NFL 2013 [American Football]

[R_of_G]

Tim Tebow to sign with New England Patriots, play QB
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000210586/article/tim-tebow-to-new-england-patriots

You think we'll hear much from his true believers demanding that he be immediately installed as the starter this time around? Before you say no, remember, this is the same crowd that insisted they knew more about the NFL QB position than John Elway.

 

[piebaldpython]

Tim Tebow to sign with New England Patriots, play QB
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000210586/article/tim-tebow-to-new-england-patriots

Hmmmmmm.......an interesting move on a few fronts:
1 Publicity: Whomever signs Tebow gets automatic publicity and if that gets people talking about your team and selling more swag, etc......then that isn't a bad thing for the team in so far as the team is concerned.

2 Tebow has a good work ethic and that plays very well in New England.....which of course generates publicity. It doesn't matter that his work ethic revolves mainly around him doing "what he thinks" he needs to do instead of say "what he needs to do to be a pro long-term QB".

3 They might even keep him around because he can a bunch of things decently......all of the backfield positions.......maybe a little TE.......special teams because he fits in with teammates (working class grunts) and probably has the mindset for special teams. And so, he becomes a utility player in case guys get banged up.


All in all a no-lose move by the Pats.

 

[R_of_G]

Hmmmmmm.......an interesting move on a few fronts:
1 Publicity: Whomever signs Tebow gets automatic publicity and if that gets people talking about your team and selling more swag, etc......then that isn't a bad thing for the team in so far as the team is concerned.

So far, each team he's gone to has been the worse for the attention generated. Whether or not it's his fault, he is a divisive presence in locker rooms where the other 52 guys don't want to constantly be asked questions about him, or hear from the media how much harder he works than they do.

3 They might even keep him around because he can a bunch of things decently......all of the backfield positions.......maybe a little TE.......special teams because he fits in with teammates (working class grunts) and probably has the mindset for special teams. And so, he becomes a utility player in case guys get banged up.

Mind you, I'm not trying to pick a fight, I just hear that line of argument a lot that "Tebow is valuable because he can do a bunch of things."

Credit where due, he's an excellent short yardage running back, but other than that, I've yet to see what else he can do that a dozen undrafted free agents can't do better and cheaper.

People always talk about him being a possible TE. Has he ever caught a pass? Can he run routes? Can he pass protect? Can he run block? Are there not plenty of hardworking guys out there that have done those things in high school and college and don't have to first learn a new position at age 27?

The Jets tried him in special teams situations. He was a non-factor, other than for the tv guys to point out that he was out there. There are plenty of working class guys that work hard every practice that actually have special teams experience that would be a better roster move for any team.

He's not even there to be the backup QB. Obviously there's no real QB controversy for the starting job with Brady there, but anyone that thinks Tebow will even get a sniff at #2 is delusional. Unless Ryan Mallet suffers a catastrophic injury in camp, Tebow is locked in at #3 at best. He's already proven he's not an NFL QB.

I simply don't understand the move from a football perspective.

 

[piebaldpython]

So far, each team he's gone to has been the worse for the attention generated. Whether or not it's his fault, he is a divisive presence in locker rooms where the other 52 guys don't want to constantly be asked questions about him, or hear from the media how much harder he works than they do.

Exactly........but he is a lightning-rod for publicity and in a sense for taking pressure off the team because up in NE, if you haven't won the SB......it's what wrong with you? So, if the media gets all dopey about Tebow, it's better to be asked "what you do you think of the Tebow signing?" than to be asked "so are you gonna win it all this year?"

So, Tebow is more of a diversion than anything else.

 

[R_of_G]

I see your point, but pretty much everything I've read/heard from both Denver and the Jets is that the publicity he brings to a team is unappreciated by the guys in the locker room.

Besides, it's mostly the national media and the tag-along Tebow faithful that create the diversion. The local Boston sports reporters are too savvy to let anyone off the hook about championship expectations in the pitiful AFC East just because the team signed a really peppy third string QB.

I also find it hard to believe a Belichick-led team is doing anything for publicity. He either sees some potential to use him for football or he wouldn't be there. I'm curious to see what that is and how it works out.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I have to comment about how while I very much enjoy the football (on the field) rivalry between the 49'ers and the Seahawks, I find the interchange between the two coaches very distasteful. I do not like the public personality of Jim Harbaugh. From his facial expressions and demeanor on the sideline to his apparent need to comment on his opponents, I do not enjoy him. Coach Pete is not perfect in that regard I am sure, but I find him less arrogant appearing. Also, I have decided not to look at the comment section of any article, particularly an article about the Seahawks vs. 49'ers. The fans on both sides are just ridiculous. I suppose it is another side effect of the internet.

