2012 replies to this topic

[Mik3]

We didn't steal Cliff Lee, he chose Philadelphia. don't get me wrong, he was going to sign with the Yankees or Rangers, but then he asked his agent to contact the Phillies and see if they could come up with an offer. They did, he took it, the rest is history. But we have really enjoyed the fallout from the Yankees fans who desperately wanted him and can't comprehend why he would want to play in Philly. The Asomugha situation is different, they came in at the last second and decided they would top Dallas' offer.



The scheduling thing, been that way for a while. The Divisions rotate. Example:

NFC East plays NFC West in 2011, NFC East Plays the South in 2012, NFC East plays the North in 2013 and then The West in 2014. I believe they've already said this will change down the line however.

Cross Conference play:

NFC East plays the AFC East in 2011, AFC North in 2012, AFC West in 2013 and AFC South in 2014.

The final two games are determined by where your team places in its division. The Eagles were first so they face the two Division winners from the NFC South and NFC North. Falcons and Bears.



Now sometimes a team will underachieve or a star player gets injured and they finish last and, boom next season you might have the Falcons play Redskins and 49ers. Not fair to them seemingly, but that's how it works. And the league changes so different teams rise while others fall. They base the schedule difficulty only on LAST seasons results. We have the NFC West this year because we played them 3 years ago.



And finally the dream team thing. Its got fans , players and teams already po'd. Vince Young jokingly remarked about our talent. I wish he hadn't said it, but he did and now comparisons to the Miami Heat are here. I must have missed Nnamdi Asomugha announcing his decision on ESPN and the early victory party at the linc, where they must have said they'd win not 1 not 2 not 3 super bowls...

But its making a big deal out of nothing. The Eagles players don't believe they are a team of destiny and already have been saying it won't matter if they don't win the superbowl, which has been the expectations the last 10 years. I don't think anyone should be fired if they miss the playoffs. They should be fired even if they lose the superbowl on the last second of the greatest play in NFL history. Its ALWAYS been about winning the super bowl. Anything short is a failure, whether they had signed Asomugha and Jenkins or not. Now they are going to get crowned, favored, ass kissed by some experts, and some fans are going to be gloating the whole time until we play the games, those are the consequences when you sign all this talent. However, id rather have pro bowl talent players on my team and deal with the potential universal hate from the NFL (not that we weren't dealing with that already), then watching the usual undersized nobodies on defense, and praying they get lucky, get hot and win one.


And Insurrection, I need to know, you gonna join our league? I hafta fill some spots man.

Usually, one of the gifts for losing is an easier schedule, but not for the Panthers.

Well you are in the NFC South as well. Toughest division with 2 super bowl contenders + up and comer in the Bucs

Edited by Mik3, 02 August 2011 - 06:11 PM.

[Nate River]

We didn't steal Cliff Lee, he chose Philadelphia. don't get me wrong, he was going to sign with the Yankees or Rangers, but then he asked his agent to contact the Phillies and see if they could come up with an offer. They did, he took it, the rest is history. But we have really enjoyed the fallout from the Yankees fans who desperately wanted him and can't comprehend why he would want to play in Philly. The Asomugha situation is different, they came in at the last second and decided they would top Dallas' offer.

I know. He would have come if we gave him the extra year and Daniels couldn't do it (don't blame him either). My point was more about how I don't think New York was as high in the competition as people suggested. He liked playing in Philly and Texas. The only thing I knew about New York is that his wife didn't care much for the fans.

[Insurrection]

Giants have adjusted asking price for Osi Umenyiora, a Second Rounder and something little extra (IDK) and he's yours.

Baltimore/New England/(Per John Clayton:) Seattle: HELLO!

Edited by Insurrection, 03 August 2011 - 05:35 AM.

[Insurrection]

This is an H&E SportsBioDomeCenterBattleTradeFinalDeathCountStarSuperStation Update:

Hall of Fame Enshrines new members:

Ed Sabol
Shanon Sharpe
Chris Hamburger
Les Richter
Richard Dent
Marshall Faulk
Deion Sanders

http://www.nfl.com/v...fl-hall-of-fame

If you missed it you should watch it. There is some great stuff in there.

In other football news:

Giants First Round Draft Pick Prince Amukamara is out indefinitely after breaking his left foot.

Cardinals are on edge as Adrian Wilson after injuring his arm, set for MRI

Garrard sits with sore back, injury history might speed up the promotion of Blane Gabbert.

