2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[Enigma869]

I know you float the pom poms big time for your Pats, but it's kind of obvious that Belichick would see things more clearly on the defensive side of the ball since he's a defensive minded coach. Shanahan, on the other hand, has coached from the offensive perspective. The better comparison would be to compare Belichick to Haslett - which in case I would agree with you. I certainly hope for you sake that Belichick can get Hanesworth to play, but there is a big difference between coaching to the strength of your players and changing your entire philosophy on whichever side of the ball that player plays on, just to make that one player happy. Haslett coaches a pure 3-4 defense. Obviously Belichick mixes in a combination of the 4-3 and a 3-4. It's not so much of coaching to the player's strength. If that player is being a nuisance on your team, it doesn't matter how you try to coach that player up. For the record, the Redskins were trying to fit Al in a position in the 3-4 where he could show his strengths, but Fat Albert just wanted everything his way. So, I say good riddance to him! He's yours now! Good luck!

Just so I'm clear, I'm not a Haynesworth fan. Unlike Chad Johnson (who I also don't like) who has a general jackass but not a bad guy, Haynesworth has been a douche for most of his career. That said, the guy is also a beast of a football player and completely unblockable if he actually decides that he wants to play. The one good thing about the Patriots organization is that if a player decides that he doesn't want to play any longer, he won't be on this team. Ask Randy Moss! As for your point that "it's not so much of coaching to the player's strengths", we'll agree to disagree. It's all about coaching to the strength of the talent on your team. In fact, nothing is more important, in my opinion. If Barry Sanders is your running back and Heath Shuler is your QB, you're running the football as many times as you can!

[Greg]

Just so I'm clear, I'm not a Haynesworth fan. Unlike Chad Johnson (who I also don't like) who has a general jackass but not a bad guy, Haynesworth has been a douche for most of his career. That said, the guy is also a beast of a football player and completely unblockable if he actually decides that he wants to play. The one good thing about the Patriots organization is that if a player decides that he doesn't want to play any longer, he won't be on this team. Ask Randy Moss! As for your point that "it's not so much of coaching to the player's strengths", we'll agree to disagree. It's all about coaching to the strength of the talent on your team. In fact, nothing is more important, in my opinion. If Barry Sanders is your running back and Heath Shuler is your QB, you're running the football as many times as you can!

I agree about Haynesworth, IF you guys can get him to work hard and be a team player, he's a beast. The only reason why the Redskins did not cut him earlier was because it wasn't financially feasible to do so. Not to mention if the team had cut him, chances are a team in our division would have picked him up and he probably would have played like a beast for them just in spite. So, unfortunately, the best thing the 'skins did was to bench him, deactivate him, get him out of our sight without actually cutting him. It wasn't because Shanahan wasn't smart enough to figure out Al wasn't going to put his best into this team. His coaching staff merely tried to get Al to become more versatile, instead of just playing that one spot all the time. Put it to you this way...the man had a $100 million contract --- which that was solely on Vinny Cerrato, had nothing to do with Mike Shanahan. As a coach, you have a man on your team making all of that money, you expect him to live up to that contract. He should be able to play a 4-3, a 3-4, 4-4, 46 defense, nickel, dime, quarter packages....you don't pay a man that type of money just to play that one spot on defense. And you definitely don't pay a man all of that money to do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFzp3uHua40

I do think if anybody can get Fat Al to play like he did when he was in Tennessee, Bill Belichick would the guy to do it. But, he's got his hands full. At least the Patriots were not stupid enough to pay Al a king's ransom to play that one position.

As for playing to the players strength. Yes, you game plan around your best guys to a certain extent, but if that's all you're doing, you're becoming way too one-dimensional. I'm glad you mentioned Barry Sanders. Certainly a great player who could change a game on a dime, yet the Lions still weren't that great of a team even with the great Barry Sanders there. That had mediocre teams at best. My point, simply is this, as a coach you bring to the table what you have been successful with and what you know works. Shanahan wanted a 3-4 defense, so he hires Haslett (He wanted Mike Zimmer initially.) The first year was mainly seeing what type of players you have, who works with what. Switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 doesn't happen successfully overnight.

[YoungJRNY]

New England doesn't use their base 3-4 defense at all times. What Bellichick does so well is to in-cooperate schemes and confusing an offense into thinking their in their base but once the ball is snapped a 3-4 could turn into a 4-3 or 5-5 within' a few body movements. The defensive playbook is so thick that most of the time what the defense shows an offense it's usually all disguising and is all smoke and mirrors.

Teams like the Steelers disguise well when in-cooperating their 3-4 zone blitz but Bellichick mixes it up and sometimes even has his whole defensive line on their feet, which frustrates the offensive lineman in who gets who and what they are trying to do or trap them in.

He will use Haynesworth but I never thought he is the force people make him out to be. Nonetheless, he'll make that line meaner.

