The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Apologies for the down time, I'll be back on this in the next few days! Struggling to find time to write the next planned article, but have multiple things already completed and ready to go once that is done.

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 7


The 24-Hour Home of CBS Sports


Jeff Hardy-Grant, Contributor

With Roethlisberger healthy, Steelers and Jared Cole at a Crossroads

After electing to be the club that ended Jared Cole's free fall down this year's draft, Pittsburgh decided to take on a number of things. "Team Cole" was certainly one, Cole's medical question marks were another. The double sided coin of a significant increase in media attention was perhaps the biggest factor though. How is Cole doing? Do people like him? How is his shoulder? Does he enjoy being with the Steelers? Is he happy? Can he win? The list goes on.



When Steelers' starter Ben Roethlisberger went down in preseason with a broken hand, the team were faced with a different question, an internal one. Is Cole healthy enough to start? The answer was yes, but it is unknown if the former Florida man is or was 100%. After 5 games, the team sits at a underwhelming record of 2-4. Cole's stats in that time sit at 87/143, 1,133 yards, 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. His QB ratings of 88.1 isn't off the charts either.

What needs to be understood is that the curve for judging Cole as an NFL player isn't the norm. Some of that isn't his fault, but some of it is. As a man, a team, that has spent a long time promoting and building the brand of "Team Cole", that can be a monster of your own creation. For a rookie passer on a team largely lacking in talent, those stats aren't too bad. For the man dubbed by many as the next great thing, they fall a little short.



Head Coach Joey Porter and his staff are now left with a decision. Do they put Ben straight back in? Is Cole best served continuing his development watching from the sidelines? Or do the team let Cole continue a little longer? He must be the future for this franchise, sitting in the depth chart with a man in Roethlisberger that was drafted into the league before Cole turned 10 years old.

Add those questions to the pile with the rest. Cole hasn't set the NFL alight, but he still has plenty of time for that. When that might happen? Like so many things right now, we just don't know.

JHG
CBS Sports

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 7

Journal Pages 1 & 2

Spoiler

Journal Pages 3 & 4

Spoiler

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 9


Your One Stop Shop For Everything Pro Football!



Carson Dietrich, Senior Writer

Mid Season Power Rankings

So what do you need to do to be a "Dynasty" these days? I'd guess you have to win some titles, over a number of years. But these Cowboys have been the most dominant team in football for about 6 years now. I don't care what they win, I'm crowning them!

32) San Francisco 49ers - 0-7
One team I can't get on board with is the 49ers, speaking of Dynasty. They are terrible. They were respectable last season but have hit the brakes this season. Carlos Hyde has been injured, but they rank dead last in offence and dead last in sacks. A -6 in the turnover differential is also hurting. Not the first season Ryan Mack had in mind, I'm sure.

31) Baltimore Ravens - 1-6
Why not just move on from Joe Flacco? There is literally nothing left to see from this guy. His deep ball is terrible and he's a sitting duck back there now. It's like watching late Peyton Manning minus the talent. He has 12 picks this season, a league high. CJ Mosley leads the league in tackles as a result, but his O-line have plenty of tackles from chasing guys after the picks! The D can't get off the field. Get them off my TV, though.

30) London Monarchs - 2-6
Welcome to the NFL, London. Great, isn't it? You suffered through the International Series watching a terrible Jacksonville team and your reward was a chance to permanently watch an even worse team of your own! With Mike Stark on IR, these guys have literally nothing. As a result, they're 3rd in the league in rushing, more than anything from just sheer volume.

29) Houston Texans - 2-5
A middle of the road team at the end of last season, the team would have expected to push on but have instead done the opposite. Rommell Taylor is a key piece of what they do on offence and has been on the sidelines with a knee injury, but more importantly they have nobody to throw the ball. Arryn Carroll is out for a month, Matt Stafford was already out, and they have Bruce Gradkowski at QB. Bruce Gradkowski!! You aren't going to win with that set up on offence.

