NFL Week 7 Discussion Thread: None of those DIRTY Hits please...

[Abe Sargent]

The Jags today signed Patrick Ramsey and Todd Bauman yesterday and simply don't know who's starting on Sunday vs the Chiefs. Garrard? Edwards? Bauman? Ramsey?

It's just not going to be IR'd QB Luke McNown, who was looking pretty good for a while.

[Travis]

I'm looking forward to the Seahawks game this week. Nearly a must win for them if they want to have a shot at the division this year and they welcome rookie Max Hall to Seattle. Here's hoping the 12th man gives him a very noisy reception and they can pull out the win. Also curious to see how the offensive line looks given that it's the first time in a very long time they're likely to start the same combination across the board. Should bode well for Lynch having a good home debut.

[MikeVic]

So I don't know how serious this is, but if it does actually happen, I will not be a very happy fan:

James Harrison of Pittsburgh Steelers, in wake of fine, says he's considering retirement - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5706748)

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Don't let the door...

[MikeVic]

Don't let the door...

No!! Brady should retire too then, go into hair modeling.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Hah, I just meant to say this is a pretty transparent drama-queen fit he's throwing.

[MikeVic]

Hah, I just meant to say this is a pretty transparent drama-queen fit he's throwing.

Ok good. Seems kind of weird, I thought he was a quiet but tough type. Did not expect to read this about him.

[spleen1015]

No way in hell he retires.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Idiot kicker v2.0?

Pat McAfee of Indianapolis Colts arrested, charged with public intoxication - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5706081)

[ColtCrazy]

Hah, I just meant to say this is a pretty transparent drama-queen fit he's throwing.

Completely agree...but Harrison has a history of off the wall comments.

[ColtCrazy]

Idiot kicker v2.0?

Pat McAfee of Indianapolis Colts arrested, charged with public intoxication - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5706081)

Dola....this one doesn't bother me as much since he wasn't driving. And, frankly, it's pretty damned funny to imagine. Considering it was 38 in Indy that night, it's a wonder he didn't get hypothermia.

[Passacaglia]

So from the looks of this thread, Week 7 is going to be a lot like Week 6.

(I figure most of you guys have just stopped reading the Week 6 thread)

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm looking forward to at least seven players getting carted off the field with severe concussions. That's my favorite thing about football.

[Glengoyne]

Don't let the door...

Damn. I coulda come to this thread and voiced my sentiment. I woulda saved characters.

+1

[sovereignstar v2]

I had no idea Bouman was still in the league. It's the fifth time he's signed with the Jags in less than 3 years.

[Thomkal]

I'm looking forward to the Seahawks game this week. Nearly a must win for them if they want to have a shot at the division this year and they welcome rookie Max Hall to Seattle. Here's hoping the 12th man gives him a very noisy reception and they can pull out the win. Also curious to see how the offensive line looks given that it's the first time in a very long time they're likely to start the same combination across the board. Should bode well for Lynch having a good home debut.

I can't believe my beloved Cards will have the good fortune, luck, the stars align perfectly etc that allowed them to beat the Saints in their last game again. But then this is the Seahawks not the Saints, so maybe they do have the chance to win this one too. :p

[Aylmar]

I'm looking forward to at least seven players getting carted off the field with severe concussions. That's my favorite thing about football.

How about six concussions and one Theismann style leg snap?

[stevew]

The Dolphins better activate 3 QBs for Sunday.

[jbergey22]

Rumors are out there that Dallas Clark may be out for the season. Im trying to think of what hand/wrist injury would keep him out that long?

Rumor: Dallas Clark Done For 2010 Season UPDATE Clark Out Indefinitely - Stampede Blue (http://www.stampedeblue.com/2010/10/20/1763669/rumor-dallas-clark-done-for-2010-season)

[TroyF]

I'm looking forward to at least seven players getting carted off the field with severe concussions. That's my favorite thing about football.

It's funny ass hell listening to the idiot defenders right now.

1) Harrison mulling retirement. Ahh, poor baby. You are fun as hell to watch play football when you aren't using your helmet as a weapon, it'd be sad to see you go. On the other hand, if you can't stop doing the former, the NFL will be suspending you anyway, so maybe you ought to just call it a career.

2) Channing Crowder is a special kind of idiot. He's stating that he will not change the way he hits people. He will still use his helmet as a weapon. He says it's not about concussions, it's about the NFL protecting WR and QB's.

OK, lets think about this Channing. The NFL said they are going to crack down on these type of hits. You say you aren't going to change the way you hit. Now how severe do you think your punishment is going to be if you make a helmet to helmet hit this week? What might have been a one or two game suspension could turn into double that because you are doing it premeditated. Now imagine if you come back and hit someone else like that. Ouch. You see where this is going Channing? You understand that by opening up your big mouth, you've now placed a target right square on your chest?

I'm sure your teammates are going to be thrilled. (well, at least your backup will be, because he'll see a lot of the field soon)

[TroyF]

Not sure where to put this, pro or college, but it's amazing how nasty the comments are. You usually don't see someone speak about another coach this way:

Mike Zimmer on Bobby Petrino:

"[Petrino] is a coward. Put that in quotes. He ruined a bunch of people's lives, a bunch of people's families, kids, because he didn't have enough nuts to stay there and finish the job. That's the truth."

[JonInMiddleGA]

He says it's not about concussions, it's about the NFL protecting WR and QB's.

Only a damned fool would claim otherwise (or believe any claims otherwise).

[JPhillips]

I know an NFL coach that needs to bring back his college 'stache.

http://www.isubengal.com/polopoly_fs/1.1715979!/image/3146066115.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_240/3146066115.jpg

[TroyF]

Only a damned fool would claim otherwise (or believe any claims otherwise).


Call me a damned fool then. I think the NFL is terrified of lawsuits from current and former players. They also see the writing on the wall. The more of these concussion studies that end up hitting the mainstream, the more it is going to hurt their product if they don't do something about it.

When the NFL protected QB's, it didn't pull any punches. It said it was protecting QB's and if you didn't like it to go pound sand. I don't see why they'd do any differently if it were WR they were claiming to protect.

[Honolulu_Blue]

2) Channing Crowder is a special kind of idiot. He's stating that he will not change the way he hits people. He will still use his helmet as a weapon. He says it's not about concussions, it's about the NFL protecting WR and QB's.

Channing is right in a way.

It's about the NFL protecting WR and QB's.... from concussions.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Call me a damned fool then. I think the NFL is terrified of lawsuits from current and former players. They also see the writing on the wall. The more of these concussion studies that end up hitting the mainstream, the more it is going to hurt their product if they don't do something about it.


Like others have said, then just take the pads off & let 'em play touch or flag, because that's the way you're going to have a significant impact on concussions. Large people moving at high speed running into each other, there's going to be some head knocks, rules or no rules.

And, from up the thread, Crowder is far from alone in his criticism of this absurd announcement.
Players unhappy about crackdown on hard hits - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5708850)

[cuervo72]

"If I get a chance to knock somebody out, I'm going to knock them out and take what they give me," Crowder said. "They give me a helmet, I'm going to use it."

Well shit, why don't you just take off your helmet, walk up to the player and swing it into the back of his head then? Pitchers get a baseball, too. Should just bean the other team's best player.

[miami_fan]

"If I get a chance to knock somebody out, I'm going to knock them out and take what they give me," Crowder said. "They give me a helmet, I'm going to use it."

Well shit, why don't you just take off your helmet, walk up to the player and swing it into the back of his head then? Pitchers get a baseball, too. Should just bean the other team's best player.

Pitchers do and it is considered part of the game.

[henry296]

Pitchers do and it is considered part of the game.

And they often get suspended when it is intentional.

[cuervo72]

Pitchers do and it is considered part of the game.

They do? They throw at the head, with intent to injure, unapologetically?

