QuoteIt's been quite a week for the Cleveland Browns franchise. New Owner Jimmy Haslam was approved at the league meetings, current team president Mike Holmgren is on his way out as a former Philadelphia Eagles executive is on his way in, and a team that's been unexciting in the extreme over the last decade (for the most part) has received an unprecedented number of news blasts as a result.
On Wednesday, the Browns got even more media attention when Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited practice as the team was preparing for its Sunday showdown against the Indianapolis Colts.
Rice, a longtime Browns fan who counts the great Jim Brown as one of her sports heroes, had no trouble identifying everybody on the field. Ryan, who's from Wisconsin, had a few issues when trying to discern the difference between quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy.
Ryan talked about how he remembered Weeden playing well for Oklahoma State last year ... but he was pointing to McCoy, who attended Texas, at the time.
"You always had your helmet on," he said to Weeden, in an attempt to explain himself.
Well, sir, that's why they have numbers on their jerseys.
To be fair, Ryan has had a few more important things on his mind lately, with the election and all. Bill Haslam, the new team owner's brother, is the governor of Tennessee, and a supporter of the Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan ticket. We're assuming Ryan got a free pass on that mistake.
Meanwhile, Seattle looks like a lock to at least cover the dog tonight if the Niners keep not showing up, NE and Green Bay should cover easy, that Houston spread could be dangerous, and go Bengals.
Quote
Thursday
10/18 8:25 ET At San Francisco -7 Seattle
Sunday
10/21 1:00 ET At Buffalo -3 Tennessee
10/21 1:00 ET At Minnesota -6 Arizona
10/21 1:00 ET At Indianapolis -2.5 Cleveland
10/21 1:00 ET At Houston -6.5 Baltimore
10/21 1:00 ET Green Bay -5.5 At St. Louis
10/21 1:00 ET Dallas -2 At Carolina
10/21 1:00 ET At NY Giants -5.5 Washington
10/21 1:00 ET New Orleans -3 At Tampa Bay
10/21 4:25 ET At New England -10.5 NY Jets
10/21 4:25 ET At Oakland -4 Jacksonville
10/21 8:30 ET Pittsburgh -1.5 At Cincinnati
Monday Night Football
10/22 8:40 ET At Chicago -6 Detroit
Hey Neil, in Ravens news:
Suggs has been approved to practice this week though he's still a few weeks away;
Ray Lewis was placed on the NFL's new IR system, allowing him to come back after 6 weeks in the event of a medical miracle;
Ed Reed, in responding to questions about his shitty tackling this season, confessed to the press yesterday to a torn labrum, which may be in violation of league injury reporting rules, even though he said he's going to play through it anyway. Oops.
Well, well, well.
QuoteDespite returning to practice only Wednesday from a torn Achilles in April, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is targeting and expecting to play Sunday versus the Houston Texans, according to league sources.
Sources said that even Suggs' family and friends have plans to travel to Houston in anticipation of watching him stage one of the quickest returns from this type of significant injury that any athlete ever has.
"Yes, that's still the plan," one source texted Thursday.
Baltimore still wants to make sure there are no setbacks this week, especially Thursday when Suggs returns to the training facility after his first day of practice since last season. Plus, Suggs appears to have added weight during his layoff that he may try to shed in coming weeks.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh continually has declined to put a timetable on Suggs' return and many have believed it would be mid November.
Before this season, Suggs had played in all 16 games in eight of his nine NFL seasons, missing three games in 2009 with a knee injury. If he was able to return Sunday it would be a big boost to a Ravens defense that lost its inspirational leader, linebacker Ray Lewis, to a torn triceps and top cornerback, Lardarius Webb, to a knee injury last week.
Harbaugh, however, cautioned Wednesday that the team wasn't expecting too much from Suggs, who was named the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year after a 14-sack season, too soon.
"To what extent, to what he's able to do, I think we should temper our expectations a little bit," Harbaugh said. "He's coming off a very serious injury. I think he's worked really hard. He's done a great job with the rehab, he's followed protocol. He had no setbacks throughout the course of the whole deal."
But more and more it's looking like there's a real chance, maybe a better than real chance, that Suggs will make his season debut Sunday against the Texans.
I dunno, I think it's a bad idea to try to rush this thing. It's still a fucking Achilles injury.
It's been ages since the Bengals beat the Ravens or Steelers. Whatever the hell happens this season, I'll be happy for now if they can just beat the vulnerable Steelers.
BTW I'd like to see Obama try & name some Bears players. He did so well with his White Sox a while ago...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcvbql_obama-can-t-name-any-chisox-players_sport
Your partisanship knows no bounds, does it? Have to carry the fight everywhere. Gotta retaliate.
Condi for NFL commish!
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 18, 2012, 09:45:02 AM
Your partisanship knows no bounds, does it? Have to carry the fight everywhere. Gotta retaliate.
Just defending my widow-peaked Irish homie.
Suggs can talk, but there's no way he's on the field on Sunday. He can target it all he wants, but Harbaugh isn't crazy.
I think that part of the new IR is keeping Ray around to keep the team focused. I mean, you know he'd be doing that on game day anyways, but this way he'll probably still be in the defensive meetings and preparing the team to go.