28) Chicago Bears - 2-5
Ah, the NFL's best yo-yo team. This is a "down" year for them and they're not disappointing. Adam Gase hasn't quite got this team firing like they did a season ago, having Alshon Jeffrey missing time hasn't helped in that regard. The team also can't run the ball effectively to set up that deep passing attack, they're 30th in rushing. 31st in sacks means the team can't generate the pressure needed to protect a weak secondary either, bad times!

27) Mexico City Diablos - 2-5
Improvement for the Diablos, but when you pick #1 in the draft, there isn't really any other direction you can go. 31st in offence and 32nd in rushing suggests the issues of a year ago are anything but fixed. 4 interceptions for Desmond Trufant is a bright spot, but Scott Linehan might wish he was back in Dallas before too long.

26) Pittsburgh Steelers - 2-5
I'm glad Big Ben is back. I for one am fed up of Jared Cole. He has done nothing to date. He was good in college. Loads of players are good in college, that's why they get drafted! Enough already! Cole stunk, Steelers still stink anyway, the roster still has too many holes in it.

25) New York Giants - 2-5
I want to say that the Giants are moving in the right direction, but they just aren't. Bryson Tracy has a whiff of another recent New York based QB in Mark Sanchez. Looked promising to begin with, hit a wall, wasn't heard of again. Tracy just isn't taking the steps he need to take in order to progress. He has a 7TD/7INT line after 7 games, and the team are an NFL worst -8 in the turnover battle. Worrying times for Big Blue.

24) Carolina Panthers - 3-5
Can anyone say "Super Bowl Hangover?" Ouch. These guys just can't put it together after coming up short to Tennessee last February and they're tough to watch. Cam Newton is running for his life back there and has been sacked 25 times in 8 games. Someone throw in the towel for him before he doesn't get up!

23) Denver Broncos - 3-5
Denver are a team that haven't been relevant for a loooooong while now. Coach Nussmeier is encountering what Peyton Manning and Gary Kubiak found before him. A lack of talent, an inpatient fan base and a losing culture. Ryan Nassib may as well call plays with 10 wide outs. At least he'd have options. Right now Denver have an O-line, but it does nothing. Nassib has been sacked 30 times this season already. He might make a run at that record of David Carr's, that was 76. Those hits hurt people.

22) St Louis Rams - 3-4
Another team treading water, the Rams have the talent but don't seem to have anything to show for it. It is a couple of years since they reached the playoffs and Mike Tomlin is also struggling. Still hating Seattle, but struggling. Ronnie Hillman is running hard and has 8 scores, and the team is dominating that turnover battle at +10. Results should come, surely?

21) Miami Dolphins - 3-4
Another question mark for a young QB. Claude McDonald. Lacking talent around him or another to hit the wall? Jordan Cameron is the best weapon on offence and he has been out a month already. Felix Spencer could wind up being a top running back, but he has 5 fumbles already. Even with struggles at QB and RB, the team still has a +11 turnover margin. That D is lights out, they can turn it around!

20) Detroit Lions - 3-4
Another team with nowhere to go but up, the team kept faith with Coach Shula after a shocking season saw them grab #2 pick last year. They're on the up behind a healthy Jameis Winston who has 11 TDs, Deshun Flowers looks handy with 633 yards rushing and 5 TDs as well. A good tandem to look to the future with, for sure. Rumours of a Calvin Johnson retirement can't be welcome, but he can't play forever.

19) New York Jets - 4-4
Jets start well. Look decent but not good. Jack Riley gets injured. Jets tank. Rinse and repeat. Honestly, people, it is coming again. Riley looks good right now, no surprise. Sheldon Richardson has 7 tackles for a loss and is busting plays for fun. His running mate Wilkerson has 4.5 sacks as well. If Riley stays healthy, who knows? Well, I know. Because he wont.

18) Jacksonville Jaguars - 4-4
I find it hard to believe a team that is 2nd in offence only have 4 wins and sits less than middle of the pack, but thems the breaks. 2 losses by a FG and 2 blow out wins, stats can be funny. Also, 32nd on D. That explains things then. Fantasy gold though, all the points, lots of shootouts. Tyrod Taylor has 2,554 yards and 18TDs, plenty of life left in him yet.

