Official 2016 NFL Discussion Thread

[IPD]

Peyton will be retired. Brady soon will be. Cousins is on track to take his team deep in the playoffs. Arizona needs a new QB. KC can possibly take the division. RG3 still wants to play, even though he's broken as Bob Sanders & Greg Odom combined. And the NFL will be littered with Bama alumni (not necessarily grads) once again, thanks to the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) being replaced with the ACS (Alabama Championship Series).

Discuss!

[93STLTH]

My prediction for 2016: The New York Giants will have the worst record in the NFL.
Jacksonville and Tennessee, the usual recipients of this honor, are both young and talented, they won't be the worst this year. The Giants, on the other hand, are lacking in talent at almost every position, they fired their head coach, who was the only thing keeping them in line, but instead of bringing in a proven replacement, they promote the O-coordinator, who has no experience and there's no reason to believe he can be successful. 3-13 record.

[IPD]

Really? Not SF? That should be their eternal curse for firing Harbaugh.

[stealthee]

Harbaugh wasn't fired. He left on his own. Was he probably going to get fired? Sure, but he would have deserved it for losing control on the team.

[93STLTH]

There's still some talent in SF, they'll stumble to a couple more wins than the Giants, but you can give them 4 losses right off the bat to Seattle and Arizona.

[IPD]

Harbaugh wasn't fired. He left on his own. Was he probably going to get fired? Sure, but he would have deserved it for losing control on the team.

Team ownership/management didn't agree with him. He didn't lose control of the team. 2015 had more losses than the previous 3 years combined. Kaepernick could have been a decent-enough QB to get them by...but without Harbaugh, the team is going to suck for quite a while to come.

There is a dearth of quality coaching in the NFL, imho. How do I know? I'm a KC fan--nothing else has to be said.

[j2k4]

WOW!

Calvin Johnson has retired?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14927247/calvin-johnson-detroit-lions-retiring-nfl-nine-seasons

[stealthee]

Detroit has a way of making a young talented super star want to GTFO.

[j2k4]

Also hearing my Packers are going after Matt Forte. :wink:

[stealthee]

The NFC North is stupid. They have more guys stay in conference when they leave their former team than any other division in football.

[j2k4]

The NFC North is stupid. They have more guys stay in conference when they leave their former team than any other division in football.

Troo.

Greg Jennings and Brett Favre come to mind. :rolleyes:

[stealthee]

Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, among others.

[IPD]

Glad to see Manning hang it up. Now if we can just get Brady to do the same.

[IPD]

Ok, so Brady is giving up 1/4 million because he was smart enough to restructure his contract. It's like he KNEW he was going to get punished. Fucking guilty as sin, if you ask me.

[sketch]

crickets in this thread for ~5 months? time for a bump.

my view last night:
http://i.imgur.com/8dCV5xc.jpg

[j2k4]

Who are you? :p

[donniekak]

Who are you? :p

Tom Brady's "ball boy".

[j2k4]

Tom Brady's "ball boy".

Thought he sounded familiar...;)

[IPD]

My sports dreams were crushed when the USWNT lost to Sweden. I'm focusing on Star Trek Online instead.

[IPD]

p.s.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/suicidal-man-talked-off-bridge-via-hatred-of-cowboys-163058492.html

[sketch]

p.s.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/suicidal-man-talked-off-bridge-via-hatred-of-cowboys-163058492.html

i saw this story last week, too. i'm glad to see that mutual bonding over a common enemy can still bring people together - and on top of that, save lives

that being said, i've fallen in love withbeing the villain:
http://i.imgur.com/548lsQ5.jpg

i hope everyone's team has as much of an injury season as is possible (huge injuries have already happened already for some teams unfortunately - and no matter what team you like, as a football fan those are always horrible to watch a team to try to recover from).
http://i.imgur.com/dcaKOt4.jpg

go Chiefs, go Texans, go Broncos, go Falcons, go Broncos, go Packers, go Redskins, go Saints, go Giants, go Jaguars, and most importantly - go Patriots.
http://i.imgur.com/eTflR0x.jpg

