OFFICIAL 2012-2013 NFL Thread

[YoungJRNY]

Getting kind of defensive there.

Not even a little. By the way...just to further illustrate my point, in 2007, the Cardinals had the easiest "strength of schedule". In 2008, the Patriots had that honor. In 2009, the Bears had the easiest strength of schedule. In 2010 and 2011, it was the Cardinals again. None of those teams even made the playoffs, and the Patriots were the only one of those teams who even had a winning record. Again, it's a completely meaningless statistic, given that it is based on the previous season and a completely different team with different players!

Meh, just gives us something to talk about during the off-season. The Steelers in 2008 had the hardest schedule ever created since the 1980's Bears (playing like 13/16 playoff teams from the year before), went 12-4 and won Super Bowl XLIII. Besides, the opponents for each football team has been widely know for a good 5 year radius as the NFL announces the opponents for the next season well before anything even begins heading into the next.

The only thing that's tilted here and there are the division winners VS division winners in strength of schedule from the prior season. The Steelers & Ravens pretty much play the same opponents but since the Ravens edged out the Steelers via tie-breaker of the AFC North in 2011, the Ravens go to Houston (winner of the SOUTH) while Pittsburgh goes to Tennessee (who finished second.) The Ravens also got New England at home (winner of the AFC EAST) while the Steelers get the Jets at home, who finished second in the EAST.

[Liam]

They'll always be 2-14 in my eyes, though.

[Liam]

I'm really lookin' forward to Thanksgiving this year. Lions/Texans, then Cowboys/Skins. NIIIIIICE!!! Jets/Pats...not really interested in the Tebow/Brady show.

[YoungJRNY]

I'm really lookin' forward to Thanksgiving this year. Lions/Texans, then Cowboys/Skins. NIIIIIICE!!! Jets/Pats...not really interested in the Tebow/Brady show.

Yeah, about time they give us a loaded TG special. All 3 games are must-see's IMO. Love the 3rd game as a nice finisher with the Jets/Pats. Great rivalry to give TG'ers something to chew on for the late night push. Going to be a good one.

[Liam]

Remember that Jets/Pats game in '10 when it was 45-6 or something? That's how I see this one being. Brady destroys them again. And Teblow will be starter by then if he isn't by season's beginning.

[Liam]

Btw...the vote for the top 100 of '12 is up on nfl.com. I think they mean '11. lol

[mikemarrs]

My predictions will be quite different this year when we all do ours on who we think the division winners will be and who makes the postseason.That being said i might be the only one who thinks this but i don't see the NY Jets making the playoffs at all in 2012 and i may or may not be the only one with that line of thinking but in this league you have to have a good QB to win and i don't think Sanchez or Tebow are gonna get it done there in NY and it will end up costing Rex Ryan his job.I also think if Buffalo can be consistent and QB Fitzpatrick can play well then Buffalo just might surprise some people this upcoming season because they've shown they can play quite well when they are firing on all cylinders but a lot of that like i said will depend on Fitzpatrick playing at a consistent level and also Mario Williams take that defense to better heights.I do think Buffalo could very well give not only NY but New England a run for the division in 2012.

[mikemarrs]

Anyone else wondering if Peyton Manning will still be the same and play at a high level after missing all of 2011 and then also changing teams? I think he will still play as well as he always has and i also think he will lead to Denver to some winning seasons but as we all know i think once it hits the postseason that is when Manning will need everyone else to step up so he does not have to put the whole team on his shoulders because he collapsed in the postseason too many times because others didn't step up in critical times when it was needed.I think Elway and the brass in Denver are smart and they will put enough talent around Manning to give them a good shot but it will be Baltimore,Pittsburgh or New England in the postseason that will be the key test.Also it seemed like San Diego was the one team who always seemed to have Peyton's number so the Chargers will be ones to watch for as well.

[Liam]

Anyone else wondering if Peyton Manning will still be the same and play at a high level after missing all of 2011 and then also changing teams? I think he will still play as well as he always has and i also think he will lead to Denver to some winning seasons but as we all know i think once it hits the postseason that is when Manning will need everyone else to step up so he does not have to put the whole team on his shoulders because he collapsed in the postseason too many times because others didn't step up in critical times when it was needed.I think Elway and the brass in Denver are smart and they will put enough talent around Manning to give them a good shot but it will be Baltimore,Pittsburgh or New England in the postseason that will be the key test.Also it seemed like San Diego was the one team who always seemed to have Peyton's number so the Chargers will be ones to watch for as well.

I'm wondering how long it will take for his head to fall off.

[Liam]

Relocation talk again.....

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... line_stack

[Ehwmatt]

Any time I hear talk of a team moving in any sport, I feel really bad for that team's current city. I know all too well the pain of losing a team.

[Liam]

Any time I hear talk of a team moving in any sport, I feel really bad for that team's current city. I know all too well the pain of losing a team.