17) Green Bay Packers - 4-4
Ah, the last remnants of Aaron Rodgers, then another NFC team will be out of the way for the Cowboys. To be honest, they have looked spent for a few years now anyway. Still, 1st in offence,2nd in points per game. A familiar story as they're 30th in D and 32nd against the pass. Losing Devante Adams is something they couldn't really afford, either. This team just needs defence, and that isn't something Coach Payton is going to give you.

16) San Diego Chargers - 4-4
Another team with all the answers on offence and none on defence, San Diego also have the added bonus of repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. The most in the league, in fact. Philip Rivers spends as much time passing down field as he does marching back for penalties. Never mind, Philip. You'll be retired soon.

15) New England Patriots - 4-3
Matt Patricia has stepped up to head coach, the defence has stepped backwards. Perhaps the lack of undivided attention has hurt that unit, but they can't rush the quarterback and that is causing problems. Losing Jerod Mayo for a month or two isn't really helping either. Jimmy Garoppolo is piling up the yards with an air raid offence, but his picks are piling up as well. He has 10 already.

14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 4-3
They're building a beast down south in Tampa. It took a while to catch up, but after years of getting beat down by Carolina, the Bucs have followed that blue print and created a defence first team that is tough to play. 2nd in total D, 1st against the pass, Verner has 4 picks as well. If the offence can just catch up, they don't have much to do with such a stingy defence on the other side of the ball. Bill O'Brien has a lot to work with.

13) Arizona Cardinals - 4-3
I don't like putting the Cards this high. Last season they struggled and I feel like they're just at that level. I don't see them as a good team. Russell Wilson carries them, they don't have enough pieces, especially on D. They just feel like they should crash and burn sooner rather than later.

12) Kansas City Chiefs - 4-3
Drew Carter going down has left this team scrambling for answers on offence but they have somehow found a way to get it done. Ron Rivera is still an elite coach and under rated in my opinion. With 2 games against Denver still to go, this team has a real shot at the playoffs and could be sneaky once Carter is back.

11) Indianapolis Colts - 5-3
Another team building a head of steam are the Colts. You have to figure with Rob Pickett, they're going to be a team to beat for a long while to come. They need to shore up against the run, but the crop of young defenders they have are an already solid core to work with. Chuck Pagano has a significantly better team this time round, and somehow, an even better QB. Some guys have all the "Luck". Ha!

10) Seattle Seahawks - 5-3
I'm sure that Mike Tomlin will love seeing the Seahawks above the Rams. It's fun to cover at least, man that guy is salty. Richard Sherman is rolling back the years, if he ever really dropped off. For me, he just went quiet in a declining defence. He has always had the skills, I got his back! 31st against the run won't help though, neither will 5 lost fumbles by Keithen Dotson. He'll come good though.

9) Philadelphia Eagles - 5-3
I was sad when Geno Smith went down, I figured he would massively regress and it would be fun to watch the Eagles decline again. BJ Blake has stepped in and seized his chance though, credit for that. The worst team against the run though, that is going to bite them hard before too long, especially with their upcoming schedule. 1st in interceptions on D. I think that makes it pretty obvious about how best to play them!

8) Tennessee Titans - 5-2
1st in rushing yards, 1st in points per game, a ridiculous passing attack and a defence that usually only has to keep teams south of 35 points to get a win. Brown, Evans and Jimmy Graham all have 40+ catches and their RBs have combined for over 1,000 yards and 10TDs. Like they needed that. These guys could be scary again, they're not slowing down.

7) New Orleans Saints - 5-2
The Saints are giving the Super Dome a fitting send off as they bid farewell at the end of the season. Riley Swanson has this team at 3rd in points per game and with a D that leads the league in sacks, that is a combo that is going to get things done. I like them to win that division and they could have a fun duel with Tampa over the next few years. Drew Brees is a distant memory, well played Swanson for that.