[sketch]

week 3 is looking mighty interesting - especially the divisional matchups.

giants/Potomac drainage basin indigenous persons
divisional matchups are always great. looking forward to norman/beckham round 2

lions/packers
stafford with jim bob cooter offense are going to throw the ball a lot. does green bay have what it takes to stop them?


broncos/bengals.
run game going to win it here. for who? i got no idea.

raiders/oilers
this game going to be a god damn shoot out. gogogogo tajae sharp. i love me a strong rookie story every year, and you're one of my picks for this season. mariota is a strong sophomore QB and you are who i think will be a phenomenal receiver and i hope to see you two grow together over the coming years.

niners/seachickens
well - niners are a strong team with a weak QB. gabbert - while i love a success story, kaep is stronger. why jed york got rid of harbaugh is beyond me (actually nvm - jed is a horrible "owner"). should have given harbaugh the belichick deal

eagles/steelers
eagles: chip's wild ride part 2: aftershocks (maybe really not chip's problems? aside from trading away all the starters...)

chefs/jets
GO ARROWHEAD GO

bolts/colts
filippos del rio vs. el senor luck: go bolts. seeing your offensive weapons get injured was painful - i feel truly horrible for keenan allen after the past 2 seasons to see such talent miss so much playing time.

falcons/saints
i like both of you. but i cant forgive matty ive for losing his first start at BC vs 'cuse.
(BC (ranked) vs unranked syracuse at a fall break/thanksgiving area game my freshman year of college (fall '04) - my sister went to BC at the time and i went to the game with my friends who were syracuse attendees....and matty ice (freshman starter filling in for the injured upper classman) flushed the game down the toilet to an unranked 'cuse team.)

tl; dr: GO TEAM BEAT OTHER TEAM

[IPD]

Fuck kap. Mr. "I'm gonna take a knee during the national anthem because i have BLM's cock in my mouth".

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/09/23/steve-clevenger-suspended-racist-charlotte-tweets-seattle-mariners/90908618/

When a black person does it, it's freedom of speech. When a white person does it, it's racist. Fuck BLM.

---
Chiefs & Cards both broke my heart last year. And I've been on vacation for the past month, so I don't have to keep up on NFL stuff to chitchat around the office. Give a shit factor is probably as low as it will get this season.

[j2k4]

Packers and Lions each played half a game of football.

Packers' half was 7 points better than the Lions' half. :huh:

[Echo419]

Fuck kap. Mr. "I'm gonna take a knee during the national anthem because i have BLM's cock in my mouth".

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/09/23/steve-clevenger-suspended-racist-charlotte-tweets-seattle-mariners/90908618/

When a black person does it, it's freedom of speech. When a white person does it, it's racist. Fuck BLM.

---


they can say what they want but he wasn't wrong.

F*cking Aint's. we'd better hang half a hundo on them. their top 3 corners are 2 rookies and a dude that was watching Downton Abbey at home a few weeks ago.

[sketch]

aaron played phenomenally first half. dunno where he went for the 2nd half, maybe the coach forgot to wake him up from his halftime nap?

but what the fuck cardinals. What in the hell was that yesterday? you just lost to rex ryan. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BEAT THE BILLS

[j2k4]

We live in the era of ridiculous.

[Echo419]

what's the stat? every year 4 teams from the playoffs the previous year don't make the playoffs? :dontknow:

[stealthee]

Yesterday was definitely full of what the fuck.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Extremely happy with the Chiefs yesterday. Bring on the stillers!

Jeremy

[b_rad]

im joining in! plus i see no talk about how the vikings are doing awesome with their strokes of bad luck. i went to the panthers/vikings game and by far the best defensive performance in years! skol vikes!

somehow flacco is turning around for the ravens but their first win shouldnt have happened when they opened to the bills. still waiting for aaron rodgers to be carried off the field on a stretcher. at least kaeperdick's receiving some of that bad karma from all his antics...im sure his agent knew that kneeling down would get him a bunch more jerseys sold. "ill just throw a million dollars to the cause..." yea thatll work. enjoy being number 2, you pile of number 2!

