OFFICIAL 2012-2013 NFL Thread

[Rick]

The amount of attention they give the Dallas Cheerleaders blew my mind. They came out to twirling flags, music, fireworks and who knows what.

Sometimes, I'd check to see if I was at a football game and not a rock concert. Jerry Jones obviously had the intent to entertain first and foremost. Here, it's the National Anthem, player introductions and straight to kickoff. Dallas's pre-game is a ton of work.

When the Cowboys got introduced, smoke interrupted from beside them and they ran out with shots of fireworks going off and what-not, let alone the humungous big-screen from above. The fans are defiantly obnoxious, the "How 'bout 'dem Cowboys?!" chant after every yard brought a chuckle since their still working on their whopping 2nd playoff victory this decade.

Precisely why the Cowboys suck and will probably miss the playoffs once again. I'm not sure how anyone (including Cowboy fans) can take Jerry Jones remotely seriously. the guy is a complete buffoon who doesn't know half as much about football as he thinks he does. Jerry is too focused on having the biggest stadium with the biggest scoreboard and it's completely lost on the guy that none of that stuff matters if the team on the field sucks...and they do!

I can't stand Jerry Jones. I know professional sports is a business, but let's try running it as a sport first and make your money because of it's viability. He runs it entirely from a business standpoint. He makes an assload of money, but he's gone a long way alienating the hard core fans. I only know a couple of people that like the "America's Team" moniker. I hate it and so do most real Cowboys fans. It was great from a marketing standpoint, but again, alienates the real fans.

[Enigma869]

I only know a couple of people that like the "America's Team" moniker. I hate it and so do most real Cowboys fans. It was great from a marketing standpoint, but again, alienates the real fans.

The whole "America's Team" has always been really fucking stupid and is beyond arrogant. Especially given that there are far more NFL fans who hate the Cowboys than who like them! I will say that in fairness to that dumbass Jones, that dopey nickname was in place way before he ever got there, so that's one that I can't blame on him. I agree with your larger point about how he runs the team. Honestly, he's really not that different than Al Davis, so it will probably never really change. The guy isn't about to fire himself as a GM, and he has ZERO qualifications to fun a football team. As much as I can't stand the Cowgirls, they're one of the storied franchises of the NFL, so it's sad that such a clueless fucker runs the team.

[Liam]

ATL@DET Falcons
NO@DAL Cowboys
TEN@GB Packers
IND@KC Indy
BUF@MIA Fins
SD@NYJ Bolts
WAS@PHI Skins
CIN@PIT Bengals
STL@TB Bucs
OAK@CAR Panthers
NE@JAX Pats
MIN@HOU Texans
CLE@DEN Broncos
CHI@AZ Cards
NYG@BAL Ravens
SF@SEA 9ers

The CHI@AZ pick is just because the Bears are a sinking ship this year.

[Journey/Survivor]

Liam, Rick or any other Cowboys fans...

Can you tell me anything about Alec Scheiner? He worked for the Cowboys, and is the new Browns team president.
Do you have any feelings good or bad about the job that he did with the cowboys? I know he wasn't really involved with the football operations themselves.

[Rick]

Liam, Rick or any other Cowboys fans...

Can you tell me anything about Alec Scheiner? He worked for the Cowboys, and is the new Browns team president.
Do you have any feelings good or bad about the job that he did with the cowboys? I know he wasn't really involved with the football operations themselves.

All I know is that he was a the senior vp. If he took any cues from Jerry Jones, expect your ticket prices to go up.

[Liam]

Liam, Rick or any other Cowboys fans...

Can you tell me anything about Alec Scheiner? He worked for the Cowboys, and is the new Browns team president.
Do you have any feelings good or bad about the job that he did with the cowboys? I know he wasn't really involved with the football operations themselves.

All I know is that he was a the senior vp. If he took any cues from Jerry Jones, expect your ticket prices to go up.

Basically ditto. lol

[Journey/Survivor]

Liam, Rick or any other Cowboys fans...

Can you tell me anything about Alec Scheiner? He worked for the Cowboys, and is the new Browns team president.
Do you have any feelings good or bad about the job that he did with the cowboys? I know he wasn't really involved with the football operations themselves.

All I know is that he was a the senior vp. If he took any cues from Jerry Jones, expect your ticket prices to go up.

We've kind of been expecting that anyway, with the new owner.

