2008-09 NFL Thread

[RDF]

Well a few things to talk about:

1. The Ravens-Steelers game was a great game to watch--if you don't mind seeing GREAT DEFENSE which I love to watch and especially at NFL level-where offenses are given everything.

2. The call in that game--I just didn't like because the point of instant replay is to get an obvious missed call correct--if the call is not definitive--your job isn't to look at the play until you see a reason to overturn it. If it was ruled a TD--it should've stayed a TD--it wasn't and it shouldn't have been a TD. It's not like Steelers didn't have 4th and goal and chance to win or tie if they chose and with all that was at stake to take the 5 minutes to make this call--it's not what replay is/should be about.

3. NFL officiating is at an all time low--and it's not all on them--it's the inconsitency of rules. I watched Antione Winfield go for a football but while doing so-he jumped into and had his arms interfere with Cardinals Steve Breaston. Now Winfield was behind/trailing and launched himself up/over and interfered. Flag is thrown--and they pick it up.

Later on--Terence Newman is called for an "arm bar" even though he never extended his arm to block off Dominick Hixon's path to football. He got flagged and flag was allowed.

If you saw both plays--the Winfield play was obviously interference with opportunity to make a play on football by a WR and the Newman play wasn't--but calls were made and it's just beyond confusing what the rules are.

BTW--for anyone who watches Vikings play--their DB's love to initiate "incidental contact" by tangling their legs with WR's when beaten--and it's smart of them to do so--but the NFL has no rule against it--so they get away with it. It's a taught maneuver and smart of Viking Coaching staff if they can get away with it.

4. For all the crap/dislike of the Cowboys--I will say this-since Wade Phillips has taken over their defense-it's been BEYOND noticeable. They are attacking, aggressive, have played more press coverage, and the only player I really like on their team DeMarcus Ware is unreal. That man has no consistent threat on opposite side and leads NFL in sacks and is as good against the run. They are only on bubble of playoffs because he let Brian Stewart run his defense for half the year.

5. As much as the Giants were on a roll last year and everyone teases about Burress--they aren't winning anything without him. They just don't have anyone to stretch the field and as much as I respect their coaching staff, his absence is going to cost them what appeared to be a repeat. Brandon Jacobs return would help them by setting up some play action but Hixon is only guy who can run--Toomer and Smith aren't deep threats. I think it's crucial for them to have homefield this year-because they will need it without Burress--but even then I don't see them winning NFC again without him.

[FormerHoya]

Buff, I think the moral of the story is: Don't ever hire a coach after he has been a Bears head coach.

Is he kept around in Buffalo b/c the ancient owner like to go to church with him there too?

[TBird41]

Dec 15, 2008 12:30:02 GMT -5 RDF said:

Dec 15, 2008 9:48:18 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

If Tarvaris Jackson plays the way he's played the last game and a half, these Vikings have a legitimate shot at making the Super Bowl (true, it was the Cardinals and Lions, but both were road games, and he'll have a chance to prove himself against the Falcons and Giants). He's making the throws he never made prior to his benching this year. And their defense is playing out of their minds, and is dominating the pass and the run. And they still have the Purple Jesus.

(Yes, I'm being a Homer, but really, did anyone expect the Purple to kill the Cardinals and hold them to 7 offensive points? I know I didn't)

Well--it sure didn't hurt that Arizona acted as if they won the Super Bowl by clinching the worst division in football. They were not ready to play and Wisenhunt got what he deserved for taking it so easy on them--wonder if he took a "Victory Lap" as he did earlier in year?

With that said--Vikings are playing very well and have as good of a shot as anyone--question is--if Frerotte is ready to go--who plays QB?

Agreed on the caliber of the opponent, but it was still nice to see Tarvaris take advantage of that. And I hope for the Vikings' sake that Frerotte isn't able to play against the Falcons, because I think you let that game make the decision for you. If Tarvaris plays well against a decent pass defense that is motivated, like the Falcons, I think you have to stick with him. If he doesn't, then you always have Frerotte. And Frerotte is what he is--throws a decent deep ball, flops like a Wojo and makes some really bad decisions/inaccurate passes. People are likening him to Trent Dilfer in 2000 or Brad Johnson in 2002, but really, he's not even that "good".

Dec 15, 2008 12:45:46 GMT -5 RDF said:

BTW--for anyone who watches Vikings play--their DB's love to initiate "incidental contact" by tangling their legs with WR's when beaten--and it's smart of them to do so--but the NFL has no rule against it--so they get away with it. It's a taught maneuver and smart of Viking Coaching staff if they can get away with it.

