NFL 2012

[JWIV]

According to Adam Schefter an agreement between the NFL and NFLRA has been reached.

EDIT: DAMMIT SEGORIS
DOUBLE EDIT: Apparently the deal is in place and they're trying to get the officials back for this weekend.

Damn it.  There goes my new pickem strategy of choosing the hometeam across the board.

[JWIV]

Jim Daopoulos ‏@RefereeJimD
Looks like the NFL refs will be working starting Thursday in Balt. Deal appears to be completed



Thank christ - now we can go back to meaningless bitching about how terrible Ed Hochuli is and how Goodell is trying to turn the league into flag football as opposed to the god damn nightmare this season has actually has been so far.  Though it's still absurd that it actually did take a full on blown game that will certainly impact the playoffs for the NFL to get over themselves.

[Cyrrex]

What's everybody's beef with Hochuli that I am missing?  I mean, I know he made some terrible call in a big game a couple years ago (or something), but otherwise I think he's a pretty good ref.

[Abagadro]

Eh, I think it is selection bias as he is one of the few refs so recognizable that people know his name.

[JWIV]

Eh, I think it is selection bias as he is one of the few refs so recognizable that people know his name.

Pretty much the this.  I don't really have an issue with him,  but his name gets thrown around a lot.

[01101010]

The Denver game enshrined Hochuli's name in the hall of infamy. Not so much for the blown call, but his admission that he did blow the call which decided the game. That is when I remember first hearing the name.

Also, the man is a lawyer... and from some of those pics, a beast.

[Paelos]

I really like Hochuli. The call was on par with Jim Joyce in the MLB blowing a perfect game. It was horrible, they both owned up, but they are both very solid officials.

[murdoc]

I like Hochuli too, it's Jeff Triplette that deserves all the hatred.

[JWIV]

If we're talking favorite refs, I tend to like Mike Carey a lot.  He's right up there with Hulkchuli in terms of getting things right, but he usually makes the calls with a bit of flair and style. 

I was trying to find a classic call from him, but the first thing I came across is him about to take on the entire Eagles Defense.  That's how you keep control of a game!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OfnjQPzFq8

[01101010]

I am salivating with anticipation at the first bad call tonight. 

[WayAbvPar]

Thank fuck they settled. I told multiple people Monday night that I wasn't watching the NFL until the refs were back. I would have had the DTs something fierce on Sunday.

[01101010]

If we're talking favorite refs, I tend to like Mike Carey a lot.  He's right up there with Hulkchuli in terms of getting things right, but he usually makes the calls with a bit of flair and style. 

I was trying to find a classic call from him, but the first thing I came across is him about to take on the entire Eagles Defense.  That's how you keep control of a game!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OfnjQPzFq8

I'll give him credit for that, but when players are forbidden to touch a ref... it loses a bit of its luster. However, that is indeed how you control a game, by using that restriction to its fullest.

[HaemishM]

Thank fuck they settled. I told multiple people Monday night that I wasn't watching the NFL until the refs were back. I would have had the DTs something fierce on Sunday.

This. Green Bay is playing New Orleans on TV this weekend and I really relish seeing Green Bay play a defense that isn't made of fucking killers. 49ers, Bears and Seahawks all have fucking mean-ass defenses. New Orleans? Not so much.

[WayAbvPar]

Yeah I am hoping Jordy Nelson finally vindicates my drafting of him (WAY too early  ) by going apeshit. For some reason I get the feeling the Packers are a little miffed and might just run the score up on Katrinaville.

[Rasix]

What's everybody's beef with Hochuli that I am missing?  I mean, I know he made some terrible call in a big game a couple years ago (or something), but otherwise I think he's a pretty good ref.

Being that I'm in Arizona, I get to watch just about every single Denver game.  The Denver v. San Diego game he called was just terrible.  That was one of the worst blown calls I've ever seen.   The rest of the game wasn't much better.  Overall, however, he's not bad. 

I also went to school with two of his kids. 

[Paelos]

If Rodgers doesn't get his shit together against the worst defense in the NFL, I'm benching his sorry #1 overall first pick for Ben Rapypants.

[Fordel]

Eh, I think it is selection bias as he is one of the few refs so recognizable that people know his name.