Yeah, the labrum thing makes perfect sense. He's missed a number of tackles this year because he's keeping his arms in and hitting with his shoulder. I mean, I know the guy loves to deliver big hits, but normally he's a little more tactical about it. The more I think about it, the more I think that this is probably his last year. I guess it's up to Ray if he wants them both to go into the HOF in the same year, or if he wants to try and come back one more time.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 18, 2012, 08:46:55 AM
I dunno, I think it's a bad idea to try to rush this thing. It's still a fucking Achilles injury.
Yeah those are nasty. I had mine hurt and it took two years to get back to full strength.
Quote from: Neil on October 18, 2012, 10:20:14 AM
Yeah, the labrum thing makes perfect sense. He's missed a number of tackles this year because he's keeping his arms in and hitting with his shoulder. I mean, I know the guy loves to deliver big hits, but normally he's a little more tactical about it. The more I think about it, the more I think that this is probably his last year. I guess it's up to Ray if he wants them both to go into the HOF in the same year, or if he wants to try and come back one more time.
Ed's always been a bit of a weird bird; he's competitive as all hell, but he's got a Barry Sanders streak in him a mile wide. He has other interests in life, and being able to walk upright when he's 50 happens to be one of them. This is also the last year of his contract, IIRC.
Ray's not going anywhere, though. He'll do the rehab, and it'll be a pain in the ass, but as far as he's concerned, "it's just a tricep". If it were something more structural, like a knee or ankle or shoulder, that's one thing; but he thinks he can still play if he's at in 100% physical shape, and a tricep doesn't count.
Besides, the kind of athlete he is, there's no way he's letting something like a tricep be the reason to hang up the spikes. He'll be back next year.
You know, I saw an interesting graph of how much money the Ravens were spending at the FS and MLB positions compared to other teams in the league, and it was really eye-popping. I wonder where the money is going to end up going? I wonder who will step up? Funny how deep they were at safety last year, and now once you get past Ed and Pollard (who has really stepped up. As far as I'm concerned, he's the #3 guy on the D right now behind Ed and Ngata) there's nobody. I guess Nakamura wasn't going to be the answer though, as Carolina seems to be underwhelmed with him.
Lewis doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would want to go out on his shield either, but it's going to be a tough off-season. Not only is he going to have a grueling rehab, but he's also going to have to put back on some of their weight he lost. The whole Lewis Lite experiment hasn't really seemed to be much of a success, although I guess it's hard to say. Even 8 years ago when they were playing the Chiefs I remember Ray having a hard time when the guards were allowed to come right at him and maul him. Mind you, that was Will Shields, but it's hard to say how much of the problem is a smaller, less powerful Lewis and how much is just bad line play.
Quote from: Neil on October 18, 2012, 12:47:52 PM
Lewis doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would want to go out on his shield either, but it's going to be a tough off-season. Not only is he going to have a grueling rehab, but he's also going to have to put back on some of their weight he lost. The whole Lewis Lite experiment hasn't really seemed to be much of a success, although I guess it's hard to say. Even 8 years ago when they were playing the Chiefs I remember Ray having a hard time when the guards were allowed to come right at him and maul him. Mind you, that was Will Shields, but it's hard to say how much of the problem is a smaller, less powerful Lewis and how much is just bad line play.
He explained his philosophy on his weight loss going into the off-season last year; said with the rules being the way they are, the league's become a passing league to the detriment of playing traditional defense, and he figured he might as well adapt to it; as much as he loves stuffing the run, being able to drop back into coverage was becoming more important.
I partially blame the slide of his running game defense on the wholly underwhelming performance of the big moosies up front, similar to the Ravens' problems the year before they drafted Ngata. As good as Ngata looked when he showed up 15 pounds slimmer last year, he wound up gaining 30 this year. Pernell McPhee was going to be my new bust-out Raven this season, has done nothing. Mount Cody can't crack the starting line up consistently, and Arthur Jones is nothing to write home about.
Ray is a gap technician when it comes to defending the run; when he tackles you, you're done. But the running back has to be funneled to him directly, he can't fight off a fullback or pulling guard to get to him. That's the moosies' job, and they've been failing miserably this season.
Do I really want a situation where all that separates a guy who does not know Colt McCoy from the Presidency is one life?! NO SIR!
Quote from: derspiess on October 18, 2012, 09:42:40 AM
BTW I'd like to see Obama try & name some Bears players. He did so well with his White Sox a while ago...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcvbql_obama-can-t-name-any-chisox-players_sport
Dude nobody gives a crap about the White Sox. Not even people in Chicago give a crap about the White Sox. This is different this is COLT MCCOY.
I do. The White Sox are my AL team.
Quote from: Valmy on October 18, 2012, 01:14:20 PM
Dude nobody gives a crap about the White Sox. Not even people in Chicago give a crap about the White Sox. This is different this is COLT MCCOY.
I doubt Obama or Romney recognize McCoy by sight either.
Quote from: derspiess on October 18, 2012, 01:25:39 PM
I do. The White Sox are my AL team.
No, really, nobody in Chicago likes the white sox. :mellow:
Quote from: Valmy on October 18, 2012, 01:12:48 PM
Do I really want a situation where all that separates a guy who does not know Colt McCoy from the Presidency is one life?! NO SIR!
He's not Colt McCoy anymore. He's just another in the long line of empty jerseys who have played quarterback for the Browns for a little while, and then wash out of the league. This is slightly different from the long line of once-capable quarterbacks who play a season with the Browns and then either find their pride again (Jeff Garcia) and move on or retire (Jake Delhomme). The only worthwhile name they've had for any length of time since Kosar was Testaverde, and they moved him to Baltimore.