Leslie Frazier is the second defensive coordinator under Brad Childress that is a better coach than Childress.

[PDRHoya99]

Dec 15, 2008 14:02:28 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

Leslie Frazier is the second defensive coordinator under Brad Childress that is a better coach than Childress.

And that's saying something given that he was previously employed and fired by the Bengals.

[EasyEd]

Texas Stadium is officially closed.

[DanMcQ]

Nice end game management by Mangenius today in Seattle.

[hoya95]

Did anyone see the clip of Detroit News columnist Rob Parker berating Lions coach Rod Marinelli about the work of his son-in-law as defensive coordinator? After a bunch of nasty questions, Parker asked, "Do you wish your daughter had married a better defensive coordinatior?"
Wow. Just wow. Stunningly unprofessional, of course. But to taunt an ex-Marine coach to his face (with the other players and coaches in the building) after they've gone 0-15 seems like the craziest thing I've ever seen a reporter do. I'm stunned he got out of there in one piece.

[RDF]

A few things from a freezing Twin Cities:

1. Ed alluded to it above--but for one of the most glamourous franchises in Sports--isn't Texas Stadium one of the most non alluring places for the Cowboys to play? I mean it's fanbase is wine and cheese in Dallas and the lack of big game atmosphere hasn't matched the amount of big games played there. Hope Jerry World changes that because great franchises deserve great stage to host games. Cowboys are love/hate team and people pay attention no matter what.

2. Marinelli was a MAN (sorry for going Gundy) and the treatment was no only unprofessional it was disgusting. Where is the Lions Media Relations guy to step in? Where is anyone who is associated with Lions? I saw FOX step up and defend Rod Marinelli and rightfully so--he might be coaching a horrible team--but he stands up there and politely answers questions and he answered Parker's question 4 TIMES before having to hear that about his son in law--who happens to be a coach-not like he hired some life insurance guy and made him a FB coach. You cant' make chicken salad out of chicken crap and Marinelli isn't to blame--the clown that is already has exited stage left. Marinelli will have a DL Coaching job as soon as he's let go. Hope same can't be said for Parker or at least the Lion players come out and let him know he's not welcomed into their lockerroom.

3. Denver vs Chargers for the 8-8 Division Title? Or do the Broncos win at 9-7?--PLEASE LET HOCHULI CALL THIS GAME AGAIN!

4. Steelers offense is painful to watch--and they've found ways to win--but they can't win a championship with Rothliesberger playing this poorly. He is turning into Drew Bledsoe right now and taking too many sacks/hits.

5. Said it prior to draft and will bring it up again as it's becoming a serious problem for Vikes, but Adrian Peterson has got to protect the football. He fumbles way too much-and while he's not been punished as much as he should--he's coughed it up at least 9-10 times in the past 3 games alone--and you can't win a division or playoff game with your best offensive player not being reliable with the ball.

6. Watching Tarvaris Jackson run the 2 minute drill was beyond painful--that was amateur.

7. Mike Smith--COACH OF YEAR-with Belichick close behind.

8. Arizona still partying/celebrating their division title--and hope Wisenhunt does another victory lap--what a punk move that was and his team hasnt shown up the past 2 weeks.

9. Giants--great, great, GREAT WIN!!!

10. Panters don't trust Delhomme "Don't you touch me, don't you EXPLETIVE touch me" to make plays and it cost them tonight and will down the road. He's got to be able to make some big passing plays.

11. BUMPKIN BOY vs Pennington for AFC East this weekend!!! Will Favre continue his embarrassingly awful play and show why QB's should show up in Spring to lift/workout--specifically on footwork and fundamentals or will he be rewarded with another team tanking for him? Oh wait--Dick Jauron's check cleared--and Tony Soprano is facing the "Man-genius"--who we know is a fan seeing him in episode. Taking the Fins over Bumpkin Boy who couldn't beat Seattle or San Francisco away from Meadowlands or Denver at home or division was there for them.

Philly vs Dallas with Playoffs on line for Wade Phillips and possibly Jason Garrett's jobs. Could Andy Reid be out if he loses? McNabb too? TO vs McNabb, etc...classic game on a great slate next weekend!

[Jack]

Dec 22, 2008 0:20:00 GMT -5 RDF said:

11. BUMPKIN BOY vs Pennington for AFC East this weekend!!! Will Favre continue his embarrassingly awful play and show why QB's should show up in Spring to lift/workout--specifically on footwork and fundamentals or will he be rewarded with another team tanking for him? Oh wait--Dick Jauron's check cleared--and Tony Soprano is facing the "Man-genius"--who we know is a fan seeing him in episode. Taking the Fins over Bumpkin Boy who couldn't beat Seattle or San Francisco away from Meadowlands or Denver at home or division was there for them.

