OFFICIAL 2012-2013 NFL Thread

[Journey/Survivor]

News for Girl Scout Fans.



Browns president Mike Holmgren will retire at the end of this season and former Eagles president Joe Banner is being named the Browns new CEO effective immediately, according to league sources. New Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is expected to make the announcement today

"Retire," lol. He got fired in about 10 minutes. Holmgren was collecting about $8.3 million a year (and will continue to do so for doing nothing the next 2 years under his 5-year deal) to work from 10 am to 2 pm and make frequent trips to Seattle and Arizona. For whatever reason, the guy came here and simply didn't work hard enough to produce results. My theory is he came here *thinking* he was hungry for one more NFL job, but then realized after getting into the job that he simply didn't have the desire to work that hard. Then, he realized he had an $8.3 million deal GUARANTEED and a complete absentee owner who was not going to make him work (former owner Randy Lerner), so he did what most humans would do: he mailed it in.

Giving someone that much money in that situation is simply a moral hazard. His contract should have been incentivized to let him earn that much contingent on the team's results. Maybe that would have resulted in some poor long-term choices (e.g., signing a marquee but aging free agent for big bucks, etc), but it would have at least produced a better effort than we got from the so-called Big Show. Too bad he was a No Show here. His time in Cleveland will not be remembered well. The most memorable moment of his tenure will probably be the moment last year when he snapped on the Cleveland media (who had been riding him hard for his absenteeism and unwillingness to speak to the press or fans) "Don't come to me for playoff tickets." Unfortunately Mike, nobody will be coming to you for playoff tickets. In nearly 3 full years, your tenure produced a grand total of 11 wins.

Another one of Holmgren's big mistakes was letting his agent dictate to him who he would hire as head coach. Holmgren hired the completely inept Pat Shurmur. Mangini was a much better coach than Shurmur. Hopefully Jon Gruden will be the next head coach of the Browns.

[Jonny B]

After I commented about the mediocrity of the AFC, I was just thinking that the Broncos 'could' potentially be the 'elite' team of the AFC...they'll be outright scary if Peyton and co. ever get on the same page for two halves.

Elite? Ha. That's funny. You do know that they're also 3-3, right?

Great post a page before about how every team is in the hunt and just getting in can do anybody wonders. I agreed with basically everything you had to say verbatim. +1. As for above, I also agree. Not only is Denver 3-3, but you SURE ARE HELL are NOT even NEAR being an elite team (let alone a great team) if you have to dig yourselves out of a 20+ point deficit every week! It simply won't continue and it shouldn't. This was one of a couple occasions were Denver was down by a big lead only to scratch and claw back into the game. This time, Tom Brady wasn't on the other side of the field to put the nail in the coffin, Phillip Leaf was and that was the all-deciding difference in Denver straddling that fine line between winning and losing last night.

Then name me one AFC team that's better?

Ravens and Texans are the only AFC teams above .500. But both have suffered devastating losses on defense they'll struggle to recover from. They're not exactly 'elite' either.

Now here's the rest of the 3-3's
The Bills are what their record says they are. They've been mediocre for a decade. Even if I'm wrong about everything else, I can always count on the Bills to be consistently inconsistent.
The Bengals just lost to the freakin' Browns. That's all you need to know. They're underachieving within the division and this could cost them a spot in the playoffs.
The Dolphins are riding a rookie QB. I do give Tannehill credit for making a near-talentless team competitive, but there's too much competition within the division.
The Jets are neck-deep in drama. The defense may keep them in games, but the offense is too inconsistent.
It's no dirty secret the Chargers are perennial underachievers. I predicted this when Norv Turner became the coach to begin with.
Who's left? The Patriots? Even after a decade of dominance they still haven't figured out how to defend the deep ball. A QB with any kind of arm strength & accuracy can beat them. You saw it in the Seahawks game. Though I feel they're still the division favorite, this could doom them during a playoff run.
Then you have the 2-3's who had bye-weeks: The Steelers (whose defense always struggles without Polamalu,) and the Colts (Who recently got steamrolled by the inept Jets and are without their coach. They rely on Luck...figuratively and literally.)

After you look at this, all that's left are the Broncos. It's real difficult to play from behind, I agree there. But do you not agree that the big leads the Broncos give up are just as much to blame for Peyton Manning not getting on the same page as the receivers until late in the game? Their losses were close losses to good teams, losses that wouldn't have happened if Manning and co. were clicking from the get go. The remaining teams on the schedule have a combined record of 18-32!!! (That includes the 5-1 Ravens, who are depleted on defense.) Watch out when Peyton and the offense start to click early. When I look at the rest of the mediocre AFC, then compare it to the rest of the Broncos schedule, I can't think of another team that could compete for the best record in the AFC. Does that not make them elite?