[Echo419]

pump your breaks champ. my Failcant's started 5-0 last year and lit up the scoreboard only to finish like a dumpster fire.

that being said, it's awesome to be part of the list of teams that are in fact "DAT!" by beating those sorry Aint's at home on a Monday night.

[sketch]

good god last night's game was a dumpster fire.
though i did enjoy matty ice spreading the ball around - it's just better football.

and the vikings - they looking strong. that D/ST is nothing to scoff at; very interested in how their upcoming games pan out for them. if things keep going this way for the vikings/eagles, i could see their game in a couple of weeks flexed to the SNF game

[Echo419]

that Wentz can flat out throw. freaking best ball in the league IMO. shit looks like it's on a rope.

[sketch]

that Wentz can flat out throw. freaking best ball in the league IMO. shit looks like it's on a rope.

Browns fan's reactions to seeing Wentz play in Philly:
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ll8rse9qkA1qafrh6.gif

[donniekak]

Browns fan's reactions to seeing Wentz play in Philly:
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ll8rse9qkA1qafrh6.gif

The Browns have been so shitty for so long, they could have drafted either pro bowl team.

[sketch]

The Browns have been so shitty for so long, they could have drafted either pro bowl team.

be the browns
be tied 24-24 inside the 2 minute warning
have to punt the ball
sack their QB & force a fumble:
- inside field goal range
- with 20 seconds remaining
take a knee and kill the clock down to 4 seconds and take a timeout
setup for the win with 00:00 left on the clock
go for the field goal
be wide left
MRW: http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/632/211/aa0.png

[j2k4]

Jeff, were the Pats told to throw one cuz winning all the games sans Brady would make Roger and Tom look bad? :huh:

[sketch]

oh god they played horribly. on all sides of the ball. if you keep making stupid plays and get penalties out the wazoo, you're gonna have a bad time.

I MEAN
NO. THEY WANT TO MAKE 18-1 LOOK GOOD AND STUFF. YEAH. TOTALLY WHAT BILL PLANNED SO THAT REX WILL LET IT GO TO HIS HEAD SO WE CAN WIN IN BUFFALO. YEAH. AND STUFF.

[j2k4]

Ah, okay.

What I figured. ;)

[Echo419]

and of course Brady comes back on the week they play Cleveland and I'm playing a guy in my league with him. fml

[stealthee]

Guy I played last week had Michael Crabtree and AJ Green. He got 66 points out of those two players by themselves. Only way I would have stood a chance was if I had Julio.

[sketch]

and of course Brady comes back on the week they play Cleveland and I'm playing a guy in my league with him. fml

http://i.imgur.com/Q5j4YPU.gif

[IPD]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CzbIOScVEAEWGcW.jpg:large

i would have fired kaepernick at the first kneel & replaced him with tebow.

[j2k4]

Best local intelligence - straight out of Green Bay:

Jordy spent Sunday night in the hospital - Saturday, he will decide if he's up to practicing.

If he is, he'll play (this according to McCarthy), if not, he won't.

Guessing at least the ribs aren't broken.

Anyone heard if the idiot who hit him has been fined, yet?

[sketch]

per Ian Rapoport, sources say 2 ribs are broken =/

https://mobile.twitter.com/RapSheet/status/818600170266959872

Not fun. The rest of the guys have some big shoes to fill to beat Dallas

[HilbillyHomeboy]

There's no way he plays, imo.