Report: DeSean Jackson to end holdout tomorrow

Tebow sits, says Broncos never promised him starting QB job after Orton siezes it.

THE STEELERS WILL BE IN NOLAN'S NEW BATMAN MOVIE IN DARK KNIGHT RISES playing against fictional team. Film is being shot in Pittsburgh currently

Cam Newton is studying film of another Quarterback to learn the new system, Phillip Rivers. Ron Rivera has same offensive scheme from San Diego.


Now Have I forgotten anything else......

Oh wait now I remember.


PRESEASON STARTS THURSDAY AT 7:30 EST

Matchups:

BAL@PHI
JAC@NE

8:00 ESPN

SEA@SD

8:30

DEN@DAL

10:00

ARI@OAK

Edited by Insurrection, 10 August 2011 - 05:45 AM.

[Mik3]

Finally some games... wont be without football until mid february, beautiful thing.


CANT WAIT

[Insurrection]

H&E SportsBioDomeCenterBattleTradeFinalDeathCountStarSuperStation Update:

The LA city council has signed off on the plan to build Farmer's field in downtown LA. The NFL is returning to LA.

The conversation has turned to who is coming to town and has focused mostly on two teams with connections to the city.

Oakland and San Diego. They have the most to gain in a move to LA.

And Oakland will be interesting. Al Davis is the owner people love to hate, more so then Jerry Jones. But 2011 is not 1981, Al Davis no longer has a majority stake in the Raiders and the stakeholders have possibility of rebelling. Also, Raider Nation is big and already has a fan base in LA, but they also have a reputation that other fans dislike.

San Diego on the other hand is closer to LA, they have been in the market for a new stadium for a decade. Due to proximity LA's tv market shows majority of two teams, Raiders and Chargers. Also because of that proximity it is not a horrid end of the world to be 2 hours away via the I-5 highway, in basic terms you could have sellouts every home game. And by moving 125 miles north the Chargers would have control over all of SoCal's market. And the Chargers are an option that LA would better "prefer" because of one reason, they don't suck. Plus they have big names, Rivers, Gates, Jackson. Don't tell me LA hates having big name stars.

Most teams when they leave down are teams that are not good. In fact they're not considered good at all.

But San Diego could announce as soon as the season is over that they're going to move. And they could wait awhile in Qualcom instead of playing games in the LA Coliseum. Which would not cause problems or interference from USC. The only issue of seperation is the cost to AEG for buying a stake.

Leasing and issues in Minnesota (Special Session in State to finalize Arden Hills Stadium deal), Jacksonville, St. Louis and teams east of the Mojave hamper their chances. It's becoming highly likely LA is getting a team from California.

Most likely the Team born in LA that left first, thus becoming the great irony. They left to San Diego because they didn't have support LA, now they possibly could become the team of SoCal.



With Preseason starting tomorrow it's time to see who won and who lost the offseason game. Who won and who lost and why? The answers will be solved when the season begins.

I was thinking about going division by division but then I remembered the draft analysis thing I did and the carpletunnel. THE CARPLETUNNEL!!!

I just think the storylines are too interesting right now. Take the NFC East.

The Eagles have sucked in all of the Hype in the NFC with all the signings they have been making. They just signed WR Steve Smith to a 1 year deal today. The only thing that can hurt the Eagles is if they sign too many free agents and they don't gel into the system until Week 3.

The Giants have probably had the most Headaches of any team in the NFC this year and with the Cowboys earlier that is not an easy thing to do. They've lost both of their playmaking recievers to their rivals. Both Burress to the Jets and now Smith to the Eagles. They made no play for WR or TE. Osi Umenyiora's contract situation and standoff that almost turned into a trade before he injured himself. Ely Manning has almost no playmakers except RB, Manningham and Nicks. And your first round draft pick in Amukamara is out indefinitely with a broken foot. Lest we forget that Eli Manning had a career high in INT and the Giants collapsed against the Super Bowl Champ Packers last season. The NY team to watch this year was the same as last year, J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets!

The Cowboys have basically been trimming fat and adding hot air and a new defense in the form of Rob Ryan. Romo has a lot to prove of himself. To me right now they look like the only other team in play for this division.

Then there's Rex Grossman saying the Redskins will win the NFC East this year. Yes, John Beck and Mike Shanahan will lead them to the title....surrrreee.

Edited by Insurrection, 14 August 2011 - 07:03 AM.