[jbergey22]

Im not sure what I think about this. I'm hoping it kind of fixes itself as I dont want the game changed. I love watching the Ravens/Steelers and their hard hitting defenses.

The NFL needs to define what is an illegal hit. Right now they are basically saying if someone gets hurt you are going to be in trouble.

-If a player tackles a player at the chest and the helmet comes up and makes contact with the other players helmet that should not be considered illegal as that is a technique of great tackling. You thrust upward at the chest area. If the ball carrier is fighting this accidents can happen.

[miami_fan]

And they often get suspended when it is intentional.

They do? They throw at the head, with intent to injure, unapologetically?

The NFL has told the defenders it is their responsibility to make sure they don't hit on players in the head. If they do, they are subject to fines and suspensions. No one has suggested that Dunta Robinson intended to hit DeSean Jackson in the head. The defenders don't get the opportunity to say "well that pitch just slipped."

We have seen the NFL do this type of thing with the QB's already. I remember it creating a debate similar to the one that is going on now. We now have a situation where just about any sort of hit against a QB (head shots or not) are subject to penalty both on and off the field. Meanwhile, the same QBs voluntarily dived headfirst all over the field, and hit "defenseless" with blocks all the time. Maybe the NFL will do things differently in this case. Maybe it will just be about the unnecessary and intentional helmet to helmet hits that EVERYONE wants to see eliminated from the game. But excuse me for having a wait and see attitude.

[molson]

We now have a situation where just about any sort of hit against a QB (head shots or not) are subject to penalty both on and off the field.


Huge exaggeration. The large majority of QB sacks and hits don't result in a penalty, fines, or even scrutiny. If may have taken players a little while to figure out that they can't launch themselves as a QB's head, but they largely have figured out how get to the QB without that, and even most fans accept this as part of the game.

Maybe it will just be about the unnecessary and intentional helmet to helmet hits that EVERYONE wants to see eliminated from the game.


When the league started cracking down on the helmet to helmet hits, there was plenty of whining about skirts and two-hand-touch, etc. Exactly the same as this. The NFL has succeeded somewhat in getting to people to accept that those hits don't need to be a part of the game (though I still think plenty of people still resent that flags are thrown for these hits - go to any NFL game or any bar showing an NFL game and people are going to be bitching about flags on those plays.

Any time NFL revisists safety, which it has dozens of times over the years, people freak out and cry that football is ruined and the sky is falling. Again, we'll see this weekend if the new enforcements ruin the game or not. (or even if there's a huge quantity of flags thrown for clearly legal conduct, etc) If somehow, the game survives past this weekend, people will eventually get used to the new enforcement policies, and any new way games are called, just like they have dozens of times in the past. And if the NFL loses a fan or two because the game "isn't violent enough" - I guarantee they're not going to lose sleep over that.

I was watching some vintage old-timey football over the weekend (there's a bunch of original game footage on youtube from the 70s and 80s). Maybe I didn't watch enough to get any kind of scientific conclusion, but it just seemed like players knew how to TACKLE and I didn't see any launching at all, let alone launching to the head. Maybe that's some kind of athletic innovation, but maybe football won't be destroyed if players go back to learning how to tackle. Also, I think the game would benefit greatly if we could revisit the pass interference rules. Give defenders a little more leeway for contact. I think there's less need to launch when you can actually play real pass coverage and not just shadow a receiver until the last instant.

[TroyF]

Like others have said, then just take the pads off & let 'em play touch or flag, because that's the way you're going to have a significant impact on concussions. Large people moving at high speed running into each other, there's going to be some head knocks, rules or no rules.

And, from up the thread, Crowder is far from alone in his criticism of this absurd announcement.
Players unhappy about crackdown on hard hits - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5708850)

I'll do the second part first:

If they are unhappy, I can live with it. But Channing stated he would not change the way he played AND said he'd continue using his helmet as a weapon. I'm sorry, that's moronic. When you state that you are going to use the helmet as a weapon, something that has been on the books for years now, you are being a fool.

The first part? Yes, there will be some head knocks. There will be concussions. We all realize that's part of the game. Watching a DB lay out a defenseless WR by either leading with their helmet or drilling them in the head? I'm sorry Jon, that type of collision CAN be controlled and there is no need for it.

Watch the slo mo replays on the Dunta Robinson hit that everyone seems to be complaining about. "He didn't hit him in the head" No, he didn't. But watch how Dunta leads with his helmet. He turns his head down and drives with the helmet. That's a dangerous play for both Dunta as well as Jackson.

Nobody is arguing that there won't be hard shots in a football game. As someone else said, with the rules on the QB years ago, people said it would ruin the game. It hasn't. QB's still get concussions, but for the most part they get them as part of the game, not on intentional blows to the head. The game hasn't been ruined, there are still scrambling QB's. Honestly, I always thought the WR deserved more protection.

As far as reducing concussions, you are out of your mind if you think cutting down on head shots will not reduce concussions. Eliminate them? Hell no. But it will damned well reduce them.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

steve young's comments probably carry the most weight with me. 3 of the 4 fined hits from this weekend were inexperienced qb's throwing shallow crossing routes against zone.

i'll reserve judgement till i see how this plays out. but having refs judging intent on bang bang plays smells like a disaster to me.

[CU Tiger]

Call me a damned fool then. I think the NFL is terrified of lawsuits from current and former players. They also see the writing on the wall. The more of these concussion studies that end up hitting the mainstream, the more it is going to hurt their product if they don't do something about it.

When the NFL protected QB's, it didn't pull any punches. It said it was protecting QB's and if you didn't like it to go pound sand. I don't see why they'd do any differently if it were WR they were claiming to protect.

3 Quick points:

1- As long as a WR can duck his head immediately before contact head to heads will happen regardless of DB action, unless they step aside.
2- What about RBs hitting the head face down and ramming the top of their helmet into a defender blindly...is the RB not dangerous because he is touching the mystical pigskin?
3- Let's all call this what it is, a thinly veiled shot by the NFL to the NFLPA...
"We are going to 18 games"
"But that will take a huge toll on our bodies. We deserve revised contracts and increased revenue for the extra pounding."
"No"
"This move isnt safe. We are worried about our players health"
"Ok....These hits are not safe, lets fine some players. That will show you. Plus when negotiations come up again we will always lean back on, 'Look when safety issues arise we will address them just like we did with helmet to helmet' this is our ball we are going home.

[JonInMiddleGA]

1- As long as a WR can duck his head immediately before contact head to heads will happen regardless of DB action, unless they step aside.
2- What about RBs hitting the head face down and ramming the top of their helmet into a defender blindly...is the RB not dangerous because he is touching the mystical pigskin?

Ding ding ding.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The first part? Yes, there will be some head knocks. There will be concussions. We all realize that's part of the game. Watching a DB lay out a defenseless WR by either leading with their helmet or drilling them in the head? I'm sorry Jon, that type of collision CAN be controlled and there is no need for it.

Only the relative handful of incident where such contact is intentional. It does nothing - except penalize defensive players for doing their jobs - about the cases where receivers put themselves into a position to take the hit to the head.

Nobody is arguing that there won't be hard shots in a football game.

No, we're just noting the rather obvious intent to reduce them ... and whatever that is, it isn't football.

As far as reducing concussions, you are out of your mind if you think cutting down on head shots will not reduce concussions. Eliminate them? Hell no. But it will damned well reduce them.

IIRC, I think I used the word "significantly" in there somewhere. And this silly business won't do jack shit that's meaningful in that regard, it's significance will lie in the increased number of games that have their outcome influenced by a nebulous judgment call.