Jeremy

[sketch]

if there's any kind of additional internal damage (it was speculated that there could be lung or spleen damage from some doctor, just based on how the hit looked), then definitely not. Jordy is one tough SOB and I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to push through it if it's _only_ 2x broken ribs.


in case you missed the hit -
http://i.imgur.com/VeIGibY.png
http://i.imgur.com/UV1Rcgi.png

video: http://video.nfl.com/films/2016/NFL_COM/in-game-highlight/NFLCOM/POST/18/170801_bp_gb_nelsoninj_726599_5000k.mp4

lower quality (lower bitrates, possibly better for mobile):
http://video.nfl.com/films/2016/NFL_COM/in-game-highlight/NFLCOM/POST/18/170801_bp_gb_nelsoninj_726599_3200k.mp4
http://video.nfl.com/films/2016/NFL_COM/in-game-highlight/NFLCOM/POST/18/170801_bp_gb_nelsoninj_726599_2000k.mp4
http://video.nfl.com/films/2016/NFL_COM/in-game-highlight/NFLCOM/POST/18/170801_bp_gb_nelsoninj_726599_1200k.mp4
http://video.nfl.com/films/2016/NFL_COM/in-game-highlight/NFLCOM/POST/18/170801_bp_gb_nelsoninj_726599_700k.mp4
http://video.nfl.com/films/2016/NFL_COM/in-game-highlight/NFLCOM/POST/18/170801_bp_gb_nelsoninj_726599_500k.mp4

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Even with a jacket on, any hit to those ribs is going to be excruciating. My money is on no go.

Jeremy

[Echo419]

broken ribs make breathing damn near impossible. forget running, blocking, getting hit and such. just ain't happening. he's no Hershel Walker.

[IPD]

That's not a hit that justifies a fine, imho. Sorry GB fans. Now can we please get back to the NE hatred? That fucking team needs to DIAF.

:D

[IPD]

Congratulations LA, you now have TWO shitty teams, both that wear blue/yellow.

/facepalm

[donniekak]

Stillers...

[Echo419]

I just don't get why they keep trying to put NFL teams in LA. they'll both be gone before long and they'll be left with a new expensive stadium that no one goes to.

[j2k4]

http://www.sbnation.com/2017/1/13/14211876/jordy-nelson-ribs-injury-status-nfl-playoffs-packers-vs-cowboys

[HilbillyHomeboy]

No surprise there.

Jeremy

[sketch]

that really sucks :c

but still - GO PACK GO

[IPD]

So LA has two teams with blue/yellow colors. bwahaha. Raiders are moving to Vegas, and are how half as far away from their division rivals as they were previously. Screw the chargers & the Raiders. Go Chiefs!

P.S.

Can we just realign the divisions/conferences so all of Cali's teams are in 1 division? Raiders, Chargers, 49ers and Rams all in 1 division. You can put Seattle & Arizona in the AFC west, I'm fine with that; AFC west would be so dominant that it would crush the patriots in the playoffs every freaking year.

[R/T93]

I could get down with crushing the Pats year after year. The cali conference would have too many stabbings at games.

[sketch]

Can we just realign the divisions/conferences so all of Cali's teams are in 1 division? Raiders, Chargers, 49ers and Rams all in 1 division. You can put Seattle & Arizona in the AFC west, I'm fine with that; AFC west would be so dominant that it would crush the patriots in the playoffs every freaking year.
Doesn't look like Oakland will be staying there much longer -_-

I could get down with crushing the Pats year after year. The cali conference would have too many stabbings at games.

not bloody likely ;)

[IPD]

Well I'm pretty sure that the 99% of the US population that ISN'T a NE fan...is fully expecting the tell-all memoirs in ~20 years, explicitly outlining how they continued to cheat & cheat & cheat & cheat & cheat.

[sketch]

Well I'm pretty sure that the 99% of the US population that ISN'T a NE fan...is fully expecting the tell-all memoirs in ~20 years, explicitly outlining how they continued to cheat & cheat & cheat & cheat & cheat.

Hmm? I don't understand the relevance of that here; you sound like a broken record with how often you keep falling back to that.

But since you seem to be misinformed and are looking for an outline on cheating, here's how every team in the NFL cheats - http://yourteamcheats.com/cheaters/

[IPD]

It's an outside of NE thing; you wouldn't understand.

