NFL 2010

[Paelos]

I don't think anyone is attacking die-hard Cowboy fans here.  It's just that, for football, the Cowboys tend to attract the most obnoxious of the band-wagoning asshole fans.  People who don't even follow football too closely when the Cowboys are bad show up and talk smack when they're good.  Since everyone thought the Cowboys were going to be a top team, those people got started early this year.

Every pro sport has a couple of those teams.  The Yankees used to be one of those teams in baseball (Yankees caps used to sprout like mushrooms whenever they had a good season or won the World Series) though not so much anymore it seems.  

Oh I know, and I get the hate. And we totally have some bandwagon fans for the Cowboys. The idea that it's all bandwagoning assholes who will bail at the sign of disaster is ridiculous. My point was that there are a lot more hardcore fans than we're getting credit for here.

[HaemishM]

Changing coaches midseason will NOT help.  But it needs to be done anyway.  That would be the only bright spot on this day would be the news that the entire coaching staff has been sacked. 

Changing coaches midseason might help the Cowboys get the #1 draft pick.  Are you listening, Jerry Jones?

Changing coaches might save Jon Kitna from a season ending injury. I mean, seriously did you see the play where he got absolutely LIT UP because Felix Jones wasn't even watching the very obvious linebacker blitz that he was supposed to be picking up? It was almost the exact same situation as the one that got Romo hurt. That's not just players playing shitty, that's coahces not doing their goddamn job and coaching. Jenkins giving up on that TD was just icing on the shit cake. And don't forget the 11 penalties. This team is horribly coached, horribly motivated and just plain horrible. There is no excuse for a team with Marion Barber and that O line to fail at multiple 3rd and 1 runs. A lot of those players have just quit on the season. I actually give props to Terrence Newman for playing hurt last night even though it made him particularly useless. At least he seems to WANT to win, or at least compete. Most of them don't seem to care. Changing coaches won't get them to the playoffs - nothing is going to help that. But it might at least keep some of their players from getting killed because running backs can't pick up obvious blocks in blitzing situations. I hope they keep losing but win just enough games to keep from getting the #1 pick. Based on how Buffalo can't seem to beat anybody, I think that's a pretty safe bet.

The Packers looked like they were playing a scrimmage game against the JV high school team. No pressure on Rodgers, which is a good sign. That O Line has been shaping up nicely the last few games I've seen. Still not much of a running game to be found but I don't expect that given the personnel we have.

Also, Seattle... really?  

[Draegan]

I don't get the Cowboy love since the mid 90s.  They have won 1 playoff game since, what, '96?

They're a shit team.  Oh well.

[Paelos]

I don't get the Cowboy love since the mid 90s.  They have won 1 playoff game since, what, '96?

They're a shit team.  Oh well.

We're hardcore fans 

Also, yeah Haemish, I saw the missed blocks and I texted several of my friends that I fear for Kitna's life out there. Also, the game prompted my call for Jenkins' head when he gave up on that play at the goal line. Jerry didn't miss that either. Expect his ass to be gone soon.

[WayAbvPar]

Also, Seattle... really?  

It was inevitable. 12 starters (including the QB) out vs a good team = disaster. The score was utterly unsurprising; the only thing that surprised me was that the pass protection was relatively decent.

[naum]

Wade out, Jason Garrett in

On another note, what are thoughts on refs giving Peyton Manning a 1st down on 4th and 18 sack because he got slightly tapped on the helmet.

I screamed at the TV even though I care as little for the Eagles as I do for the Colts.

[01101010]

I think this news is more important:

Teabow writing a memoir

Yes, a 23 year old is writing a memoir. 

[HaemishM]

Wade out, Jason Garrett in

On another note, what are thoughts on refs giving Peyton Manning a 1st down on 4th and 18 sack because he got slightly tapped on the helmet.

I screamed at the TV even though I care as little for the Eagles as I do for the Colts.

It was a Mickey Mouse call that was 100% correct by the rules. Unfortunately the rules really don't allow a lot of leeway. You tap a QB's helmet, expect 15 yards these days.

[Cyrrex]

Wade out, Jason Garrett in

On another note, what are thoughts on refs giving Peyton Manning a 1st down on 4th and 18 sack because he got slightly tapped on the helmet.

I screamed at the TV even though I care as little for the Eagles as I do for the Colts.

