Nfl 2010

[Jipes]

I see as well Steelers against Packers, Aaron Rodgers is quite underrated but really talented

 

[R_of_G]

Aaron Rodgers is quite underrated but really talented

Not sure how underrated he is. Most analysts and reporters seem to put him right behind Brady, Manning and Brees as an "elite QB."

And, if Rodgers can play like he did the last 3 weeks, it may not be close in Chicago.

Don't overlook how good Chicago's defense is. They are much better on defense than either Philadelphia or Atlanta.

Also, as good as Aaron Rodgers is, Chicago can score points as well. This is not the same Jay Cutler from the past. He will have to avoid making mental errors, but it seems the latter part of this year he's done that very well.

The Jets/Steelers matchup will come down to who plays the most error-free football. If both defenses execute properly points will come at a premium. It's the kind of game that makes me nervous having Nick Folk as a kicker. The last time we faced Pittsburgh in a playoff game it came down to the Jets missing a potential game-winning field goal. I don't want to see a repeat of that.

 

[Beerman]

Early in the season when the O-line wasn't protecting Cutler, he showed it with tons of INT's and sacks. After they got their crap together and they started protecting him again, he made the opponent pay. If GB can pressure Cutler, he's going to make mistakes as he's not as cool as he looks.
That said, he's done a damn good job for most of the year and when you give him time, he's deadly. He should feed his line steads every night to keep him protected.
I'm looking forward to this game.

 

[Eric]

Early in the season when the O-line wasn't protecting Cutler, he showed it with tons of INT's and sacks. After they got their crap together and they started protecting him again, he made the opponent pay. If GB can pressure Cutler, he's going to make mistakes as he's not as cool as he looks.
That said, he's done a damn good job for most of the year and when you give him time, he's deadly. He should feed his line steads every night to keep him protected.
I'm looking forward to this game.

Maybe I'm just a Cutler hater, but I attribute most of the recent offensive success to Mike Martz finally figuring out how best to run the offense (i.e. don't rely on Cutler).

Cutler is, to me, the Pat Burrell of the NFL. Up by 2 touchdowns already? Sweet -- call some passes and he'll give you a great performance.

Yeah, pretty sure I'm a Cutler hater.

 

[R_of_G]

I'd say it's 50/50. Martz learned how to balance the attack by trusting more in the offensive line and Forte. Cutler learned how to trust Martz and just make the play he called instead of trying to outthink his coordinator like he's done in the past.

I think Beerman is correct that Cutler also got better as his line provided better protection, something which helps any QB's confidence. I think Sanchez's performance yesterday is a good example. He was looking bad early but once he realized he wasn't under constant pressure, he was able to get more patient and make the right play instead of just any play.

Surely Cutler will see pressure tomorrow as even the best offensive lines can't handle Matthews for a full game. Cutler needs to prove he's learned to just throw it away or take the sack instead of trying to "Favre it" into the hands of a defender while trying to make an improbable throw.

It's safe to say that Cutler's mental game could be a deciding factor.

I don't hate the guy. In fact I'd like to see him live up to his potential. It'd be good for the NFL. The better the talent, the better the product. I'm tired of watered-down mediocrity passing for NFL talent.

 

[Eric]

I'm tired of watered-down mediocrity passing for NFL talent.

Like Mark Sanchez??? oke

 

[R_of_G]

Like Mark Sanchez??? oke

And yet, one more road playoff win and he'll hold the NFL record at 5.

Sanchez's problems are mental. He's got the physical talent. He just should have stayed in college for another year.

I don't ever expect him to be great, but he can be good enough.

 

[kidsmoke]

Yeah, pretty sure I'm a Cutler hater.

You're not alone Eric. I'm amazed at how may Bears fans can't stand him. Of course, if he plays like he did Sunday, and they run the table....that may change.

 

[R_of_G]

I think Cutler demonstrates how important coaching can be to a developing QB. I wonder sometimes how many early draft QBs that busted would have succeeded under a different coaching regime.

I'm not alleviating Cutler of his share of the blame for his mediocre performance in Denver, but I think Shanahan has to share some of the blame. McDaniels didn't believe in him enough to even try to make it work in Denver and instead went with Kyle Orton who could throw for 4,000 yards without winning more than 8 games. Orton lost his job to Tim Tebow. Jury's still out on whether that's going to work long term.

Either way, Denver is on its third coach in four years while the Bears are in the NFC title game. It's not just Cutler. Martz is doing something Shanahan didn't.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Sorry about the Jets, R_of_G. I wanted them to win. I did not watch either game, as I ended up being occupied with other stuff. But it might be a good Super Bowl. Anyone know who is playing half time?

I have to pull for the Pack. I just can't root for the Steelers. Never could really.

 

[R_of_G]

A rather disappointing end to an up and down season for the Jets.

