NFL 2012

[Surlyboi]

That looked like an ACL injury to me.

My knee bent like that once, ACL and MCL both went pop.

[Trippy]

Colts without their real head coach from the regular season wasn't going to end well. I would have liked to see that match with Arians on the sidelines.

I know Pagano was still working even while receiving treatment and Arians wasn't a head coach for a full season but I hope Arians gets Coach of the Year honors. He really did do a remarkable job.

[HaemishM]

Arians absolutely deserves Coach of the Year, no question whatsoever. Just like Adrian Peterson deserves MVP without one shred of doubt in my mind. Harvin wasn't even there most of the year so AP really was their only weapon, Ponder had no one to throw to and is in his 2nd year and inconsistent. And yet AP almost broke a fucking record after coming back from an ACL. Manning is a close second, but Manning at least had weapons (Thomas and Decker seem legit wideouts with a non-Tebow throwing to them). AP had an O line and nothing else.

The Colts looked good when they were able to run except that they couldn't get it done in the red zone. The Good Flacco showed up as well, which pretty much sealed the deal for the Ravens.

RGIII should NOT have been out there after that second TD. He didn't look right at all. They have got to teach that kid to slide because he took way too many hits in this game and all year from running. They also need to get their stories straight about his injuries because it looks like they are putting him out there without any thought to the fact that the franchise is BUILT on his ass. He pops an ACL, DONE. Cousins looks like he could be a decent pocket passing QB but he ain't going to sell jerseys or tickets. They better learn to wrap that motherfucker in some wool and swaddle his ass. The Seahawks deserved that win because they adjusted continually and shut down RGIII. I would have liked to have seen this game with a healthy QB for the Skins. They need to upgrade their defense next year. HARD.

[Cyrrex]

It was a shame that Shanahan didn't pull him.  Everybody watching knew he shouldn't be in that game after the first quarter.  I am pre-programmed to dislike the Redskins, but it is hard not to like that kid.

Not that I think pulling him would have made the difference.  Pretty sure Cousins would have gotten clobbered.  The Seahawks won this game four weeks ago when the injury first occurred.

[WayAbvPar]

How can the NFL pay lip service to player safety (concussion protocol, rule changes, fines for excessively violent hits) and still have a fucking PLAYOFF game on a 'field' like FedEx? It was fucking painted sand. I love me some RGIII, but the Redskins deserved to lose their franchise player for making him (and everyone else) play in that shit. Seahawks lost Chris Clemons, which will cripple their shitty pass rush even further.

Just another reason to hate Dan Snyder, I guess.

[HaemishM]

Just another reason to hate Dan Snyder, I guess.

I gotta agree with you there. There's no fucking excuse in this day and age with the NFL making BUH-BILLIONS in revenue to be playing on a field that fucking shitty, and especially not when you have one of the richest franchises in the league hosting the game. It was a fucking travesty. Not only was Clemons hurt, and RGIII maybe hurt worse, but the Seattle kicker as well. Snyder and the Skins ought to be fined for that shit. Fucking Lambeau was in better shape, in shittier weather with goddamn paid volunteer work to clear the snow.

[Chimpy]

A lot of the stadiums built in the last 10ish years seem to have shitty playing surfaces. FedEx last night, the new Soldier Field pretty much any time people play on it, and that place in Arizona that the Cards play in (remember the Auburn Oregon title game? absolute sloppy turf) come to mind.

[K9]

Do people prefer turf for sentimental or aesthetic reasons? Having played on a mix of grass, sand-based astro, and rubber-based astro I can testify that the rubber-based astros are better in pretty much every single way.

[Nebu]

Do people prefer turf for sentimental or aesthetic reasons? Having played on a mix of grass, sand-based astro, and rubber-based astro I can testify that the rubber-based astros are better in pretty much every single way.

I played on all 3 in college and much preferred grass.  As a defensive player it slowed things down and was a lot easier on the elbows and knees.  Turf burn sucks.

Note: I played in the 80's.  I imagine turf is much better now.   

[naum]

Turf sucks.

The science has gotten better, but still, you're playing on a gradation of concrete.

They keep trying to do natural turf indoors but that is beset with problems -- unrooted, slippery, etc.…

Which is why I am all for outlawing domed stadiums.

[Paelos]

Pre-2000 turf was horrific. Post-2000 with the advent of Field Turf is a lot less annoying.

Also, whiny soccer players hate it, which makes it even better in my book.

[K9]

Do people prefer turf for sentimental or aesthetic reasons? Having played on a mix of grass, sand-based astro, and rubber-based astro I can testify that the rubber-based astros are better in pretty much every single way.

I played on all 3 in college and much preferred grass.  As a defensive player it slowed things down and was a lot easier on the elbows and knees.  Turf burn sucks.

Note: I played in the 80's.  I imagine turf is much better now.   

I have played on the old style astro and I'd agree, it's dire. Perhaps I just haven't had the joy of playing on a pristine turf pitch that an NFL player might enjoy, but the third generation astros we have over here in the UK are pretty neat. The universities love them because they are all-weather and suit pretty much all sports; although they are pretty expensive.

As far as contact goes, they're no less unforgiving than playing on frozen ground, which is bloody painful. The newer turf technologies have several layers that seem to mitigate the impacts. Then again, I'm not taking hits with NFL levels of force, so perhaps that changes things.