[Jonny B]

Many starters get injured over the course of the year, and sometimes watching the preseason can give you an idea of how teams will do down the road when the season is late and the injuries are numerous.

I couldn't disagree more. Pre-season football has NEVER meant anything. The Patriots have gone 0-4 in the pre-season and won the Super Bowl. It's completely meaningless football and half the guys you see playing don't even make the team. I'm the biggest football fan on the planet but just can't stomach pre-season football. I won't pay attention to a single snap until September.

Wasn't it the same year where they practically had no injuries all year on any of their starting roster?

[Vocalsmanvocals]

Lets go Bears...lets get back to the championship for the 2nd straight year and then the Superbowl!!

[S2M]

Lets go Bears...lets get back to the championship for the 2nd straight year and then the Superbowl!!

In losing Olin Kreutz you lost your running game...centers are important. Chicago will struggle to place 3rd in the division....

[YoungJRNY]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/i ... -fan-while

Lmao, so much for the Patriots way. Really Chad? You're going to be living with a fan? WHY?! Fuckin' clown, what a waste. Good luck dealing with this douchbag, New England fans.

[Enigma869]

John from Boston needs to ring up Chad.

My thoughts on Johnson are well documented over the years. Not a fan of the guy and never have been. The one thing I know about football is that outside distractions are NEVER a good thing. I know that it's counter-intuitive, but I actually like the signing of Haynesworth more than Johnson. Sure, Haynesworth has been a bigger douche over his career. That said, the Patriots didn't really need another receiver, so I think giving up a 5th round pick for a dominant D lineman (if he shows up) was a far better gamble.

[Enigma869]

Pre-season football really fucking blows. I tried to watch one quarter. I think a root canal would have been less painful. Bring on September.

[Greg]

John from Boston needs to ring up Chad.

My thoughts on Johnson are well documented over the years. Not a fan of the guy and never have been. The one thing I know about football is that outside distractions are NEVER a good thing. I know that it's counter-intuitive, but I actually like the signing of Haynesworth more than Johnson. Sure, Haynesworth has been a bigger douche over his career. That said, the Patriots didn't really need another receiver, so I think giving up a 5th round pick for a dominant D lineman (if he shows up) was a far better gamble.

So far, Haynesworth has missed more practices than he has participated in. I would not doubt if the Patriots cut him by the end of preseason.

[Enigma869]

So far, Haynesworth has missed more practices than he has participated in. I would not doubt if the Patriots cut him by the end of preseason.

This is the biggest non-story in the NFL this pre-season. Moss barely practiced in 2007 (the Patriots intentionally did that), and he went out and caught more TD passes than any receiver has ever done in a single season in the history of the NFL. The only way Haynesworth gets cut is if Belichick thinks that he's a douche. He simply brings way too much to the table (from a football perspective), and the Patriots gave up absolutely nothing to get the guy. Belichick is all about value, and if Big Al is ready to play, a 5th round pick for the talent that guy has is absolutely nothing to give up!

[conversationpc]

Pre-season football really fucking blows. I tried to watch one quarter. I think a root canal would have been less painful. Bring on September.

Pre-season NFL football interests me not at all. The only thing more boring is the Pro Bowl.

[mikemarrs]

CJ holding out from Titans saying he doesn't want top running back money he wants to be played like a top player saying he does unique things at his position and trancends all running backs.In three years he already broke the record for most long yardage gains from scrimmage with over 12 runs for at least 60 yards or longer.He holds the most all purpose yards from scrimmage in a season.One of only six players to gain over 2,000 yards or more in a season.However the front office is playing hard ball.Should Chris Johnson get a mega deal based on his output so far and his importance to the franchise?

[Enigma869]

CJ holding out from Titans saying he doesn't want top running back money he wants to be played like a top player saying he does unique things at his position and trancends all running backs.In three years he already broke the record for most long yardage gains from scrimmage with over 12 runs for at least 60 yards or longer.He holds the most all purpose yards from scrimmage in a season.One of only six players to gain over 2,000 yards or more in a season.However the front office is playing hard ball.Should Chris Johnson get a mega deal based on his output so far and his importance to the franchise?

Johnson should get paid, but certainly not what he claims he should be paid. He should be paid like he is a top 5 NFL running back (which is what he is, based on the fact he finished 4th last season in rushing). His premise that he should be paid like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady is just plain dopey. Running backs are a dime a dozen, break down quickly, and aren't nearly as significant in today's NFL, where it's more running back by committee. Even hall of fame backs like Curtis Martin are drafted in the third round and beyond. The NFL is a passing league, so running backs should be comparing their salaries to other running backs and only other running backs.

[mikemarrs]

CJ holding out from Titans saying he doesn't want top running back money he wants to be played like a top player saying he does unique things at his position and trancends all running backs.In three years he already broke the record for most long yardage gains from scrimmage with over 12 runs for at least 60 yards or longer.He holds the most all purpose yards from scrimmage in a season.One of only six players to gain over 2,000 yards or more in a season.However the front office is playing hard ball.Should Chris Johnson get a mega deal based on his output so far and his importance to the franchise?