They clearly had no game plan for the first half of the game and Pittsburgh jumped all over them. We were the third-ranked run defense in the league giving up an average of 90 yards per game and then we let Mendenhall go over 100 yards in the first 20 minutes. Not a good start.

The saddest part was the second half. The defense finally decided to show up, keeping the Steelers off the board entirely for the second half, the offense was actually moving the ball and putting up points and then, what happens? Once again, Brian Schottenheimer proves why I think he's the worst play-caller in the NFL. The alleged "ground and pound" Jets have the ball on the 2 yard line. Schotty calls a bunch of inexplicable passing plays that failed, then calls a run up the middle with the smaller of the two running backs (LT) instead of pounding Greene at the Steelers on all three downs. If he's not fired, Rex should be.

All in all, I am proud of the season the Jets had, but I wish it weren't over since after the Super Bowl I don't believe we will see football again until 2012.

Congratulations to the Steelers and Packers. They deserve to play for the title. It should be a good game.

ETA: Steve, the halftime act is the Black-Eyed Peas, so yeah, I won't be watching that crap. I'm glad the NFL decided to stop making classic rock acts perform partially pre-recorded versions of their hits. It was particuarly painful to watch Springsteen pretend to play a few years ago. By switching to crappy pop acts, now I can go back to just not watching halftime at all.

 

[kidsmoke]

I was rooting for the Jets, and was shocked at how Mendenhall started. A Jets win would have partially justified the Pats anemic exit last weekend.

ETA: Steve, the halftime act is the Black-Eyed Peas, so yeah, I won't be watching that crap. I'm glad the NFL decided to stop making classic rock acts perform partially pre-recorded versions of their hits. It was particuarly painful to watch Springsteen pretend to play a few years ago. By switching to crappy pop acts, now I can go back to just not watching halftime at all.

I agree with that word for word. Last year I suggested that each city have a Battle of the Bands, and that winning Band goes as far as the team does. THAT would be worth watching, a couple of working bands playing on the biggest stage of their lives and if they nail it, they earn new found recognition. I'd actually make it a point to watch. As it is, with superstar acts, you pretty much know it's gonna suck...a mash up of smoke and lights and spectacle, and/or 30 sec snippets of 30 year old classics that the performers no longer "feel" and likely can't sing (Daltrey?)

Heck, if Green Bay brought it's best band, we could be seeing the Rev up there!

 

[Commodore 64]

Yeah, the halftime shows are universally AWFUL regardless of who is performing.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Hmm, back to Janet Jackson and that whole controversy? LOL!

 

[MAXIFUNK]

2 Down 1 To Go Climbing The Stairway To Seven!!!!!!

 

[pedalbuilder]

Yeah, the halftime shows are universally AWFUL regardless of who is performing.

I thought this was time the NFL nicely set aside for bathroom breaks, making up some more snacks and drinks, etc. - you mean some people actually sit through these?

Anyhow - I've looked at the stats, watched some tape and taken a good, hard and objective look at the two teams in the big game. My prediction? Steelers 119, Packers 6. Give or take!

 

[marnold]

Just keep Big Ben out of the nightclubs for the next two weeks.

 

[R_of_G]

Last year I suggested that each city have a Battle of the Bands, and that winning Band goes as far as the team does. THAT would be worth watching, a couple of working bands playing on the biggest stage of their lives and if they nail it, they earn new found recognition. I'd actually make it a point to watch.

Very interesting proposal. The network covering the Super Bowl could make a reality show following some of the bands in each citiy as the playoffs begin. People love reality shows. Personally, my "reality television" consists of sports and music. The rest is fiction.

As it is, with superstar acts, you pretty much know it's gonna suck...a mash up of smoke and lights and spectacle, and/or 30 sec snippets of 30 year old classics that the performers no longer "feel" and likely can't sing (Daltrey?)!

Yeah, and the way they do it, with some of the material being pre-recorded insures a sad event for me. Either because, as you point out, some of the material just seems dated and phoned in, it's also sad to see someone I respect like Springsteen agree to play along with the "fake live" thing. That band can certainly play it right live every time and a good live sound engineer can make it sound right no matter how big the event.

I've been to much bigger and louder concerts than the Super Bowl and the sound was just fine as are thousands of live recordings and broadcasts made by thousands of different sound engineers.

If they're going to make a performer do that, do it to the Black Eyed Peas. How many people respect them anyway? They're popular because they're derivative. Incidentally, I read recently that they're being sued yet again for copyright infringement, this time by George Clinton. I've heard it. He's right. I hope he wins.

Heck, if Green Bay brought it's best band, we could be seeing the Rev up there!

That I'd watch. :dude

 

[marnold]

Heck, if Green Bay brought it's best band, we could be seeing the Rev up there!

'Cept I'm a Lions fan

 

[pedalbuilder]

Just keep Big Ben out of the nightclubs for the next two weeks.