Statistically, even with the most dominant "dynasties" that have ever been assembled, the Patriots have out-championshiped, out-lasted, outplayed & out-everything'd....every single one of them. Doesn't matter whether you're talking about Lobardi, Landry, Gibbs, Shanahan, or whomever coaching....somehow Bilicheat has outdone all of them--even better than several combined. We're way past "exemplary" into "ludicrously improbable".

but by all means, continue to go ahead and lie to yourself about "every team cheats" as though it somehow rectifies the 4+ bowl appearances that shouldn't have ever happened.

[IPD]

Pitt should be sending a thank-you to KC's offense. KC's D did everything it has been doing all seasons, and holding Pitt to nothing more than 6 field goals...is fantastic achievement--all things considered. Pitt's D was reasonably competent, to be sure (even if that as the dirtiest hit I've seen since the Steelers did it last playoffs to the Bengals). No the real x-factor was the KC offense. And specifically, I can't even really fault Alex Smith. Tons of dropped passes that had nothing to do with pass protection. Penalties for stupid hot-headed shit. And then the nail-in-the-coffin 10 yard facemask penalty on what would have otherwise been a tie game & quite possibly overtime.

I feel bad for KC, but I know full well that the Steelers have a better shot at cleaning out Foxboro. Either way...I'm hoping the Falcons last game at their old stadium...wins them the NFC crown; and that they raise the Lombadi trophy soon after that.

[Echo419]

Hmm? I don't understand the relevance of that here; you sound like a broken record with how often you keep falling back to that.

But since you seem to be misinformed and are looking for an outline on cheating, here's how every team in the NFL cheats - http://yourteamcheats.com/cheaters/
first off every single NE fan I know has posted this on a forum at some point. the link must come with every Brady blow up doll or something.

but there's a couple of things that list doesn't take into account. like the "value" of each cheat. I'll use the Falcons "cheats" to explain. ex: it's useless for a no good useless player to get busted using PEDs. I've been a fan most of my life and grew up here. I only recognize 2 names on that list. the one guys sucked anyways and it can be assumed that the other guys sucked as well. a no good player on PEDs is about useless and doesn't effect ish in the game. thus making the supposed cheat largely meaningless. furthermore it's not a team or leadership motivated thing. that's an individual decision not an team leadership choice.

Noisegate. this is simple. the team sucked in a major way that year. I'm fairly certain the noise's only purpose and effect really was to make people on tv think the Dome wasn't completely empty.they still sicked and it didn't change anything.

Mora got popped using a cell phone during a game. so what? all he did was ask league officials what would happen if they tied in a game. Zero effect to the game and the other team. but according to this list it's a "cheat" and still counts to towards the total to make everyone look like the Cheatriots.

Praticegate: brand new HC accidentally ran a practice that violated the CBA. again no one hurt or games effected but according to this list still a "cheat". just :lol:

Tampergate/Headsetgate/Scrapgate/etc: Oh everyone does it and we're not going to say how. :rolleyes: these last few convinced me that this site is NE manufactured. what a joke. :lol:


besides "everyone's doing it" as being a shit excuse when getting caught the biggest thing is when most folks get caught they admit it and take their punishment. this is something people in Foxboro are incapable of doing from the Krafts all the way to the average fan. instead of admitting they're wrong they resort to the 3rd grade excuse, "but mom all the other kids are doing it.". well little Timmah, if everyone was jumping off a cliff would you do it too?

edit: forgot the biggest difference between NE cheaters and everyone else. when others get caught they admit it and take their punishment. NE coaches, players and fans cry foul and/or just say "well everyone does it". it wouldn't be nearly as bad if they'd just admit things and move on.



Pitt should be sending a thank-you to KC's offense. KC's D did everything it has been doing all seasons, and holding Pitt to nothing more than 6 field goals...is fantastic achievement--all things considered. Pitt's D was reasonably competent, to be sure (even if that as the dirtiest hit I've seen since the Steelers did it last playoffs to the Bengals). No the real x-factor was the KC offense. And specifically, I can't even really fault Alex Smith. Tons of dropped passes that had nothing to do with pass protection. Penalties for stupid hot-headed shit. And then the nail-in-the-coffin 10 yard facemask penalty on what would have otherwise been a tie game & quite possibly overtime.