[TroyF]

3 Quick points:

1- As long as a WR can duck his head immediately before contact head to heads will happen regardless of DB action, unless they step aside.
2- What about RBs hitting the head face down and ramming the top of their helmet into a defender blindly...is the RB not dangerous because he is touching the mystical pigskin?
3- Let's all call this what it is, a thinly veiled shot by the NFL to the NFLPA...
"We are going to 18 games"
"But that will take a huge toll on our bodies. We deserve revised contracts and increased revenue for the extra pounding."
"No"
"This move isnt safe. We are worried about our players health"
"Ok....These hits are not safe, lets fine some players. That will show you. Plus when negotiations come up again we will always lean back on, 'Look when safety issues arise we will address them just like we did with helmet to helmet' this is our ball we are going home.


1) Explain to me why 7 out of 10 of these hits are committed by the same players? John Lynch was suspended when he was a Bronco. Why? Because he continually led with his helmet. We can all look at our current teams we cheer for and know who the guys who do this are. Dunta wouldn't have been on any Falcons fans list, but the situation you are talking about didn't happen with him. Plain and simple, he led with his helmet. It was wrong.

For the most part, it's the same cast of characters. Denver had three hard hitting safeties, Dennis Smith, Steve Atwater and John Lynch. Lynch was fined a ton of times. I don't remember Tyrone Braxton ever being fined.

If it's so difficult to avoid, why do a vast majority of NFL players avoid those hits? And why do the guys who made them and are out of the game now think they are avoidable? (Rodney Harrison and John Lynch to name just two guys who fit that mold)

2) See the James Harrison hit on Cribbs. Not flagged, not fined. The ball carrier is treated differently than a QB or defenseless WR.

3) This isn't a shot by the NFL to the NFLPA. They know the players are going to get some serious things for moving to 18 games. This won't change that fact. The NFL already knows the NFLPA will not accept 18 games without better long term medical care and a higher percentage of the pay. It's the central issue there will be a lockout over. This isn't going to change the players minds a bit and the NFL is smart enough to know it.

[CU Tiger]

1) Explain to me why 7 out of 10 of these hits are committed by the same players? John Lynch was suspended when he was a Bronco. Why? Because he continually led with his helmet. We can all look at our current teams we cheer for and know who the guys who do this are. Dunta wouldn't have been on any Falcons fans list, but the situation you are talking about didn't happen with him. Plain and simple, he led with his helmet. It was wrong.

For the most part, it's the same cast of characters. Denver had three hard hitting safeties, Dennis Smith, Steve Atwater and John Lynch. Lynch was fined a ton of times. I don't remember Tyrone Braxton ever being fined.

If it's so difficult to avoid, why do a vast majority of NFL players avoid those hits? And why do the guys who made them and are out of the game now think they are avoidable? (Rodney Harrison and John Lynch to name just two guys who fit that mold)

2) See the James Harrison hit on Cribbs. Not flagged, not fined. The ball carrier is treated differently than a QB or defenseless WR.

3) This isn't a shot by the NFL to the NFLPA. They know the players are going to get some serious things for moving to 18 games. This won't change that fact. The NFL already knows the NFLPA will not accept 18 games without better long term medical care and a higher percentage of the pay. It's the central issue there will be a lockout over. This isn't going to change the players minds a bit and the NFL is smart enough to know it.

3 - We will just agree to disagree on...it is pure speculation on both parts and neither can prove anything, so lets move on to better points.
2 - I hate that defenseless term. You can protect yourself as a WR dont go over the middle. None of these big hits are happening on out routes.
1- "Lead with the helmet"...lets study anatomy a second, please.
In order to tackle a player and "lead with the shoulder pads a player must either A)bend at the waist so that their upper body and their shoulder pads are parallel with the ground or B) Jump so that their entire body is (relatively) parallel to the ground. All of the pundits that agree with these rulings claim that players should be leading with their shoulder pads not their helmet. So...in order to lead with the shoulder pads you must do either A or B above. But guess what, when you lead with your shoulder, your head is in front of it, unless you have a hingeable neck the likes of which are not currently known to exist, your head will be in front of your shoulders. The key is you aim your head to the side of the carrier and place your shoulder pad in their torso. But the carrier is not a stationary target and sometimes it moves into the path of flight of the head, or sometimes the tackler just misses and the helmet makes contact.

I saw 1 bad hit this weekend that should have been fined or penalized and it was in the NE game. As the play happened I looked at my wife and said that should have been a flag.

[jbergey22]

It wont be long and we are going to see the NFL have scores similar to the college game 42-35. The NFL is taking everything they can away from the defense. I see so many drives extended because of personal fouls it makes me sick sometimes.

While I agree concussions are a problem right now I just dont want to watch a game in which the games are decided by who gets less penalties.

These arent high school players we are talking about these are NFL players. Correct tackling technique isnt always an option because the offensive players are just too talented to get tackled properly at all times.

I understand protecting defenseless wr's and qbs but lets just leave it at that.

[cuervo72]

I saw 1 bad hit this weekend that should have been fined or penalized and it was in the NE game. As the play happened I looked at my wife and said that should have been a flag.

And now the NFL is saying that those hits will be suspensions, so players need to knock it the eff off. Some players are coming off as being offended by that - that either they can't control that or that they shouldn't have to control the behavior. Fair game, man - fair game.

And the differences that I see between that hit and a RB lowering the head - the RB doesn't leave his feet, and he doesn't necessarily target a specific opposing player.

[MikeVic]

The problem is that I think having a crappy QB making a stupid throw across the middle that results in his receiver getting knocked the fuck out should be fair game. Why is it the defensive player's responsibility to hold back on the hit because the QB made a mistake?

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

2- What about RBs hitting the head face down and ramming the top of their helmet into a defender blindly...is the RB not dangerous because he is touching the mystical pigskin?


this is a great point. thumper backs always initiate contact with their head.

[Lathum]

In other news some great games this week

Washington at Chicago- Huge game for Washington

Jax @ KC- KC needs to win here to prove they arent a pretender.

Pitt @ Miami- Big game for the Dolphins here

St-Louis- Tampa- Amazingly one of these teams will have 4 wins after this game

Philly- Tenn- Great game vs. two solid teams. Some will be 5-2 after this game and off to a great start

Arizona-Seattle- Somehow both teams are 3-2. Winner gets a big step up in a division that should be easy to win.

New England-San Diego- Pats have a chance to pretty much finish off the Chargers

Minny- GB- Enough Said

Giants-Cowboys- Giants have a chance to finish off the Cowboys season.

[molson]

I saw 1 bad hit this weekend that should have been fined or penalized and it was in the NE game. As the play happened I looked at my wife and said that should have been a flag.

So 1 clearly legitimate fine-worthy hit, and how many fines were given out in total last week, 3? Out of approximately 1700 plays? And were those other two even flagged? Some people disagree on 2 of the 3 fines, fair enough. Is this really that crazy and aggressive enforcement by the NFL?

[TroyF]

Washington at Chicago- Huge game for Washington

Jax @ KC- KC needs to win here to prove they arent a pretender.

Pitt @ Miami- Big game for the Dolphins here - HUGE game for the Dolphins. Already two losses at home, they need this game.

St-Louis- Tampa- Amazingly one of these teams will have 4 wins after this game Big for the teams involved, but I don't think either makes the playoffs anyway.

Philly- Tenn- Great game vs. two solid teams. Some will be 5-2 after this game and off to a great start Yup, big game for both teams. Kolb wins the game and plays well, Vick likely is back on the bench for awhile

Arizona-Seattle- Somehow both teams are 3-2. Winner gets a big step up in a division that should be easy to win. yup, big games for each team. That division is horrible.

New England-San Diego- Pats have a chance to pretty much finish off the Chargers this one has all the makings of a blowout win for the Chargers. They need it more, they will want it more. The Pats are coming off a hard hitting emotional win. The Chargers don't get this one, I think they are done.

Minny- GB- Enough Said agreed.

Giants-Cowboys- Giants have a chance to finish off the Cowboys season agreed again. A lot of people had the Chargers facing the Cowboys in the Super Bowl. After this week, there is a chance that both will be finished.