Pretty much the this.  I don't really have an issue with him,  but his name gets thrown around a lot.

Hell I barely understand the sport and even I know who this Ref is.


Those Guns, bigger then some of the players man!

[Cyrrex]

If Rodgers doesn't get his shit together against the worst defense in the NFL, I'm benching his sorry #1 overall first pick for Ben Rapypants.

In the JV league, I am actually getting THIS CLOSE to putting his stupid ass on the bench and playing Jake Locker.  I ensured that I would get him via the autodraft, and he has done nothing but fuck me so far.

[sickrubik]

If Rodgers doesn't get his shit together against the worst defense in the NFL, I'm benching his sorry #1 overall first pick for Ben Rapypants.

In the JV league, I am actually getting THIS CLOSE to putting his stupid ass on the bench and playing Jake Locker.  I ensured that I would get him via the autodraft, and he has done nothing but fuck me so far.

What do you want for him?

[Cyrrex]

I want for him to play better.  Maybe throw, I don't know, two touchdowns or something.  300 yards or so.

I'm not going to trade him, silly, I love me some Aaron Rodgers    I just like complaining more.

[ghost]

He'll get better. 

[Bunk]

If Rodgers doesn't get his shit together against the worst defense in the NFL, I'm benching his sorry #1 overall first pick for Ben Rapypants.

In the JV league, I am actually getting THIS CLOSE to putting his stupid ass on the bench and playing Jake Locker.  I ensured that I would get him via the autodraft, and he has done nothing but fuck me so far.

In my league I just benched Cutler to play Ponder. I am ashamed.

[sickrubik]

I want for him to play better.  Maybe throw, I don't know, two touchdowns or something.  300 yards or so.

I'm not going to trade him, silly, I love me some Aaron Rodgers    I just like complaining more.

You sure? I might be able to make it worth your while.  

Back on topic, in case anyone missed the game last night, here's the Cribbs hit. Amazingly, he walked off under his own power.

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

[HaemishM]

He got knocked the fuck out! 

Congratulations to Cleveland for making a game of it, but I sure as shit didn't watch it.

As for Aaron Rodgers, he's had 3 straight games against what may be 3 of the best defenses in the league (all 3 are at least top 10), in games with replacement refs whose grasp of the pass interference rules could be charitably described as inadequate. He's playing New Orleans this Sunday and their defense is shit. If he doesn't come good against them, THEN you bench his ass.

[WayAbvPar]

Yep- you'd be insane to bench Rodgers this week. Unless you are playing me; then it is keenly encouraged.

[Ingmar]

NO is a total mess right now, he's going to work his frustrations out on them to the tune of 350+ yards.

[01101010]

He got knocked the fuck out! 

Congratulations to Cleveland for making a game of it, but I sure as shit didn't watch it.

Yeah... piss off.  

Seriously, all I hear is how the Browns look like an up and coming team - not here obviously, but the news stations are all starting to pipe in with that drivel. They did so well in this game. They are on the verge. Yadda... fuck off. Winless. No one gives a shit if you looked good in the NFL, it's about the wins. Just venting here, but getting tired of hearing how good the Browns are looking. The Browns have a better shot going 0-16 this year than actually winning a game. To me, that is horrible - no matter how young the team is or how great they look. Bottom line, nothing is changed and nothing is getting done. Haden not playing is simply an excuse. I hate being a Browns fan... pretty much all the time, but I have no recourse because living in Pittsburgh... yeah no.

At least the Tribe fired Acta... hope they'll keep Sandy around.  

[Paelos]

Your QB is a stud. They need to keep that kid upright, and find him receivers who don't completely fucking suck.

[Nevermore]

I don't know about stud, but they definitely need receivers who can actually catch the ball.  Greg Little must have lobster claws for hands.

[HaemishM]

Your QB is a stud. They need to keep that kid upright, and find him receivers who don't completely fucking suck.

I don't know about Weedon being a stud, but he sure as fuck has no one to throw it to.

[Paelos]

I can usually tell a lot about a QB from his ability to make throws when they matter, and Weedon has it. His receivers have hung him out to dry, but the kid can make plays. He's got the right mentality and above the shoulders decision-making you need. He'll improve on the latter with even more time in the league, and his arm is fine.