The prompting for this post is Harbaugh's latest comments about the PED test failures of the Seahawks. Certainly not the team's finest hour, and the more veteran players and the coach are addressing it. But Harbaugh's choice to comment publicly in what to me is a holier than thou, condescending manner just fuels the flames of these fan wars, and to me, is unseemly. Anyway, I look forward to the contest on the field.

R_of_G, you have an interest in the 49'ers as I recall. Can you help me understand Harbaugh, and maybe the history between him and Carroll a little?

 

[R_of_G]

R_of_G, you have an interest in the 49'ers as I recall. Can you help me understand Harbaugh, and maybe the history between him and Carroll a little?

My only interest in the 49ers stems from enjoying watching them play defense. Honestly, I don't know what animosity exists between Harbaugh and Carroll other than being coaches in the same division, and previously in the same college conference.

I do agree with you about Harbaugh's coming off as self-righteous with his PED comments. The league is too big to think this is a situation that will never affect your team.

Also, I have decided not to look at the comment section of any article, particularly an article about the Seahawks vs. 49'ers. The fans on both sides are just ridiculous. I suppose it is another side effect of the internet.

In part it's the internet troll culture, but with sports, it was there before the internet with sports-talk radio. The combination of those two phenomenon destroyed much of sports journalism in America.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Thanks for the response. I had gotten the idea you were a bit of a 49'ers fan for some reason. They are a good team for sure.

I do think Harbaugh and Carroll have Pac 10 coaching history that is also in play. I am pretty confident Coach Carroll will keep his mind on what is going on in Seattle and not worry too much about what Harbaugh is saying. I do think Harbaugh sets himself up for failure when he talks that way. I don't think any coach dare say that his team is completely clean. There is too much pressure, and too many opportunities for young athletes to be tempted into trying to get a little edge to be overconfident in that regard.

Regarding sports talk radio, and the internet discussions, I have never listened regularly. I have always been turned off by it. I prefer the written analysis of the pretty decent sports writers at The Tacoma News Tribune, and any other decent page I can find. Though finding decent coverage is getting hard as you say. I was quite surprised, however, by the vitriol in the comments after even good and measured sports articles. Now I choose just not to scroll down there.

 

[R_of_G]

I prefer the written analysis of the pretty decent sports writers at The Tacoma News Tribune, and any other decent page I can find.

No doubt, there's still good sports writing going by beat writers at the major papers. Of course, newspaper budgets are being constantly slashed, but that's another issue.

 

[piebaldpython]

Just announced that Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez was arrested at his home this morning in connection with a murder this weekend. He was released by the Patriots 2 hours later.

 

[R_of_G]

Interesting story as to whether or not the Patriots are still on the hook for as-yet unpaid guaranteed money in Hernandez's contract.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenh...-of-aaron-hernandez-as-the-right-thing-to-do/

 

[piebaldpython]

Interesting story as to whether or not the Patriots are still on the hook for as-yet unpaid guaranteed money in Hernandez's contract.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenh...-of-aaron-hernandez-as-the-right-thing-to-do/

OMG........I just figured it was a foregone conclusion that he was out of any future "salary" payments from the Pats under one of those "moral" clauses. Maybe he can come up with a "Ray Lewis" type of defense of his action(s). Good grief.

 

[R_of_G]

OMG........I just figured it was a foregone conclusion that he was out of any future "salary" payments from the Pats under one of those "moral" clauses. Maybe he can come up with a "Ray Lewis" type of defense of his action(s). Good grief.

The problem (as I understand it) is that the Patriots didn't put in the clauses that are typically used by teams in these situations.

 

[piebaldpython]

The problem (as I understand it) is that the Patriots didn't put in the clauses that are typically used by teams in these situations.

How friggin' stupid is that? lol I guess they figured that he didn't have the "killer instinct" in him. I hope the victim's family takes him for EVERY cent that he has.

 

[R_of_G]

I hope the victim's family takes him for EVERY cent that he has.

If he's found guilty, I agree that the victim's family deserves every penny he has left, but with the legal team he'll have for his criminal trial, how many pennies will he have left?

 

[R_of_G]

This is what happens when you check the news after you post.

The Hernandez story looks like it may be getting even worse. According to the Boston Globe, police are also investigating Hernandez's role in a 2012 double murder.

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/201...ficials-say/0GPNwDdsU4nguqnB2LADYM/story.html

 

[marnold]

This is what happens when you check the news after you post.

The Hernandez story looks like it may be getting even worse. According to the Boston Globe, police are also investigating Hernandez's role in a 2012 double murder.

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/201...ficials-say/0GPNwDdsU4nguqnB2LADYM/story.html

I saw that too. I don't like to judge things from afar, but it's not looking good for him. I'll never understand what prompts people to throw their lives away because they feel disrespected.