[molson]

It wont be long and we are going to see the NFL have scores similar to the college game 42-35. The NFL is taking everything they can away from the defense. I see so many drives extended because of personal fouls it makes me sick sometimes.

While I agree concussions are a problem right now I just dont want to watch a game in which the games are decided by who gets less penalties.

These arent high school players we are talking about these are NFL players. Correct tackling technique isnt always an option because the offensive players are just too talented to get tackled properly at all times.

I understand protecting defenseless wr's and qbs but lets just leave it at that.

Pass interference calls definitely need to be revamped. They have a HUGE impact on the game. Much more so than the occasional penalty/flag on the helmet to helmet launching.

Is there any stats out there on personal fouls called per game?

[jbergey22]

Pass interference calls definitely need to be revamped. They have a HUGE impact on the game. Much more so than the occasional penalty/flag on the helmet to helmet launching.

Is there any stats out there on personal fouls called per game?

Its certainly gone up. Im sure if someone felt like taking the time they always have first downs by penalties in the box scores which Id guess has doubled in the past 10-15 years.

You know what goes unsaid in this whole conversation is that teams are now using the spread offenses more and leaving their WR's open to get blasted by bigger linebackers. I am sure defensive coaches are telling their players to blast these little WR's so they wont want to come accross the middle on us.

The offense could help control this problem as well by going back to the 2 wr offenses, run the ball more, and quit running their little quick wrs accross the middle the entire game.

Instead the NFL wants to make the game high scoring and take away any advantages the defense has.

[Thomkal]

So I've certainly noticed the amount of changes at the QB position this season, and was curious to see just how many there have been so far. Basing this on my sometimes faulty memory so corrections are appreciated.

AFC East:

Miami: Chad Henne is the man for the forseeable future it looks like. I'm surprised someone-especially Buffalo has not traded for 3rd stringer and Coastal Carolina grad Tyler Thigpen yet.

Jets: Marc Sanchez or Bust

NE: Brady till infinity

Buffalo: Trent Edwards not only replaced by Fitzpatrick, but released and ended up with Jacksonville. Brian Brohm awaits his turn...

AFC North:

Pitt: They were down to their fourth string QB at one point and young Dennis Dixon is gone for the season, but Big Ben has returned after his suspension.

Cle: Delhomme got injured early, replaced by a semi-decent Seneca Wallace, who is now also injured and so rookie and not supposed to start this year Colt McCoy gets ready for his second start with the not-so imposing Brett Ratliff waiting in the wings.

Cin: Carson Palmer has looked mighty bad at times, but can't see him being replaced unless they go on a five game losing streak or so.

Bal: Flacco has also looked shaky at times, but as long as they are winning, he's the man there.

AFC South:

Indy: Is it just me or has Peyton Manning looked a little mortal this season? Doesn't matter starter in Indy until age or injury knocks him out of the game.

Tenn: Vince Young was benched in one game earlier in the season, and somehow sprained his knee and/or ankle after dropping the snap from his center in the last game? Coach Fisher is hinting that the injury may not be that bad and he may play on Sunday. He better hope so because Kerry Collins has an injured finger as well...

Hou: Matt Schaub likely to be the starter if they stay above .500. All bets may be off if they dip below it, and Matt Leinart is waiting in the wings...

Jax: What a ugly situation in Jaguar land. Gerrard is hurt and may not play Sunday-his backup the so-bad he couldn't even make it in Buffalo, Trent Edwards is also hurt. Which means the newly signed Todd Bauman or Patrick Ramsey could start this week...what a Halloween Horror in the making.

AFC West:

Denver: Kyle Orton playing well, but there will always be the spectre of Tim Tebow hanging over him, especially after Tebow got his first NFL score this past week.

KC: Chiefs have been a lot better than expected this season, especially on defense. But Cassel was exposed for the mediocre QB he seems to be against Indy, but no way do they go with anybody else at this point.

Oak: I really really thought the Raiders had finally got some stability at the position with Jason Campbell...okay I was really really wrong. Got replaced by Gradkowski who then got injured and may not start Sunday. Campbell had a chance to redeem himself against the winless Niners last week and failed abysmally, so perhaps now it's going to be Kyle Boller? Yikes.

SD: No way they go with anyone else here besides Phillip Rivers until they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs probably if that happens.

NFC East:

Giants: Eli Manning has thrown more INT than any QB this season (I think?) but remains in charge of the tied for first Giants.

Philly: A rarity for sure in the NFL-two good QB's they can call on. A nice dilemma for Andy Reid that's for sure. As much as I dislike Michael Vick for his off the field activities, he does look like he's returned to his pre-arrest form with Atlanta. And Kolb has shaken off an early injury and loss of confidence from his coach with a good game last week and get the start again this week.

Wash: Donovan McNabb will start as long as the have playoff hopes.

Dallas: wow how have the mighty fallen. Team looks completely undisciplined right now and Jerry Jones's dream of having his team win the Super Bowl in their home stadium seems very much like a pipe dream right now (and I'm not upset about that :) ) They play the Giants twice in the next four weeks and both are now must win if they want to have a chance of even reaching the playoffs. I don't see Jon Kitna or Stephen McGee replacing Romo at any point this season and god forbid if he should get hurt.

NFC South:

Car: Jimmy Clausen, Matt Moore, and Tony Pike are the options here with a roster nearly devoid of WR talent especially with the aging Steve Smith hurt and likely out again this week. Just a complete disaster that should be "rewarded" with the much needed removal of coach John Fox, the General Manager, and the scouts who completely blanked on every WR prospect they have drafted in the past few seasons. They get a chance to break their winless season this week with SF coming to town and then next week with at St. Louis, but its looking very very bleak in Carolina right now. Shame on the "experts" who predicted Carolina to be a playoff team this season.

Atl: Matty "Ice" for the foreseeable future baring injury. How boring. ;)

Tampa: Josh Freeman and the Bucs looking better than expected so far. How long will it last?

Saints: Wow what an embarassing loss to the Max Hall led Cards two weeks ago. At least they rebounded against Tampa. Now they get another third string QB that wasn't supposed to start this season with Colt McCoy.

NFC North:

Bears: The way things are going, Jay Cutler may not get just hurt with all the sacks he's had to take, he may get killed. We've seen the result of what will happen if that occurs-the needs to retire Todd Collins. But hey they are in first place right now, if Cutler can avoid another injury, might stay there.

Packers: Aaron Rodgers surprisingly played after suffering a concussion the game before, but seems to be ok. The Pack better hope he is because they have been just devastated by injuries, and may not be good enough now to make the playoffs in what many thought would be a Super Bowl appearance season. Matt Flynn (who?) is the backup.

Lions: Poor Lions, seems the curse on them still holds. Looking like they might finally be breaking free of it this season then Stafford goes out in Game 1. Shaun Hill was an adequate replacement, but got hurt in the last game, meaning it was time for 3rd stringer Drew Stanton. Not sure who starts this week.

Vikings: The Brett Favre saga and circus continues with the addition of unexpected off the field revelations. Another team hurt by injuries, they might actually be better off if Favre gets suspended or injured badly enough that he can't play now.

NFC West:

Ari: my god don't get me started on my beloved Cards. Astonishingly bad judgment in thinking Derek Anderson could be a legitimate starter. Letting Matt Leinart go over personality differences despite he had spent four seasons in the system and that Anderson's backups were a 5th round and an undrafted rookie. Deserve to be completely blasted for these moves. Hall certainly looked like an undrafted rookie at times against the Saints, but some potential as well. But he got incredibly lucky to get the win without scoring an offensive touchdown (minus his fumble, recovered by a tackle for a TD), and can't believe he'll get any more wins unless they can get their full WR corps back healthy.