You do realize that if the Jets and Patriots both win next weekend, New England wins the division, right?

[RDF]

Dec 22, 2008 0:32:08 GMT -5 Jack said:

Dec 22, 2008 0:20:00 GMT -5 RDF said:

11. BUMPKIN BOY vs Pennington for AFC East this weekend!!! Will Favre continue his embarrassingly awful play and show why QB's should show up in Spring to lift/workout--specifically on footwork and fundamentals or will he be rewarded with another team tanking for him? Oh wait--Dick Jauron's check cleared--and Tony Soprano is facing the "Man-genius"--who we know is a fan seeing him in episode. Taking the Fins over Bumpkin Boy who couldn't beat Seattle or San Francisco away from Meadowlands or Denver at home or division was there for them.

You do realize that if the Jets and Patriots both win next weekend, New England wins the division, right?

Thanks for jinxing it. Of course I realized this--but I honestly think there is a better chance of me becoming a Syracuse fan then Jets winning that game.

[HoyaFanNY]

the jets are in the playoffs already if chad was still their QB. favre stinks. take out the cards game this year and he has 15 td's and 18 int's. since that game he has 9 td's and 15 int's.

same old vikes. choking away a playoff spot.

[Boz]

Dear Murdering Linebackers:

Please don't screw this up, Please don't screw this up, Please don't screw this up, Please don't screw this up, Please don't screw this up, Please don't SCREW THIS UP!!!

I have a dream scenario in mind, but I don't want to jinx it.

[vcjack]

There's a reason Favre favored Minnesota and Tampa over New York, he's simply no longer a cold weather quarterback. However, if the Jets didn't decide to abandon the run for some reason (my fantasy team says thanks, jackasses), they could have won going away.


Speaking of cold weather, people might lose limbs tonight at Soldier Field

[TBird41]

This week in "Ways the Vikings torture their fans":

The Purple fumble the ball 7 times, forcing their fans to root for their most hated rival in order to make the playoffs. And no, the Vikes aren't beating the Giants starters or their backups on Sunday

[tpk3]

RDF- i agree mike smith is coach of the year. just look at how much jax misses him. but if miami wins the division i could see tony sparano getting significant consideration.

[hoyarooter]

Dec 22, 2008 13:30:30 GMT -5 @tpk3 said:

RDF- i agree mike smith is coach of the year. just look at how much jax misses him. but if miami wins the division i could see tony sparano getting significant consideration.

Yup, I was going to also write this. Frankly, I look at that Miami team and think they still aren't very good, but the fact is that they have gone from one win to 10/11. Has any team ever done that before? I know that teams have had 10-win improvement seasons (I believe the 49ers did it in their first Super Bowl year), but starting from one win? I can't imagine that.

[RDF]

I'd also like to add for about the 20th time how WRONG I was about Matt Ryan. Thought he'd be a bust and he's been anything but, so kudos to the player and those who supported him throughout.

[nodak89]

Dec 22, 2008 13:20:40 GMT -5 TBird41 said:

This week in "Ways the Vikings torture their fans":

The Purple fumble the ball 7 times, forcing their fans to root for their most hated rival in order to make the playoffs. And no, the Vikes aren't beating the Giants starters or their backups on Sunday

I've been drinking the Purple Kool Aid on Peterson, but dang, those fumbles are going to keep him out of Canton.

[tpk3]

yeah if i had a vote i would give it to mike smith just because falcons are a better team. although matt ryan and mike turner have alot to do with that. but, miami also got chad pennington-- which was a steal by the way. i never understood why the vikings never went after pennington.

i just don't think miami is good. big drama in NYC- some saying mangini coaching for his job.

[Cambridge]

I think Bellichick should win it for the following three reasons:

1) When Brady went down everyone said "Let's see what he can do without the Tom Terrific..." Well, the jury is in. Turns out he can turn a career back up quarterback into the most sought after free agent quarterback on the market and win at least 10 games. Sure, he might not make the playoffs, but even his biggest detractors have to admit it is somewhat astounding.

2) We know he's clearly not cheating anymore. If anyone is being watched week in and week out, it's Mr. Bellichick and his staff, so we know these results are on the up and up.

3) Not only did Brady go down, but the Pats have lost starters at just about every skill position on both sides of the ball. For example, I suggest you look at the runningbacks, safeties and linebackers currently lining up for the Pats. It's laughable.