NFL Week 14 thread

[bulletsponge]

so.. who still thinks that Carson Palmer trade was a good idea?

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

so.. who still thinks that Carson Palmer trade was a good idea?

You mean besides the Bengals?

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

so.. who still thinks that Carson Palmer trade was a good idea?

terrell pryor?

[Julio Riddols]

I love the Palmer trade.

[Wolfpack]

When I first saw Schiano's 4th-and-15 idea, I thought up a variant of my own. Instead of a 4th down at the kicking team's 30, the receiving team would get the ball at their own 15 with no down or distance to meet with all other rules still in effect and run a scrimmage play. The receiving team thus gets a free play to start the drive. Once the free play is over, then the drive continues with a normal 1st-and-10 from wherever the free play ended. To introduce a little decision-making, the receiving team can either take the free play from the 15 or instead go ahead and take the ball at the 20 and start with 1st-and-10. Teams leading in fourth quarters of games would probably opt to take the free down in order to use up clock while trailing teams face a risk/reward of either saving seconds and losing a possible big play or using up clock for a play that might get them less than five yards.

To replace onside kicks in this variant, the kicking team can opt to instead give the ball to the receiving team and the receiving team must convert a 4th-and-1 play to retain the ball. So that there can be no dispute about what the line to reach is, the receiving team gets the ball at their own 49 in order to advance it to or past midfield. To make use realistic, the kicking team can only use this option once outside of the last five minutes of the game. Inside of the last five minutes, only the trailing team can use the option, but they can use it anytime.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

I love the Palmer trade.

+1 million

[Fidatelo]

In the CFL kicks include the "No Yards" rule, whereby opponents can't be within 5 yards of the man who picks up the ball or they get flagged. The idea is it encourages returns, but I wonder if it also makes them safer? I say that because it seems that the gunners and other defenders often have to slow up so they don't get inside that 5 yard area, so I wonder if the entire play becomes a bit safer.

I honestly don't know, but if it does maybe the NFL could go that route? The other positive is that it eliminates fair catches, which are boring.

[Jacob Typer]

i like the idea.

[DaddyTorgo]

Tom & Gisele had their baby on Wednesday (little girl). Yet Brady was still at practice on Weds & Thurs, and didn't even mention it to the media. Think this guy isn't focused & hungry still?

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Tom & Gisele had their baby on Wednesday (little girl). Yet Brady was still at practice on Weds & Thurs, and didn't even mention it to the media. Think this guy isn't focused & hungry still?

I think he just wants to keep his personal life as private as he can. There's no doubt he still wants to win though.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

When I first saw Schiano's 4th-and-15 idea, I thought up a variant of my own. Instead of a 4th down at the kicking team's 30, the receiving team would get the ball at their own 15 with no down or distance to meet with all other rules still in effect and run a scrimmage play. The receiving team thus gets a free play to start the drive. Once the free play is over, then the drive continues with a normal 1st-and-10 from wherever the free play ended. To introduce a little decision-making, the receiving team can either take the free play from the 15 or instead go ahead and take the ball at the 20 and start with 1st-and-10. Teams leading in fourth quarters of games would probably opt to take the free down in order to use up clock while trailing teams face a risk/reward of either saving seconds and losing a possible big play or using up clock for a play that might get them less than five yards.

To replace onside kicks in this variant, the kicking team can opt to instead give the ball to the receiving team and the receiving team must convert a 4th-and-1 play to retain the ball. So that there can be no dispute about what the line to reach is, the receiving team gets the ball at their own 49 in order to advance it to or past midfield. To make use realistic, the kicking team can only use this option once outside of the last five minutes of the game. Inside of the last five minutes, only the trailing team can use the option, but they can use it anytime.

What's the advantage of this variation? It just seems like taking Schiano's idea and making it needlessly complex.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

I think he just wants to keep his personal life as private as he can. There's no doubt he still wants to win though.

Oh I have no doubt he wants to keep his personal life private. I totally support that, and frankly I think most people around here have been great about giving him the space to do that and not hounding him.

I just thought that showed a ton of dedication to be at practice on Weds & Thurs given that.

Surprisingly, it's the same for a lot of athletes around here (perhaps more than you expect given the reputation of our media).

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Tom & Gisele had their baby on Wednesday (little girl). Yet Brady was still at practice on Weds & Thurs, and didn't even mention it to the media. Think this guy isn't focused & hungry still?

That's a weird way to put it. I thought the media asks the questions. Did they ask him about it, and he didn't comment on it? Is the expectation that he would tell some reporter about it out of the blue?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

That's a weird way to put it. I thought the media asks the questions. Did they ask him about it, and he didn't comment on it? Is the expectation that he would tell some reporter about it out of the blue?

I imagine somebody probably asked him about it - they were saying during last week's game that it was due any day. I don't know - I haven't read the transcripts or anything

Anyways - not so much focused on his privacy, which I'm totally all for.

Just more thought it was pretty intense that she apparently had the kid at some point on Weds and he was at practice on Weds & Thurs.