SF: Alex Smith holds on for now, but David Carr sees a light at the end of the tunnel... Unbelievably bad season so far for the Niners who many thought (myself included) would win the division this season.

Sea: Matt Hasselback holding strong here, we'll see what happens if they fall out of playoff contention though.

StL: Sam Bradford looking pretty good so far-c'mon how many of you thought they would be 3-3 so far? They have a chance to claim the division as long as Bradford remains healthy.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Lions: Poor Lions, seems the curse on them still holds. Looking like they might finally be breaking free of it this season then Stafford goes out in Game 1. Shaun Hill was an adequate replacement, but got hurt in the last game, meaning it was time for 3rd stringer Drew Stanton. Not sure who starts this week..

This week is the Lions bye week.

Stafford is back at practice and throwing again. He'll start next week, Oct. 31, against the Redskins until he gets hurt again.

[TroyF]

It wont be long and we are going to see the NFL have scores similar to the college game 42-35. The NFL is taking everything they can away from the defense. I see so many drives extended because of personal fouls it makes me sick sometimes.

While I agree concussions are a problem right now I just dont want to watch a game in which the games are decided by who gets less penalties.

These arent high school players we are talking about these are NFL players. Correct tackling technique isnt always an option because the offensive players are just too talented to get tackled properly at all times.

I understand protecting defenseless wr's and qbs but lets just leave it at that.

I don't have the time to go through every box score in the league, but I did check one team out from last year. I picked out a defense that led the league in point against last season and one known for being aggressive.

The New York Jets.

I went through every game play by play and here is what I found:

In 16 games, the Jets committed 5 personal foul penalties on the defense. One was a DQ off of a fight on the kickoff of an OT game. One was a face mask. One was a late hit on the QB. I don't know what the two others were for, but Bart Scott was the player penalized on both of them.

What's funny is the offense had more personal fouls than the defense. Sanchez and Ferguson alone would have had more combined than the Jets defense.

They were calling the defenseless WR hits last year too. (see the Ravens vs. Bengals as an example).

So a team known for their defense and aggressive approach had 5 fouls for the season and only 2 of them could have been defenseless receiver hits, yet it can't be done?

Sorry guys, I'm still not seeing the logic here.

[Lathum]

I disagree about Schaub, he is there guy regardless.

[molson]

I don't have the time to go through every box score in the league, but I did check one team out from last year. I picked out a defense that led the league in point against last season and one known for being aggressive.

The New York Jets.

I went through every game play by play and here is what I found:

In 16 games, the Jets committed 5 personal foul penalties on the defense. One was a DQ off of a fight on the kickoff of an OT game. One was a face mask. One was a late hit on the QB. I don't know what the two others were for, but Bart Scott was the player penalized on both of them.

What's funny is the offense had more personal fouls than the defense. Sanchez and Ferguson alone would have had more combined than the Jets defense.

They were calling the defenseless WR hits last year too. (see the Ravens vs. Bengals as an example).

So a team known for their defense and aggressive approach had 5 fouls for the season and only 2 of them could have been defenseless receiver hits, yet it can't be done?

Sorry guys, I'm still not seeing the logic here.

Ya, I think it goes back to whoever (maybe that was you) that pointed out that there's really only a handful of guys that seem to have a problem with the rules, and everybody else doesn't. And perhaps the greatest rulebreaker ever, Rodney Harrison has come out and said that he hit people the way he did, intentionally, because he didn't care about fines.

[jbergey22]

I don't have the time to go through every box score in the league, but I did check one team out from last year. I picked out a defense that led the league in point against last season and one known for being aggressive.

The New York Jets.

I went through every game play by play and here is what I found:

In 16 games, the Jets committed 5 personal foul penalties on the defense. One was a DQ off of a fight on the kickoff of an OT game. One was a face mask. One was a late hit on the QB. I don't know what the two others were for, but Bart Scott was the player penalized on both of them.

What's funny is the offense had more personal fouls than the defense. Sanchez and Ferguson alone would have had more combined than the Jets defense.

They were calling the defenseless WR hits last year too. (see the Ravens vs. Bengals as an example).

So a team known for their defense and aggressive approach had 5 fouls for the season and only 2 of them could have been defenseless receiver hits, yet it can't be done?

Sorry guys, I'm still not seeing the logic here.

I am VERY surprised. I would have guessed atleast 8-10 late hits on the QB.

[JPhillips]

Ya, I think it goes back to whoever (maybe that was you) that pointed out that there's really only a handful of guys that seem to have a problem with the rules, and everybody else doesn't. And perhaps the greatest rulebreaker ever, Rodney Harrison has come out and said that he hit people the way he did, intentionally, because he didn't care about fines.

I'm sure he made a hell of a lot more money making those hits than he spent in fines. Those hits won't go away until there is a strong enough disincentive for them.

[TroyF]

I'm sure he made a hell of a lot more money making those hits than he spent in fines. Those hits won't go away until there is a strong enough disincentive for them.


Harrison said the disincentive wasn't fines, it was when he was suspended. He said he changed the way he played after that.

The NFL listened to those comments and it's one reason they are moving to the suspension area so quick. I think you'll see a drastic drop in those type of hits in a few weeks. (I say a few weeks because guys like Channing Crowder are going to be idiots and get some suspensions. After the first round of suspensions, it's going to drop drastically)

[Thomkal]

This week is the Lions bye week.

Stafford is back at practice and throwing again. He'll start next week, Oct. 31, against the Redskins until he gets hurt again.

Thanks for the info

[Thomkal]

I disagree about Schaub, he is there guy regardless.

I likely agree with you there Lathum, just some hope for the ex-Cardinal Leinart shining through me :)

[jbergey22]

I disagree about Schaub, he is there guy regardless.

Yes, for sure. Schaub is a top 10 NFL QB.

[RendeR]

So I don't know how serious this is, but if it does actually happen, I will not be a very happy fan:

James Harrison of Pittsburgh Steelers, in wake of fine, says he's considering retirement - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5706748)



I hope he quits, what a fucking pussy. He's lucky he didn't get fined TWICE. I listened to the shit his rep was spouting in the clip and I almost gagged. Utterly unprofessional, 5 yr old temper tantrumming because he got caught being a fucktard.

Let the suspensions begin. maybe it will weed out these pussy-assed losers from the guys who actually deserve to be on the field.

Harrison and the guy in New England both should retire, make the game a better place.


Now, all that said I'm NOT in agreement in the Atlanta player's case. No helmet to helmet, launching, spearing etc. It was just a big hit. I don't think he deserved a fine.

[miami_fan]

Watching "Audibles" on ESPN right now, Steve Young is brilliant.

[BishopMVP]

Dallas Clark out for the year. Good news for the rest of the AFC.

Fantasy-wise, I have John Carlson starting at TE. Will Jacob Tamme or Brody Eldridge actually become a legitimate player, or should I just stick to picking up Owen Daniels if he also makes it through this Bye weekend unclaimed?

[JediKooter]

Watch: The NFL's video clarifying the new emphasis on dirty hits - Shutdown Corner - NFL* - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Watch-The-NFL-s-video-clarifying-the-new-emphas?urn=nfl-279146)

[ColtCrazy]

Dallas Clark out for the year. Good news for the rest of the AFC.

Fantasy-wise, I have John Carlson starting at TE. Will Jacob Tamme or Brody Eldridge actually become a legitimate player, or should I just stick to picking up Owen Daniels if he also makes it through this Bye weekend unclaimed?

I have Clark and Collie. Keeping Collie at the moment. I cut Clark and picked up Tamme. Tamme is a decent receiving TE....He can stretch the field in the seams. Eldridge is a blocking TE. His production will never be that high.

I picked up Deion Branch but I already have Welker. Trying to deal one of them right now.

[BishopMVP]

Unless it's PPR deal Welker. Even with Moss gone he doesn't look to be getting any more red zone targets. Branch actually does look like he will. Depending on what you can get for either one of course.