There were several calls in that game that went against Philly that were complete shit.  The whole Austin Collie one (whilst I didn't enjoy watching him get hurt) was utter nonsense.  Not only was it a clean hit, but it was also a clear fumble and change of posession (and a runback that would have gone some undetermined distance).  It was a game changer, too, it is just fortunate for the Eagles that they still won.

[naum]

Wade out, Jason Garrett in

On another note, what are thoughts on refs giving Peyton Manning a 1st down on 4th and 18 sack because he got slightly tapped on the helmet.

I screamed at the TV even though I care as little for the Eagles as I do for the Colts.

There were several calls in that game that went against Philly that were complete shit.  The whole Austin Collie one (whilst I didn't enjoy watching him get hurt) was utter nonsense.  Not only was it a clean hit, but it was also a clear fumble and change of posession (and a runback that would have gone some undetermined distance).  It was a game changer, too, it is just fortunate for the Eagles that they still won.

/yes, that was a bad call too.

But I do think there is a different standard of calls for Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

I think if I'm toting the ball now, I just plop my head down, take a tap to the head, then profit can collect yardage and automatic first down.

[Ozzu]

[Paelos]

 

[Sjofn]

Superbowl MVP Eli Manning is totally awesome, rite?

 

[Sjofn]

To be fair, they're all sucking now!  It's like the Giants defense THINKS I started them in Fantasy Football this week. :(

[Paelos]

How bout dem Cowboys?

[Zetleft]

How bout dem Cowboys?

  Dez Bryant

[Trippy]

I'm going to laugh my ass off if the Cowboys miss the playoffs by one game (8-8 or 9-7). Jerry Jones will have nobody to blame but himself for not getting rid of Wade earlier.

[Paelos]

I'm going to laugh my ass off if the Cowboys miss the playoffs by one game (8-8 or 9-7). Jerry Jones will have nobody to blame but himself for not getting rid of Wade earlier.

Please, we'll be lucky to win 2 more.

[HaemishM]

The Giants looked like absolute shit. Stupid penalties on the O line, Eli trying to win the game by himself and throwing the ball into stupid places. To be fair, the Cowboys actually looked like a varsity football team. Few stupid penalties, they actually ran the ball to set up the pass and Dez Byrant is a beast. But what the fuck happened to Marion Barber? It's like he's completely forgotten how to run the ball.

Minnesota also looked like shit. Their defense couldn't stop Cutler on 3rd down at all.

[Sjofn]

Eli trying to win the game by himself and throwing the ball into stupid places.

I believe this is where I point out my comparing him to Favre was not entirely without merit? Perhaps not. 

[Ruvaldt]

Please, we'll be lucky to win 2 more.

They should at least win against Detroit and Arizona if they continue to play as they did today.  Could win the home game against the Eagles and/or Washington.  I was morbidly hoping they'd continue to lose, however, in hopes of better draft picks.  After all, the season is pretty much lost, as is.

[Sjofn]

If you beat the Lions, it will totally be by 3 points or so, 'cause that's how they roll.

[Brogarn]

I knew we'd lose to the Cowboys once I heard that Garrett was going to be the head coach. Especially after hearing the simple basic discipline type stuff he's brought back to the team. Because what I've seen all season that's been missing from the Cowboys, and I've mentioned it to my buddies over and over again, was discipline. Well, here it is and look at the result. Of course, no one believed me that this was a trap game. The only one that I saw in the media mention that was Strahan.

Now, I don't think anyone is going to give Garrett a football genius award. But as long as he's got good coordinators calling the plays while he himself merely keeps the team under control, he can go pretty far as the head coach of the Cowboys.

[Cyrrex]

As much as I hate them, I have to basically agree with Brogarn.  Ignore the record - this is still one of the more talented teams in football.  I wouldn't be even remotely surprised if they won a bunch more games.

Now, to all of the network execs out there:  yes, yes, we realize it's the Cowboys.  But they are 2 and 7.  That's two wins, seven losses and zero hope.  STOP FUCKING SHOWING THEM ON TV NOW KTHX.

[ghost]

I knew we'd lose to the Cowboys once I heard that Garrett was going to be the head coach. Especially after hearing the simple basic discipline type stuff he's brought back to the team.