 

[piebaldpython]

I saw that too. I don't like to judge things from afar, but it's not looking good for him. I'll never understand what prompts people to throw their lives away because they feel disrespected.

Star athletes and probably just STARS in general sometimes act as though they have an "aura of invincibility" around them and that anything they do can be explained/reasoned/ignored away because of who they are. It's narcissism taken to the extreme.

 

[R_of_G]

I'll never understand what prompts people to throw their lives away because they feel disrespected.

I'll see that and raise you this, I'll never understand what prompts people to take someone else's life for pretty much any reason other than self-defense.

 

[piebaldpython]

I'll see that and raise you this, I'll never understand what prompts people to take someone else's life for pretty much any reason other than self-defense.

The illusion of power and domination.......it goes back to the beginning of time when one group of people, or one person, dominated another. It's control....it's because "they just can".....they're the head muckety-muck and impervious to persecution because they're on top of the scrap heap. Some people just have that need to dominate and keep others under their thumb and because those people know things that maybe they could squeal about, then they become expendable.

Twisted and sick for sure......but it is what it is.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

While knowing nothing about the evidence in the case, the news sure does not make things look good. I wonder how much steroid use factors in to poor decision making. Hard to say, as there may be lots of reasons for the incorrect thinking in this case.

 

[poodlesrule]

The good sources of local news indicate that there is video evidence throughout the whole evening, with almost no gap, including street cameras in the victim's neighborhood, and of course AH's home security system
Street cameras in Boston, huh..??!? Coincidence, George Orwell's birthday was two or three days ago.

Too bad that the young lad did not see that associating with characters like that was not safe....

 

[R_of_G]

The Bucs traded CB Eric Wright to the 49ers. It appears that first-round pick Jonathan Banks will be the second starter. It also suggests that with camp opening this week, they're pretty confident about Revis' health.

 

[R_of_G]

To update that previous post, that trade was voided upon Wright failing his physical for the 49ers, so instead he was released by the Bucs. Either way, it suggests the Bucs are either confident Banks will be a better pro than Wright or they know that by the end of training camp there are always veterans available that could offer at least as much value as Wright.

 

[piebaldpython]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...=maing-grid7|main5|dl22|sec1_lnk3&pLid=350169

lolol I guess he did fire his agent! Holy crap.......he could have picked up an easy 2 mil just by going to scheduled offseason team workouts......as stipulated in his contract. The agent deserves to be fired....what a schmuck.

Funny thing is, Tarell Brown wants to sit down with coach Jim Harbaugh and see if there's anyway he can get some of that money. I hope they don't give him a red cent. lol

 

[R_of_G]

The agent deserves to be fired....what a schmuck.

No kidding. If that were my client I'd have been there to wake him up and drive him to the workouts myself to make sure I got my agent's cut of that 2 million.

 

[piebaldpython]

WR Jeremy Maclin of the IGGLES out for the season with a torn ACL.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...=maing-grid7|main5|dl22|sec1_lnk3&pLid=350169

lolol I guess he did fire his agent! Holy crap.......he could have picked up an easy 2 mil just by going to scheduled offseason team workouts......as stipulated in his contract. The agent deserves to be fired....what a schmuck.

Funny thing is, Tarell Brown wants to sit down with coach Jim Harbaugh and see if there's anyway he can get some of that money. I hope they don't give him a red cent. lol

Bummer for him. But I am going to resist his request to "pray for him" over getting the money. I think there are higher priority matters requiring prayer.

On a positive note, I just got to attend my first game ever at Century Link in Seattle, for a Seattle Sounders game! What a great facility! I hope to make a Seahawks game there sometime. I am a bit out of it right now on the Seahawks news and football news in general other than the bigger stories being posted here. But it is getting close!

 

[NWBasser]

Oh rats Steve, you should have told me you coming to town! We could have met for beers.

For the Seahawks, all I seem to see are stories about them being possibly the strongest team in the league. Lots of hype on them.

I try to ignore all that since I don't want to set my expectations too high. I'd rather focus on enjoying one game at a time.

I do have to agree that the NFC West is shaping up to be the toughest division. The Rams and the 49'ers are going to be hard to beat. Not worried about the Cardinals in the least.

 

[R_of_G]

Bummer for him. But I am going to resist his request to "pray for him" over getting the money. I think there are higher priority matters requiring prayer.

I'm more put off that he feels anyone of us should be concerned for his financial well-being at all, through prayer or otherwise.

You guys know that I am far from being one of those people that resents professional athletes for the money they make. The market is what it is and if someone is willing to pay these guys that kind of money then they should take every last penny.

That said, it is the height of audacity to suggest that I should be even remotely concerned that this young man will only make $950,000 this year, more than I will make the rest of my life.