I feel bad for KC, but I know full well that the Steelers have a better shot at cleaning out Foxboro. Either way...I'm hoping the Falcons last game at their old stadium...wins them the NFC crown; and that they raise the Lombadi trophy soon after that.

yeah, I was watching that thinking, "If the KC WRs could catch and stop getting flagged for being stupid this would be a major blow out.".

[j2k4]

Have to tip my hat to the Cowboys - Dak and Zeke have them set for the foreseeable future, and the Cowboys are gonna be a force.

They still suck, though. :p

[Echo419]

I watched a little bit of this game. even saw this part:
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/ray-lewis-calls-out-tom-brady-for-complaining-after-jadeveon-clowney-hit-035919487.html

every time I see NE play half the game is Brady crying. they can go to commercial and he'll come back still crying. apparently Ray Lewis agrees and I wouldn't disagree with him. you might end up dead in an alley in Buckhead. :suspect:

[IPD]

^ That's one of the top reasons why Brady will NEVER be the GOAT. So many other great QB's who conduct themselves with poise, class, etc. Everything in NE smacks of pretentious hubris. If they don't get it converted on every 4th down, it's a travesty. If Brady gets sacked, it was an illegal hit. If the receiver doesn't catch it, it was pass interference. If they don't get top AFC seed, some other team cheated. If they lose in the playoffs, the refs are biased against them. Etc, etc, etc.

No it's not JUST the "winningness" (and I use that term loosely) that everyone else hates (which we all--apart from NE--know is from cheating); it's the cocky arrogance & temerity that NE's entire organization operates under. I call it the Aaron Hernandez principle. AH isn't just a 1-off ass; everyone in NE is like that...it's just his arrogance extended into more illegal activities than he was able to get away with.

[Echo419]

^ That's one of the top reasons why Brady will NEVER be the GOAT. So many other great QB's who conduct themselves with poise, class, etc. Everything in NE smacks of pretentious hubris. If they don't get it converted on every 4th down, it's a travesty. If Brady gets sacked, it was an illegal hit. If the receiver doesn't catch it, it was pass interference. If they don't get top AFC seed, some other team cheated. If they lose in the playoffs, the refs are biased against them. Etc, etc, etc.

No it's not JUST the "winningness" (and I use that term loosely) that everyone else hates (which we all--apart from NE--know is from cheating); it's the cocky arrogance & temerity that NE's entire organization operates under. I call it the Aaron Hernandez principle. AH isn't just a 1-off ass; everyone in NE is like that...it's just his arrogance extended into more illegal activities than he was able to get away with.

ya know they're a tuck/snow plow/Beast Mode from being the Bills but spread out more. ;)

[IPD]

Yep. If he goes to the SB and loses, all NE will care about is that he WENT--even if he's rapidly approaching Jim Kelly. Brady's one saving grace is that his attitude jives/or is accepted by hoodie. I think Belicheat foments this attitude. Moss loved NE because of it. Gronk has it too. And cockiness makes people want to see you get punched in the mouth.

I'd list Rodgers or even Rapistburger as better active QB's than Brady.

p.s.
Cockiness is why people respected GSP and hated Anderson Silva.

[Echo419]

Yep. If he goes to the SB and loses, all NE will care about is that he WENT--even if he's rapidly approaching Jim Kelly. Brady's one saving grace is that his attitude jives/or is accepted by hoodie. I think Belicheat foments this attitude. Moss loved NE because of it. Gronk has it too. And cockiness makes people want to see you get punched in the mouth.

I'd list Rodgers or even Rapistburger as better active QB's than Brady.

p.s.
Cockiness is why people respected GSP and hated Anderson Silva.

x2 100%.

it's proven that you can replace Brady with another QB and not miss a beat. conversly for example put him of the Browns and they're still garbage.