Still, maybe you'll be able to tune into your boy next year when he's quarterbacking the Montreal Alouettes. They speak French there.
Quote from: Neil on October 18, 2012, 02:54:17 PM
He's not Colt McCoy anymore.
Or maybe he is still Colt McCoy and he's playing Bama every week. :hmm:
Quote from: Neil on October 18, 2012, 02:54:17 PMStill, maybe you'll be able to tune into your boy next year when he's quarterbacking the Montreal Alouettes. They speak French there.
Heh that would be great. More talent on the Alouettes.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 18, 2012, 03:01:02 PM
Or maybe he is still Colt McCoy and he's playing Bama every week. :hmm:
:ultra: :ultra: :ultra: :ultra:
Wait a second.
Actually I am not even sure how this is trash talking. He got a freak injury from not even a very hard hit like a minute into the game. That could have happened against anybody.
Quote from: Valmy on October 18, 2012, 03:32:27 PM
Actually I am not even sure how this is trash talking.
Should it be?
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 18, 2012, 03:40:57 PM
Should it be?
Only a very evil person would bring up the Bama game to me so I presumed so :P
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 18, 2012, 08:46:55 AM
Well, well, well.
Suggs wants to play this week....
I dunno, I think it's a bad idea to try to rush this thing. It's still a fucking Achilles injury.
They were talking about this on Mike and Mike this morning with Marcellus Wiley, who tore his Achilles at some point in his career. According to Wiley there should be no real concern about the repaired Achilles at this point, it shoud be fine. The problem will be in the lack of conditioning (hamstring pull anyone?) or compensation; Wiley said the biggest risk could be the other Achilles.
I understand Suggs feels like he needs to come back, especially after losing who they did last week, but they can't let him play this Sunday. I know this is a big game against Houston, but they should still be in the playoffs and you cannot risk the rest of Suggs' season for 10-15 plays on the third Sunday in October.
This sucks, the game is on Sportsnet One.
Seriously, fuck you Rogers.
Oh Alex, Alex, Alex...you know what you done did before you even threw that.
Well, fuck. Just when I think the Hawks get over their QB issues, Russell Wilson plays like shit again. Of course, 5 drops didn't help.
Also, Jim Harbaugh is a gigantic douche.
Yeah, Russell fell apart a bit in the second half, and the dropsies didn't help. Should've run Lynch more into the 4th quarter, wasn't time to panic quite yet.
Good runs by both Lynch and Gore tonight. Both defenses were subpar in the middle of the field. Wasn't Alex Smith's best night, but it was enough.
So glad Lynch found a home where he can be a featured back, and out of that running back-by-committee bullshit in Buffalo.
Missed all the game, but just going by the score it looks like a typical Niners ugly win.
Quote from: Kleves on October 18, 2012, 10:25:49 PM
Also, Jim Harbaugh is a gigantic douche.
What'd he do now?
Quote from: Alcibiades on October 19, 2012, 10:26:40 AM
What'd he do now?
Nothing in particular - that was just the thought that kept going through my mind each time he appeared on the screen.
NFL's campaign against breast cancer is a total scam.
http://m.jezebel.com/5950971/the-nfls-campaign-against-breast-cancer-is-a-total-scam
Quote from: sbr on October 19, 2012, 08:35:45 PM
NFL's campaign against breast cancer is a total scam.
http://m.jezebel.com/5950971/the-nfls-campaign-against-breast-cancer-is-a-total-scam
Lost me at this point:
QuoteThe NFL's Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign does raise itsy bitsy amounts of money for the fight against cancer, but the amount of money it raises pales in comparison to the amount of money it raises for billionaire NFL owners.
Fuck you, lady. You're lucky you're getting anything at all.
Wonder how much the NFL raises for testicular cancer, which has the ability to affect 100% of its players, unlike breast cancer, which occurs in less than 1% of males?
Quote from: sbr on October 19, 2012, 08:35:45 PM
NFL's campaign against breast cancer is a total scam.
http://m.jezebel.com/5950971/the-nfls-campaign-against-breast-cancer-is-a-total-scam
This made me not want the NFL to give/do anything concerning breast cancer. Maybe she can come up with the $1,000,000 a year herself.
I wouldn't be surprised if people paying $20 million a year for overpriced specialty merchandise because it's for charity weren't able to come up with a million without the merchandise.
Jezebel is full of angry Meri types.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 19, 2012, 09:15:58 PM
Quote from: sbr on October 19, 2012, 08:35:45 PM
NFL's campaign against breast cancer is a total scam.
http://m.jezebel.com/5950971/the-nfls-campaign-against-breast-cancer-is-a-total-scam
This made me not want the NFL to give/do anything concerning breast cancer. Maybe she can come up with the $1,000,000 a year herself.
This is mindblowing:
QuoteI fucking hate this campaign. I do not need a man to tell me to get my boobs checked. I LIVE WITH THEM. If some athlete in pink shoes has to remind a woman to do a breast exam she has more problems then a lump in the boob. Its fucking ridiculous, every player has to wear something pink but any other time of the season walk onto the field with the wrong color undershirt or jersey hanging out and you get a fine.
I wonder what sort of mental illness it takes to have an incoherent thought like this? That doesn't even make any sense. And what the hell does the NFL requiring a uniform have to do with this?