[Jonny B]

Anyone want to make predictions on the end of the season awards? Here are my picks:

Offensive Rookie of the Year -- Andrew Luck (Colts)
Colts with Peyton Manning = Playoff achievers. Colts without Peyton Manning = Worst team in Football. Colts with Andrew Luck = Contenders for a playoff spot, well ahead of where they expected to be. Luck has single-handedly made the Colts relevant again, in spite of a shaky defense and a lack of standout weapons outside Reggie Wayne.

Defensive Rookie of the Year -- Bobby Wagner (Seahawks)
I don't pay much attention to defensive rookies, so I browsed through some stats and put this guy down (121 Tackles, 3 INTs.) The Seahawks have been excellent defensively and he's likely one of the key reasons.

Offensive Player of the Year -- Calvin Johnson (Lions)
In spite of getting double-teamed constantly, he could break Jerry Rice's receiving yard record, and has an outside shot of breaking 2,000 receiving yards for the season.

Defensive Player of the Year -- JJ Watt (Texans)
He gets the edge over Aldon Smith because he has more tackles and passes deflected. I think he'll get it regardless if he also takes the Sacks record.

MVP -- Adrian Petersen
Petersen has more rushing yards than Ponder has passing yards, and could break the all-time record of 2,105 rushing yards. If the Vikings make the playoffs, it'll be because of him.

Comeback Player of the Year -- Peyton Manning
No creative imagination here. Multiple neck surgeries and a missed season, and he's even better statistically this year than most of his other years.

Coach of the Year -- Bruce Arians
He's done a terrific job rallying the Colts after Chuck Pagano left to battle Lukeimia.

Thoughts?

[Memorex]

Anyone want to make predictions on the end of the season awards? Here are my picks:

Offensive Rookie of the Year -- Andrew Luck (Colts)
Colts with Peyton Manning = Playoff achievers. Colts without Peyton Manning = Worst team in Football. Colts with Andrew Luck = Contenders for a playoff spot, well ahead of where they expected to be. Luck has single-handedly made the Colts relevant again, in spite of a shaky defense and a lack of standout weapons outside Reggie Wayne.

Defensive Rookie of the Year -- Bobby Wagner (Seahawks)
I don't pay much attention to defensive rookies, so I browsed through some stats and put this guy down (121 Tackles, 3 INTs.) The Seahawks have been excellent defensively and he's likely one of the key reasons.

Offensive Player of the Year -- Calvin Johnson (Lions)
In spite of getting double-teamed constantly, he could break Jerry Rice's receiving yard record, and has an outside shot of breaking 2,000 receiving yards for the season.

Defensive Player of the Year -- JJ Watt (Texans)
He gets the edge over Aldon Smith because he has more tackles and passes deflected. I think he'll get it regardless if he also takes the Sacks record.

MVP -- Adrian Petersen
Petersen has more rushing yards than Ponder has passing yards, and could break the all-time record of 2,105 rushing yards. If the Vikings make the playoffs, it'll be because of him.

Comeback Player of the Year -- Peyton Manning
No creative imagination here. Multiple neck surgeries and a missed season, and he's even better statistically this year than most of his other years.

Coach of the Year -- Bruce Arians
He's done a terrific job rallying the Colts after Chuck Pagano left to battle Lukeimia.

Thoughts?

Those are solid picks. Even if there are other picks, no one can argue with the reasoning for these.

[YoungJRNY]

Missed the damn picks on pickems right before kickoff. Falcons by 10.

[Memorex]

If the receiving record had to fall, I'm glad it went to a decent hard working guy that lives the game. Good on Calvin Johnson.

And at least no one will catch Jerry's TD record any time soon.

[Enigma869]

If the receiving record had to fall, I'm glad it went to a decent hard working guy that lives the game. Good on Calvin Johnson.

And at least no one will catch Jerry's TD record any time soon.

Moss already passed Rice's season TD record many years ago. He easily would have passed Rice's career TD records if he had played with Joe Montana for most of his career, as Rice did!

[Memorex]

If the receiving record had to fall, I'm glad it went to a decent hard working guy that lives the game. Good on Calvin Johnson.

And at least no one will catch Jerry's TD record any time soon.

Moss already passed Rice's season TD record many years ago. He easily would have passed Rice's career TD records if he had played with Joe Montana for most of his career, as Rice did!

Yes, I do recall that Moss in his 16 games made one more touchdown than Jerry did in his 13 game record setting year. Wonder if Jerry had those three extra games in his prime what the record would have been. Crazy.

But alas, I was referring to total touchdowns. No active player today has a chance, in my opinion.