[Enigma869]

Then name me one AFC team that's better?

Ravens and Texans are the only AFC teams above .500. But both have suffered devastating losses on defense they'll struggle to recover from. They're not exactly 'elite' either.

Now here's the rest of the 3-3's
The Bills are what their record says they are. They've been mediocre for a decade. Even if I'm wrong about everything else, I can always count on the Bills to be consistently inconsistent.
The Bengals just lost to the freakin' Browns. That's all you need to know. They're underachieving within the division and this could cost them a spot in the playoffs.
The Dolphins are riding a rookie QB. I do give Tannehill credit for making a near-talentless team competitive, but there's too much competition within the division.
The Jets are neck-deep in drama. The defense may keep them in games, but the offense is too inconsistent.
It's no dirty secret the Chargers are perennial underachievers. I predicted this when Norv Turner became the coach to begin with.
Who's left? The Patriots? Even after a decade of dominance they still haven't figured out how to defend the deep ball. A QB with any kind of arm strength & accuracy can beat them. You saw it in the Seahawks game. Though I feel they're still the division favorite, this could doom them during a playoff run.
Then you have the 2-3's who had bye-weeks: The Steelers (whose defense always struggles without Polamalu,) and the Colts (Who recently got steamrolled by the inept Jets and are without their coach. They rely on Luck...figuratively and literally.)

After you look at this, all that's left are the Broncos. It's real difficult to play from behind, I agree there. But do you not agree that the big leads the Broncos give up are just as much to blame for Peyton Manning not getting on the same page as the receivers until late in the game? Their losses were close losses to good teams, losses that wouldn't have happened if Manning and co. were clicking from the get go. The remaining teams on the schedule have a combined record of 18-32!!! (That includes the 5-1 Ravens, who are depleted on defense.) Watch out when Peyton and the offense start to click early. When I look at the rest of the mediocre AFC, then compare it to the rest of the Broncos schedule, I can't think of another team that could compete for the best record in the AFC. Does that not make them elite?

Get back to me at the end of the season. When I know who the team is representing the AFC in the Super Bowl, I'll let you know who the best team in the AFC is. Truth be told, I have no fucking clue who the best team in the AFC is. Most people believe it's Houston (I'm still not sold on them). While I certainly don't disagree with your point about the Patriots not knowing how to defend the deep ball (If I were playing the Patriots, I would throw the ball 40 yards down the field on EVERY play, because they are clueless on how to stop it), I watched every minute of the Patriots versus Denver game, and it wasn't nearly as close as the final score of 31-21 (And if I remember correctly, Denver wasn't the team who won that game) would indicate. The Patriots toyed with Denver for most of that game, and their shitty secondary allowed a great QB like Manning to do what Manning does and mount a comeback. I don't believe that there are any real "elite" teams in the NFL this season. Every one of these teams could get beat at any point. I believe the Patriots may be the only team I haven't seen get completely blown out this season (They lost their three games by a total of 4 points). Some of these games have been beyond lopsided. I think at the end of the season, the "usual suspect" teams will be there from each conference (with teams like Minnesota in the NFC and Denver in the AFC having a shot to be a bit better than they were the past couple of seasons). I'm still not prepared to bury Pittsburgh, given the mediocrity of the NFL this season. I certainly think that Denver has as good of a chance as any other team in the NFL, but that doesn't make them "elite" or any better than the other teams. Also, it's worth mentioning that in spite of Peyton's greatness. the guy's playoff history isn't exactly stellar!

[YoungJRNY]

IMHO, New England is still the class of the AFC. As John said, they lost all their games by a grand total of 4 points and are the most consistent of any team in the AFC when you watch them unfold each week. A couple of gaff's here or there and the Pats could easily be undefeated, but so could the Steelers as well.

You can make a case for Atlanta at the CURRENT moment, but other than them, there are no elite teams in this league right now, period. You can't call yourself elite (Denver) if you're trailing by 20+ points in the first half every week. All S.D had to do was simply score ANY points on say, 2 possessions and that game is simply OVER and we would be talking about the demise and ending of Peyton Manning's career as Denver sits 2-4.