Just proof there is no satisfying some people.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 19, 2012, 08:50:58 PM
Wonder how much the NFL raises for testicular cancer, which has the ability to affect 100% of its players, unlike breast cancer, which occurs in less than 1% of males?
Surely if they cure breast cancer they will have to cure every cancer in the process right? I just figured they focussed on boobs because of their good press.
Suggs is active for tomorrow and the ravens have cut Sergio kindle.
Avoid Jezebel. Lots of bigotry there.
The Dallas Egos get a freebie on me, as half my team has a bye, and Jake Locker's not playing.
You're welcome. :lol:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 11:18:31 AM
The Dallas Egos get a freebie on me, as half my team has a bye, and Jake Locker's not playing.
You're welcome. :lol:
You channeling your old Swedish bigamist friend? :hmm:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 11:18:31 AM
The Dallas Egos get a freebie on me, as half my team has a bye, and Jake Locker's not playing.
You're welcome. :lol:
With my luck and shitty underperfoming team (Hi Vernon!), I'll probably end up with -5 points and you'll win by default. :P
Great. Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf. My pain is now complete.
If the Steelers lose this one in Cincy I guess their season comes to a premature end. :(
Goddamn, Sugg's ass got huge. It's gravitational pull affected that pass. :lol:
Quote from: Syt on October 21, 2012, 12:04:33 PM
If the Steelers lose this one in Cincy I guess their season comes to a premature end. :(
As long as that raping meathead walks the earth upright, I never count the Steelheads out.
Really not a fan of the new collars, especially now that I've seen them on the red jerseys. They're just too big.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 12:21:34 PM
Really not a fan of the new collars, especially now that I've seen them on the red jerseys. They're just too big.
The collar and the UCLA loops would probably look better in white with the red.
LOL, Suggs sack.
Suggs is huge, both physically and in his impact on the game.
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 12:26:15 PM
Suggs is huge, both physically and in his impact on the game.
His ass pulled Shaub into his gravitational orbit. ORBITAL DOMINANCE
how are his terrifying gums looking
I'll take two, thanks.
Man, Flacco just screwed up twice in a row.
Christ, I wish they'd just fire Cam Cameron already. Isn't there an FCS team out there looking for a coach?
I haven't been constantly watching, but it seems like maybe Ray Rice should have been running the football on 2nd and 3rd and not all that much inside the 5 or so yard line like that. He's not hurt or something is he?
Aw.. Schaub missed on the bomb. Too bad.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 12:35:24 PM
I haven't been constantly watching, but it seems like maybe Ray Rice should have been running the football on 2nd and 3rd and not all that much inside the 5 or so yard line like that. He's not hurt or something is he?
No, he's not hurting. He's just being ignored by Cam Cameron, as usual.
The problem is that Cam Cameron is terrible.
LOL, what a gift.
CBS Sports so totally sucks ass. Dierdorf talks out of his ass (major miscommunication between Flacco and Smith, when the ball was obviously tipped), but hey, let's look at the instant replay to find out OH WAIT HOW ABOUT JUST A FROZEN SHOT OF THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE INSTEAD
I really pine for the days when NBC covered the AFC instead.
That's a broken ass leg right there for a promising rookie. See ya next year, Kele. :(
Ed Reed brings the lumber, and Pollard and Smith follow it up by being retarded.
Mercilus has the coolest football name since Thane Gash.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 01:05:42 PM
Mercilus has the coolest football name since Thane Gash.
Yeah it really is an outstanding football name. Hasn't been called a whole lot this year though.
Well, now Cam Cameron got his wish to forget the running game and they can throw the ball all day, since they have to now.
I wonder how many play action passes Cam will dial up in the 2nd half, what with no running game to play action on. :lol: LETS GET THE QB MURDERED
Fuck it, bring in Taylor, run the read option all day. :lol:
Whoa. Helluva pick by Quin. Mercilus makin plays today too.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 01:31:49 PM
Whoa. Helluva pick by Quin. Mercilus makin plays today too.
Sometimes, there are games where everything goes that way. This is one of those days.
Pretty much a fair catch after the Mercilus tip.
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 01:34:31 PM
Pretty much a fair catch after the Mercilus tip.
Twitter feed from the Sun posted how the Texans have tipped more passes than the Ravens have first downs. :lol:
Didn't Flacco say he was the best QB in the NFL?
Quote from: Kleves on October 21, 2012, 01:39:09 PM
Didn't Flacco say he was the best QB in the NFL?
No. At least, not today he hasn't.
Chickenshit call.
Bad call. God I hate Bernard Pollard though.
Good call. Hit Daniels in the head, and it was obvious. Glad Pollard didn't get thrown out for freaking out on the ref afterward.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 01:44:41 PM
Good call. Hit Daniels in the head, and it was obvious. Glad Pollard didn't get thrown out for freaking out on the ref afterward.
Oh, you're so full of shit. Daniels got pushed into him, and it was shoulder to helmet, as Pollard let up at the last moment. No launch, no intent.
I could see how the refs could make that call. Pollard probably didn't need to take that shot, but that looked pretty incidental to me.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 01:46:11 PM
Oh, you're so full of shit. Daniels got pushed into him, and it was shoulder to helmet, as Pollard let up at the last moment. No launch, no intent.
Nah, he hit him in the head. You could see it snap to the side. That gets called all the time.
6 rushing attempts for Ray Rice.
Gotta love how Cam Cameron insists on validating my hatred for him. Fucking send him out to pasture, and give the gig to Caldwell already.