And anyone that thinks Jerry Rice's success simply came from playing alongside Montana and Young is just nuts. The dude was all and out the best receiver ever to play the game. And I'm not just saying that cause I am a Niner fan. It's the only position on the roster I would say that about, albeit with Montana definitely in contention in his position.

[Enigma869]

Yes, I do recall that Moss in his 16 games made one more touchdown than Jerry did in his 13 game record setting year. Wonder if Jerry had those three extra games in his prime what the record would have been. Crazy.

But alas, I was referring to total touchdowns. No active player today has a chance, in my opinion.

And anyone that thinks Jerry Rice's success simply came from playing alongside Montana and Young is just nuts. The dude was all and out the best receiver ever to play the game. And I'm not just saying that cause I am a Niner fan. It's the only position on the roster I would say that about, albeit with Montana definitely in contention in his position.

Just so I'm clear, I'm a Jerry Rice fan. That doesn't mean that I think he's the most talented Wide Receiver I ever saw. Growing up, the Patriots were so fucking awful that I was forced to adopt other teams (those teams were the Bears and 49'ers). I'm a an NFL junkie, and don't only follow the history of my hometown team. I never suggested that Rice's accomplishments were all attributable to Montana and Young. That said, I promise you that 10 people wouldn't know the guy's name if Mark Sanchez was the guy throwing him the football. Jerry has his records, and they're well deserved. Records are made to be broken and you'll see some of his fall. Heck, Wes Welker has already broken two of Rice's records this season alone. The TD record has never really been that significant to me. I believe Emmitt Smith is in the top three for that record, and Emmitt wasn't close to the best running back that I ever saw! Football records really don't mean much. Adrian Petersen has a shot of passing Eric Dickerson this season, and I suspect that nobody outside of Minnesota will even notice. I respect Rice more for his work ethic and what be brought to those great 49'er teams. By the way, for my money, Randy Moss (by a long shot) was easily the most talented receiver that I ever saw. The dude was completely unstoppable in Minnesota. If he had Rice's worth ethic, he would have shattered every NFL record ever held at his position.

[YoungJRNY]

Kudos Fact Finder. Good luck to the Bungles in the post-season. We chose to die. Holding the Bungles to 6 points with the playoffs on the line and seeing Heath Miller go down with injury is the 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers in a nutshell. Retool for 2013. HERE WE GO.

[Enigma869]

I won't predict any post-season awards but I'm feeling a Green Bay versus Denver Super Bowl.

[Memorex]

Yes, I do recall that Moss in his 16 games made one more touchdown than Jerry did in his 13 game record setting year. Wonder if Jerry had those three extra games in his prime what the record would have been. Crazy.

But alas, I was referring to total touchdowns. No active player today has a chance, in my opinion.

And anyone that thinks Jerry Rice's success simply came from playing alongside Montana and Young is just nuts. The dude was all and out the best receiver ever to play the game. And I'm not just saying that cause I am a Niner fan. It's the only position on the roster I would say that about, albeit with Montana definitely in contention in his position.

Just so I'm clear, I'm a Jerry Rice fan. That doesn't mean that I think he's the most talented Wide Receiver I ever saw. Growing up, the Patriots were so fucking awful that I was forced to adopt other teams (those teams were the Bears and 49'ers). I'm a an NFL junkie, and don't only follow the history of my hometown team. I never suggested that Rice's accomplishments were all attributable to Montana and Young. That said, I promise you that 10 people wouldn't know the guy's name if Mark Sanchez was the guy throwing him the football. Jerry has his records, and they're well deserved. Records are made to be broken and you'll see some of his fall. Heck, Wes Welker has already broken two of Rice's records this season alone. The TD record has never really been that significant to me. I believe Emmitt Smith is in the top three for that record, and Emmitt wasn't close to the best running back that I ever saw! Football records really don't mean much. Adrian Petersen has a shot of passing Eric Dickerson this season, and I suspect that nobody outside of Minnesota will even notice. I respect Rice more for his work ethic and what be brought to those great 49'er teams. By the way, for my money, Randy Moss (by a long shot) was easily the most talented receiver that I ever saw. The dude was completely unstoppable in Minnesota. If he had Rice's worth ethic, he would have shattered every NFL record ever held at his position.

We'll just agree to disagree there.

Like I said, I am glad it was someone like Calvin Johnson that got the record. Better than Terrell Owens or Ocho Cinco.

[slucero]

Seattle is kicking the shit out of the 9ers... 9er D looks inept.