I think there should be some sort of sweetheart deal where the Vikes move to St. Louis for a season, and the Rams move back to LA. Ideal since I only know of one Rams fan.

[conversationpc]

Relocation talk again.....

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... line_stack

This can't happen. That team HAS to stay in Minnesota. Regardless, L.A. has barfed up both the Rams and the Raiders. Why would anyone think the third time is a charm in this case?

[Don]

Relocation talk again.....

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... line_stack

This can't happen. That team HAS to stay in Minnesota. Regardless, L.A. has barfed up both the Rams and the Raiders. Why would anyone think the third time is a charm in this case?

We don't want another pro-football team, we already have USC. That's why we sent the Chargers to North Tijuana.
On top of that, we usually get the pick of t.v. games for the most part on Sunday. Just leave us the Lakers and we are happy.

[conversationpc]

Move over Bellicheat, make room for the Saints...


BreakingNews

General manager of NFL's New Orleans Saints had electronic device to eavesdrop on visiting coaches, sources say - @espn http://es.pn/IusDvB

I don't understand how any man wanting respect and being competitive could ever live with themselves knowing they weren't man enough to do it the old fashioned way, which is beating your opponent only because you were better than them and not because you cheated to get ahead. That includes everything from using steroids to electronic eavesdropping.

[Enigma869]

I don't understand how any man wanting respect and being competitive could ever live with themselves knowing they weren't man enough to do it the old fashioned way, which is beating your opponent only because you were better than them and not because you cheated to get ahead. That includes everything from using steroids to electronic eavesdropping.

Sorry dude, but this is the "old fashioned way". I hate to sound like a broken record, but this stuff is as old as sports. EVERY team does it. Some get caught. Most don't. Stealing signs in baseball (no different than videotaping) has been going on since the world was flat. Bounties have been around as long as football has been around. It's easy for everyone to be self-righteous when the team they root for doesn't get caught. I'm not even saying that I agree with it. I just don't think it's news worthy. It's been going on forever and isn't going away any time soon!

[YoungJRNY]

My Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft heading into 2012 draft day, Thursday, April 26th.

(10 overall picks)
-------------------------
1. Dont'a Hightower, MLB/Alabama
2. Kelechi Osemele, OG/Iowa State
3. Hebron Fangupo, NT/BYU
4. Antonio Allen, SS/South Carolina
5. Keshawn Martin, WR/Michigan St.
6. Nick Foles, QB/Arizona
7A. Brandon Lindsey, OLB/Pittsburgh
7B. Blake DeChristopher OT/Virginia Tech
7C. Terrance Ganaway FB/Baylor

[mikemarrs]

My Tennessee Titans mock draft heading into the 2012 NFL draft.........


1.Whitney Mercilus,DE- Illinois
2.Kendall Reyes- DT- UConn
3.Trevin Wade-CB-Arizona
4.Alex Hoffman-Ellis-LB-Washington State
5.James Brown- OL- Troy
6.Toney Clemons- WR- Colorado
7.Louis Nzegwu- DE/OLB-Wisconsin

[Enigma869]

What a complete fucking train wreck of an NFL franchise the Saints have become. Payton and Vitt stealing pain killers from the facility? Really? This is FAR worse (to me) than recording opposing coaches.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... index.html

[Seven Wishes2]

Not half as bad as this:

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis had an electronic device in his Superdome suite that had been secretly re-wired to enable him to eavesdrop on visiting coaching staffs for nearly three NFL seasons:

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7846290/new-orleans-saints-mickey-loomis-eavesdrop-opposing-coaches-home-games

Loomis' eavesdropping would make Bill Belichick's Spygate controversy seem quaint, like the Pats coach was a kid with two cans and some string. Belichick's tapes showed hand signals being made in full view of fans and cameras. They were illegal because the NFL said so. Loomis' actions would be illegal because the US government says so.

[Liam]

Relocation talk again.....

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... line_stack

This can't happen. That team HAS to stay in Minnesota. Regardless, L.A. has barfed up both the Rams and the Raiders. Why would anyone think the third time is a charm in this case?

Oh...I'm well aware of that. The only thing I'D see acceptable is if the Rams really went back. That's only 'cause I'm STILL not used to saying "St. Louis Rams".

[Ehwmatt]

Hmm. Illegal drug trafficking/use, paid contracts to harm people, and violating federal wiretapping (and maybe state wiretapping) law? You could build a RICO case against this Saints organization! And I'm not even kidding. It's a very plausible theoretical RICO case.

Move over John Gotti and Tony Soprano.

[Ehwmatt]

Hmm. Illegal drug trafficking/use, paid contracts to harm people, and violating federal wiretapping (and maybe state wiretapping) law? You could build a RICO case against this Saints organization! And I'm not even kidding. It's a very plausible theoretical RICO case.

Move over John Gotti and Tony Soprano.