Seriously. Well - so far he's been well-behaved (link), but we'll see how long it lasts. I can't imagine all of this success right after his 'punishment' is going to help him mature any. The upside? It's kind of fun to cheer on the team, while also quietly hoping for a big, nasty hit on ol' Number 7!

 

[MAXIFUNK]

The upside? It's kind of fun to cheer on the team, while also quietly hoping for a big, nasty hit on ol' Number 7!

WTH REALLY MY GOD MAN ARE YOU SURE YOUR FROM THE BURGH OR DID MOVE THERE AS ADULT!!!!! LMAO

I took my terrible towels to work today to harass all the JETS fans who were talking smack to me all last week even though I did not talk any at all. "TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY" in my best Ice Cube voice. LOL

 

[pedalbuilder]

WTH REALLY MY GOD MAN ARE YOU SURE YOUR FROM THE BURGH OR DID MOVE THERE AS ADULT!!!!! LMAO

ha. Yeah - I know, I know. I'm still all in for the Steelers, and I think the country is about to see just what a veteran, twice-champion core can do to an upstart team, but if Ben takes some hits along the way - well . . . I call that karma. :spank

 

[MAXIFUNK]

ha. Yeah - I know, I know. I'm still all in for the Steelers, and I think the country is about to see just what a veteran, twice-champion core can do to an upstart team, but if Ben takes some hits along the way - well . . . I call that karma. :spank

Well yeah Ben has made it hard for people to like him over the past few years.
What part of the burgh are you from?

 

[pedalbuilder]

Well yeah Ben has made it hard for people to like him over the past few years.
What part of the burgh are you from?

Well, technically speaking I'm from Arizona (Tucson). We moved out here 8 years ago. I have family from here and with no football team growing up it was the Steelers all the way. Funny story - this was where we watched the games when I was growing up since I couldn't get into the proper bars: http://www.casamolina.com/ - the bar in that restaurant is also famously a Paul McCartney hangout when he lived outside of town.

I'm in Highland Park, right by the zoo. Used to be Lawrenceville, and I have a house there that I'm rehabbing so I hope to be back over there by this summer. How about you?

 

[kidsmoke]

curious what people think of the recent AP awards. Brady takes offensive player of the year and Belichick takes Coach of the year.
disclaimer...I'm a Patriots Fan.

Clearly the numbers are there to put them in the running, but even as a fan, the way they went out raises questions for me. Brady looked as unprepared and unqualified as I've EVER seen him....ducking away from phantom rushers? Given his proven track record up to that moment, seems to me, even if he just simply had a bad day, there's more to it. The team wasn't prepared for the opponent on that given day. To me, that means the game plan was bad. And that falls on the coaches, especially when you're playing the same team for the 3rd time in 3 months. So either Belichick failed, or Ryan somehow caught lightning in a bottle..

I feel Ryan arguably deserved it. Given the challenges he faced with his team, and with his opponents. He proved himself the better chess player, or maybe he just took some video...... oke

I'm admittedly NOT a student of the game, just a fan. Curious to hear others opinions.

 

[pedalbuilder]

Yeah - I tend to agree with you, Tio. But I think the purpose of handing out the awards before the Super Bowl is to emphasize regular season performance in which case I think the choices are correct. In a perfect world I'd like to see these awards reflect post-season performance more and to do that they have to be done after the Steelers win the Super Bowl this weekend.

 

[Eric]

Not sure. I am with PB that I think regular-season awards should be about the regular season. In fact, I would love it if a coach who went 8-8 with no talent won the award, but I realize it will never happen. But I digress...

If I had to pick someone, I would probably pick Mike McCarthy? I was amazed that he held the team together, quite honestly -- I thought the Packers were 100% done. Second place would be Peyton Manning, though his assistant Jim Caldwell didn't help him very much.

 

[Beerman]

I wouldn't easily dismiss Raheem Morris from Tampa. He did a fine job with some young talent and will likely be a threat team for the next few years.
This article makes some good points but it's all moot now.
For the record, I'm a Saints guy so I have no real love for the Bucs but do have respect.

 

[R_of_G]

I wouldn't easily dismiss Raheem Morris from Tampa. He did a fine job with some young talent and will likely be a threat team for the next few years.

Though a lifelong Jets' fan, I moved to Tampa 19 years ago and adopted the Bucs as my NFC team. I think Coach Morris did a spectacular job as head coach this year getting the league's youngest team to believe in itself and put up 10 wins after winning only 3 games the previous season.

It appears to me that the future looks bright for the Bucs if they can make some smart moves in the next few off-seasons to address a few key needs.

What amuses me is that the one criticism I do often hear/read about Morris is that as both Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator he's not giving enough attention to being DC and the defense is suffering as a result. It amuses me because he lost out on this award to Bellichick who is also HC and DC for the Pats, a team with a defense that trails the Bucs' defense in just about every statistical category.

 

[marnold]

My man Suh is Pepsi ROY! He's a baaaaaaaaad man!