As John said, talk to me in December. December is where the big boys come to play. It's all about playing your best ball come January. Anybody has a shot that are in the thick of things, which is basically EVERY AFC but the bottom feeders- EX.) Cleveland, Jacksonville, Oakland, Kansas City.

[Enigma869]

Ha. Now this is funny. Jets Linebacker claims Patriots offense is illegal


http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutd ... --nfl.html

[YoungJRNY]

There's a reason why a 7th round draft pick who didn't play a snap last year shouldn't be on the field in the games final moments. If Batch hits the hole (right side of the line) the game is sealed for the Steelers. You see Ben point at this enormous girth of an alley for a RB. Unfortunately, the Steelers were down to their last back on the roster. No doubt Mendenhall or Redman are GONE on this play.

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/ph ... MZzX6TeRo_

This is the shit that pains me. Fundamentals.

[Ehwmatt]

This is a good defensive match-up tonight. It sure is nice finally getting the NFL Network.

[Enigma869]

About time to pull the real uniforms out today!

[YoungJRNY]

Week 7 pickems:

Bills over Titans by 10
Colts over Browns by 6
Packers over Rams by 14
Vikings over Cards by 7
Giants over 'Skins by 10
Saints over Bucs by 8
Cowboys over Panthers by 13
Patriots over Jets by 14
Texans over Ravens by 10
Raiders over Jags by 3
Bengals over Steelers by 3

Bears over Lions by 13

[Enigma869]

Since Shitsburgh has about half of their team out for tonights game, I'm picking the Bungholes.

Don't take the cheese. I don't think there is anything remotely special about this Steelers team. They're a middle of the road team with some really old dudes on defense. That said, there isn't a team in the NFL who handlles prosperity worse than the Bungles do. All the pre-game shows are asking if the Steelers season is over. WAY too fucking premature for that. I actually think this is a REALLY important game for the Steelers. They may not make the playoffs if they lose this game, because they still have to play the Giants, Redskins, Dallas and Baltimore twice. Not exactly all walks in the park type of games. Hell, I wouldn't be stunned if they lost all five of those games, and if that happened, there is ZERO chance of them making the playoffs, even in this very watered down NFL.

[Enigma869]

My pick of the week is the Patriots rolling over the Jets. These games are usually very close games, but I think the Patriots have a point to prove today.

[YoungJRNY]

This is do or die for Pittsburgh tonight. Forget Washington, forget Baltimore, forget Dallas. It's all about Cincy tonight. A loss to Cincy would drop the Steelers to 1-4 in the Conference, 0-1 in the division, which is the closest to fatal as you could get. A must-win. Beat-up football team who cannot beat the WORST of teams on the road. Severely lowering my expectations & picking the Bengals by 3. IF we do win a pivitall AFC NORTH must-win game, I'll be 1,000,000 different kinds of ecstatic. HERE WE GO.

[Ehwmatt]

The reffing in the Browns-Colts game is far exceeding the awfulness of any replacement ref game I watched. Indy suffered a brutal roughing the passer penalty for "roughing" Weeden that Tom Brady would have been ashamed to have called in his favor. The Browns have suffered two awful spots (one on offense and one on D) and an offensive pass interference call away from the ball/actual receiver that negated a Ben Watson TD catch. Awful.

[YoungJRNY]

I'm hearing from a couple of my buddies that what's going on in the Browns/Colts game is just as, if not worse, bad of an officiating performance as we had with the replacement officials. Honeymoon over for the refs. Seems like decades ago these guys were getting recognized and accepting standing ovations from home-crowds.

[Enigma869]

So nice to have a bounce back week for a change. Nine games completed and nine for nine on my picks! About freakin' time.

[mikemarrs]

Chris Johnson has 4 runs over 80 yards in his career with his 83-yard Rush TD today and it is the 4th longest run of Johnson's career (91-89-85 ... all three of those were in 2009). No running back in NFL history has ran the ball over 80 yards more than 3 times in a career except Chris Johnson.He gained 200 yards on 18 carries and had 2 TD's in a win over Buffalo.

Titans are now 3-4 and can hit .500 with a win at home over Indy next week.The game i'm looking forward to though is the week after that when the Titans face Chicago Bears in Nashville.

[Ehwmatt]

Good lord... the Patriots are fucking PUTRID. They are about to give this game away with a kickoff fumble. And this after letting the Jets pass for well over their season average in yards.