[Echo419]

further proof that Pats fans (and all Boston sports fans) are douches.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2017/01/23/hard-get-pumped-about-super-bowl-against-atlanta/0t7MbsUBBpbzJpVvTZlzxM/story.html

[IPD]

further proof that Pats fans (and all Boston sports fans) are douches.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2017/01/23/hard-get-pumped-about-super-bowl-against-atlanta/0t7MbsUBBpbzJpVvTZlzxM/story.html

They are the most pretentious organization in the NFL. When it was the world series, there was equal good-will for both sides...since both combined for the longest championship drought in professional sports history. Yet here we are at the SB, and all the pats have is "fuck those guys, they're pathetic".

[Echo419]

I was at a bar earlier this year watching a Falcons game. There was a what I would guess was a mid-40s man in a Brady jersey that was sheering every time something bad happened for the Falcons for no other reason than to be a dick.

[IPD]

http://ramblingeveron.com/2016/10/04/tom-brady-is-the-most-overrated-quarterback-in-nfl-history/

It's refreshing to see someone with common sense write an article...even if it's just one in a sea of NE astroturfing, cock-gobbling troglodytes.

[IPD]

Lets go Falcons!!!

[IPD]

Worst. Ending. EVER.

[IPD]

NE, you're a worse blight to the USA than Kommiefornia.

[sketch]

http://i.imgur.com/6x4H0iD.jpg

[IPD]

textbook case of what happens when you rely too much on your secondary. and the injuries didn't help.

oh well. NE gets another pass. And they'll probably win again next year. And the year after that. And Brady will keep playing when he's 58 years old...because NE. I'm about done with the NFL. It's not even fun to watch anymore--because no matter what happens...it ends up coming back to the same team winning the SB over and over and over. Like how Jimmie will win another NASCAR championship again this year. It's just old. I like to see competition. NE proves that there isn't any left.

[onebadmollafolla]

Fun game to watch. Brady and company looked awful the first half. Never count him out though.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I fell asleep right after Jones made the absurd catch to put ATL right around the 20. I guess I figured the game was about to be over as all they had to do was run the ball 3 times and then kick a go ahead FG to put it out of reach. Wake up this morning and find they pulled a Seattle and passed (leading to a devastating sack). Unbelievable. Ryan seems to have a really bad habit of not throwing the ball away, especially on 3rd down. He took sacks like that 3? times in the game. That's totally unacceptable at the pro level.

Congrats to NE; they miracled yet another one.

Jeremy

[IPD]

I'll never understand the reason behind not running out the clock. Especially when you're in FG range & up by 8. That screams "run" to me. The entire 4th quarter should have been about burning the clock as fast as possible.

I think I'm about done with the NFL. Permanently. I hate Goodell--but not because of the stupid NE stuff that their pompous fans do. Concussions. Teams with ZERO loyalty to their host cities. Holding cities hostage to pay for billion dollar stadiums that aren't needed. Felons. Never-ending & Ever-Expanding fantasy-leagues. NFL coverage on ESPN that dwarfs election coverage; even during election years (there's just so much of it). Players that grandstand for political statements on gameday. Endless commercials. Politically preachy commercials. Controversy after controversy being swept under the rug (or overblown to save face). Blatant team favoritism. Game play that relies more on obfuscating signal-calling & clever trickery--than it does on pure athletic skill & prowess. Sudden-death overtime rules that would only make sense if there wasn't an overtime--but simply a continuation of the 4th quarter until a lead was achieved.