[Enigma869]

Seattle is kicking the shit out of the 9ers... 9er D looks inept.

The 49'ers are DONE! Seattle would scare me far more. If the Niners have to travel to Green Bay to play them (and now it may come to that), they have ZERO shot! This defense has been exposed (and not just this week), and Rodgers will eat their lunch!

[slucero]

Seattle is kicking the shit out of the 9ers... 9er D looks inept.

The 49'ers are DONE! Seattle would scare me far more. If the Niners have to travel to Green Bay to play them (and now it may come to that), they have ZERO shot! This defense has been exposed (and not just this week), and Rodgers will eat their lunch!

They definitely got out coached tonight. But don't forget they out-schemed Brady... and Rogers is great.. but Brady is better....

Losing Justin Smith and Manningham will likely hurt them more.. losing Vernon Davis for a week will hurt too. It's gut check time for them now.

[YoungJRNY]

Holy Moly Seattle. They are showing they are a team that's hungry. Pumped up, sound football team that can sting you on offense and slam you on defense. I've always loved watching Seattle. Their feature games NEVER disappoint.

[Memorex]

Well that sucked. Niners have made me feel so high and so low all year long. One week they play and they look like the best team in football and the next they look like they are tripping over themselves. So frustrating.

I'm annoyed they wanted to play around at the QB position during what should be a super bowl run year. To not put Smith out there when Kap was clearly off his game is a crime. They are going to screw around and lose quick in the playoffs.

[slucero]

Well that sucked. Niners have made me feel so high and so low all year long. One week they play and they look like the best team in football and the next they look like they are tripping over themselves. So frustrating.

I'm annoyed they wanted to play around at the QB position during what should be a super bowl run year. To not put Smith out there when Kap was clearly off his game is a crime. They are going to screw around and lose quick in the playoffs.

I don't think Harbaugh would put Smith in for Kaep.. Harbaughs ego won't let him. He'd have to eat too much crow in public. He's burned his bridge with Smith.

Kaep is Harbaughs man, at least until Kaep gets crushed into the turf and Smith is the only option left. I think Kaep (and Smith) learned that tonight.

[Memorex]

Well that sucked. Niners have made me feel so high and so low all year long. One week they play and they look like the best team in football and the next they look like they are tripping over themselves. So frustrating.

I'm annoyed they wanted to play around at the QB position during what should be a super bowl run year. To not put Smith out there when Kap was clearly off his game is a crime. They are going to screw around and lose quick in the playoffs.

I don't think Harbaugh would put Smith in for Kaep.. Harbaughs ego won't let him. He'd have to eat too much crow in public. He's burned his bridge with Smith.

Kaep is Harbaughs man, at least until Kaep gets crushed into the turf and Smith is the only option left. I think Kaep (and Smith) learned that tonight.

Well great time for that move. What should have been and was on course to be a pretty stellar year. But it's not all QB position, obviously. There are definitely some deeper issues there.

[slucero]

Well that sucked. Niners have made me feel so high and so low all year long. One week they play and they look like the best team in football and the next they look like they are tripping over themselves. So frustrating.

I'm annoyed they wanted to play around at the QB position during what should be a super bowl run year. To not put Smith out there when Kap was clearly off his game is a crime. They are going to screw around and lose quick in the playoffs.

I don't think Harbaugh would put Smith in for Kaep.. Harbaughs ego won't let him. He'd have to eat too much crow in public. He's burned his bridge with Smith.

Kaep is Harbaughs man, at least until Kaep gets crushed into the turf and Smith is the only option left. I think Kaep (and Smith) learned that tonight.

Well great time for that move. What should have been and was on course to be a pretty stellar year. But it's not all QB position, obviously. There are definitely some deeper issues there.

Ya.. it wasn't broke and the move hasn't fixed it.. Kaep takes more risks than Smith.. and his talent has been his savior, but the jury is still out on the results.

Smith will be gone this off season regardless.

Worst case scenario.. they lose in the 1st round with Kaep. Everyone (including the team) will wonder what would have happened if Harbaugh had stayed with Smith, and is Kaep the right guy going forward.

[Enigma869]

They definitely got out coached tonight. But don't forget they out-schemed Brady... and Rogers is great.. but Brady is better....