[Passacaglia]

There's an FF thread already.

[CU Tiger]

Listened to an interesting angle today.
Harrison is appealing suspension (of course) the very fact that he has repeatdly laid the wood to receivers without gettin fines/suspensions is his defense.

Basially the NFL said they were not chnagig the rule only making the penalty stiffer. His argment is, if it wasnt a rule violation before, it cant be now. Basically if I had been fined 1,000 and now being fined 100,000 fine but since I wasnt fined beofr eit must be ok, but now is a penalty....

Its certainly an interesting show down.

[DaddyTorgo]

Harrison's a punk and I wish he had decided to retire. Dirty player.

[miami_fan]

Harrison's a punk and I wish he had decided to retire. Dirty player.

Funny, that dirty player was rewarded for his dirty play with the Defensive Player of the Year award a couple of years ago.

[ColtCrazy]

Unless it's PPR deal Welker. Even with Moss gone he doesn't look to be getting any more red zone targets. Branch actually does look like he will. Depending on what you can get for either one of course.

I am, I have a deal in place to swap Welker for Garcon after this week. I like having a WR to connect with my QB. Garcon should do fine. It's a PPR league, but even then I think Welker's numbers will not but what they were with Moss. I'd rather hold on to Branch.

[stevew]

Harrison's a punk and I wish he had decided to retire. Dirty player.

He did. The dirty cunt is now an analyst on NBC.

[stevew]

Listened to an interesting angle today.
Harrison is appealing suspension (of course) the very fact that he has repeatdly laid the wood to receivers without gettin fines/suspensions is his defense.

Basially the NFL said they were not chnagig the rule only making the penalty stiffer. His argment is, if it wasnt a rule violation before, it cant be now. Basically if I had been fined 1,000 and now being fined 100,000 fine but since I wasnt fined beofr eit must be ok, but now is a penalty....

Its certainly an interesting show down.

Massaquoi will never run a crossing pattern against a zone again, consider it a learning experience.

[Big Fo]

Pittsburgh fumbled the opening kickoff but Miami couldn't move the ball and only got a field goal.

[kingfc22]

If the Niners can't win today, then I'm not sure they shouldn't be contracted.

[Greyroofoo]

I am, I have a deal in place to swap Welker for Garcon after this week. I like having a WR to connect with my QB. Garcon should do fine. It's a PPR league, but even then I think Welker's numbers will not but what they were with Moss. I'd rather hold on to Branch.

Garcon may even get some more throws now that Dallas is injured.

[Big Fo]

And now Miami wastes another great opportunity, settling for another field goal after a Roethlisberger fumble.

[Coffee Warlord]

Fox needs to fix their damn HD feed.

[kingfc22]

Fox needs to fix their damn HD feed.

Are you speaking in terms of video quality or the poor audio feed that makes the announcers sound like they are speaking in a phone booth or bathroom?

[Coffee Warlord]

Video. It's been cutting in and out of full HD all game here.

I've learned to pretty much tune out announcers, so I couldn't tell how bad they sound. :)

[kingfc22]

And for all the bitching about how the new crackdown on "devastating" hits would make the game turn into two hand touch it still looks like football to me.

[Coffee Warlord]

Cutler wouldn't mind it being two hand touch. Three sacks and several big knockdowns through a quarter and change for the guy.

[Thomkal]

And Gus Johnson's head nearly explodes as he calls Roddy White's latest TD (which was a great one)

[BillJasper]

Bengals laying down again. 17-3 Falcons.

[Rizon]

And now Miami wastes another great opportunity, settling for another field goal after a Roethlisberger fumble.

FG Dan Carpenter, 39 Yd, 14:02. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards in 0:51.
FG Dan Carpenter, 23 Yd, 11:15. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards in 1:53.

[larrymcg421]

Hey Jason Allen. Find a new profession.

[Dutch]

I see that the Dolphins have the same problem that the Bucs have when they don't sell all their season tickets. Home field advantage becomes impossible.

[larrymcg421]

Um, Roddy White with 6 catches for 157 yards and it's not even halftime yet.

[bulletsponge]

whos ever calling clevelands special teams calls has balls

[stevew]

Crazy...just saw Reggie Roby break off a huge run.

[bronconick]

Clearly, the NFL threatening to crack down on vicious hits has emasculated the Baltimore defense.

[stevew]

That tackling on Bess was pretty Gay.

[Big Fo]

Davone Bess just showed why he got that nice contract extension.

[bulletsponge]

browns 20-3 over NO

[Greyroofoo]

browns 20-3 over NO

Manginious!

[Thomkal]

And it looks like its over at halftime in ATL, Falcons lead 24-3

[stevew]

I knew I should have started Fitzpatrick. I'm getting a Tyler Thigpen 2008 fantasy god type feel from him.

[larrymcg421]

Does Tomlin know you don't have rollover TO's? Why did the Steelers let the clock run out?

[stevew]

It was 4th down and they would have been attempting like a 60 yarder I think. He baffles me sometimes, I would have at least attempted to take a timeout and got a fresh call for 3rd down.

[kingfc22]

Alex Smith just got knocked out after taking a sack and landing on his left shoulder.

[stevew]

Can't believe Ben threw that when he was almost 3 yards past the line of scrimmage.

[kingfc22]

What happened at the Superdome? I switched over to the RZ channel and just caught the end of the host mentioning a stoppage in the game there.

[Masked]

What happened at the Superdome? I switched over to the RZ channel and just caught the end of the host mentioning a stoppage in the game there.

Long stoppage after a member of the chain gang got run over by the gunner on a punt. No idea what his injury was, but they had the cart out very quickly.

[GrantDawg]

Long stoppage after a member of the chain gang got run over by the gunner on a punt. No idea what his injury was, but they had the cart out very quickly.


Did the player immediately get suspened?

[Thomkal]

Perhaps I spoke too soon about it being over in Atlanta :)

[GrantDawg]

Perhaps I spoke too soon about it being over in Atlanta :)


As a little consolation: I love watching balls bounce off of Ochocinco's hands.

[Thomkal]

Yes way way too soon

[larrymcg421]

Okay, if the Dolphins score a TD on this drive, I really hope they go for two.

[DaddyTorgo]

Nice. I just slept till 3PM. LOL

[stevew]

Nice. I just slept till 3PM. LOL

i was up for lunch, but went to bed for most of the first half.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Perhaps I spoke too soon about it being over in Atlanta :)

They're the fucking Falcons, it's hardly ever over.

[Glengoyne]

Davone Bess just showed why he got that nice contract extension.

Damn I didn't start him this week. I went with D Branch instead. I guess I have Tom Brady Love.

[RainMaker]

Earlier in the Bears game they get a huge pass play to Earl Bennett down to the one. Lovie challenges it that he crossed the goalline and loses. That's fine. The next play they run a QB sneak and Cutler gets the ball over the goalline but fumbles and Redskins recover. Lovie doesn't challenge despite multiple replays showing it as a touchdown.

Ladies and Gentleman, Lovie Smith.

[DaddyTorgo]

Earlier in the Bears game they get a huge pass play to Earl Bennett down to the one. Lovie challenges it that he crossed the goalline and loses. That's fine. The next play they run a QB sneak and Cutler gets the ball over the goalline but fumbles and Redskins recover. Lovie doesn't challenge despite multiple replays showing it as a touchdown.

Ladies and Gentleman, Lovie Smith.

I disagree that it's fine to challenge that he crossed the goal line on the first play. Therefore, that's 2 mistakes by Lovie.

[Comey]

I knew the Eagles would find a way to screw up. Back to normal in Philly.

[GrantDawg]

Roddie is the best reciever on the field.

