NFL 2012 [American Football Content]

[R_of_G]

The day PBP has waited years for has finally arrived. Whoever the head coach of the Eagles will be in 2013, it will definitely not be Andy Reid.

I'm morbidly curious to see what the Jets do this offseason. Firing Rex is the easy component, but if they think that's the solution, they're still deluded. I read last week that they're going to fire Mike Tannenbaum as GM but offer him a role as some kind of salary cap consultant. Ironic since his so-called aptitude at navigating the salary cap led to the inability to bench or replace Sanchez because the price tag was too high for him to sit and way too him for him to be traded.

 

[marnold]

Well, in Tannenbaum's defense (a bit), you will run into salary cap hell whenever you guess wrong on a franchise QB. Don't ask me how I know that. Most pundits were saying in 2009 that Sanchez would have the best career by far over the rest of that class (predominately Stafford and Freeman). Now he's the first to go. At least Stafford has put his injured ways behind him. He's proven he can rack up yardage. They desperately need some semblance of a running game.

The bad thing is that the Lions are in cap Hades too because they had the unfortunate timing of being really bad at the end of the old CBA. Stafford will need a new contract this offseason. Suh is also coming up. Megatron got his mega-deal (and proved he was worth it, if anyone really is). Most of the defensive backs are due for new contracts. About two of them deserve them (Delmas and Houston). The problem with Delmas is staying healthy. The defense is much better when he's back there, but he has major problems staying on the field.

 

[R_of_G]

Well, in Tannenbaum's defense (a bit), you will run into salary cap hell whenever you guess wrong on a franchise QB. Don't ask me how I know that. Most pundits were saying in 2009 that Sanchez would have the best career by far over the rest of that class (predominately Stafford and Freeman). Now he's the first to go. At least Stafford has put his injured ways behind him. He's proven he can rack up yardage. They desperately need some semblance of a running game.

And if it were only Sanchez's rookie contract, I'd agree. Except, Tannenbaum signed Sanchez to an extension last season, when he was playing terribly. Despite solid evidence suggesting Sanchez had already peaked, Tannenbaum inexplicably re-upped with him. It was that contract extension and its guaranteed money that put the Jets in a situation where all they could do with Sanchez was play him no matter how bad he was.

 

[piebaldpython]

Andy Reid is gone........FINALLY. The press conference was kind of sickening with all the kissing-of-Andy's-butt that went on. Good riddance to Big Red.

Should be interesting to see who we get......let's hope it ain't Chucky Gruden.

 

[R_of_G]

Should be interesting to see who we get......let's hope it ain't Chucky Gruden.

Among the other names I've heard bandied about for the Eagles' job is a Gruden, but not Jon. Instead, I've heard one candidate is former arena league QB and current offensive coordinator for the Bengals, Jay Gruden.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Hmm, Redskins vs. Seahawks. What to you guys think? Other than R_of_G (and me) getting tired of it being billed as RG3 vs. Wilson . . .

Interesting matchups. I would feel more comfortable if the Seahawks were playing at home, but they have improved on the road of late, beating the Bears at home. I am willing to be hopeful . . . but we will have to see what team shows up. I hope the coaching is bold and confident rather than conservative.

Bump. Anyone have any thoughts on this upcoming game?

 

[piebaldpython]

Skins by 2 pts. It'll be a crackling good game but the thought here is that RG3 will show why he has the C on his uniform denoting Captain. Wilson is pretty amazing too but I think whoever has home field in this game wins.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah, PBP, the road could be a factor. It has for most of the year for the Seahawks. I am hoping they matured enough over the last part of the year to overcome their difficulties on the road. It should hopefully be an exciting game.

 

[R_of_G]

I put very little stock in home field advantage in football. Unlike getting the last three outs in baseball or the last line change in hockey, other than crowd noise, there's no real advantage offered in football for the home team. That's something good coaching should be able to overcome.

I haven't seen enough of either team to make a prediction, but both teams need to focus on stopping the other's running game to force the rookie QBs to win the game through the air for their teams. I'll be rooting for the Seahawks for SVL and NWB. Don't know any Redskins' fans.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Jayson, I hope you are right, and that the 'Hawks record on the road this season early on was due to a young team figuring itself out. I'm willing to bet the Seahawks win this one. They have the stronger defense from what I read. It will be interesting to see.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Oh, one other thing about the game: We have to have Aikman as a commentator? Argghhh! I think I will turn the sound down and try to find a different audio feed. I do not like that very different style QB from a very different style team commenting on these two teams.

