NFL: Divisional Playoff Round

[st.cronin]

hahahaha can we call him 'Irving' Harper now?

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

TroyF, previously in the season you mentioned the fact that Denver's defense is pretty good in confusing QBs (I think it was the first time Oakland played them). I think a lot of Tom Brady's performance had to do with that. What is it specifically? Is it the pressure they get with their front four? Is it the fact that their LBs are so freaking fast? Or is it some combination of a bunch of things?

Do you think they'll be able to confuse Peyton as well?

Part of the reason is that Denver is simply unrelenting. They WILL hit the QB. They don't care how many they have to send. They aren't going to let a QB have time and they don't care if they give up a big play or two while it's happening.

Simms talked last night about how the screens and swing passes and the like would force Denver to let up. Well, I can assure you, they will never let up.

What happens is it misses up your entire offense. On every play you have to look for where the blitzers are going to come from. If 8 guys are at the line, you have to be concerned with who comes, who drops off, etc.

The other thing is that Denver has three exceptional defensive players who are rarely called to blitz: Champ Bailey, DJ Williams, Ian Gold. Ian and DJ simply wipe out the TE. Denver was #1 in the league at stopping TE this year. In a division with Tony Gonzales and Antonio Gates. So that takes away your safety valve.

The amazing thing is Brady's game last night was typical of every QB who has faced Denver this year. Horrible first half. Gets better in the second half, hits a few big plays. Then fades in the final five minutes.

It's really a bizzare defense and I've never really seen anything like it. I mean, Denver puts 8 guys on the LOS and rushes all of them five or six times a game. Is there any other team in the league who has a scheme anything like that?

The amazing thing is they don't hide it. Opposing QB's come into the game excited, like the announcers said Brady was last night. Yippeeee, we are gonna get some shots. And they all leave confused as hell.

I wish I had a nickel for everytime an opposing QB's teams fan has said "Our guy just had an off day, he missed some open WR, wait until next time"

Well, Brady had a second crack and didn't convert. Tom freakin Brady.

The Colts next week? It's going to be tougher. Manning changes counts and will sit at the line until Denver tips its hand. The Colts also have exceptional WR.

Of course, if the first quarter of this Colts game is any indication, Denver may be playing at home again next week.

[GrantDawg]

Steelers doing what they need to do to win so far.

[Craptacular]

Anyone else watching this in HD? I get it through an antenna in the garage. I can barely hear the announcers, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the crowd noise and sound effects are really loud. The sound seems fine on the normal SD broadcasst through DISH. I'm just wondering if CBS has the sound balance screwed up on their digital broadcast.

edit: Just to add, the volume for the commercials is fine, it's just the game that's off.

[astrosfan64]

seems that loud for me also.

[st.cronin]

Well, something like that was inevitable. The left side of the Steelers line is over-matched right now.

[tucker rocky]

Ben should've taken the sack.

[astrosfan64]

I love it when a Manning looks like crap.

[henry296]

I'll admit I don't see many Colts games, but Manning seems to have happy feet today. He is bouncing around a lot in the pocket before throwing the ball.

[GrantDawg]

What in the heck is wrong with Peyton Manning? He's hopping around like a rookie.

[Tekneek]

Originally Posted by Craptacular

I can barely hear the announcers, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the crowd noise and sound effects are really loud. The sound seems fine on the normal SD broadcasst through DISH. I'm just wondering if CBS has the sound balance screwed up on their digital broadcast.

I don't remember, but does CBS do their HD games in 5.1 surround sound? If they don't send that out properly, the audio levels are messed up. Just a thought...

[panerd]

Originally Posted by henry296

I'll admit I don't see many Colts games, but Manning seems to have happy feet today. He is bouncing around a lot in the pocket before throwing the ball.

I noticed that also. I have seen a share of Colts games and have never seen anything like it. I am surpirsed the announcers having talked about it. (Actually I am not surprised at all!)

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Craptacular

Anyone else watching this in HD? I get it through an antenna in the garage. I can barely hear the announcers, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the crowd noise and sound effects are really loud. The sound seems fine on the normal SD broadcasst through DISH. I'm just wondering if CBS has the sound balance screwed up on their digital broadcast.

edit: Just to add, the volume for the commercials is fine, it's just the game that's off.

Watching non-HD and the sound is horrible. Might just be the CBS feed.

[Easy Mac]

So the rule as always, offensive players can toss a player around by the facemask, but don't do it if you're on defense.

[Craptacular]

Wow, that facemask call was completely backwards.

edit: OK, from the replay, it looks like they both did it. I didn't see the defensive facemask originally.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

So the rule as always, offensive players can toss a player around by the facemask, but don't do it if you're on defense.

The replay shows Ward having his facemask grabbed.

[kingfc22]

woot!

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Craptacular

Wow, that facemask call was completely backwards.

Beyond awful. Even though CBS didn't talk about it on the replay it was just Ward grabbing the Colt defender.

