NFL Postseasons: Divisional Round

[Suburban Rhythm]

A little early in the week, but I had two pressing questions that I am not sure made sense in the Wildcard thread

1) Anyone else tired of hearing about Ed Reed's "tragedy"? Maybe I am a cold person, but enough. A tragedy would have been if Reed's brother was in Tucson. Running from the cops and jumping into the river? Sounds more like stupidity than tragedy.

2) I am setting the over/under on this thread at 9 pages. With DT boxed, I have to take the under-- we'll be missing the 3+ pages of Patriots play-by-play without him. How will I ever know what's happening in that game?

[CleBrownsfan]

Sorry for the OT - but how long is DT boxed for?

[Suburban Rhythm]

From the offending thread-

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

Some time away from FOFC will be good for you.

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

Alrighty then. I hadn't read this far when I did the suspension. Upping the time...

So...no idea except longer than usual?

[spleen1015]

Boxed until 1/22

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

A little early in the week, but I had two pressing questions that I am not sure made sense in the Wildcard thread

1) Anyone else tired of hearing about Ed Reed's "tragedy"? Maybe I am a cold person, but enough. A tragedy would have been if Reed's brother was in Tucson. Running from the cops and jumping into the river? Sounds more like stupidity than tragedy.

Yeah, something bad happens to you while running from the cops it is hard to feel much sympathy.

[MikeVic]

Maybe Reed is so affected by this tragedy that he won't play in the game?

[miami_fan]

Has there been a lot of coverage other than the gambler's info that he has not been at practice so far this week? I have not heard anything but that.

[Matthean]

I think there are four as ideal of matchups as you can find. Pats/Jets and Steelers/Ravens are both heated rivalries. Falcons/Packers is the sexy big game for the NFC. Seahawks/Bears is a good matchup for Seattle to pull off another win.

[PilotMan]

I stole this off of someone's FB page. lol

[Suburban Rhythm]

Caught this over at SI.com. Great story, something you typically wouldn't hear about.

Tyson Clabo is Atlanta Falcons' family man - Jim Trotter - SI.com

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I wouldn't expect sympathy for Reed's brother, but anybody with a family member that has had problems would know that the family is profoundly affected by something like the loss of a loved one, even if the loss is due to their own idiocy.

[molson]

I don't mind the Jets' trash-talking, it's something you don't see much anymore and sports would be a lot more fun if every team hated each others' guts. But the Jets really are out on an island with this stuff. It's kind of strange. If coaches thought this helped you win I'd think we'd see more than one team doing it.

Cromartie 'hates' Brady, uses other four-letter words - Extra Points - Boston.com

On Monday, Jets' coach Rex Ryan claimed Sunday's game between his team and the Patriots was personal between him and Bill Belichick.

But Jets corner Antonio Cromartie has made things really personal between him and Tom Brady.

The former Charger, in his first season with New York, went on an obscenity-laced tirade about Brady to the New York Daily News. Writer Gary Myers talked with Cromartie about Rex Ryan's comment this week that Brady "points" when he scores, apparently to taunt opponents.

"We see that a lot. He does it a lot," Cromartie said. "That's the kind of guy he is. We really don't give a damn, to tell you the truth."
Okay, what kind of guy is Brady?

"An ass----.

"---- him."


Cromartie's dislike of Brady dates back to his days in San Diego, as it is for his current/former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson; Cromartie was a rookie in 2006 when the Chargers blew a 21-13 fourth-quarter lead at home in the AFC Divisional round and the Pats went on to a 24-21 win. That was the infamous game where Tomlinson said the Pats lack class and that maybe it comes from their coach, while reminding everyone that he is a classy guy.

As is Cromartie.

"I hate them," Cromartie said. "I don't care. I hate them."
Brady or the Patriots?

"Both," he said.

"Everything is personal with me and the Patriots and what they did to us," Cromartie said. "So, I really don't care. I don't have too much to say about them. I'm just ready to play ball on Sunday."

Is this a bad time to bring up the fact that Cromartie has fathered nine children by eight different women and that the Jets had to front him $500,000 in salary this year so he could pay back child support?

[jeff061]

They all hate him because he talks on the field and not in the week prior. Makes sense to me.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by molson

Is this a bad time to bring up the fact that Cromartie has fathered nine children by eight different women and that the Jets had to front him $500,000 in salary this year so he could pay back child support?

Not really sure what one has to do with the other but I did enjoy it when he struggled to remember all their names on Hard Knocks.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

I wouldn't expect sympathy for Reed's brother, but anybody with a family member that has had problems would know that the family is profoundly affected by something like the loss of a loved one, even if the loss is due to their own idiocy.

Obviously, my point is more along the lines of the announcers talking about it during the game. I had no idea what the story was until I googled it. I had assumed it was a car accident or boat trip or something.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Not really sure what one has to do with the other but I did enjoy it when he struggled to remember all their names on Hard Knocks.