Weedon's limited by 2 things:

1 - Clevelands running game is awful. He's getting blitzed like crazy because nobody believes in the Brown's ability to get yardage on the ground. Richardson is a rookie, and he will get better, but dear lord the offensive line is a disaster. They've had to throw the ball 167 times to 75 runs because their running average is only 3.5 from Trent (35th in the league), and they are usually behind. Trent's good up close, but he's not going to help you move down the field.

2 - Greg Little is a dipshit. He needs to take this job seriously, or get the hell off the football field. Quit dancing. Quit posing. MAKE CATCHES! He's been targetted 25 times and only have 11 catches. Also he has only 9 YAC on those 11 receptions? NINE?!?! Dude, get open and move around. Make a play. Do something to help out your QB.

[01101010]

WR has been the thorn recently, even worse when you consider we could have had Jones and/or Greene in the last two years. But nope..Heckert believes finding receiver talent is the bargain bins which has not worked. They replaced Braylon Edwards with Braylon Edwards II it seems... And both of their go to receivers were picked in the draft (Gordon in the suppl) and both had not played in a year due to discipline issue. I get finding a diamond in the rough, but sometimes you have to buy a cut one to complete the set. One thing is for sure though, Weeden, surprisingly, is a step up from McCoy - but it is pretty evident that the receiver position is the problem.

I'd say since Shurmur is pretty much a lame duck at this point, just full on develop the running game and concentrate on blocking schemes for the O-line. I'd be very surprised if Shurmur is kept on with new ownership coming online soon. In fact, I doubt he makes it through the season as ownership will start flexing its muscles before the season ends to give the city of Cleveland another injection of false hope.

[HaemishM]

They've drafted wrong for a while now. I always thought McCoy was a decent QB, if he had someone to throw to OR someone to block for a decent running game. Shit, he did just fine when Peyton Hillis was running people over. When Hillis went to shit last year, so did McCoy. Instead of drafting Weedon, they should have gone for some O line talent and then a second round wideout. It would have cost them less money and set them up better for the future. As it is now, Weedon has the same problems McCoy did because the team didn't get magically better.

[WayAbvPar]

As much as I loved Holmgren as a coach, he is a fucking dumpster fire as a personnel guy. Look at his drafts in Seattle-

Code:

1999
RD 1 - Lamar King - DE (No. 22 overall)
RD 3 - Brock Huard - QB
RD 3 - Karsten Bailey - WR
RD 4 - Antonio Cochran - DE
RD 5 - Floyd Wedderburn - G
RD 5 - Charlie Rogers - RB
RD 6 - Steve Johnson - CB

2000
RD 1 - Shaun Alexander - RB (19)
RD 1 - Chris McIntosh - T (22)
RD 2 - Ike Charlton - CB
RD 3 - Darrell Jackson - WR
RD 4 - Marcus Bell - LB
RD 4 - Isiah Kacyvenski - LB
RD 6 - James Williams - WR
RD 6 - Tim Watson - DT
RD 6 - John Hilliard - DT


2001
RD 1 - Koren Robinson - WR (9)
RD 1 - Steve Hutchinson - G (17)
RD 2 - Ken Lucas - CB
RD 3 - Heath Evans - FB
RD 4 - Orlando Huff - LB
RD 4 - Curtis Fuller - S
RD 4 - Floyd Womack - T
RD 5 - Alex Bannister - WR
RD 6 - Josh Booty - QB
RD 7 - Harold Blackmon - S
RD 7 - Dennis Norman - C
RD 7 - Kris Kocurek - DT

2002
RD 1 - Jeremy Stevens - TE (28)
RD 2 - Maurice Morris - RB
RD 2 - Anton Palepoi - DE
RD 3 - Kris Richard - CB
RD 4 - Terreal Bierra - SS
RD 5 - Rocky Bernard - DT
RD 5 - Ryan Hannam - TE
RD 5 - Matt Hill - T
RD 6 - Craig Jarrett - P
RD 7 - Jeff Kelly - QB

1 decent RB and a HoF guard, but then a collection of underachievers, drunks, rapists, and drunk rapists.

[ghost]

McCoy doesn't have nearly the arm that Weedon has.