It's amazing to me how much "discipline" seems to be a big deal in the league.  These guys are professionals and are paid to play the game.  You would think discipline wouldn't be necessary. 

[Cyrrex]

I knew we'd lose to the Cowboys once I heard that Garrett was going to be the head coach. Especially after hearing the simple basic discipline type stuff he's brought back to the team.

It's amazing to me how much "discipline" seems to be a big deal in the league.  These guys are professionals and are paid to play the game.  You would think discipline wouldn't be necessary. 

They are twentysomethings that have been pampered since their formative years and given ridiculous amounts of money as professionals.  That any of them have any discipline at all kinda amazes me.

[ghost]

They are twentysomethings that have been pampered since their formative years and given ridiculous amounts of money as professionals.  That any of them have any discipline at all kinda amazes me.

It surprises me, even knowing that some of them are 20 something pampered prima donas.  It's just sign of how fucked up the priorities in professional sports are.

[Nebu]

Many professional athletes come from tragic homes and subhuman levels of violence and poverty. It's no wonder that many feel like a kid in a candy store once they get a taste of the good life and some attention.  

It's a very strange thing being an athlete, particularly if you happen to have some talent.  You're groomed like a racehorse for years and treated very well up until the point where you stop being a cash cow for the establishment.  At that point, you're dropped like a hot potato.  I don't really blame these kids for enjoying the spotlight. 

I think what many of you are doing is reacting to the fact that society places an unusual value on physical prowess.  This I understand.

[ghost]

Actually, my thoughts were more on locker room and playing field "discipline", not the idea that some of these guys go nuts when off the field, per se.  Obviously professionals have something that non-professionals don't have, and I always assumed that it was a work ethic and attention to detail, either intentional or simply because of an innate talent. 

[Paelos]

As much as I hate them, I have to basically agree with Brogarn.  Ignore the record - this is still one of the more talented teams in football.  I wouldn't be even remotely surprised if they won a bunch more games.

Now, to all of the network execs out there:  yes, yes, we realize it's the Cowboys.  But they are 2 and 7.  That's two wins, seven losses and zero hope.  STOP FUCKING SHOWING THEM ON TV NOW KTHX.

Alright, let's play network exec for a second, and we'll make the decision on which games should get national attention this week.

Here are the games on Sunday

BUF @ CIN - Who sucks less? We'll find out Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!
ARI @ KC - Who even plays for these teams?
CLE @ JAX - Shitty plays against overrated.
HOU @ NYJ - Jersey's in the top of their division, this has a shot at being the AFC National game
WAS @ TEN - McNabb v. Young has some national cred for the NFC
GB @ MIN - any other year, this would be a lock national game. This year MIN just isn't MIN
BAL @ CAR - Carolina is wretched, no way
DET @ DAL - Battle of the 2-7s means no national exposure.
OAK @ PIT - I'd pick this one as the AFC national game. Surprise team meets Big Bad Ben.
ATL @ STL - Unfortunately I'm forced to watch this mess here in GA
SEA @ NO - This is probably the NFC National game with Champs v. West leaders
TB @ SF - East meets West would be better if West wasn't 3-6 and East wasn't exposed.
IND @ NE - I'm over this matchup. It was better when people on Indy were healthy.
NYG @ PHI - This one belongs on Sunday night, and it is.

[Fordel]

There's also the factor of it being a large team environment. It's easy to just fuck off and do nothing if everyone else is doing it to.

"Why should I bust my ass if Jimmy is just jerking off in the bleachers?"

[ghost]

Vick is absolutely fucking ridiculous.  If he stays healthy, the Eagles are pretty damned good.

[Paelos]

Vick is absolutely fucking ridiculous.  If he stays healthy, the Eagles are pretty damned good.

I remain unconvinced. He dismantled the worst defense in the league in yards/game. Great. I temper those results until he faces off against the Giants, coming off an embarrassing loss at home, who are the #1 defense in the league.

[HaemishM]

I am so glad I didn't bother to Tivo or watch that game. I flipped it on to check the score after about 10 minutes of the 1st quarter and it was already 21-0. Washington is really shitty. Yet somehow, Philly let them get over 20 points? Philly defense is very suspect and against a D that can shut them down, they are going to struggle.

[Nebu]

The Eagles could be successful if they play with the mindset of the 1999 St. Louis Rams.  As long as you score 45 points every game, you have a good shot at winning.