6) Cleveland Browns - 5-2
Getting towards the big boys now! It could have been easy for this Browns team to go off the rails after that crushing loss in the AFC Championship game last season, they were so close. Full credit to Gus Bradley though, he kept the team focused and they're a top unit once again this year. Jacquizz Rodgers is enjoying the greatest season of his relatively underwhelming career and leads the NFL in touches to this point. A nice option when you don't have to lead on Nate Gray.

5) Cincinnati Bengals - 5-2
Nice to have these guys slipping, I'm not going to forgive them for a while. It's been fun watching Bishop Sankey spell Jeremy Hill and fumble whenever he does. 6 fumbles, 4 lost, and they still turn to him! 3rd against the pass has been a highlight. They look weak. Dallas will shred them given another chance.

4) Minnesota Vikings - 5-2
The Vikes have a real good mix going right now. Teddy Bridgewater is coming into his own as a top passer, he's over the 2,000 yard mark and has 16 scores. They need a solution at running back, but Jaren Jones is an emerging receiver who will only get better with age. He's got over 600 yards and with 6 scores, you have to take note. The defence is getting stops, bullying teams. Linval Joseph has been around a while now and he knows how to get things done. He has 8 tackles for a loss and this team could be tough to beat down the stretch. Brian Billick has put together a real nice run since he came back.

3) Oakland Raiders - 6-1
This is what we wanted when Coach Gruden came back. They have that winning formula. You can't stop them, and they usually stop you. 2nd in rushing offence, 1st in overall D, 2nd in sacks. Yeah, good luck with that. They have that Max Shaw guy as well, he is kinda handy. There's no excuses for a down season from this roster any more, they have all the pieces. That's without even mentioning that Mack guy they have.

2) Dallas Cowboys - 5-2
I put them above one 6 win team, but I couldn't do it to both. History says this team is going to go on to big things, but we're still at the half way stage so I'll cut you all some slack and out them in the 2 spot. Randle averages 107 yards per game, and has 8 scores. Dez has over 800 yards receiving and 5 scores. This team really can beat you however they want. Their D almost doesn't matter at this point, but we have play makers there to! I mean, they do, not we, ahem. The dynasty is coming people!

1) Buffalo Bills - 6-1
I have no idea. Rex just does it. I think he probably sold his soul to some shaman in return for magical powers. Robinson is a good QB, but the roster is hardly stacked. Handy players, but not a ton of star power. Yet here they sit. I can't knock them for it, I just don't understand it. Voodoo is the only answer.

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 9

Journal Pages 1 & 2

Spoiler

Journal Pages 3 & 4

Spoiler

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

It would appear some of my images aren't displaying correctly, though some still are. I'm talking to the hosting website about this and hopefully it is sorted soon

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

So it appears that the website I've been using to host images, postimage.org, is most likely going offline soon due a large unpaid bill

Looks like my best option may be to go through the 20+ pages I've done on here to date and change the url of images once I've uploaded the 163 images elsewhere. Any suggestions from you guys about where I could upload the pictures to would be appreciated.

I'll probably wait until I definitively know this needs to be done and postimage.org is no more, but having an idea of the options isn't a bad place to start.

As an update, I've currently written everything to the end of this year, season 6, and I'm currently into season 7. If Knox is still at the Eagles or not, I won't say

[Rumplebeanskin]

Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

It would appear the image issue has been sorted, for now at least!

I also wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to any and all that have liked, commented, or even just clicked and read this thread, story, blog, call it what you will, for the last 12 months. I've enjoyed it much more than I thought I would when I started and spend an alarming amount of time pondering what new things I could cover, new angles and story lines I can go with etc. As my PS4 time is limited these days (work, family etc) it is still great to have this outlet. So thank you all for you direct, and indirect encouragement. Seeing comments and likes really does encourage me, as does the ever increasing view counter!