Doesn't alter the fact that Shaub is dialed in like a beast, but at least attempting to start the game with a balanced game plan would've delayed the Texans' defense from pinning their ears back.
LOL, Tampa broke out the cream pops unis today. :lol: Awesome.
The only thing worse than the Ravens' performance is the announcing crew.
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 01:59:32 PM
The only thing worse than the Ravens' performance is the announcing crew.
Yeah, these two are bigtime tools. Honestly though, I don't know which shitty CBS crew I would pick over them. Who is usually with Nantz?
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 02:02:54 PM
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 01:59:32 PM
The only thing worse than the Ravens' performance is the announcing crew.
Yeah, these two are bigtime tools. Honestly though, I don't know which shitty CBS crew I would pick over them. Who is usually with Nantz?
Phil "then he goes, and I go" Simms.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 02:07:28 PM
Phil "then he goes, and I go" Simms.
Well scratch that then. Just crowd and field noise would work for me.
Simms can be pretty cringeworthy too.
I know Flacco doesn't have a lot of time, but a pump fake would work wonders here.
Why do defensive backs put their hands up to say 'not me'? That's a sign that you're guilty.
Aw boooo. Bad time for PI from Joseph.
Wait, what is that guy's name? Tandem?
E: Oh. Tandon.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 02:14:06 PM
Aw boooo. Bad time for PI from Joseph.
Yeah, the Texans had done a good job of crushing hope, but if the Ravens can get a stop here, it might turn into a football game.
Johnson is having a good game today. You can tell he has slowed down, but at least he still has the size.
LOL at that Schaub "block." I'm glad he didn't decide to take on 55. :lol:
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 02:19:17 PM
Johnson is having a good game today. You can tell he has slowed down, but at least he still has the size.
He doesn't have to worry about slowing down when the defense plays so far off, you'd think he was communicable. :D
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 02:23:23 PM
He doesn't have to worry about slowing down when the defense plays so far off, you'd think he was communicable. :D
:lol: New strategy for getting WRs open?
That was the proper way to respond to that Baltimore TD. None of this pansy field goal bullshit.
At least Houston is mercifully running the ball; between that and Baltimore's 3 and outs, the Ravens can catch an earlier flight home.
:huh: I was wondering about that. That was obviously tipped.
Antonio Smith just activated beast mode.
Man, the Ravens line is really bad. Bobbie Williams just stanging around like a statue while Flacco gets blown up. I guess that's why Harewood was starting.
#72 probably shouldn't be back out there either. On the plus side, Justin Tucker is a badass and doesn't give a fuck about "distance."
Onside kick, eh?
And CBS mercifully changed the game.
Jesus Christ. Did Tate, Pollard, and Reed all just get hurt on that tackle?
And now Reed? The Ravens are the new Texans when it comes to injuries.
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 02:47:47 PM
Man, the Ravens line is really bad. Bobbie Williams just stanging around like a statue while Flacco gets blown up. I guess that's why Harewood was starting.
Nothing beat Michael Oher taking the belly flop to let the Texans bat down that pass. I would so have him doing gassers at the next practice. That was atrocious.
I don't know why Flacco and Rice are still in there, 30 points down. They wouldn't be in there 30 points up. Just risking the season and careers now.
Well, at least the Texans are a good team. It's better to lose to a real team like the Texans than it is to get beat by a bad team. Last year, they got beat by garbage like Jacksonville and Seattle. This year, the only bad team that's beat them is the Eagles.
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 03:08:19 PM
Well, at least the Texans are a good team. It's better to lose to a real team like the Texans than it is to get beat by a bad team.
As I had already called the Texans and Niners as my SB favorites, I had already chalked this one up as a loss before the season, so they're still ahead on my scorecard for the season.
Besides, as we saw last week, even the Texans and Niners can lay eggs.
They got two weeks to figure shit out before they travel to Cleveland.
Good win for the Texans. Where the hell was this last week?
Hey, New England broke out the Steve Grogan uniforms! MOSI TATUPU
I just couldn't tolerate the crap match ups on tv today.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 03:17:14 PM
Hey, New England broke out the Steve Grogan uniforms! MOSI TATUPU
I totally dig these unis. Someone (you? Neil?) mentioned the Bucs were in their creamsicles today too, which is awesome.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 03:04:09 PM
I don't know why Flacco and Rice are still in there, 30 points down. They wouldn't be in there 30 points up. Just risking the season and careers now.
Doesn't really matter if Rice is on the field or the sidelines, he gets the same number of touches either way.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 03:39:09 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 03:17:14 PM
Hey, New England broke out the Steve Grogan uniforms! MOSI TATUPU
I totally dig these unis. Someone (you? Neil?) mentioned the Bucs were in their creamsicles today too, which is awesome.
I flipped over to catch Tampa's last drive and my wife burst out laughing when I said 'Ha! Creamsicles!' She thought it was even funnier when I pointed out the winking pirate.
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2012, 03:46:32 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 03:04:09 PM
I don't know why Flacco and Rice are still in there, 30 points down. They wouldn't be in there 30 points up. Just risking the season and careers now.
Doesn't really matter if Rice is on the field or the sidelines, he gets the same number of touches either way.
:lol:
Quote from: sbr on October 21, 2012, 03:46:32 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 03:04:09 PM
I don't know why Flacco and Rice are still in there, 30 points down. They wouldn't be in there 30 points up. Just risking the season and careers now.