[desaix]

Rex Grossman is being a Good Soldier, I think, but the Redskins really are vastly improved this year at just about every position but quarterback... though they're probably still a year or two away for just that reason.

HB: Let too-injured-to-be-effective-as-anthing-other-than-a-distraction-anymore Clinton Portis go (at least three years later than they should have), allowing others to claim the position of feature back in the offense. Current candidates are holdover Ryan Torain (performed very well when given the opportunity last season, though kind of under the radar. Negatives on him are a history of injuries and... thats about it), Tim Hightower (Arizona's starting HB the past two seasons acquired in a trade for a guy a step away from retirement; he's fumble-prone, but they're working on that), and Roy Helu (draft pick and clear Starting HB of the Future).

WR: Brought in Jabar Gaffney and Dante Stallworth (neither is great, but Gaffney pushes Anthony Armstrong to the slot where he belongs; Stallworth appears to be camp fodder) and drafts three WRs, including Leonard Hankerson and Aldrick Robinson (both of whom should make the team and will be clear upgrades over the shouldn't-even-be-on-a-UFL-practice-squad rejects who were under Moss, Armstrong, and the oft-injured Galloway last season) and Niles Paul (more of a downfield blocker than a reciever, but who knows).

OL: Brown is healthy (which he wasn't all last season; the only reason the 'skins were able to pick him up last year was that he was on the last year of his contract and the Saints knew he would still be recovering from an injury from the year before) and now adjusted to being an RT instead of an LT; he could return to the form which made him a multi-time pro-bowler. Trent Williams (who was the biggest bright spot of last season) is healthy and has a year of experience under his belt, so should be improved. Kory Liechtenstieger (er... sp?) has bulked up some and, with a year of experience under his belt, should be more at his end-of-season form from last year (when he looked like he actually belonged as a starting guard) than he was when he had his first few starts (where he looked like the out-of-place back-up he was). He'll be moving over to guard, an upgrade over the disappointing Artis Hicks, while newly signed RG Chris Chester takes over the other spot. Locklear is a massive improvement over last year's 3rd T (Stephon Heyer, now with Oakland) and last years starter at G, Hicks, is now a back-up. Should be improved everywhere but at C (which, considering Rabach's past-his-shelf-life decline and injuries, might wind up being a wash).

DL: Last season, the Redskins were mid-transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Don't agree with the call, but regardless, if you're going to make that decision you need the right type of people... which the Redskins most definitely did not have. Gone are Haynesworth and Vonnie Holiday (not a bad guy himself, but something of an enabler for Haynesworth), who were capable but didn't put up the effort, and Phillip Daniels, who was a good guy that just wasn't fit for a 3-4 defense. In come Coefield (more of a legit NT than we had at any point last season), Bowen (who is much like Daniels but more physically equipped for a 3-4), and draft picks Neild (a late-rounder, but a promising one at NT who seems likely to make the team and may work himself into the rotation before the seasons' out) and Jarvis Jenkins (an early round pick who looks like the Real Deal at DE). For the simple reason that the DL actually has the personnel to play the defensive formation it's supposed to be playing (something they didn't have all of last year), this should be an improvement.

LB: 1st round pick Ryan Kerrigan should nicely bookend with standout Brian Orakpo. Keyaron Fox should improve the depth at the interior. Really, outside of QB, the least work was done here... but that's because the LB corps was the only group last season that was really all that good.

CB: Josh Wilson taking over as a starter should be a vast improvement over the starter-by-committee which was Carlos Rogers (hands of stone, now with the 49ers) and Philip Buchanon (a disappointment as a starter, he's likely to be the 4th corner this year). Below the dime, there's an interesting set of prospects who look likely to put last year's 5th corner (Byron Westrook) out of the job.

S: Otagwe should be an improvement over last year's starter at FS which was... uh... let me get back to you on that (it was Landry, but Landry was also our starter at SS, so, uh... yeah). Landry looks like he might miss the start of the season due to injury, but the injury should not have any lasting effects on his performance, and being locked in at SS this year should help him a lot. Chris Horton should also be healthy (which he wasn't all last season) and reports out of training camp are that he's back in the form that made him a bit of a surprise sensation his rookie year.

Special Teams: Shayne Graham is pushing Graham Gano (who seems to be responding, if reports out of training camp are to be believed). Sav Rocca should be an improvement at punter over over-the-hill Bidwell... though with the Redskins luck in the kicking positions since Chip Loemiller left (Gano has the longest tenure of any 'skins kicker at either the K or P position since, I believe, at having held the job for a whole season and a half), who knows. KR\PR and LS are both the same, most likely, and the coverage units... well, improved depth all around should help with that.