[sabotai]

Eagles Concerned By Nick Foles Asking About Best Ways To Tear ACL | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

I imagine somebody probably asked him about it - they were saying during last week's game that it was due any day. I don't know - I haven't read the transcripts or anything

Anyways - not so much focused on his privacy, which I'm totally all for.

Just more thought it was pretty intense that she apparently had the kid at some point on Weds and he was at practice on Weds & Thurs.

Eh some may take an opposite view but to each his own.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Matthean

Considering Simmons brought up a point about coaches after the age of 55, I wouldn't expect him to turn things around. I think he's tapped.

Didn't Coughlin win two Super Bowls after 55?

[Matthean]

Considering he is 66, I would say yes. Even Belichick went to the SB at 59. Shanahan is 60 and you know he's sticking around. I can't remember the specifics about the article, but I do think it does get much harder for coaches as they get older. My Dad is 67 and he forgets stuff at a decent rate.

[Danny]

It makes sense that on average, it will be much more difficult for coaches as they get older, but there are individual differences and exceptions. There are people who are still sharp in their 60's and 70's, it's just not what is typical.

[stevew]

The NFL is leaving a considerable amount of money on the table by not realigning and reclassifying teams in different divisions in order to create more frequent popular match ups. For example, the Steelers and Cowboys play 1 time every 4 years. In the same time, the Steelers play the Bengals 8 times. The Packers and, say, the Pats are the same way.

Then even if you have two really good teams in the same conference, they can play one time per year at the maximum(example Colts/Pats of the last 10 years).

All I'm saying is that the type of matchups that we want to see more often could easily be created. The amount of money generated by these type of games would probably outweigh any cons. The teams that draw ratings should face each other on TV a lot more often than they do and this package has to be worth even more than the existing ones.

[EagleFan]

I think the alignment is fine the way it is. Cowboys/Giants/Eagle/Redskins combine for much more of any kind of rivalry games than Cowboys/Steelers would, it's not the 70's. Packers/Pats? That's not even a rivalry?

There are only 16 games. You're not going to have the top teams playing each other constantly each season. It is what it is. Plus, top teams change season after season. Especially with free agency where teams can go from basement dweller to contender in one season (or the other way around).

[stevew]

If Jim Harbaugh is Screech's cousin, that also means that John Harbaugh is as well.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

What I'd actually love to see is Bill Belichick deciding to just keep the ball and try the 4th-and-15 every time he scores, and just completely give up on defense altogether. Their odds of stopping someone from the 30 are about the same as their odds of stopping them from anywhere else, and he'll get just enough extra possessions out of the 4th-and-15 tries to make it worth it.

Come to think of it, I'd love to see him just start onsides kicking every kickoff right now.

This year? When we have a legit front 7 and (possibly) a competent secondary (after we traded for Talib and Dennard stepped up)? (2-3 years ago, absolutely would have agreed with you.)

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

I imagine somebody probably asked him about it - they were saying during last week's game that it was due any day. I don't know - I haven't read the transcripts or anything

Anyways - not so much focused on his privacy, which I'm totally all for.

Just more thought it was pretty intense that she apparently had the kid at some point on Weds and he was at practice on Weds & Thurs.

Maybe he just hates his kids. (Or more likely what goes on inside the lines has very little to do with what happens in a players personal life.)

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Maybe he just hates his kids. (Or more likely what goes on inside the lines has very little to do with what happens in a players personal life.)

Wasn't a criticism at all, just an observation that he's hungry.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

I think the alignment is fine the way it is. Cowboys/Giants/Eagle/Redskins combine for much more of any kind of rivalry games than Cowboys/Steelers would, it's not the 70's. Packers/Pats? That's not even a rivalry?

There are only 16 games. You're not going to have the top teams playing each other constantly each season. It is what it is. Plus, top teams change season after season. Especially with free agency where teams can go from basement dweller to contender in one season (or the other way around).

The current scheduling process matches the top conference teams up pretty well year after year. Like the pats play the ravens, steelers, colts, broncos a lot year after year

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

The current scheduling process matches the top conference teams up pretty well year after year. Like the pats play the ravens, steelers, colts, broncos a lot year after year

Why are you ranting at me? I think we agree if I am reading you right.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

Why are you ranting at me? I think we agree if I am reading you right.

Perhaps he's ranting with you?

[molson]

I like how there's three kinds of NFL rivalries - the every-year division rivalries, the conference rivalries that can turn into twice-a-year rivalries when teams are finishing in first place and facing each other in the playoffs year after year (like Colts/Pats), and the intraconference rivalries that are rarer events but have the potential to culminate in a super bowl (Cowboys/Steelers, and more recently, Pats/Giants). I'd change a lot about the schedule/alignment in every other sport, but not football, I think its perfect.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

Why are you ranting at me? I think we agree if I am reading you right.

what the hell is that thing.

[mckerney]

Looking forward for this season being over so the Vikings can start next years Suck For Johnny Football campaign.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

That rule change is something that has apparently been discussed before. 4th-and-15 converts as often as an onsides kick, and punts from there average out to where kickoffs would average to. But it gets rid of 20 guys charging at each other full tilt, so is safer.