That one women of the 8 who has 2 of the kids must feel all superior to the rest.

[Logan]

Wonder if they're twins?

[albionmoonlight]

My guesses:

Seahawks: 3
Bears: 17

Bears offense has some trouble early on, but the defense keeps Seattle smothered for 60 minutes.

Packers: 20
Falcons: 31

The Falcons have the rare advantage of being a #1 seed playing at home with an extra week's rest against an injury depleted opponent that still gets to play the "no one respects us" card.

Ravens: 17
Steelers: 14

Whatever anyone else predicts, everyone agrees that this will be a close game. Which, of course, means that it will be a 30+ point blowout. In any event, I am still going to predict a close game. The Steelers' O-line scares me a touch more than Joe Flacco does.

Jets: 24
Pats: 20

No one on earth has spent more time thinking about the Patriots' offense than Rex Ryan. I am predicting that it pays off.

[jeff061]

Only way the Jets win is if the Pats can't stop them from running it down their throat(legitimate concern lately) or Sanchez surprises everyone.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Packers: 20
Falcons: 31

The Falcons have the rare advantage of being a #1 seed playing at home with an extra week's rest against an injury depleted opponent that still gets to play the "no one respects us" card.

I don't see the Falcons throwing up a 31 spot vs the Packers unless it is off turnovers. Going to be more like the first meeting.. 20-17.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by molson

"Everything is personal with me and the Patriots and what they did to us," Cromartie said. "So, I really don't care. I don't have too much to say about them. I'm just ready to play ball on Sunday."

Can someone help refresh my memory on what happened in that San Diego vs New England game?

I remember the Pats came from behind to win (or more like the Chargers just choked big time), but was there dirty play or something that happened? I remember the local sports stations around here spent the next two weeks with callers ripping on Tomlinson afterward but I'm not a Patriots fan, so just can't remember what the bad blood was over.

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Can someone help refresh my memory on what happened in that San Diego vs New England game?

I remember the Pats came from behind to win (or more like the Chargers just choked big time), but was there dirty play or something that happened? I remember the local sports stations around here spent the next two weeks with callers ripping on Tomlinson afterward but I'm not a Patriots fan, so just can't remember what the bad blood was over.

The only thing I remember was the Patriots mimiced Merriman's sack dance and LT went nuts at the end of the same for some reason.

I think it has more to do with the Chargers being a bunch of pussies than anything else.

[jeff061]

LT turned heel after that game.

[RainMaker]

Never was able to get a grasp on LT. For years everyone said he was just this real humble guy who went out and played. But it seemed later he became real whiney and even a bit of a showboater.

[molson]

"I've been called worse," Brady said when informed that Cromartie called him an [expletive].

[stevew]

They should film a sequel to Inglourious Basterds starring Cromartie and his 8 kids.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Never was able to get a grasp on LT. For years everyone said he was just this real humble guy who went out and played. But it seemed later he became real whiney and even a bit of a showboater.

It's the John Stockton effect. Everyone thought he was this good working player, they finally get national TV exposure during the finals and everyone realizes what a bitchy cheap shot artist him and the Mailman were.

[SirFozzie]

Antonio Cromartie should've remembered what happened to Anthony Smith (then with the Steelers) when he started talking smack in 07... Brady torched him for several big plays, and he's been a career reserve ever since.

Do I think Brady's going to try to squeeze it in to the guy Cromartie's covering? No... but I think Cromartie better be at his best, or he's going to have a long game...

[RendeR]

Cromartie gets torched often enough because Revis smothers his guys, I'd think he wouldn't want to piss off the guy that put up shitloads of yards on them the last time they met.

Personally I'd rather see the field implode as soon as both teams step on it this week. I hate both those fucking teams.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Cromartie is now questionable with a sprained mandible. Seems he caught his jaw on his anus when talking all that shit.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Only way the Jets win is if the Pats forget to show up at the stadium.

Fixed...

[Mustang]

Seems like talk about any of the other games is really limited.

[jeff061]

I just know if the Jets are the one to end the Pats season you will find me hanging from a tree.

At the end of the season I said the Pats could lose the first game and I would still be very happy with the season, as long as they don't get rolled like last year.

I need to amend that. I can't have them losing to the god forsaken tragedy that is the Jets.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by jeff061

I just know if the Jets are the one to end the Pats season you will find me hanging from a tree.

At the end of the season I said the Pats could lose the first game and I would still be very happy with the season, as long as they don't get rolled like last year.

I need to amend that. I can't have them losing to the god forsaken tragedy that is the Jets.

PING TreeInNewEngland

[GCCSteel]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Antonio Cromartie should've remembered what happened to Anthony Smith (then with the Steelers) when he started talking smack in 07... Brady torched him for several big plays, and he's been a career reserve ever since.

Do I think Brady's going to try to squeeze it in to the guy Cromartie's covering? No... but I think Cromartie better be at his best, or he's going to have a long game...