They out-schemed Brady? Really? Did you even watch that game? Listen, I realize the 49'ers won that game, but if you came away from that game remotely impressed as a 49'ers fan, then you simply weren't paying attention. The Patriots simply ran out of time in that game. The 49'ers were up 31-3 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter of that game! The Patriots played AWFUL, and still almost pulled that game off. I would hardly call giving up 450 passing yards to Brady as "out-scheming" him. I'd leave it at the 49'ers won the game. Being as honest as I can be (and this is before I witnessed the 49'ers puke on their cleats last night), when that game ended last week, I downgraded the 49'ers as a serious playoff threat. Great defenses don't give up three TD's in one quarter!

[Liam]

Only on for a minute, but I wanted to say I GET MY REAL RIVALRY BACK.

[slucero]

They definitely got out coached tonight. But don't forget they out-schemed Brady... and Rogers is great.. but Brady is better....

They out-schemed Brady? Really? Did you even watch that game? Listen, I realize the 49'ers won that game, but if you came away from that game remotely impressed as a 49'ers fan, then you simply weren't paying attention. The Patriots simply ran out of time in that game. The 49'ers were up 31-3 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter of that game! The Patriots played AWFUL, and still almost pulled that game off. I would hardly call giving up 450 passing yards to Brady as "out-scheming" him. I'd leave it at the 49'ers won the game. Being as honest as I can be (and this is before I witnessed the 49'ers puke on their cleats last night), when that game ended last week, I downgraded the 49'ers as a serious playoff threat. Great defenses don't give up three TD's in one quarter!

Take of those rose-colored glasses man..

I watched the game.... and this is what I saw.

I saw a 1st half where the 9er secondary held Brady to 10 completions on 21 attempts for 76 yards (that's out-scheming).. and then in the second half I saw the leagues #2 D go into prevent mode, and Brady's attempt rate rise, completion rate nearly triple, and then run outta time.

Brady's passing stats tell the story.

• 68% of Brady's attempts came in the 2nd half
• 72% of his completions came in the 2nd half
• 83% (367) of Bradys passing yards came in the 2nd half (1st half 67 yards)
• 40% of his total att/comp/yards came in the 4th qtr alone.

[Memorex]

They definitely got out coached tonight. But don't forget they out-schemed Brady... and Rogers is great.. but Brady is better....

They out-schemed Brady? Really? Did you even watch that game? Listen, I realize the 49'ers won that game, but if you came away from that game remotely impressed as a 49'ers fan, then you simply weren't paying attention. The Patriots simply ran out of time in that game. The 49'ers were up 31-3 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter of that game! The Patriots played AWFUL, and still almost pulled that game off. I would hardly call giving up 450 passing yards to Brady as "out-scheming" him. I'd leave it at the 49'ers won the game. Being as honest as I can be (and this is before I witnessed the 49'ers puke on their cleats last night), when that game ended last week, I downgraded the 49'ers as a serious playoff threat. Great defenses don't give up three TD's in one quarter!

I'd say the "ran out of time" argument only holds if the patriots were catching up and then time ended just short. But they tied it and then the niners pulled away. So from my angle, more time only meant more niner points.

However, I am not going to get in an argument with a fan of an opposing team. Pointless. The niners outplayed them that game and they looked like shit yesterday. That's my season. So I'm not in the mood to defend anything the niners have done, but I will give them credit for a job very well done against the patriots, except for changing defense when they got up. That I will blame them all day long for.

[Enigma869]

Take of those rose-colored glasses man..

I watched the game.... and this is what I saw.

I saw a 1st half where the 9er secondary held Brady to 10 completions on 21 attempts for 76 yards (that's out-scheming).. and then in the second half I saw the leagues #2 D go into prevent mode, and Brady's attempt rate rise, completion rate nearly triple, and then run outta time.

Brady's passing stats tell the story.

• 68% of Brady's attempts came in the 2nd half
• 72% of his completions came in the 2nd half
• 83% (367) of Bradys passing yards came in the 2nd half (1st half 67 yards)
• 40% of his total att/comp/yards came in the 4th qtr alone.

I don't need "rose-colored glasses". Your argument is moronic. Stating the vast majority of a guy's completions came in the second half is simply fucking stupid. No shit they came in the second half. Hell, I already stated that the Patriots were losing 31-3 with ten minutes left in the third quarter. Clearly, the Patriots and Brady slept through the first half! Last I checked, a football game is actually four quarters, and all four count! As I said, the 49'ers won the game fair and square. I simply didn't walk away thinking they were a top team in the NFL, like I did after I watched them dominate the Bears earlier in the season. They're an okay team, but I would be STUNNED if they made it to The Super Bowl!