Today is the 1st birthday for this little "thing", so here's to another 12 months

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 10


Covering your teams better than anyone else


Hayden Rudland, Featured Columnist

London Monarchs' Slow Start Worsens as Mike Stark Hits IR

This time last year, Sir Richard Branson was all smiles as he addressed the media as the inaugural owner of the London Monarchs. Fast forward nearly 12 months and the picture appears significantly less rosy. Don't tell Branson that though, "Are things ideal right now? Not really, but they rarely are in business, sport, or otherwise!" the 71 year old said, breaking into a smile.



Whilst Branson appears unfazed, the same cannot be said for the new fan base in England. The game has a significant following across the country but placing a franchise there full time hasn't been without issue. Initial attendance figures were solid but have dropped significantly as the season has progressed. At 2-7, it is hard to promote a product on the field that is simply not up to scratch and many supporters already have an allegiance to an existing NFL team, rather than the Monarchs. Adding to that woe, face of the franchise and likely draw for the casual fan Mike Stark was moved to the IR list this week and is done for the season. "Losing a player like Mike would be tough for any team. He's a leader, very talented and a great guy to have around. But we have a lot of quality on this roster and we need to work to get the best out of those guys. Brett (Hundley) has been working hard and deserves a chance. We'll give him every opportunity to succeed" said Mike Shanahan after practice yesterday.

Whilst on field issues are frequent for all teams in the National Football League, the Monarchs and Branson are facing a number of problems that can't be fixed through free agency and the draft. The dwindling crowds aren't helped by a largely disinterested local press who can gain significantly more attention reporting on soccer and cricket. Without that media spotlight, the team becomes a more difficult sell to fans and the public alike. Once more, Sir Richard was upbeat, "They're all bumps in the road but nothing that can't be overcome. This is a new venture, we're going to have things that need to be ironed out. How can we work with the media outlets to sell this fantastic game? How can we promote games in a more effective way? Can we tweak our price points to make games more attractive to attend? Does the roaming model for hosting games work? Or would we be better served in a static location? We're working hard to answer those problems, but we'll get there. This franchise has so much potential, it's very exciting."



Much to ponder over the pond, it appears. London will most likely have a top 5 pick on their hands this off season and will need to hit on those kind of selections to create icons to market and cornerstones to build around. The Diablos hit the ground running before stumbling and grabbing a #1 pick. The Monarchs are still struggling to get out of the blocks but this race is a long one in the grand scheme of things.

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 10

Journal Pages 1 & 2

Spoiler

Journal Pages 3 & 4

Spoiler

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 11


Your One Stop Shop For Everything Pro Football!


Amanda Reditch

As Coach Firings Reach Record Levels, NFL Stops to Think About Next Step

Team does well, team begins to faulter, front office feel that the coach is at fault, coach gets fired, new coach comes in. Rinse and repeat. Some teams will go down the road detailed above a whole lot quicker than others. The Pittsburgh Steelers had 3 Head Coaches in total from 1969 until Mike Tomlin was fired in 2017. Compare that to the trigger finger of the Davis family in Oakland, they have had 16 head coaches in that time. When Pro Football Almanac asked me to jump in and cover this one, I couldn't resist. Let's look at the stats!

In recent years, a whole host of NFL franchises have become increasing quick to move on from under performaning coaches. Speaking to a number of GMs across the league, the consensus is the same. We can't afford to wait. "Listen, the stakes are higher than ever. The amount of money in the game, the endorsements, the sponsorship, the TV revenue, it doesn't wait for a bad franchise. You can profit share all you like, but better teams make more money" one NFC GM said to me, there were plenty others with a similar message.



In 2019, 8 franchises fired their coach. In 2020, a staggering 14 teams ditched their HC. That is nearly 70% of the league with a new coach within a two year period. So what gives? Is it working? Well, of the 14 teams who fired their coach in 2020, only 4 of them have a record over .500 this season to date. Which somewhat stands to reason, a team generally fires its coach because they aren't very good, suggesting a poor roster that won't change overnight. But that doesn't hold up either. Of those 14 teams, 8 of them finished at .500 or higher last season, and a further 3 had 7 wins. That is 11 of the 14 at 7 wins or better when the boot came. Far from a lost cause. Are NFL teams really that on edge?