 

[NWBasser]

I put very little stock in home field advantage in football. Unlike getting the last three outs in baseball or the last line change in hockey, other than crowd noise, there's no real advantage offered in football for the home team. That's something good coaching should be able to overcome.

I haven't seen enough of either team to make a prediction, but both teams need to focus on stopping the other's running game to force the rookie QBs to win the game through the air for their teams. I'll be rooting for the Seahawks for SVL and NWB. Don't know any Redskins' fans.

Thanks for the support Jayson, it's much appreciated!

Also, for the Seahawks at least, there is a distinct home field advantage. Our stadium gets so LOUD that visiting teams can't get their calls in which leads to delay of game and a lot of false start penalties.

During the 49er game, Kaepernick seemed very flustered with all the noise. Century Link Field is the loudest stadium in the NFL and really is a factor in the games there. During that 49ers game, the press booth was shaking!

Your analysis of Wilson was more correct than anyone around here would have expected. To say that we're thrilled to have him here is a tremendous understatement.

 

[NWBasser]

...both teams need to focus on stopping the other's running game to force the rookie QBs to win the game through the air for their teams.

In this case, I don't think the term "rookie" has much meaning. Both QBs are as good, or better, than most of the veterans that I see playing today. Either one can hurt the other team throwing downfield.

I think much will depend on which Seahawks defense shows up to play. They've been rather inconsistent all season with a particular weakness against the short pass as Detroit adeptly showed.

On the other end, St. Louis demonstrated that bringing DTs around the outside to contain Wilson is a very effective strategy against him (6 sacks!). I'm sure Washington's DC took note of that.

 

[piebaldpython]

It's a shame this game is in the first week....because it has the potential to be riveting drama with subplots and everything. I just want an exciting game.......kinda like the Skins myself as they are NFC East.

I gotta think Shiner and Childbride are Skins fans for this game as RG3 went to Baylor which is in Waco Tx where they live.

 

[R_of_G]

Also, for the Seahawks at least, there is a distinct home field advantage. Our stadium gets so LOUD that visiting teams can't get their calls in which leads to delay of game and a lot of false start penalties.

During the 49er game, Kaepernick seemed very flustered with all the noise. Century Link Field is the loudest stadium in the NFL and really is a factor in the games there. During that 49ers game, the press booth was shaking!

No doubt the noise factor somewhere like Seattle helps a great deal in home games, just as it does in a very loud basketball arena, but unlike baseball or hockey where a strategic advantage is given to the home team by the rules, in football and basketball, the home field/court advantage is indirect, and can hypothetically be overcome by coaching/preparation. I'm not saying home field is not a factor in football, but not one I look at as strongly.

 

[R_of_G]

My picks for this weekend's games...

Texans, Packers, Seahawks, Colts

 

[R_of_G]

Tell me you all saw that block?That's what makes Russel Wilson special. Marshawn Lynch breaks a big run and where's the rookie QB? He's downfield making the next block to get Lynch into the end zone.

That's the exact opposite of an intangible right there. That was something empirical one can point to and demonstrate why Wilson is special.

Pretty damn good run from Lynch as well.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Tell me you all saw that block?That's what makes Russel Wilson special. Marshawn Lynch breaks a big run and where's the rookie QB? He's downfield making the next block to get Lynch into the end zone.

That's the exact opposite of an intangible right there. That was something empirical one can point to and demonstrate why Wilson is special.

Pretty damn good run from Lynch as well.

Yeah you bet I saw that. And a great many other good things too. It still makes me cringe a little seeing Russell put himself out there like that. But what a leader!

The Seahawks needed to find themselves for a while but got going in the second. A few passes caught rather than dropped would have made the win more convincing. Hopefully they will tighten that up. The D did well starting in the second quarter. Having RG3 hobbled helped but I think they would have got it done even if he was healthy. No offense much at all for the 'skins after the first, and no points. Had RG3 been healthy I think we would have had to catch those passes.

Oh and I didn't like RW giving up all those sacks or Lynch's uncharacteristic fumble. But they stuck to it and prevailed. That I liked a lot.

 

[NWBasser]

:happy

 

[Tig]

I was worried in the first quarter, but the last 5 minutes of the second showed they were just getting a slow start. I peeked in on the game while installing the living room floor, and was impressed with their 3rd string quarterback.
Way to go, Seahawks!

 

[piebaldpython]

Wilson was pretty impressive as were the rest of the 'Hawks. Packers did what they do best. Texans weren't impressive to me, a bit too sloppy at times. Ravens D did a good job of pressuring Luck and Flacco did what he needed to do to win.