And the latest SB just cements my personal opinion that it's largely rigged in some way. Maybe, maybe not--but the statistics of NE running the table like they have for 16 years just doesn't hold water; especially when compared to "dynasties" of yesteryear. And when you go back to the "mega-dynasties"--you find that guys like Bart Starr (and for comparison sake, Bill Russell) simply didn't have the same amount of teams to compete against. The 58-59 NBA had 8 total teams. The 61 NFL had 14. The more team expansions there are, the more likely that talent spreads out through the league--rather than coalescing in one spot. This makes sense, as "dynasty" runs had gotten shorter & shorter (relatively) until the 2001. Now it's just the Patriots and the also-rans. It's just not fun anymore. There's no actual contest; it's simply prolonging viewership until finally handing yet another championship to a team that will forever be tainted with scandals of cheating. And Ernie Adams holding a position that exists for no other team in the NFL...will always look suspicious.

And honestly, maybe it's not even the NFL. Alabama has the same kind of thing going on in the NCAA. I think I'm going to stick to sports where the outcomes aren't assured, where the playing field feels more level. Kinda like how the World Series played out last year.

[stealthee]

Instead of quoting your whole rant I will just say that there are fantasy leagues in every sport, even your beloved soccer.

As for NFL vs election coverage, I'll take that any day of the week. People watch ESPN and sports in general to escape every day life.

As for grandstanding players, its not just players but celebrities in general that think their opinions, political or otherwise, matter more than every day people. The problem there is that the dumbass, every day populace have been the ones to let them think that.

As for Alabama, you forget they didn't win this year. The only problem I have with the NCAA is how they gobble on the knob of teams HISTORY and not their present. Like last year how they had ND a preseason top 10, and they finished a dismal 4-9. ND always seems to be given high preseason rankings, yet they have only had one good year in the last 20+. If the NFL were like the NCAA the Cowboys would be preseason #1 every year with how the media likes to slobber on their junk and proclaim "This is the year" every damn year.

[IPD]

I get your comment about "escape every day life" and that's part of what makes it so bad. Politicizing (both by advertisers & the players) makes it impossible to tune out "life". The NFL is veering away from its core product offering by allowing it (or encouraging it).

[j2k4]

All I know is the product loses more appeal every year.

The last game I went to (MNF Packers/Bears @ Lambeau in '14) it had been 20 years since I'd last attended a pro game.

I was an incredibly irritating experience; irritating for reasons that would not have existed in previous years.

Everything was overlarge and over-loud - the PA was so loud as to be unintelligible...I had a young twit standing on her seat in front of me with her huge 'message' umbrella, trying to get someone with a camera to point it at her, totally obstructing my view.

I pointed her out to an usher, who shrugged and walked away - I suppose I could have assaulted her and taken care of her fucking umbrella, but I'm sure that would have gotten attention.

The entire experience seemed to importune everyone to BE AN ASSHOLE!!

The crowd was only too happy to oblige.


I'll never go back, not even to tailgate.

[stealthee]

I've only ever been to one pro game. Two reasons is it is expensive to attend, and I HATE driving in city traffic, especially game day city traffic. I've never been to a Pens game for the same reasons, even though I love hockey. I have been to quite a few Pirates games, but it is much cheaper to attend a baseball game, and I have only had to drive on one occasion that I can remember.

I've been to several WVU football games as well.

My experience at all of the games I have been to has been great. Maybe your experience has more to do with your fanbase. ;)

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Never been to a pro game and no desire to either. The cost of admission is just outrageous. I'll stick with college, specifically WVU where signs and umbrellas are outlawed. :)

Jeremy

[onebadmollafolla]

Never been to a pro game and no desire to either. The cost of admission is just outrageous. I'll stick with college, specifically WVU where signs and umbrellas are outlawed. :)

Jeremy

When I've gone to KC games they're usually about $65 or so. Not too bad. Beer is outrageous but I didn't mind the ticket price.

[stealthee]

With Steelers games by the time you factor in ticket, gas money, parking, food, and the like you can easily have $150 to $200 in a game per person. The one game I did go to I only actually got the ticket because a friend and I won them at a bar. I just don't gave the disposable income to do something like that/

[Echo419]

Dad found this gem last night. Just a little to late.
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t189/XEcho419/IMG_0213_zpsytnmvzu7.jpg

[HilbillyHomeboy]

That's a pisser. Still a cool momento though.

Jeremy