This is now 4th and 15 against a defense that is in theory tired now from having a scoring drive against them instead of a special teams group out there for one play. I would think that would increase the percentage some.

How many major injuries have there been on kickoffs?

How many receivers get hurt on crossing patterns? Maybe they should outlaw that play.

Quarterbacks are getting hurt when sacked, maybe we should just give them a flag to wear and the defenders pull that instead of tackling.

Blitzing really opens up potential injury with too many defenders to block, maybe that should be outlawed.

Exactly where will it end?

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Looking forward for this season being over so the Vikings can start next years Suck For Johnny Football campaign.

As much as I enjoy watching the Texas A&M games because of his play I don't really see his game translating to the pros for some reason. Hopefully I'm wrong but I am seeing Tebow part 2.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

As much as I enjoy watching the Texas A&M games because of his play I don't really see his game translating to the pros for some reason. Hopefully I'm wrong but I am seeing Tebow part 2.

After watching Christian Ponder for two years I'm willing to settle for anyone who can throw the ball 5 yards.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by mckerney

After watching Christian Ponder for two years I'm willing to settle for anyone who can throw the ball 5 yards.

Good point.

Don't get me wrong, would love to see him do well as a pro if he can be as exciting to watch.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

How many major injuries have there been on kickoffs?

How many players have been paralyzed on non-kickoff plays over the last 2 or 3 decards?

Originally Posted by EagleFan

How many receivers get hurt on crossing patterns? Maybe they should outlaw that play.

Or make it illegal to hit a defenseless receiver, as they are doing.

Originally Posted by EagleFan

Quarterbacks are getting hurt when sacked, maybe we should just give them a flag to wear and the defenders pull that instead of tackling.

Or make it illegal to hit them below the waist so they don't tear up their knee when hit with the foot planted for the throw, or cold-cock them in the head with your helmet, as they are doing.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

This is now 4th and 15 against a defense that is in theory tired now from having a scoring drive against them instead of a special teams group out there for one play. I would think that would increase the percentage some.

How many major injuries have there been on kickoffs?

How many receivers get hurt on crossing patterns? Maybe they should outlaw that play.

Quarterbacks are getting hurt when sacked, maybe we should just give them a flag to wear and the defenders pull that instead of tackling.

Blitzing really opens up potential injury with too many defenders to block, maybe that should be outlawed.

Exactly where will it end?

This is where I'm pretty much at. Football is a fast and violent game, where players have to make decisions in a split-second. I don't think you can legislate the speed and instinct out of the game.

As far as defenseless receivers go, I've see way too many flags thrown where a defender is coming in low and draws a flag because the receiver put his head down. These are flags that are going to have to start going both ways or your essentially giving offenses fifteen free yards whenever they need it.

[Lathum]

Headed down to the bengals game, hope to see a thorough thrashing of the cowgirls.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

This is where I'm pretty much at. Football is a fast and violent game, where players have to make decisions in a split-second. I don't think you can legislate the speed and instinct out of the game.

As far as defenseless receivers go, I've see way too many flags thrown where a defender is coming in low and draws a flag because the receiver put his head down. These are flags that are going to have to start going both ways or your essentially giving offenses fifteen free yards whenever they need it.

Completely agree. It's a violent game, players know that going in.

The biggest problem is that players are going for the knockout blow far too often instead of the tackle as they want to end up making the highlight shows.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Headed down to the bengals game, hope to see a thorough thrashing of the cowgirls.

I hope you get your wish.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Headed down to the bengals game, hope to see a thorough thrashing of the cowgirls.

Must be awesome you can walk up and get tickets whenever you want.

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

jets/jags or rams/bills. good times here in upstate ny

[Jas_lov]

The Vikings have learned from last week and aren't throwing it on 1st down in the redzone anymore. Just keep giving it to AP. Cutler isn't as good as Rodgers to overcome AP's dominance.

[Matthean]

I know Urlacher is out, but Bears have given up a quick 14 points to team that doesn't have a QB.

[kingfc22]

How is that roughing the passer in the BAL/WAS game?

Ngata hit RG3 right in the chest!

[Shkspr]

I swear to god, if RG3 takes more hits like that staying behind the LOS and passing, he's going to get hurt. The Redskins need to run him downfield more.

[General Mike]

whoever is announcing this Jets game(PBP) is terrible.

[mckerney]

The Vikings should just give up on passing all together. Ponder was lucky to have a play whistled dead before he fumbled the ball while trying to flip it away after he walked into a sack. AP already has 75 yards and 2 TDs.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just looked it up out of curiosity ... as of kickoff today, the Falcons have played only one team (Den) with a winning record. They've played only 3 that are .500. I knew the schedule had been soft but damn.

[tucker rocky]

Originally Posted by General Mike

whoever is announcing this Jets game(PBP) is terrible.

Kevin Harlan.

Also, Sanchez is sacked, fumbles the ball away.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Just looked it up out of curiosity ... as of kickoff today, the Falcons have played only one team (Den) with a winning record. They've played only 3 that are .500. I knew the schedule had been soft but damn.

The winning percentage of the Falcon's opponents is .396.