Doesn't really matter if Rice is on the field or the sidelines, he gets the same number of touches either way.
lol, true, but the chances of blowing out the ACL do drop substantially when he's off.
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 03:49:05 PM
I flipped over to catch Tampa's last drive and my wife burst out laughing when I said 'Ha! Creamsicles!' She thought it was even funnier when I pointed out the winking pirate.
:D I love those things.
Oh, those frisky Jets. Making quite a game of it.
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 03:59:48 PM
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 03:49:05 PM
I flipped over to catch Tampa's last drive and my wife burst out laughing when I said 'Ha! Creamsicles!' She thought it was even funnier when I pointed out the winking pirate.
:D I love those things.
Wasn't it Sam Wyche who once asked how anybody could be intimidated by a pirate winking at you with a knife in his mouth and a feather in his hat?
Amazing how Belichick can find success for little white guys that would be murdered in any other sport, while he has destroyed franchises with big stupid white guys like Tommy Vardell and Vinny Testaverde.
Jets better not break my heart.
:lol: @ the Patriots.
Foot job has no defense.
Years of iffy defense are coming home to roost this year, we're just not getting lucky breaks anymore.
There is that we bullshit again.
Tim is moonlighting as a talent scout.
Quote from: Neil on October 21, 2012, 03:08:19 PM
Last year, they got beat by garbage like Jacksonville and Seattle.
Fuck that noise. :mad: Baltimore was an aging, overrated, and increasingly soft team then*, and they're an aging, overrated, increasingly soft team now.
* I have no particular memory of the game last year.
I guess we still are getting some breaks! :w00t:
Sanchez eats dicks. Tim too, with more we bullshit.
Seabass! :yeah:
Crazy pats game, great result
Lol Jets, poor Rams :(, go Cowboys, etc.
Well, well, well, the Bengals are rather chippy tonight. Plenty of stupid drops on both sides, though.
I was going to switch over to watch the Walking Dead, but I'll wait until after the game; after all, I already saw it this afternoon in Houston.
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 07:51:00 PM
Lol Jets, poor Rams :(, go Cowboys, etc.
Rams are having their best season season in years. And they've only won three games.
Hm. Turned this on in time to see the INT, which was nice, then a 3rd down drop, which wasn't.
Man these Samsung commercials with the people waiting in line for the iPhone are really pretty good. "Honey this is the line for apps, right?"
The Rapist turns it over! (pending review)
And what the hell is with all the Clay Matthews commercials, anyway? His old man never got this kind of love, and he was a much better linebacker. Fuck, he was lucky to score Euclid Avenue auto dealership gigs on cable access.
LOOK FOR OUR PRICED TO GO DEALS AT MEL'S CHEVY IN THIS SUNDAY'S PLAIN DEALER
Quote from: Razgovory on October 21, 2012, 08:15:44 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 21, 2012, 07:51:00 PM
Lol Jets, poor Rams :(, go Cowboys, etc.
Rams are having their best season season in years. And they've only won three games.
:lol: yeah I know.
I have a soft spot for the Rams: The only NFL game I've ever been to was a Rams home game against Seattle.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 08:18:37 PM
And what the hell is with all the Clay Matthews commercials, anyway? His old man never got this kind of love, and he was a much better linebacker. Fuck, he was lucky to score Euclid Avenue auto dealership gigs on cable access.
LOOK FOR OUR PRICED TO GO DEALS AT MEL'S CHEVY IN THIS SUNDAY'S PLAIN DEALER
Local stuff, I take it? Only ones I've seen are for Fatheads (which are weird and I could never imagine myself buying one) and the one where he's in the airport and the people are watching the Saints game on a phone.
TD Bungles. :)
Quote from: MadBurgerMaker on October 21, 2012, 08:21:01 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 08:18:37 PM
And what the hell is with all the Clay Matthews commercials, anyway? His old man never got this kind of love, and he was a much better linebacker. Fuck, he was lucky to score Euclid Avenue auto dealership gigs on cable access.
LOOK FOR OUR PRICED TO GO DEALS AT MEL'S CHEVY IN THIS SUNDAY'S PLAIN DEALER
Local stuff, I take it? Only ones I've seen are for Fatheads (which are weird and I could never imagine myself buying one) and the one where he's in the airport and the people are watching the Saints game on a phone.
He's the new Gillette Guy.
LOL, Pittsburgh. I haven't seen acting like that since a European soccer match. Or was it the Vikings?
Same old Steelers, same old Bengals. Ugh.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 21, 2012, 10:33:18 PM
Same old Steelers, same old Bengals. Ugh.
No shit. Horrible game. Bengals showed some spark early with the excellent opening drive and quick capitalization on Rapisberger's fumble. They're in the same funk they've been in the past two weeks.
Highlight of my evening was during pre-game, watching the first couple innings of the Cardinals game with Costas.
I've given up on the Marvin Lewis bengals.
As long as Burleson, Marshall and Bush don't outscore Forte by 24 points I will go to 5-2.
I am pretty close to going 6-1 in my money league too, as long as Leshoure and Gould don't combine for 35 points.