Gotta love this current class of rookie QBs.

As for this coming week: Winners will be Broncos; Patriots; Seahawks and Packers. Hate to see Falcons lose (as Ryan is a Philly kid); Ed Reed will get hit with yet another illegal hit penalty; Rodgers will knock off the rookie for the Niners; Brady will be Brady.

 

[Tig]

I haven't been impressed with Matt Schaub in months, and feel that he and Coach Kubiak are major road blocks to the team's success.
Most of the team has been inconsistent at best from mid-October on.

 

[NWBasser]

Now the big ballyhoo is RGIII's injured knee and whether or not Shanihan should have let him play. It was apparent in the game against the Cowboys that he was hurt and the Seahawks took full advantage of that.

While I really love having Wilson on my team, I also have tons of respect for RGIII and didn't want to see that happen to him. I'm relieved that my team didn't cause that awful injury in the fourth.

You could really see the momentum shift happen in the second quarter and the tilt for the Seahawks just kept getting bigger from then onward.

BTW - You can't find any Wilson jerseys around here for sale. This city is going nuts for him. Present company included.

I think we can take the Falcons, although it will be much more difficult now without Clemons in on the pass rush.

 

[R_of_G]

Now the big ballyhoo is RGIII's injured knee and whether or not Shanihan should have let him play. It was apparent in the game against the Cowboys that he was hurt and the Seahawks took full advantage of that.

Yep, the media loves this RGIII injury story.

I wish I had the time to do a little research.

It can't be that hard to find a columnist or two (dozen) that is slamming Shanahan today for playing Griffin in the second half yesterday while also...

(A) slamming Jay Cutler for "not being a man" and playing with a torn-up knee in the NFC Championship game two years ago;

and/or

(B) slamming Davey Johnson for putting Strasburg on ice this fall even though the Nationals were going to the playoffs.

Oh consistency where art thou?

I think we can take the Falcons, although it will be much more difficult now without Clemons in on the pass rush.

I'm interested to see where the line ends up on this game. I don't bet on football (anymore) but I'm curious as to how the oddsmakers see this one.

 

[piebaldpython]

I'm interested to see where the line ends up on this game. I don't bet on football (anymore) but I'm curious as to how the oddsmakers see this one.

Falcons favored by 2.5 pts. Falcons have been monsters at home this season but have come up empty-handed in the playoffs the past few seasons.

BCS title game was a blow-out with Alabama winning 42-14 over Notre Dame. They led 28-0 at the half.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Falcons favored by 2.5 pts. Falcons have been monsters at home this season but have come up empty-handed in the playoffs the past few seasons.

BCS title game was a blow-out with Alabama winning 42-14 over Notre Dame. They led 28-0 at the half.

A friend of mine joked regarding last night's game, and I repeat this with no disrespect to RG2 or the 'Skins, "Mike Shanahan apparently decided to leave Notre Dame in the game." I did not have a horse in that game, but would have liked to see it be less lopsided.

 

[piebaldpython]

Broncos-Ravens was thrilling. Kaepernick was very impressive in leading the Niners over the Pack.

 

[R_of_G]

Broncos-Ravens was thrilling. Kaepernick was very impressive in leading the Niners over the Pack.

Still cannot believe the Broncos' secondary (particularly that one safety) gave the game back to the Ravens like that. More than that, I still can't believe the pick Manning threw in OT which essentially ended the Broncos.

I read a bunch of stuff about this was to be Aaron Rodgers' "F you!" game to the 49ers for skipping him, the Northern California kid, in the draft and taking Smith. Guess that didn't work out for him. Kapernick made Harbaugh look like a genius, which he very well might be. Very interested to see whether they host Seattle or travel to Atlanta.

PS.

Dear football television media, enough with the Ray Lewis already.

 

[marnold]

My homebrew club has their Christmas / Holiday / Festivus party this afternoon. I'd imagine that there will be many tears in many beers. The Packers were dismantled.

 

[piebaldpython]

Still cannot believe the Broncos' secondary (particularly that one safety) gave the game back to the Ravens like that. More than that, I still can't believe the pick Manning threw in OT which essentially ended the Broncos. .

I couldn't believe that the Ravens didn't go back to at the "toasted" guy the entire second half after scorching him the 1st half. I thought maybe Andy Reid was coaching??? lol

Would be an interesting side-show to the Supe if the Harbaugh boys coached against each other??