Looking back to 2019 and the 8 teams that decided to go a different direction, all but 1 had at least 7 wins when they made a change, similar to the story in 2020. However in 2019, 6 of the 8 then regressed in their win total under the new coach. One thing appears to be quite apparent. No coach is fixing a franchise overnight, and those that are already close to the playoffs, they have an initial drop off once a new man is in place. Of the 8 firings from 2 years ago, only the Colts with Chuck Pagano went to the playoffs the very next season. The jury is still out on the 14 new coaches from last season, but the 49ers have gone backwards fast from 9 wins in John Harbaugh's final term to a current 1-8 record under Ryan Mack. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.



So what to do? "It's a catch 22. If you make short term decisions with short term thinking, knowing you could face the axe within 2 years, you could well hamstring yourself if you're somehow still in the job 3 or 4 years down the line. But if you don't do all you can to survive those first few years, you're history anyway. Either way, the hole you're leaving for the next guy could be even bigger" said an unnamed current Head Coach within the AFC. The best thing might be to highlight the lack of clear gains from sacking the leader of your team. There have been 2 seasons of record firings, but few teams are any better off for it. Perhaps that will be indication enough. Meanwhile, those with stability seem to be thriving. The two best teams in football right now are Bills and the Cowboys. Rex Ryan has been in Buffalo 7 years. Jason Garrett has been in Dallas 12 years. If that doesn't tell the story, I don't know does. Bill Belichick went 5-11 in his first season with the Patriots, 3 of the next 4 seasons he won a Superbowl. Bill Walsh went a combined 8-24 in his first 2 seasons with the 49ers. He won 3 Lombardi trophies by the time he was done. But in today's NFL, time might be something coaches just don't have.

Amanda

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 12


The 4 Quick Takes From This Week's NFL


Amanda Reditch

Just got back from my East Coast road trip. Took in New England, New York, Philly, Baltimore and finished in the sunshine with Miami and Jacksonville. Thank you to all the awesome fans I saw, I had a blast and saw some great football!


1st Down - The Battle for the AFC

The Bills and Raiders have so far shown that they are a distance ahead of the rest of their conference. Their battle for the #1 seed is going to be great to watch as Rex Ryan an Herschel Robinson go toe to toe with Jon Gruden and Max Shaw. Both sat at 9-1 and with a real chance to move up to the 10 win mark, it will be interesting to see which team outlasts the other, and then how that affects the playoff picture.


2nd Down - The CBA Issues Look as Bad Ever

I think we all saw this one coming, but it is still noteworthy. The NFL and the NFLPA are continuing to go at each other, both publicly and privately with little sign of either concession or resolution. The rest of this season should continue without a hitch as games play out under the current CBA, but enjoy this season while you can, and savour every minute of football. We've been here before, and the NFL might not be back quite as soon as you think next season. Perhaps public perception doesn't mirror the private reality, things could be going better than expected. That may well be wishful thinking though.


3rd Down - Time for the Jets to Move on?

I wrote about Riley this time last year and how New York would most likely need to extend his contract due to a lack of a better option. Riley is a great guy, a real team first player who you want to build an offence around. His projections have proven to be true as he transitioned from college to the pro game with great mechanics, awareness and a strong arm. But he can't stay healthy. I mean, ever. Riley went down injured once again this week and he hasn't played a full season for the Jets for 3 years. It hasn't been announced yet, but he could well head to IR as well. The back up job at the Meadowlands is as good as a starting gig right now as you're going to play at some stage. The worst part could be that each time Riley has gone down, it's a different ailment. It's not like he has a bad knee, or a bum shoulder. He's hurting anything and everything, including the Jets.


4th Down - Where Did All the Good (and Terrible) Teams Go?