[JonInMiddleGA]

{whispers} For the 3rd quarter we've decided to secretly replace the Atlanta Falcons with the 2010 Tennessee Vols ... let's see if anyone notices {/whisper}

[RainMaker]

I disagree that it's fine to challenge that he crossed the goal line on the first play. Therefore, that's 2 mistakes by Lovie.
The Bears have been absolutely abysmal in short yardage situations so I understood why he did it.

[stevew]

oh, geez.....this is going to be a clusterfuck ending in miami

[Big Fo]

Looks like a fumble by Roethlisberger.

[stevew]

i think he fumbled.

[Vince, Pt. II]

David Carr is clearly worse than Alex Smith. That's saying something. The 49ers are just a bad football team. This makes me sad.

[stevew]

miami can't recover this, right?

[Thomkal]

uhoh Matt Ryan is hurt, think he might have just had the wind knocked out of him

[stevew]

Miami got fucked.

[Thomkal]

and Ryan is back

[stevew]

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[SirFozzie]

Oh wow, Solomonic decision on that MIA-PIT game

[Thomkal]

okay now its over in Atlanta?

[DaddyTorgo]

wow - that's a bullshit bad call by the refs in the pit-miami game. clearly miami had the recvoery. and i'm even rooting for pittsburgh in this game (shockingly).

wtf do you need for possession? that's messed up.

[stevew]

I predict a lot of wadded panties.

[Suburban Rhythm]

i think he fumbled.

Agree with fumble, my question wad who gets possession, which got answered.

[stevew]

wow - that's a bullshit bad call by the refs in the pit-miami game. clearly miami had the recvoery. and i'm even rooting for pittsburgh in this game (shockingly).

wtf do you need for possession? that's messed up.

Once the touchdown was ruled, the ball was dead.

Ping Sak(and I think this is Sak's ref on the call too, which the call is correct, yet fucked)

[Big Fo]

Last week we were on the wrong end of an even worse call in an important situation and still won, maybe we can make it two for two.

[Alan T]

Hah, Miami just got royally screwed

[Comey]

Eagles gave this one away. Sigh. Gonna be a long fall, and a longer winter, until Spring Training gets here.

[miami_fan]

I know the officials are not to blame. They did their job correctly. All is good with the officials

[miami_fan]

But last I checked the instructions from the NFL was to call the fumble and then let the replay show you otherwise.

[Eaglesfan27]

Kenny Britt is destroying the Eagles today.

[bulletsponge]

wow, a dt for cleveland now has 2 pick-six's this game against brees

[kingfc22]

Seriously? We let Matt Moore lead a game tying drive? Ugh!

[DaddyTorgo]

fuck fuck fuck.

since i slept thru the morning and didn't change my FF lineup i'm missing out on the 22pts i could have gotten for taking reggie wayne out on his bye week.

fuck me.

[Comey]

I hated the signing of Ellis Hobbs. I hated the continued existence of Ellis Hobbs.

The amount of hatred I have for Ellis Hobbs over the last half-hour exceeds any hatred I have had since Al "Pass Interference" Harris was with the team.

[DaddyTorgo]

Kenny Britt is destroying the Eagles today.

And my fantasy team too.:(

[Big Fo]

Last week we were on the wrong end of an even worse call in an important situation and still won, maybe we can make it two for two.

Nope, not going to happen. Tough loss.

[Vince, Pt. II]

David Carr is clearly worse than Alex Smith. That's saying something. The 49ers are just a bad football team. This makes me sad.

...

[kingfc22]

The Niners are SOOOOO lucky the Giants are in the World Series or else they would be getting HAMMERED by the local media. Just embarrassing that they are going to lose this game.

[Thomkal]

De'Angelo Williams injured in Carolina game, ankle or foot it looks like.

[Vince, Pt. II]

So what do you do if you're the 49ers? Clearly, your team is awful. You have absolutely no options at QB. Singletary is obviously not fit to run the team (stupid penalties, clock management, etc). Suck it up and clean house in the off-season?

[Thomkal]

Can't believe Cleveland is blowing out New Orleans, especially in New Orleans

[Bearcat729]

Not sure where this Browns team came from today.

[bhlloy]

Sense of urgency much, Buffalo?

With 1 timeout left you HAVE to get that pass off before the 2 minute warning. They took the play clock all the way down to 1 second FFS. Terrible, terrible clock management. Now you have to go 50+ yards in less than 2 minutes with only one timeout. Of course if they don't complete on 4th down it's a moot point anyway, but still very poor.

[stevew]

yeah, agreed about the Bills.

[Draft Dodger]

Can't believe Cleveland is blowing out New Orleans, especially in New Orleans

I can explain. There's maybe 7 of us left in the survivor pool at work. A couple took the Chiefs (yay me) and a couple more took another team (don't recall). One guy took the Saints. That one guy made the fatal mistake of emailing the group to let us know he could win it all this weekend. The Saints had no chance after that massive jinx.

[Vince, Pt. II]

If I'm the Niners, I IR Alex Smith, sign Nate Davis from the practice squad and make him the starter from here on out. Learn what you have in him. Alex is obviously not the answer, and neither is Carr.

[Thomkal]

heh DD all Saints fans should slap that guy upside the head now :)

[kingfc22]

So what do you do if you're the 49ers? Clearly, your team is awful. You have absolutely no options at QB. Singletary is obviously not fit to run the team (stupid penalties, clock management, etc). Suck it up and clean house in the off-season?

Definitely need to clean house. Jed needs to hire a GM/President to run the team who actually knows something about the NFL.

Singletary and the staff need to go. Manusky can stay as the defense is solid for the most part other than the CB's. And there less than stellar results this season can be attributed to the lack of any sort of offense.

[Thomkal]

So what do you do if you're the 49ers? Clearly, your team is awful. You have absolutely no options at QB. Singletary is obviously not fit to run the team (stupid penalties, clock management, etc). Suck it up and clean house in the off-season?

think you have to clear house. The division is awful and they had enough talent to win it perhaps fairly easily. Then to lose to a winless Panthers team with major QB problems?

[Butter]

That Falcons-Bengals game was damn entertaining, no matter which side you were on.

[stevew]

Wow, Lindell killed that one.

[RainMaker]

Bears loss is devestating. Lovie not challenging a TD. Cutler making stupid mistakes like usual. Dumb penalties throughout. Unprepared offense.

The only good thing is we are moving toward cleaning the Lovie regime out of this organization and hopefully Angelo goes too.

[Greyroofoo]

Is it just me or has there been a lot of pick-sixes today?

[kingfc22]

Singletary just set this team back another 2-3 years at least...

:(

And I thought we were finally turning this franchise around...

[SirFozzie]

San Diego with a poochside kick at a Patriots player. Because you know, it's a good idea to give the Pats the ball close to midfield to start.

[DaddyTorgo]

San Diego with a poochside kick at a Patriots player. Because you know, it's a good idea to give the Pats the ball close to midfield to start.

didn't seem to help the Pats this time...

[jeff061]

WTF is with the Pats playcalling. Horrible, both series.

[DaddyTorgo]

WTF is with the Pats playcalling. Horrible, both series.

Seriously.

[DaddyTorgo]

ball is out...Pats ball!!!

looked like they almost didn't recover because the first guy to it was looking towards the endzone before he picked it up, but they got it

[Thomkal]

Oakland up 21-0 in the first quarter over Denver? Hey NFL, Halloween is next week! Some freaky results so far today.

[DaddyTorgo]

nice fight by Gronk to get the ffirst down

[DaddyTorgo]

WOODHEAD...hit at the LOS and pushed it forward to the 1yd line on the lil WR screen

[DaddyTorgo]

play action from the 1yd line??...GRONK FOR THE TD!!!

[SackAttack]

Seriously, Denver?

[jeff061]

Gronkowski made both those catches look way easier than they were, huge.