Anthony Smith WAS a career reserve in Pittsburgh projected into the starting lineup due to injuries that game. He has started in Green Bay and Jacksonville after that stint.

Also, his "smack" was rather weak and selectively quoted by the media. He isn't the smartest guy and they cornered him and he took the bait.

I disagree with smack talk, though. It does little to nothing to affect the outcome and makes you look ridiculous if you end up losing but still a jackass if you win. Kind of like Tom Brady before Super Bowl XLII..."17 points...hahaha" and they ended up scoring 14 in a loss.

See link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqErnhihQFQ because I am too mentally deficient to imbed video.

[Fonzie]

Perhaps the most awesome media session by a player ever (from http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...t-metaphors/):

----------------

Wes Welker likes his “foot” metaphors
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 13, 2011, 3:23 PM EST

Just when you think the chatter between the Patriots and Jets couldn’t get sillier, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker stepped to the podium Thursday as if dared to see how many “foot” references he could cram in to a single media session. Behold:

1. On this week of preparation: “Everybody’s putting their best foot forward.”

2. On young players in the playoffs: “You can’t just stick your toe in the water. You gotta jump right in.”

3. On playing this year as opposed to last year: “It’s definitely different. You know, you’ve got your foot up in the air trying to get the swelling to go down. Definitely excited about the opportunity to get out there and have some fun.”

4. On the opportunity this week: “These are the games you play for. What you spend all year getting ready for and you just want to put your best foot forward.”

5. On Revis: “He’s got great feet.”

6. On Revis again: “He’s very patient, has good feet.”

7. On Deion Branch: “He runs some really good routes out there . . . He’s another guy with great feet and can really move around.”

8. On practice: “You want to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward out there and making it happen.”

9. More on practice: “Us going out there and being good little foot soliders and making sure we’re going out there and doing everything coach asks us to do.”

10. On seeing new things in the playoffs: “You definitely have to be on your and make sure you’re ready to go.”

Genius. Since this is clearly the most important post I’ll ever write at PFT, let’s analyze further.

Welker is deadpan as ever with his delivery, so there’s no way he can really be called out for it. A few clues indicate that it’s not just a coincidence. Jackie McMullen of ESPNBoston.com wrote a great feature on Welker. Part of it is about what a huge prankster he is.

“Put Wes, Matt [Cassel] and Larry Izzo in a room, and they are ‘The Three Stooges,’” Tom Brady said.

Welker got his first “foot” reference in on his first question and rarely let up in his ten minutes of talking. He also appears to be stifling a smile and/or laugh after his two most ridiculous references — No. 2 and No. 9.

Maybe it’s all a coincidence, but we really doubt it. And that would be no fun. We’ll continue to update you on this vitally important breaking story here at PFT.

--------------

Gold.

[MikeVic]

So much for the Pats not getting involved.

[Logan]

Reminds me of the "meow" scene in Super Troopers.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Logan

Reminds me of the "meow" scene in Super Troopers.

Loved that.

[Passacaglia]

I like how in #10 the article managed to leave out the word "feet"

EDIT: Or maybe it was "toes" -- basically they left out the reference.

[Pumpy Tudors]

not sure if you guys heard but the bears and seahawks are playing this weekend
i know i was surprised to hear that there was at least one other football game too
nfl full of surprises

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

not sure if you guys heard but the bears and seahawks are playing this weekend
i know i was surprised to hear that there was at least one other football game too
nfl full of surprises

This message was sent from Pumpys IPhone.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Lathum

This message was sent from Pumpys IPhone.

If it had been sent from Lathum's iPhone, it would've come out like this:

not sure if you gots hard but the bears and seahak are playing this wicked
i know i was spurrier to hear that ther was at least one oth football game to
ndfl fuul of spurisers

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

If it had been sent from Lathum's iPhone, it would've come out like this:

not sure if you gots hard but the bears and seahak are playing this wicked
i know i was spurrier to hear that ther was at least one oth football game to
ndfl fuul of spurisers

in Icelandic

ekki viss um hvort þú gots erfitt en birnir og seahak ert að spila þetta vonda
ég veit að ég var spurrier að heyra að það var að minnsta kosti einn annan fótboltaleik til
ndfl fuul af spurisers

[Pumpy Tudors]

lathum's iphone doin work

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

lathum's iphone doin work

unlike you, go work on getting us some Cadbury Eggs.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Lathum

unlike you, go work on getting us some Cadbury Eggs.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Lathum

unlike you, go work on getting us some Cadbury Eggs.

DAMN IT

[spleen1015]

So, who the hell do you root for in the AFC when you don't like any of the teams? I am leaning Ravens because I dislike them the least.

If anything, a Jets loss will make it a successful weekend.

And the Seahawks are going to beat the Bears.

[jeff061]

If the Pats lose I'm rooting for the Ravens.