Whilst not a massively common occurrence, each season usually has some nervous times for all fans as their team struggled to get their first win on the board, or keeps winning as the weeks go by, stretching the belief they can go all season unbeaten. Whilst a 16-0 record doesn't guarantee a Super Bowl (Am I right, New England?), it is still a very impressive, or depressing, feat to have a 0 in the win or the loss column. Parity appears to be high in today's NFL though. No teams have been unbeaten or winless by the 3/4 stage of the season in the last 6 years. Only 3 teams, the 49ers (0-7) this season, Miami (0-8) 3 years ago and Kansas (7-0) 4 years ago have been unbeaten or winless at even the half season stage. With some really strong franchises in that span in Carolina, Dallas and Cincinnati, and some real tough stretches and multiple #1 picks for the Giants and Bears, it's a surprising turn of events.

I'm already planning my next trip, West Coast I'm looking your way. San Fran, San Diego, Arizona, Seattle, you've all been warned! Then I've got Mexico and London on my radar, I can't wait!

Amanda

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 13

Journal Pages 1 & 2

Spoiler

Journal Pages 3 & 4

Spoiler

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 13


Your One Stop Shop For Everything Pro Football!



Carson Dietrich, Senior Writer

Week 13 Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Record
1 ()	Buffalo Bills	10-1
2 ()	Oakland Raiders	10-1
3 ()	Dallas Cowboys	9-2
4 ()	New Orleans Saints	9-2
5 ()	Cleveland Browns	8-3
6 ()	Minnesota Vikings	7-4
7 ()	Seattle Seahawks	7-4
8 ()	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	7-4
9 ()	Tennessee Titans	7-4
10 ()	Indianapolis Colts	7-4
11 ()	Arizona Cardinals	6-5
12 ()	Jacksonville Jaguars	6-5
13 ()	Cincinnati Bengals	6-5
14 ()	Kansas City Chiefs	5-5-1
15 ()	New York Jets	5-5-1
16 ()	New England Patriots	5-5-1
17 ()	St. Louis Rams	5-6
18 ()	Philadelphia Eagles	5-6
19 ()	Green Bay Packers	5-6
20 ()	Miami Dolphins	5-6
21 ()	San Diego Chargers	4-6-1
22 ()	Carolina Panthers	4-7
23 ()	Detroit Lions	4-7
24 ()	Baltimore Ravens	4-7
25 ()	London Monarchs	4-7
26 ()	New York Giants	4-7
27 ()	Mexico City Diablos	4-7
28 ()	Pittsburgh Steelers	3-8
29 ()	Denver Broncos	3-8
30 ()	Houston Texans	3-8
31 ()	Chicago Bears	2-9
32 ()	San Francisco 49ers	1-10

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Re: The N"If"L - A Look into the Future of an Alternate NFL

Year 6 20/21 - Week 14



Your Path To The Hottest Draft Talent!


Lloyd Bowerman, Senior Draft Writer

Draft Preview - Defence

The last few years, I've handed out less first round grades than the previous years before. Perhaps I'm getting harsher in my older age, perhaps some of the recruits coming through just aren't as good. As we continue to see more and more underclassmen hit the NFL in the hope of getting paid, teams try to find a gem in the rough and pay them cheaply for as long as possible. That said, we still have some top quality prospects in this side of the draft, so read on.

DEFENCE

DT

• Defensive tackle is having somewhat of a resurgence in recent years, with 5 guys going in the 1st last year. I think at least 2 or 3 could go this year as well.
  
• One reason for that is Jerel Armstead who has #1 pick written all over him. He has the size, the speed, the quickness and the raw strength to beat you in any way he wants. He has nothing left to prove at the collegiate level and I have him as my #1 prospect.
  
• DeAndre Hull from Michigan State could work out as being one of the best prospects taken later in the 1st round. He has a fantastic ability to beat a man with his first step quickness and if teams fall in love with Armstead, Hull might fall. Some team will get a star if he does.

DE

• Where as tackles continue to rise, those guys playing DE are going the opposite direction. I've got 1 DE with a 1st round grade in the last 2 years, and it's a doughnut for them this year.
  