Johnson should get paid, but certainly not what he claims he should be paid. He should be paid like he is a top 5 NFL running back (which is what he is, based on the fact he finished 4th last season in rushing). His premise that he should be paid like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady is just plain dopey. Running backs are a dime a dozen, break down quickly, and aren't nearly as significant in today's NFL, where it's more running back by committee. Even hall of fame backs like Curtis Martin are drafted in the third round and beyond. The NFL is a passing league, so running backs should be comparing their salaries to other running backs and only other running backs.

I think they need to stand firm and pay him like a top five running back and if he doesn't like it they can just trade him for a slew of picks to some team willing to over pay and one always does.Don't get me wrong i hope they sign him and it all works out but we aren't going to pay him Tom Brady or Peyton money and he is crazy to think it will happen.I say pay him like Deangelo Williams or a similar deal.

[mikemarrs]

Steelers/Eagles on tonight on FOX.

[YoungJRNY]

It's going to be a nice test tonight for Pittsburgh's young guys to get accustomed to a high-powered offense. Ike Taylor and Mcfadden are out tonight at the corners so some guys will get a hard look. Probably won't be pretty but it's good for these guys to go up against a breakthrough player like Vick and that Eagles offense to get their young feet under them.

[AR]

New England doesn't use their base 3-4 defense at all times. What Bellichick does so well is to in-cooperate spy cameras

I couldn't agree more.

[S2M]

NE defense looks all kinds of nasty....it's about time. Welcome to the 2011 edition of the NE Invitational....who's playing for first loser?!

[portland]

NE defense looks all kinds of nasty....it's about time. Welcome to the 2011 edition of the NE Invitational....who's playing for first loser?!

I love Football season!

[AR]

I refuse to even watch pre-season. You can't take take anything from these games except for players battling for roster spots.

[RedWingFan]

I refuse to even watch pre-season. You can't take take anything from these games except for players battling for roster spots.

I like watching to see which young guys make plays, and for possible draft gems. The Raiders drafted Denarious Moore out of Tennessee in the 7th round. If he doesn't make the squad, I'm gonna be pissed.

They got a steal in Jacoby Ford last year as well. Sure, whether they win or lose is totally irrelevant. That's not what the pre-season is for.

[AR]

I refuse to even watch pre-season. You can't take take anything from these games except for players battling for roster spots.

I like watching to see which young guys make plays, and for possible draft gems. The Raiders drafted Denarious Moore out of Tennessee in the 7th round. If he doesn't make the squad, I'm gonna be pissed.

They got a steal in Jacoby Ford last year as well. Sure, whether they win or lose is totally irrelevant. That's not what the pre-season is for.

I get that. I follow the positional battles and rookie progress online and catch the highlights the next day. I just can't invest 3 hours watching a pre-season game in it's entirety.

[YoungJRNY]

Pittsburgh just destroyed Philadelphia in every sense of the word. Ben looked sharp behind a nauseating offensive line, the wideouts got open and our running game were knocking people around. Defense picked up where they left off, intercepting Vick 3 times over a total of 4 possessions. I think the time of possession at one point was laughable at halftime, like 24:22 to 6:24 in favor of the Steelers or something like that. I loved the showing tonight, looked crisp against a team with weapons.

[mikemarrs]

The Indianapolis Colts have signed Kerry Collins

[Enigma869]

The Indianapolis Colts have signed Kerry Collins

As soon as I saw this story earlier today, that told me that the Colts must know something about Peyton that the rest of us don't know. I just can't see any reason why Collins would come out of retirement to never get into a game and hold a clipboard. Irsay must have told him something to get him back on the field.

[Seven Wishes2]

I agee!!! I think his injury is much more serious than they're letting on!!!

[mikemarrs]

Manning is supposed to be waiting on the nerves in his neck to regenerate or something to that affect.Call me crazy but if he starts having all these serious injuries its going to impact the way he plays and depending on how tough he is he might be more near the end of his career than people realize.This neck stuff is very serious and if he gets hit the wrong way it could very well force him to retire or quit the game regardless of him just signing a huge new deal for basically another half decade.Calling in a veteran backup is something they've never done in Indy.They've always got by on crappy backups so things are looking pretty serious.

[mikemarrs]

Well wouldn't doubt if the Titans trade Chris Johnson because they won't pay him Brady/Manning money.

[YoungJRNY]

Peyton will be Peyton. If need be, Collins can offer a veterans hand who has been in many terminology's during the coarse of his career. Collins isn't going to push anyone aside. He's there to give the Colts a valuable arm who could manage a football game because quite frankly, the Colts QB's behind Manning won't do better than a veteran retiree.

Reggie Wayne better shut the yap, Collin could very well be throwing him his football in Week 1. Manning will be back, just a matter of time. The dude is crazy and will rehab like a son of a bitch. He eats, breathes & shits the game of football.