:lol:
QuoteRavens Already Dreading Ray Lewis Constantly Being On Sideline For Rest Of Season
HOUSTON—With Ray Lewis on injured reserve after suffering a torn triceps, Baltimore Ravens players and coaches confirmed Sunday that they were dreading the loud, outspoken linebacker's constant presence on the sideline for the rest of the season. "Oh, God, that's going to be so awful when he's around all the time," said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, adding that it made him cringe to think of Lewis incessantly screaming criticism, support, and advice at everyone on the sideline. "Knowing Ray, he'll be shouting nonstop and never shut the hell up. I like it when he's on the field, because then you get a nice break from him." At press time, a group of Ravens players had reportedly gathered to pray for Ray Lewis to die.
:lol:
:lol:
The Onion still has it. Between that one and the middebate drone strike, not bad.
Thanks for nothing, Megatron.
Can't say I'd miss it. The players would, though. Especially the free trip to Hawaii when it's there.
QuoteRoger Goodell: Pro Bowl may end
NEW YORK -- The NFL will consider dropping the Pro Bowl if the level of play doesn't improve, commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday night.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio's "Town Hall," Goodell agreed with host Michael Strahan that last January's Pro Bowl "was embarrassing."
"If we cannot accomplish that kind of standard (of high play), I am inclined to not play it," Goodell said. "It is really tough to force competition, and after a long season, to ask those guys to go out and play at the same level they played is really tough."
The league still would select a Pro Bowl team through voting by players, coaches and fans, because it is an honor, but "just not play the game," he said.
The Pro Bowl will take place in January, a week before the Super Bowl, after the players lobbied to keep it, promising to upgrade their performances. Goodell and others were disappointed in the quality of last year's Pro Bowl, won 59-41 by the AFC and missing any semblance of hard hitting.
QuoteMore from Goodell:
• The league is working on scheduling more East Coast games involving West Coast teams in late-afternoon slots to avoid what amounts to a 10 a.m. kickoff for the western teams.
"Several of our teams on the West Coast have raised that and we have been studying it," he said. "We have tried to put as many of those games on the East Coast at 4 p.m. You can imagine the thousands of different issues you have to put into the schedule. But the 10 o'clock starts are pretty tough."
• He praised teams for making it possible for fans to text concerns about unruly behavior to stadium security.
"Allowing you to text to security personnel rather than having to get an usher, that is a plus to fans," said Goodell, who recently sat with his family in the stands at a Titans-Vikings game in Minneapolis. "The arrests are down and ejections are up. Our teams are ejecting fans who are unruly. And arrests (being) down is an indication that fans are getting the message."
• Explained the NFL's studies of potential developmental leagues for players and officials. He said if the schedule format ever drops two preseason games, there will be more discussions on the subject because teams will have a more difficult time determining the makeup of rosters.
He added the NFL is looking for more ways to train on-field officials and for them to have interaction with players, citing college football, Arena Football and the CFL as places that could happen.
Going to an 18-game regular season with two exhibition games remains a point of contention with the players' union. But Goodell admitted to having "an issue with the preseason."
"Our fans don't like watching the preseason games, attending the preseason games, so we have to evaluate the season format," he said, "and that is one way of looking at it: 18-2. Or go to 16-2 or some other alternative; take two of those (preseason) games and make them more developmental."
• Said three regular-season games abroad is not out of the realm of possibility. Next year, for the first time, the league will play two games in London.
As for a franchise abroad, he added: "I wouldn't at all be surprised some day to see us have a team in London."
They should axe the pro bowl and just do some kind of skills competition thing.
Quote from: Kleves on October 23, 2012, 08:38:58 AM
They should axe the pro bowl and just do some kind of skills competition thing.
Back before the establishment of the Pro Bowl, the pros would have an exhibition match-up between the championship team and the College All-Stars, IIRC before and after the WW2 era. How cool would it be to see, say, the Super Bowl champions play the BCS Champs in an exhibition game? The New York Giants play Alabama in February? :lol:
It would never happen, of course, but a kid could dream.
Fuck the London shit.
4 wins in a row in LFFL. :)
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 23, 2012, 08:47:05 AM
Quote from: Kleves on October 23, 2012, 08:38:58 AM
They should axe the pro bowl and just do some kind of skills competition thing.
Back before the establishment of the Pro Bowl, the pros would have an exhibition match-up between the championship team and the College All-Stars, IIRC before and after the WW2 era. How cool would it be to see, say, the Super Bowl champions play the BCS Champs in an exhibition game? The New York Giants play Alabama in February? :lol:
It would never happen, of course, but a kid could dream.
It'd be funny to watch the SEC punks get mercilessly whipped.
Quote from: Neil on October 23, 2012, 02:59:30 PM
It'd be funny to watch the SEC punks get mercilessly whipped.
Then the next week they could take out their frustration in a second exhibition game against the Grey Cup winner.
Quote from: FunkMonk on October 23, 2012, 02:42:15 PM
4 wins in a row in LFFL. :)
I won my second game of the year.
It was against Tim, BUT IT STILL COUNTS IN THE STANDINGS.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 23, 2012, 04:11:24 PM
Quote from: Neil on October 23, 2012, 02:59:30 PM
It'd be funny to watch the SEC punks get mercilessly whipped.
Then the next week they could take out their frustration in a second exhibition game against the Grey Cup winner.
Seems pretty unlikely. Pros > kids following NCAA rules.
Quote from: Neil on October 23, 2012, 05:02:29 PM
Seems pretty unlikely. Pros > kids following NCAA rules.
Future major leaguers vs current minor leaguers
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 23, 2012, 05:12:46 PM
Future major leaguers vs current minor leaguers
I don't know man. You still have to be pretty good to play in the CFL. Plus those guys have years more of experience.