Statute of limitations has expired on wiretapping. In La. it's 6 years, and this happened in 2002/2004. Fed wiretapping is limited to 5 years.

Not so fast in either the civil or criminal context.

For criminal prosecutions: The 5-year limitation might pose a problem for a discrete wiretapping criminal prosecution (i.e., you are only seeking to prosecute them for wiretapping). The whole purpose of RICO was to allow the government to get you on "predicates" for which the statute of limitations has otherwise run. So a RICO case using this wiretapping as a "predicate" would theoretically be very viable under this theory.

But when it comes to civil suits, under federal law, the statute of limitations only begins to run under Title III for "2 years after the date upon which the claimant first has a reasonable opportunity to discover the violation. So theoretically, any civil claimant would have a valid cause of action here absent some evidence that they knew about it earlier than when this information has come to light (here, it would almost have to be like a confession from Saints organization to the plaintiff).

Now, I'm not saying anyone in the NFL would sue the Saints--probably because doing so would be bad for their long-term career prospects. But hey, maybe there's some disgruntled former assistants out there who are no longer in the league who need some money. In that case, the statute of limitations has almost certainly not run. And yes, a RICO criminal prosecution is probably not going to happen. But on the other hand, college and pro sports have really reached a tipping point in the last 5 years. Concussions, young boys getting buttfucked, tattoos, bounties, doping, players routinely racking up criminal charges... the list goes on at both the college and pro levels. You never know. There could be an ambitious federal prosecutor out there who thinks this would be a perfect time to make a name for him or herself.

[Liam]

The Draft is tonight...how is this thread not movin'?? Barron or Poe to da 'Boys.

[Ehwmatt]

The Draft is tonight...how is this thread not movin'?? Barron or Poe to da 'Boys.

At this point, Browns fans and local sports radio have been discussing the draft since December (what else was there to talk about from then on?)! I am exhausted from all of it, and just waiting for tonight when I get together with my buds to watch the drama unfold at the local bar. I hope Holmgren & Heckert don't fuck it up... we've got 13 picks, including 3 of the first 37 picks!

[Liam]

Who do you think they'll go for?? I'm thinking Richardson, or fuck Miami over and get Tannehill. lol

[Ehwmatt]

Who do you think they'll go for?? I'm thinking Richardson, or fuck Miami over and get Tannehill. lol

If they draft Tannehill, I may need to start a MR donation drive to make bail. I will go nuts.

I have no idea what they're going to do. If Holmgren & Heckert have done 1 thing well in 3.5 years, it's keep this shit close to the vest.

Smart money and the overall media consensus is on T-Rich right now, but there are talks of teams trying to jump up and get him at #3 by trading with Minne (the 2 most culprits being the Bucs and the Jets). I'm also still not 100% certain we want T-rich at 4 that badly. Shurmur's shitty west coast offense doesn't seem to be too concerned with establishing a bruising running game. And I'm not sold on T-Rich either, just going off the 3 games I saw him play this year (2 against LSU, 1 against Kent State). He looked very pedestrian to me in all respects, especially speed. And as I wrote this post, this harsh Jim Brown evaluation of Richardson popped up too: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ichardson/ . Sounds about right to me. But even assuming he's as great as advertised, he's still a running back with a short shelf life joining a passer's league. But in the end, I'll be excited because I do love having a power running game, and I'll hope he can impact the game like MJD, AP etc do.

I don't see the Jets being able to entice Minne into going all the way to #16 or whatever they are, but the Bucs trade is a no brainer because they can still get Kalil or Claiborne (the two guys they purportedly covet) at 5. So, in typical Cleveland fashion, I think most of the fans will get excited and worked up to get T-Rich, only to have him "stolen" from us 1 pick earlier by a team trading up.

I loved Blackmon after the bowl season, but after watching his videos more and more and hearing him interviewed, I'm no longer interested. His ceiling is Anquan Boldin (a very good player), but not someone I'm interested in taking at 4.

As crazy as I feel for saying this after enduring one of the worst offenses I've ever seen last year, I'm inclined to go with Morris Claiborne. We get 2 great corners (Haden/Claiborne) in this so-called "passer's league" and a solid backup in Dimitri Patterson. Add a good OLB to replace Fujita and have Jabaal Sheard evolve into the premier pass rusher he has the potential to become and suddenly, we have a damn good defense in a division that puts a premium on D.

And then we have to address the offense with the next 2 picks at 22 and 37, for sure.

There has been talk of the BRowns being interested in the 29-year-old Brandon Weeden at QB. I'm not sure I buy that they're interested, but if he's on the board when our 37th pick comes up, things could get VERY interesting.

Just gonna be glad when all the speculation is over.

[Liam]

On Kalil...looks like the Bills are wanting to trade up for him.

[YoungJRNY]

JFB can now exhale

[SF-Dano]

The good old days....when beer was just beer and you only had about 10 brands to choose from. Those 10 usuall included imports too.