[Craptacular]

Ward definitely grabbed and pulled the DB's mask as well.

[tucker rocky]

Are the Colts in trouble now?

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by tucker rocky

Are the Colts in trouble now?

Yes, but far from out yet.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

I love it when a Manning looks like crap.

IOW, you love the NFL playoffs.

[mauchow]

wow -3 yards

[tucker rocky]

Colts rusty? Manning flustered.

[mauchow]

like that,23 yards..lol

[GrantDawg]

There's one.

[tucker rocky]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Yes, but far from out yet.

Correct, lots of game left.

[Craptacular]

Originally Posted by panerd

Beyond awful. Even though CBS didn't talk about it on the replay it was just Ward grabbing the Colt defender.

I went back on the DVR and looked at it again. You really need to see both angles (from behind the play and in front of the play). It looks like Ward started with a legal stiffarm. Then, the DB grabbed Ward's facemask. Then Ward actually went from a legal stiffarm to grabbing the DB's mask, and they both held it for awhile. The DB let go first, and Ward held on for a little while longer. They both should have gotten flagged.

[st.cronin]

If there's a rule about a ball-carrier not being allowed to grab a defender's facemask, I've never seen a guy get flagged for it.

[kingfc22]

The Steelers came to play today. So far this reminds me of last year when NE continually put a beating on Manning and he played with happy feet for most of the game.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

If there's a rule about a ball-carrier not being allowed to grab a defender's facemask, I've never seen a guy get flagged for it.

Me neither.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

If there's a rule about a ball-carrier not being allowed to grab a defender's facemask, I've never seen a guy get flagged for it.

I have at least once. Unusual though.

[GrantDawg]

The Colts need a three and out or a turnover right now.

[st.cronin]

I've only seen an offensive face-mask on a blocker, not a ball-carrier.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

The Steelers came to play today. So far this reminds me of last year when NE continually put a beating on Manning and he played with happy feet for most of the game.

Well, the Steelers are just playing lights out right now. On offense and defense. Edge has three carries for 5 yards. And the Steelers are frustrating Manning by doing the same thing Denver did to Brady last night. Hitting him on every play.

I'm stunned. I really thought the Colts would assert themselves early on. Now they are in some bigtime trouble.

We may have an AFC title game in the Mile High city next week.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I have at least once. Unusual though.

I can't remember seeing one. I remember a play about a decade ago where Barnett from the Eagles just grabbed a Cardinals CB's facemask and ran up the field twenty+ yards with it. No call.

[muns]

i saw ward push the face mask i didnt see him grab it.....

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by TroyF

I can't remember seeing one. I remember a play about a decade ago where Barnett from the Eagles just grabbed a Cardinals CB's facemask and ran up the field twenty+ yards with it. No call.

I remember one were the player from the team I was rooting for got called for it. I can't remember if it was college or pro, but I remember the 15 yards off a good gain.

[GrantDawg]

From former refree Jerry Markbreit

Why can an offensive player stiff-arm a defender in the facemask, but a defender cannot touch the facemask of a player on offense? Aren't the dangers the same? -- Russell Petersen, Chicago

Only a runner may ward off an opponent with his hands or arms, but no other offensive player may use them to obstruct an opponent. The runner may push an opponent in the face mask while warding him off, as long as he does not grasp the mask. This would result in a personal foul and a 15-yard penalty against the runner.

Defensive players are restricted from incidental grabbing or intentional grabbing of the face mask. The runner is given this extra latitude because it would not be possible to ward off a potential tackler if his face mask was a restricted area.

If a pass rusher takes a swipe at the football as the quarterback is in the act of throwing and completely misses the football but hits the quarterback in the face hard enough to where the head snaps backward, is this considered roughing the passer? - Dan, Roseville, Calif.

In the NFL, referees must be particularly alert to fouls in which defenders use the helmet or the face mask to hit the passer, or use hands, arms or other parts of the body to hit the passer in the head, neck or face area. Even though what you describe might truly be accidental, it is still a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer.

[st.cronin]

Steelers D has been PERFECT so far.

[tucker rocky]

Flustering, floundering Manning.

[GrantDawg]

That was PI.

[st.cronin]

Oh come ON!!! That's GOT to be pass interference!!!!

[tucker rocky]

Where's the PI? As usual bad refs.

[Easy Mac]

i agree, they also missed holding on the following play by the Steelers.

[ice4277]

That was a worse (non) call than the one yesterday.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Oh come ON!!! That's GOT to be pass interference!!!!

Are they invoking the "try to keep it close in the playoffs" rule?

[Hurst2112]

guys having fun yet?

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Are they invoking the "try to keep it close in the playoffs" rule?

My guess is that it's an overreaction to whatever notes the refs got from yesterday's game.

I like the Steelers game plan.

[GrantDawg]

Ben makes some very scary passes on the run.