Distractions: McNabb, Haynesworth, and Portis -- all three contributing little more than off-the-field distractions last season whatever their talent level said they should be giving -- are gone; so are some of the lesser distractions (a back-up guy who had legal problems is gone, for instance, and several of Haynesworth's enabling teammates have been shipped out). That's a lot of improvement right there. There's still the curious suspension of Philip Buchanon to worry about (usually, when there's silence about the cause of the suspension, it's about a performance enhancement issue, but that seems very unlikely in Buchanon's case), but that's about it.

And yes, the 'skins have always looked like the Champions of the Offseason. It's always on paper, and rarely in performance... but there is, nevertheless, room for optimism as a Redskin or Redskin fan. Yeah, Grossman's probably wrong, but the Redskins probably have improved far more than the national media has given them any credit for... and regardless, there really shouldn't be such a national uproar when a quarterback says he thinks his team will do well this year.

[Insurrection]

Cool thanks desaix.

Rookie Quarterback alert!

Jac@NE

BLAINE GABBERT 9-16, 85 yards

RYAN MALLET- Remember him? Golden Arm, Arkansas, character issues left him drafted in the third round.

12-19, 164 yards, TD

[Lid]

Wow did Mallet ever look good last night. I really liked the way he played out there, really wish the Vikes had picked him up. On another note, did you see that pass that Kolb threw to Fitzgerald for the Cardinals, it was tight.

[desaix]

The Redskins cut Shayne Graham in favor of Graham Gano, which seems to flummox the National media. "What are the Redskins thinking, cutting a guy who is the third highest kicking percentage in NFL history after one bad game?" seems to be a common meme.

They seem to ignore how Shayne has been performing in camp (he's been missing extra points in practice), or just how bad those kicks were.

Gano isn't the third best kicker in NFL like Shayne supposedly was, but at least he isn't regularly missing extra points in practice.

[True]

CB: Josh Wilson taking over as a starter should be a vast improvement over the starter-by-committee which was Carlos Rogers (hands of stone, now with the 49ers) and Philip Buchanon (a disappointment as a starter, he's likely to be the 4th corner this year). Below the dime, there's an interesting set of prospects who look likely to put last year's 5th corner (Byron Westrook) out of the job.

Since the Redskins signed 3 former Ravens just my thoughts..


Dante Stallworth - Camp Body or a 3rd/4th WR at best. He has good speed to be a deep threat and could make a couple/few big plays, but is not a good router runner, inconsistent, and needs a great QB to make him look good.

Chris Chester - I honestly don't know how he got that huge contract. He gets absolutely no push and is pretty soft. He is terrible in pass protection and gives no leverage to the Center at all. Maybe he didn't fit the power blocking scheme of the Ravens, I think the Redskins will run a zone blocking scheme with Mike Shannan so I guess he could fit there. He is verstaile and can play all positions on the OL, albeit not very well...

Josh Wilson - Admittedly I was upset that the Ravens couldn't resign him. He has play making ability with excellent speed to match the fastest WRs on the opposing team so he will be a good fit on the outside. With Deangelo Hall across him they should make a good starting tandem. Orakpo and Kerrigan should provide a good pass rushing tandem so the secondary will have a much easier time. Wilson will get beat occasionally in a game and sometimes gets confused when in coverage (usually a miscommunication with the Safety) but he has strong potential.

[Insurrection]

Raiders get Terrelle Pryor in third round of supplemental draft.

[Mik3]

His 40 time was too great for Al Davis to resist

[Insurrection]

It gets better.

http://profootballta...lemental-draft/

He was not only picked, he was the ONLY Pick. No one else used up a pick on the supplemental draft.

[Insurrection]

Two weeks to go until the Season begins and we have some news.

Michael Vick has signed a hundred million dollar deal to stay in Philly, $40 million of that money is guaranteed.


http://www.1500espn....wn_begins082911

Vikings Ownership is having "Growing Concerns" to get a deal for a new stadium done. If there is no deal by the end of the season the Vikings are left looking for a home. Their lease is up.

I'm still betting on San Diego going to LA though.


Preseason Week 3 is over. Does it matter? What do you like or not like seeing?

And New England @ Detroit this weekend was awesome.