• My pick for a guy who tops this class is Kendle Dial. He has question marks with his footwork and temperament, but he's one of those "tweener" players who has the size for DE but the quickness for LB. He hits hard regardless and if the right team puts him in the right environment, he could be a beast.
  
• A number of guys out there like Pershing Griffin as their #1. In a weak class, his weaknesses still stand out. He doesn't finish plays hard, he doesn't play for a full game, and he only really comes alive in pass rush situations. If you're looking for a 1st round DE, a prospect who only switches on for 50% of his plays isn't the answer.

OLB

• The decline at DE could be explained by the rise at OLB. Teams looking for their answers up front might find it in this class with a number of versatile prospects.
  
• Brady Harrison may be the best player on show, but he excels in the run game as a pure tackler and will need to work on his coverage skills at the next level. Austin Blake from Texas isn't quite as good at laying the wood in the open field, but he is a significantly more rounded prospect without obvious weaknesses.
  
• Princeton is sending its first player to the NFL draft since 2014. Although Taylor Roland is possibly a long shot to be drafted, I've got a late round grade on him, the former Tiger does have above average pursuit and tackle skills. That may be enough for him to stick as a special teams body somewhere.

MLB

• Miles Young could be at the top of the list for teams looking for help in the middle of their linebacking group. Perhaps better suited to a 3-4 set up, he has the skills to transfer to any scheme most likely and he really knows how to hit. I like this kid a lot and it will be a big loss for Miami now he's moved on.
  
• Kahlin Greenwood is a divisive talent. I've sat on the fence and put him as a 2nd rounder, but some have him as high as the top 10 and as low as undrafted! Perhaps more of a coverage player to the point of being a transfer to safety, the former FCS standout played a reasonable season at Pitt before moving to the NFL. Some say they haven't seen enough of him against top teams, some fell in love with him as soon as he started dominating in his junior year. I see things to like, but holes in his game to.
  
• There is very little to separate Parker Minor from Texas and Aaron Joseph from Wisconsin. They're both the same height and weight, have very similar abilities and strengths, and both struggle in coverage. One of them may crack the 1st round, but it's a coin flip to say which one.

CB

• Antonio Nunley is the unquestionable #1 talent at CB this season. Last season Nico Cole was a player with a lot of talent and a lot of questions, but he has played well in his rookie season after going 3rd overall to the Monarchs. Nunley should be a much more secure talent and I can see any of the teams in the top 5 that could use his services.
  
• Anyone missing out on Nunley shouldn't despair as Patreon Scott has been wowing fans at LSU for the last few years and is set to do the same in the NFL. His coverage in man and zone isn't quite as good as Nunley, but he's still well above average and can be fierce when he steps up to the line to press.
  
• Speaking of press coverage, no one is better at it than D.J. Narcisse. We've all been blown away by those clips on ESPN of him pretty much knocking WRs down before they can even start running and at 6'2" and 214lb, that's no surprise. But if you watch the film where he doesn't make a highlight close to the line, once a play develops he looks lost. I think someone will get swept up in the hype and take him way too high, but for me he is a mid-round pick once you get him into coverage.

S

• 4 years ago I wrote in this very piece about Shaman Parker and how the converted WR had great hands and could wind up being a smart pick for someone if they grabbed him early enough. Fast forward, and that team was the now-Monarchs and Parker is an integral part of their defence. Another safety with a similar make up to Parker is Kirk Norris. I see a similar skill set and Norris may even be a better prospect. Expect him to be a top 10 pick, and thank me down the line.
  
• I also like Andrew Landrum, the strong safety for Illinois. He led the nation in interceptions from safety last season, and he also led the nation in fumbles forced for any position. The guy is a human highlight reel and someone is going to snap him up before we get out of the first, though probably some time before that to.
  
• I want to like Marshyl Lee from UAB, and always like to keep an eye out for players not on a top 25 roster or in the public eye. Some have him high but I just can't see it. He misses too many tackles and his discipline in coverage is lacking. A late pick, don't be fooled if you see him higher.