[SirFozzie]

There's about 500,000 suicide pools that will end in real suicides today (first Baltimore life and deaths the Bills.. and now the Suckage of the Broncos)

[DaddyTorgo]

Gronkowski made both those catches look way easier than they were, huge.

he's great - love him!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Word on Aaron Smith, last seen leaving the field in the 3rd quarter with his arm wrapped, is torn triceps. Has to be done for the year.

We saw what happened last season when he (and Polamalu) were out for the bulk of the year.

[DaddyTorgo]

LOL - that Chargers receiver was never touched on the ground before he dropped the ball completely untouched....Pats recovery.

LOL. Bonehead move.

[bulletsponge]

dear god SD are idiots

[jeff061]

Lol. And that's why the Chargers have the record they have.

[Butter]

I thought they changed the rule so that if you gave yourself up that it wasn't a fumble.

[DaddyTorgo]

Course, shitty playcalling, the Pats do nothing with the turnover

[jeff061]

I don't understand why they are relying on the pass so much.

[AFShadow]

Seriously, Denver?

Geez no kidding looks like soon to be 31-0 in the 1st quarter. This is worse than that Titans=Pats 59-0 smack down.

[DaddyTorgo]

wow - shitty fucking snaps to Mesko.

got me, i'm not sure either. or at least not the downfield passes so much - need more of the short action with the YAC

[jeff061]

Yeah exactly. They keep looking mid to long. Haven't gotten anything going at all with that.

[DaddyTorgo]

aaargh

[DaddyTorgo]

I've never really liked those "too many men" penalties when the guy is essentially off the field and not involved in any way in the play.

[DaddyTorgo]

aaargh.

Patrick Chung = knee injury, questionable to return

last thing we need with all our S injuries

[DaddyTorgo]

LMAO - that play was never blown dead. Was never ruled an incomplete pass. SD is going to have to challenge that to avoid a recovery by NE and return down inside the SD 10.

[bulletsponge]

more SD stupidity

[BishopMVP]

I think it's a forward pass.

...and not conclusive enough to overturn it. Pats ball at the 8.

[Vince, Pt. II]

What the eff, Denver?

[DaddyTorgo]

The ruling stands...SD stupidity, the gift that keeps on giving!

[bhlloy]

Norv Turner needs to die in a fire. This is all coaching and motivation.

[DaddyTorgo]

Brady sacked twice.

Offense looks badddddd today.

Maybe I'll go to the supermarket after all.

[jeff061]

Norv Turner needs to die in a fire. This is all coaching and motivation.

Yes. SD and Pats defense are handing the game to Brady and co on a silver plate and they can't even get 10 yards.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yes. SD and Pats defense are handing the game to Brady and co on a silver plate and they can't even get 10 yards.

Seriously. It could be 21-3 right now, and it ought to be at least 14-3. Ridiculous.

[DaddyTorgo]

INT

Devin McCourty

[bulletsponge]

well, at least they didnt gift wrap that turnover

[BishopMVP]

McCourty with a nice pick along the sideline. He's been great this year, playing every play and doing well - another one of the Pats really impressive young defenders (Chung, Mayo, Spikes, Cunningham).

[jeff061]

I think McCourty's going to be the real deal, have become a huge fan of his.

[Oilers9911]

LOL. I'm a Broncos fan and I hope the Raiders put up 60 today. Boy Wonder McDaniels is a joke.

[DaddyTorgo]

If the NE-offense can't move the ball here, and preferably get a TD (or at least points), I may just say fuckit and go to the store.

[DaddyTorgo]

heh. of course. offensive PI

[DaddyTorgo]

32 total yards of offense?

this offense (and credit to the SD defense) is like shit today.

[stevew]

this Seahawks/Cards game is painfully boring.

[DaddyTorgo]

more offense on that punt return than the Pats offense has produced all first half.

heh.

[jeff061]

Pat Defense: Check
Special Teams: Check
Offense? On vacation.

[stevew]

Max Hall is really bad. Like LOLBad.

[BishopMVP]

38-0 Oakland still not halfway through the 2nd Q. Someone check on TroyF.

[AFShadow]

LOL. I'm a Broncos fan and I hope the Raiders put up 60 today. Boy Wonder McDaniels is a joke.


Yup, I think his contract length leeway just got alot shorter. If they go 4-12 or something like that I think Mc D gets the hook.

[DaddyTorgo]

shite pass Brady

[stevew]

...

38-0 Oakland still not halfway through the 2nd Q. Someone check on TroyF.

Probably the ref's fault.

[DaddyTorgo]

Pats offense bailed out on that PI call - that's clearly why Brady tossed that one down into nowhere towards Branch

[miami_fan]

Cut out the receiver's path to the ball?

[AFShadow]

LOL. I'm a Broncos fan and I hope the Raiders put up 60 today. Boy Wonder McDaniels is a joke.


Also, at this pace they might hang 60 in the first half 38-0 and the Raiders are driving again in the 2nd quarter.

[DaddyTorgo]

pathetic first half by the Pats offense. truly pathetic. fuck you Pats offense.

[Butter]

Moreno celebrates like an idiot, still down 31.

[Chief Rum]

"It appears that McFadden will play, but likely will be a limited contributor this week."

Screw you, yahoo.

[stevew]

I can't believe how good Mike Williams looks.

[tucker rocky]

52-14 Oakland.
McFadden with the TD run.

[DaddyTorgo]

wait a second - cutler had 4 picks??

jeezus

[tucker rocky]

59-14 Oak, M.Bush with the score, after Den PI.

[JS19]

wait a second - cutler had 4 picks??

jeezus

Or, Hall had 4 picks... either way.

[DaddyTorgo]

Or, Hall had 4 picks... either way.

As did Breezy. I just think it's amusing that Cutler never gets better.

[bulletsponge]

As did Breezy. I just think it's amusing that Cutler never gets better.

josh Mcdaniels might be a bad coach, but that was one hell of a trade he made there

[stevew]

this douche is probably happy today.

[JS19]

As did Breezy. I just think it's amusing that Cutler never gets better.

Yea, I hear ya. Everyone gets so excited over his great arm, but fail to realize he's an idiot. I'm glad the Bears decided to invest him though, one less team you have to worry about in the NFC.

[stevew]

Faider nation roll, we scored 59 points wooo.

[JS19]

This Chargers game has to be the sloppiest game I've ever seen. So many dropped balls and just bonehead plays. I think it's more embarrassing for the Pats, with how poorly the Chargers are playing they are only down 3.

[DaddyTorgo]

If the Pats somehow don't manage to win this I'm going to be uber-pissed at the incompetence of the offense in the first half.

[JS19]

And as I type that the Chargers kick the ball out of bounds.

[stevew]

I hate Pats/Chargers games....just when I'm like "I hope that douche Brady loses," I see Rivers on the other sideline and reconsider.

[DaddyTorgo]

balls out. pats maybe go for this on 4th and inches from midfield?

[jeff061]

Pats don't deserve this.

[bulletsponge]

wow, if chargers win this.. well i dont know what to say

[DaddyTorgo]

fuck me...if the Pats lose this game...seriously?

this is fucking embarrassing.

[Greyroofoo]

not over til its over

[DaddyTorgo]

not over til its over

Shoulda been over in the first half.

[bulletsponge]

i fully expect a fg miss here

[stevew]

Brutal false start penalty.

[Greyroofoo]

Lol at the false start

[bulletsponge]

false start? only sd... or dallas

[jeff061]

Exhale.

Thank you Bolts for the dozen gifts or so.

[DaddyTorgo]

lol

[bulletsponge]

i called it!

[DaddyTorgo]

haha...omg

[Suburban Rhythm]

Really want to see Oakland break 60 here. They got the ball on their 1 with about 3 1/2 minutes.

[JonInMiddleGA]

"It appears that McFadden will play, but likely will be a limited contributor this week."Screw you, yahoo.

My son is very happy I didn't read Yahoo before tweaking his team this morning :)