[Insurrection]

This is an H&E SportsBioDomeCenterBattleTradeFinalDeathCountStarSuperStation Update:

Chris Johnson gets his deal. Now its apparently Lance Briggs' turn.

.....

And the Preseason is over after the Seahawks and Raiders are done.

Final team cuts are 6pm Saturday.

[Mik3]

Going to make my predictions.

NFC Divisional Winners:

1.Packers-No brainer, Aaron Rodgers already may be the top QB in the league. Underrated defense with playmakers who force turnovers to that dangerous offense.

2.Eagles-Eventually the talent will come together and it will be enough to earn the birds a bye week. With the Giants injuries and the uncertainties in Dallas, its their division to lose.

3.Falcons-Matt Ryan will have Julio Jones across from Roddy White and they will have one of the top offenses in the league this season.

4.Rams-Bradford, I feel will mature and has good weapons across the offense with Kendricks, Avery, Sim-Walker and of course Steven Jackson. Gibson and Ammendola aren't bad either.


Wild Cards:

5.Dallas-As long as Tony Romo is healthy, the offense is still a significant power to carry them into the playoffs.

6.Saints-I feel like the Saints are under the elite team line Very suspect defense, and the offense can't win on its own, they are no longer the singular offensive powerhouse in the NFC.




AFC Divisional Winners:
1.Patriots-Tom Brady is entering his golden years as a QB and he has a few more really great seasons in him. He'll make it work with Ochocinco and once again make use of the two tight end sets.

2.Steelers-I wanted to pick the ravens but they would have come up by now. The Steelers are the picture of consistency.

3.Chargers-Philip Rivers will be up there with Aaron Rodgers in the MVP race and I think the chargers will get over the hump this season.

4.Texans-Now im a bit hypocritical here like the ravens, the texans have been picked to up end the colts, and I think with Peyton's injuries it'll open up a huge window of opportunity for the Texans.


wild cards:
5.Colts-Well I can't completely count out Mr. Manning. Peyton will come back and the Colts will have a strong finish to propel them into the tournament.
6.Jets-Mark Sanchez has a great group of receivers at his disposal, and will be able to utilize them. The J-e-t-s are always dangerous as a wild card team.


NFC Champion:Packers beat Falcons.

They aren't injured and will be that much better. It'll be a closer game this time around but its hard to count out Mr. Rodgers.


Why the other teams lose:

The Eagles need a year. Next season they will really contend for the super bowl, but its going to be to much to ask for this year. Saints just won't cut it with that defense. Cowboys and Rams were just good enough to get in.



AFC Champion:Pats beat the Chargers.

As great of a year as its going to be, Brady won't let anyone stop him from getting his shot at a fourth ring.


Don't think Mark Sanchez can win yet in the playoffs when it'll matter most, the Steelers are an older team, the Texans inexperience will hurt them and the Colts are done as super bowl contender as far as I'm concerned.


Super Bowl Champs: Packers. Rodgers will cement his top QB status by beating Brady in a shootout.

[Insurrection]

http://www.nfl.com/n..._content_stream

FINAL CUTS ARE IN!!!! All 32 Teams above.

Wait....the Rams cut Thad Lewis!?! No! He's a better Quarterback then Feeley! But Gilyard, Avery and Toston are gone, along with Muir, Selve and Onobun (rather kept him).

So what do you make of your teams cuts?

But I shall predict NOTHING!!!

Edited by Insurrection, 04 September 2011 - 09:43 PM.

[desaix]

Well... the Skins aren't likely to run out of wide recievers any time soon. They better hope they get zero injuries to the offensive line, though. And especially not at safety -- we at least have a couple warm bodies to throw out there if we get someone on our OL hurt, but right now we have four safeties, and two of them are hurt. (as our media are reminding us, this probably isn't actually the final cut, because we're probably scouring the waiver wire and or preparing a trade or two to bring in some new back-ups)

[Insurrection]

This is an H&E SportsBioDomeCenterBattleTradeFinalDeathCountStarSuperStation Update:

Peyton Manning's medical situation is reportedly deteriorating and might not be ready to start past Week 1.

David Garrard has been RELEASED by Jacksonville, in another sign that maybe giving a football team to Jacksonville wasn't the best idea the NFL had.

Jim Tressel hired by Colts, then suspended for 6 games

Eagles' first round pick Danny Watkins calls NFL transition "overwhelming", *psst...Fred Robbins*

Lance Moore is shaky for Thursday.

And Feel Good Story Mark Herzlich has made the Giants. Though don't tell him that.