[Cyrrex]

By they way - and I am almost afraid to even bring this up - but am I the only person in the world that actually doesn't like Ray Lewis?  I mean, his football ability over the last 15 years is one thing I won't take away from the guy, but I really just don't like him much at all.  I am peripherally aware of his obstruction of justice charge way back in the day, but it isn't even that (though it probably has something to do with it).  He just annoys the fuck out of me, what with his stupid dancing and over-the-top inspirational speech bullshit.  SETTLE DOWN DUDE.  And then everyone has to copy all that shit.  He'll probably end up doing TV along with Terry, Howie and Jimmy and fit in just super with all their irritating bullshit.

Is it just me?

[Tannhauser]

You're not alone my friend.  That stupid 'dance' he does before a game makes me want to stab a kitten.  Let's form a support group.

[Chimpy]

Is it just me?

No. Can't stand him personally.

[Cyrrex]

You're not alone my friend.  That stupid 'dance' he does before a game makes me want to stab a kitten.  Let's form a support group.

When I saw him go onto the field for the Victory Formation against the Colts and then do that little dance after the last snap...I was hoping Pagano would go kick him in the vas deferens.

[Segoris]

I'm mixed with Lewis. I like the speeches, the dance, etc because I attribute that to him being a team leader and helping to pump up his team. Great player, great leader, and great for the game in his way he adjusts (which is showing that players need to keep up with the game or they'll not be aroudn for 17 years like he has been).

On the other hand, I still have the obstruction of justice around the deaths of two people and the settlements with the families of the deceased in the back of my head whenever I see him on the field.

As for the TV stuff, he alraedy signed a deal with ESPN last Thursday, he'll be on Monday Night Countdown

[HaemishM]

You are not the only one. The obstruction of justice thing that everyone in the punditry just handwaves away or outright ignores makes me leery of the guy anyway. Having to listen to him on Sundays makes me glad I only watch NFL games on Tivo when I can fast forward through the bullshit.

[ghost]

Yeah, I don't like it when we give these guys a pass for being complete jackasses and getting arrested just because they're sports figured.  Doug Gottleib got kicked out of Notre Dame for stealing credit cards, but look at him now.   

[Shannow]

You're not alone my friend.  That stupid 'dance' he does before a game makes me want to stab a kitten.  Let's form a support group.

No one likes Ray Lewis except ESPN.

Wouldn't mind if the Ravens went out and won the Superbowl next year just to spite him. I seriously wonder if they get sick of being told how to be a 'real man' and all that other shit that is the Ray Lewis act.

[Paelos]

I like his leadership style. He's an intense player who inspires the best from his teammates. He's helped give good advice to other players who don't understand how the company you keep is a big deal in the NFL. The reason people don't talk about the obstruction of justice charge anymore is A - It was 13 years ago, and B - He and his friends were acquitted of any murder charges.

This could easily happen again if the Falcons make the NFC Championship. The problem with Atlanta is that if you're out after 2AM, and you are at any club, you have already made a very bad life decision. Knowing what we know about this city, that doesn't end well. Second, if you see a fight outside a club, run the fuck away. It's almost a given that after any huge event in this city, someone will end up dead by club violence.

[Ingmar]

I'm not sure it is fair to say he's been given a complete pass; it got plenty of attention at the time and the message now is more that he turned his shit around rather than he kept on the same path and they're just sweeping it under the rug.

[Paelos]

Jets fired their OC. This proves what I believed all along. The butt fumble was a scheme issue. 

[Nevermore]

Jets fired their OC. This proves what I believed all along. The butt fumble was a scheme issue. 

Just add Sparano to the list of ex-Dolphin head coaches who should have never been hired as coordinators.  See Also: Dave Wannstadt, Cam Cameron

[Ingmar]

Jets fired their OC. This proves what I believed all along. The butt fumble was a scheme issue. 

Obviously they think he'll be a bad fit with Alex Smith next year.

[JWIV]

Jets fired their OC. This proves what I believed all along. The butt fumble was a scheme issue. 

Obviously they think he'll be a bad fit with Alex Smith next year.

Also, apparently the problem with Dallas was their defense as Rob Ryan is now out on the street.

[Trippy]

Not surprising. They didn't play to their potential, notwithstanding the many injuries they had.

[Paelos]

Coaching. It's always about never wanting to hire good enough coaching in Dallas. Thanks again Jer.

[Trippy]

He learned his lesson with Jimmy Johnson -- never again!

* Yeah I know he hired Bill Parcells post-Johnson but Jones was desperate at the time

[Paelos]

I keep hoping he'll get more and more desperate as he realizes he's going to die. But I think he and Satan have already struck a deal to let his sorry plastic ass live to 100, then pass it along to his shitburger kids.

[Malakili]

Coaching. It's always about never wanting to hire good enough coaching in Dallas. Thanks again Jer.

Any sufficiently good coach isn't going to submit to Jerry Jones' stipulations about running the organization.

[HaemishM]

Rob Ryan wasn't the problem in Dallas. It was A problem, but they had worse problems on the O Line than they ever did in defense. Their biggest problem on defense was quality in depth, not the coaching. And that's a GM problem, which means it's Jerry's fucking problem, which means FIRE THE DC!!!!!

I look forward to seeing Jerry Jones' "I didn't make the playoffs AGAIN!" face next year.

[ghost]

Rob Ryan actually did a decent job, considering the circumstances.  I imagine he'll get hired pretty quickly by someone.  He's an obnoxious fucker, but I guess that comes with the territory on the Ryans.

[ghost]

NFL teams make some interesting choices.  The Cowpeople are apparently interested in Monte Kiffin and the Eagles are interviewing Brian Kelly.   

[Segoris]

Good. That will bring in some new blood to the system instead of teams just playing musical chairscoaches.