NFL Thread (2015-16)

[Mathguy]

NFL players may not really care if they are ever in a Pro Bowl.  It's a good reason for having the MLB All Star game in the middle of the season.

I'm calling out the Patriots as a group and their veteran stars in particular for all pulling out of the Pro Bowl.  Each one cites injuries.  I guess maybe Gostkowski's is to his self-esteem.  Granted, it may be old hat for Brady, Gronk, Slater, and Ghost to be named, and it is certainly old hat for Brady to pass up the game, but there are several players who would be going for first time (Collins, Butler, and Chandler Jones) and, frankly, there's a decent chance that one or more of those guys will not get another invite in his career.  I don't get Butler not going, but at least Dominic Rogers-Cromartie is going in his place.  I think Jones is pretty beat up, and Collins had to get pulled from the KC game, so those two may be more legit.  I can't believe this wasn't a collective decision. 

[spidernat]

  I can't believe this wasn't a collective decision. 

I can't believe people give a crap about the pro bowl.

[Natsinpwc]

I can't believe people give a crap about the pro bowl.

I went to watch a practice once in Honolulu. Come to think of it that wasn't so great either.

[spidernat]

I went to watch a practice once in Honolulu.

Were you scouting the talent for a possible switch to that team?

[Slateman]

I went to the Pro Bowl when I was stationed in Hawaii. Good time. Much booze was consumed.

[Natsinpwc]

Were you scouting the talent for a possible switch to that team?

Can't remember. Was too long ago.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I can't believe people give a crap about the pro bowl.

Look, it's lousy to lose a conference championship game, but how often do all theplayers from the losing team beg out for injuries?  All of them?  Including the first timers?

[mitlen]

Look, it's lousy to lose a conference championship game, but how often do all theplayers from the losing team beg out for injuries?  All of them?  Including the first timers?

Ya know, I'd probably be one of the last folks supportin' Belichick and the Pats.    However, after the bullcrap Goodell pulled on them (in their minds), I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats were lookin' for a fight.    Good for them.     The Pats will try to embarrass Goodell at every turn.    This ain't settled.    It's personal.

[Slateman]

Anyway not really interested in the Super Bowl? Seems just stupidly one sided

[skippy1999]

Ya know, I'd probably be one of the last folks supportin' Belichick and the Pats.    However, after the bullcrap Goodell pulled on them (in their minds), I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats were lookin' for a fight.    Good for them.     The Pats will try to embarrass Goodell at every turn.    This ain't settled.    It's personal.

spot on, Mitlen

[skippy1999]

Anyway not really interested in the Super Bowl? Seems just stupidly one sided

It might still be a good game, the Pats were supposed to roll over the Broncos and we see how that turned out any given Sunday...

[BrandonK]

I think it's going to be a lot closer than we're expecting. The Panthers' offensive line is not that great, honestly. Blindside Oher is starting at LT -- that should tell you enough. They are built to run -- something the Broncos do have some struggles with -- but in passing situations, their speed and quickness to the QB should contain Cam. If they can stop the run/read option, they've got a chance. Not expecting Peyton to do jack, but maybe he does.

[BrandonK]

I'll add that the Broncos ILBs are excellent in coverage. Marshall is one of the best in the league.

[spidernat]

This feels like a game the broncos shouldn't have much of a chance to win (Manning is a detriment to their offense) but I have this odd feeling that the NFL wants to see Manning "ride into the sunset" like Elway did and I fear the script may be too tempting to pass on. If I were Carolina I would put the officials on notice before the game (in fact, I would start on media day) to let them know that they will be under the microscope in case they have the inclination to officiate the game in the broncos favor. It doesn't take a whole lot to alter the momentum of a football game and a call or two at the right moment could swing the balance of the game.

[MarquisDeSade]

Blindside Oher is starting at LT

Considering that Vollmer looked like a literal turnstile against the Broncos I don't see Oher surviving unless they put one of their other TEs over there to help him out. 

This feels like a game the broncos shouldn't have much of a chance to win (Manning is a detriment to their offense) but I have this odd feeling that the NFL wants to see Manning "ride into the sunset" like Elway did and I fear the script may be too tempting to pass on. If I were Carolina I would put the officials on notice before the game (in fact, I would start on media day) to let them know that they will be under the microscope in case they have the inclination to officiate the game in the broncos favor. It doesn't take a whole lot to alter the momentum of a football game and a call or two at the right moment could swing the balance of the game.

If Jared Allen is out of the game I don't think the zebras will have much of a chance for non-sense "roughing the passer" calls, but who knows anymore.  Definitely agree with you on the "ride into the sunset" theory though.  If Peyton loses this one he'll go down as the guy that was great but overstayed his welcome and lost three Super Bowls.  If he wins he goes out one of the, if not the, all-time best QBs (to the talking heads).  What would be really sad and unfair to the Denver D is if Manning gets hurt early in the game and Osweiler comes in and is just a turnover machine.  Regardless, I'd like to see Manning win so he can get the "only won 1 Super Bowl" stank off of him but at the same time it needs to not be at the cost of scripted officiating. 

[ajcartwright]

This feels like a game the broncos shouldn't have much of a chance to win (Manning is a detriment to their offense) but I have this odd feeling that the NFL wants to see Manning "ride into the sunset" like Elway did and I fear the script may be too tempting to pass on. If I were Carolina I would put the officials on notice before the game (in fact, I would start on media day) to let them know that they will be under the microscope in case they have the inclination to officiate the game in the broncos favor. It doesn't take a whole lot to alter the momentum of a football game and a call or two at the right moment could swing the balance of the game.

so very true...a good read on these type situations is The Fix Is In by Brian Tuohy

[UMDNats]

I think the temptation to predict an NFL-fixed Peyton win is strong, but Cam is also one of the most marketable players in the league and having him as a Super Bowl champion is a huge plus, too.

I am dreading, though, JEEM and Phil slurping his nuts all game.

[spidernat]

Except that Newton is quite young and, theoretically, will have more chances.

[MarquisDeSade]

I am dreading, though, JEEM and Phil slurping his nuts all game.

Uh, Phil Simms HATES Manning.

[Mathguy]

If the officiating is as bad as the AFC Championship, I'd like to see some Panthers accidently run over a couple of officials.

This feels like a game the broncos shouldn't have much of a chance to win (Manning is a detriment to their offense) but I have this odd feeling that the NFL wants to see Manning "ride into the sunset" like Elway did and I fear the script may be too tempting to pass on. If I were Carolina I would put the officials on notice before the game (in fact, I would start on media day) to let them know that they will be under the microscope in case they have the inclination to officiate the game in the broncos favor. It doesn't take a whole lot to alter the momentum of a football game and a call or two at the right moment could swing the balance of the game.

[mitlen]

http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_29447124/nfl-las-vegas-raiders-davis-meet-casino-magnate

[BrandonK]

http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_29447124/nfl-las-vegas-raiders-davis-meet-casino-magnate

Yes please

[mitlen]

Yes please

Won't it be fun to watch this evolve?

[GburgNatsFan]

Well this sounds like fun. Las Vegas Raiders even sounds pretty good. Is there a big enough population?

[KnorrForYourMoney]

It's definitely populous enough as a metro area.  It's somewhat small as media markets go, but no worse than other teams in the lower third of the NFL.  They should be gangbusters with attendance thanks to tourism.