[Ehwmatt]

Good lord... the Patriots are fucking PUTRID. They are about to give this game away with a kickoff fumble. And this after letting the Jets pass for well over their season average in yards.

I wondered what happened, I saw NY tie it then went out to say bye to my Grandson, come back within minutes, and the Jets are taking the lead. WOW!

Now the Jets are giving it back to the Pats, letting them in field goal range in 2 plays without having burned their last timeout. Man, the AFC is just awful this year. I guess I'm ready to say that at this point. Very odd.

[Enigma869]

Chris Johnson has 4 runs over 80 yards in his career with his 83-yard Rush TD today and it is the 4th longest run of Johnson's career (91-89-85 ... all three of those were in 2009). No running back in NFL history has ran the ball over 80 yards more than 3 times in a career except Chris Johnson.He gained 200 yards on 18 carries and had 2 TD's in a win over Buffalo.

And, he still sucks! Fuck Chris Johnson. Guy is a complete fucking fraud. I've NEVER seen a guy in the history of the NFL go into the tank so badly after signing such an enormous contract!

[Enigma869]

And this after letting the Jets pass for well over their season average in yards.

EVERY team passes "for well over their season average" when they face this fucking AWFUL Patriots Secondary. This Secondary is probably the absolute worst I've ever seen. The most astonishing statistic tells the story. The Patriots have given up more 20 plus yards play (35) this season than ANY team in the entire league and ALL 35 plays have been passes!

[Enigma869]

NFL investigating the Chargers for cheating.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2 ... d%3D223308

[Ehwmatt]

Another putrid week of pick 'ems for me. I started off relatively strong, but I think at some point in the last few weeks I started trying to outsmart myself and pick weird games.

[Enigma869]

Another putrid week of pick 'ems for me. I started off relatively strong, but I think at some point in the last few weeks I started trying to outsmart myself and pick weird games.

11-0 so far for me this week. I just need the Steelers and Bears to come through for me to give me that ever elusive perfect week. I'm confident that one of those teams will fuck it up for me

[Ehwmatt]

Another putrid week of pick 'ems for me. I started off relatively strong, but I think at some point in the last few weeks I started trying to outsmart myself and pick weird games.

11-0 so far for me this week. I just need the Steelers and Bears to come through for me to give me that ever elusive perfect week. I'm confident that one of those teams will fuck it up for me

That's beastly sir. I historically have done pretty well in these pick 'em leagues, but this season is not my season so far for whatever reason. As tempting as it is to say this is a whacky season, well, every NFL season is whacky.

[DavidWT]

And the Jets disappoint me yet again... sigh....
(actually, it wasn't really a disappointment. I'd expected the Pats to thoroughly decimate them... perhaps a repeat of that 45-3 fiasco a couple of years ago... so the fact that the Jets kept it close was pretty satisfying.)

[Enigma869]

And the Jets disappoint me yet again... sigh....
(actually, it wasn't really a disappointment. I'd expected the Pats to thoroughly decimate them... perhaps a repeat of that 45-3 fiasco a couple of years ago... so the fact that the Jets kept it close was pretty satisfying.)

You really shouldn't be disappointed, at all. The reality is that the Jets suck. They're not a good team. The Patriots should be completely embarrassed that they should have lost to a team that hasn't been able to get out of its own way for most of this season. Leave it to the Patriots to make it look like the Jets actually have an offense (they don't). Mark Sanchez is fucking AWFUL, but EVERY QB looks like a Hall of Famer against this fucktastic Secondary!

[Liam]

Steelers are sucking this half. LOVE it.

[Enigma869]

Mike Wallace BLOWS! This fucker couldn't catch a fucking cold in a petri dish full of germs

[YoungJRNY]

Another putrid week of pick 'ems for me. I started off relatively strong, but I think at some point in the last few weeks I started trying to outsmart myself and pick weird games.

11-0 so far for me this week. I just need the Steelers and Bears to come through for me to give me that ever elusive perfect week. I'm confident that one of those teams will fuck it up for me

10-1 so far this week. Fitzpatrick and the Bills duped me again. I have the Bungs tonight and Bears tomorrow.

[Enigma869]

10-1 so far this week. Fitzpatrick and the Bills duped me again. I have the Bungs tonight and Bears tomorrow.

You'll be 10-2 after tonight's game, kid! By the way, completely embarrassing display by the Steelers and Sanders in this game tonight. Talk about thumbing your nose at the NFL. That play was fucking shameful. Talk about making a mockery out of the game.