Plus they play angry. You know, they have to play in Canada and all that.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 23, 2012, 05:12:46 PM
Quote from: Neil on October 23, 2012, 05:02:29 PM
Seems pretty unlikely. Pros > kids following NCAA rules.
Future major leaguers vs current minor leaguers
Every CFLer was a star in college, and has proven they can bring it at the next level. Compare that to a conference who brought us Jamarcus Russel.
LSU's been winning with running and defense as long as I can remember, why would anyone expect their QB to make it in NFL? :huh:
Quote from: Neil on October 23, 2012, 05:23:04 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 23, 2012, 05:12:46 PM
Quote from: Neil on October 23, 2012, 05:02:29 PM
Seems pretty unlikely. Pros > kids following NCAA rules.
Future major leaguers vs current minor leaguers
Every CFLer was a star in college, and has proven they can bring it at the next level.
:lmfao: this is about as dumb as believing the battleship is still relevant....oh nvm
Any CFL team would slap the shit out of Alabama, grown men vs. kids.
Side note: it is not possible for me to say Alabama out loud without imitating Keith Jackson.
College players are grown men. Heck, I remember reading last year that Georgia's offensive line averaged 330 lbs. :blink:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 23, 2012, 06:47:39 PM
College players are grown men. Heck, I remember reading last year that Georgia's offensive line averaged 330 lbs. :blink:
There is a pretty big difference between a 330 pound 19-20 year old who has very limited practice and work-out time and a 330 pound 29 year old whose only job is to play football. We will never know, because it will never happen but, imo, any pro team would physically dominate any destroy and college team.
Since my hypothesis is unprovable you can bite me if you don't agree.
Have the players been aged any?
Let's see who remembers that old chestnut.
Gonna piss off DGuller
Quote from: katmai on October 23, 2012, 06:57:18 PM
Gonna piss off DGuller
Too bad Miami's been sucking for so long or we'd know the truth.
Wiggin4Heisman?
:o How'd you guess!!!!?????
Quote from: sbr on October 23, 2012, 06:50:35 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 23, 2012, 06:47:39 PM
College players are grown men. Heck, I remember reading last year that Georgia's offensive line averaged 330 lbs. :blink:
There is a pretty big difference between a 330 pound 19-20 year old who has very limited practice and work-out time and a 330 pound 29 year old whose only job is to play football. We will never know, because it will never happen but, imo, any pro team would physically dominate any destroy and college team.
Since my hypothesis is unprovable you can bite me if you don't agree.
We actually had this debate several years ago on Languish. I think the consensus was that a CFL team would destroy an NCAA team.
There is no doubt the NFL contains the best 32 football teams in the world. The thing is, however, that the CFL contains teams #33-40. Although the pay differential is great, there simply is no other league to go if you are a great football player who doesn't make the NFL. Even a team like Alabama - it's one of over 100 Division 1 teams. That doesn't compare with being the 40th best professional team in the world.
The one wildcard some of you may not appreciate is the CFL's non-import rule - a CFLteam must have 20 "non-imports" on their 46 man roster. And while I love me some CIS Football, it's a hard comparison with the NCAA. But teams know their best players comes from the US. Canadians are invariably stuck as O-linemen, a few D-linemen, and a few backup positions.
Why only 46?
Quote from: Barrister on October 24, 2012, 12:30:46 AM
There is no doubt the NFL contains the best 32 football teams in the world. The thing is, however, that the CFL contains teams #33-40. Although the pay differential is great, there simply is no other league to go if you are a great football player who doesn't make the NFL. Even a team like Alabama - it's one of over 100 Division 1 teams. That doesn't compare with being the 40th best professional team in the world.
Problem with that is that they're not only teams 33-40, but just about every player on their rosters couldn't get on teams 1-32, or at least not anymore. And how many of those 100 schools are legitimately competing with Alabama for the best recruits?
The CFL team *might* win, due to the extra years of weight training and experience its players have had. But they're not gonna have the raw talent of the top NCAA teams.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 24, 2012, 12:44:12 AM
Quote from: Barrister on October 24, 2012, 12:30:46 AM
There is no doubt the NFL contains the best 32 football teams in the world. The thing is, however, that the CFL contains teams #33-40. Although the pay differential is great, there simply is no other league to go if you are a great football player who doesn't make the NFL. Even a team like Alabama - it's one of over 100 Division 1 teams. That doesn't compare with being the 40th best professional team in the world.
Problem with that is that they're not only teams 33-40, but just about every player on their rosters couldn't get on teams 1-32, or at least not anymore. And how many of those 100 schools are legitimately competing with Alabama for the best recruits?
The CFL team *might* win, due to the extra years of weight training and experience its players have had. But they're not gonna have the raw talent of the top NCAA teams.
If you're a top NCAA graduate, and you don't get an NFL job, where do you go?
You either go to the CFL, or you leave football.
There are 100+ Division I teams that are graduating 20+ people per year. The large majority of which do not get on with the NFL. So even the CFL, with it's NFL rejects, has the pick of the litter so to speak.
How many top NCAA teams are there? 20? 30? Still once the NFL picks them over there's plenty of room for the CFL to thrive.
By the way... the CFL's Ottawa franchise has been removed from conditional to unconditional. The CFL returns to 9 teams in 2014 (and thank the Maker - the Blue Bombers can go back to the West).