Washington, San Franciso, and Seattle are all destinations that make sense.