NFL 2013

[Bungee]

I don't remember where I read it, but there was a pretty good article not that long ago about how there's a rise in lower-body injuries due to players being afraid of accidentally sliding up into someone's head during a tackle and consequently aiming lower.

Legal hit:

[Trippy]

Yup that's going to be the norm going forward. But at least their brains won't have been as traumatized after their careers are cut short by knee injuries.

[sickrubik]

Yup that's going to be the norm going forward. But at least their brains won't have been as traumatized after their careers are cut short by knee injuries.

To be fair, a knee injury is a lot better than a brain injury.

[Trippy]

In the long term. But players aren't thinking of the long term (or else they would all just quit now).

[Ghambit]

I don't remember where I read it, but there was a pretty good article not that long ago about how there's a rise in lower-body injuries due to players being afraid of accidentally sliding up into someone's head during a tackle and consequently aiming lower.

This hit should be illegal (receiver defenseless and unaware, no different then a crackback block [which receivers aren't allowed to do at the line]):

[Paelos]

They need to get over this concussions shit and the high hits, or the game is going to become unwatchable. I'm already watching less than I used to. I turned off that Detroit game last night simply because it was so stupid. Those are playoff possible teams!

[naum]

I think there's going to be a big push to make hitting at the knees or below illegal anywhere. Which will put defensive players in an even bigger conundrum. The game moves so fast and TV audience just doesn't appreciate (and I think even ex-player/announcer TV talking heads forget this truth) speed, especially with all the replays that make the play look totally different than when it happened in real time.

And we haven't even discussed line play, for which helmet contact (and low hitting a good bit of the time) happens on every play.

It ends up making the competition so arbitrary, the happenstance that a defender making a play just ends up with contact on the wrong body parts. And when defensive players start getting timid, they're not good defensive players anymore.

Will it ever devolve into the equivalent of flag football? Hard to see that happening, but the current track is just going to erupt with more of these inconsistencies and arbitrary calls based on position or harm inflicted (i.e, an "illegal" hit where player is not hurt goes unpunished whereas a clean hit that results in a stretcher will most always draw flag and fine).

[HaemishM]

Watching that Gronk play sure makes my balls shrivel up more than the hit on the punter. Legs ain't meant to bend that way.

The NFL is going to have a real problem sooner rather than later. They can't go back on the concussion stuff from a PR standpoint, but it is clearly hurting the on-field product. They need to start by expanding rosters at least another 5 or 6 guys to build depth, then create a developmental league that isn't fucking college. And there needs to be some frank contact re-negotiations with the players' union on the CBA to both provide waiver liabilities for the NFL on the long-term concussion shit as well as sizable increase in the pension plans to adjust for the long-term effects of playing football that no one seems willing to acknowledge outside of lawsuits.

So in other words, fucking never.

[Paelos]

How many times did you turn on the NFL schedule this season and think to yourself, man these matchups are awful?

How many times did you do that last season? Maybe it's self-selecting memory, but I feel like it's a ton more this year. However, my gut on whether or not defenses are much worse this year is statistically backed up with facts, so maybe I should do some digging.

[Megrim]

I'm pretty sure I've said this before; but coming from a rugby background and having started playing murrican football this year, I strongly believe a large part of this problem is technique. It even comes through in the way you guys talk about "hitting" instead of "making a tackle". In both those gifs, the defender had ample time to line up a solid shot at the guys waist/thighs and wrap him up (ok, in Gronk's case it was probably wiser to go for the ankles, because Gronk is hueg). Instead, they just go in at full-pelt to crump the receiver outright. Which is impressive and savagely satisfying, but technically unsafe and irresponsible - and this has to be coming from the way these guys are taught, not some flaw inherent in the rules.

[Paelos]

You are right, their technique is wretched. That's why the NFL did the Heads Up Campaign to teach the youth, and also stop scaring the bejezzus out of their mamas for letting them play.

Still, that generation is 10 years away from even looking at the NFL as rookies, minimum. The players there now are just confused. Why would I want to be a defensive player today? What's to gain? I'm never going to make the money a WR would, and I take all the risks.

[sickrubik]

I enjoyed this little flub.

[Mithas]

NFL confirms hit on Bengal's punter was illegal:

“Huber, he’s a punter. And the key is he’s defenseless throughout the down,” Blandino said. “So even though he’s pursing the play, he still gets defenseless-player protection. You can’t hit him in the head or neck, and you can’t use the crown or forehead parts of the helmet to the body.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/17/nfl-says-flag-should-have-been-thrown-on-block-that-injured-kevin-huber/

I stand by what I said about him seeking the punter out. For sure he was thinking about the big hit he was going lay on the punter who didn't see him coming. I remember coaches and teammates in high school laughing about a play where one of our players hit the kicker on a kick return and he didn't see it coming. We thought the big hit was great and so did the coaches.

They have Mike Tice on locally here on one of the sports radio stations once in a while and he said that they aren't teaching technique anymore. It starts in high school and it continues in college. He said he would see it all the time in rookies who basically had no idea how to form tackle.

[HaemishM]

In both those gifs, the defender had ample time to line up a solid shot at the guys waist/thighs and wrap him up (ok, in Gronk's case it was probably wiser to go for the ankles, because Gronk is hueg). Instead, they just go in at full-pelt to crump the receiver outright.

When I played football in 7th grade, you were supposed to go for the waist/hips and wrap that motherfucker up. Anything other than attacking his center of gravity meant somebody was going to be running some fucking laps. I so rarely see that kind of form tackling anymore in the NFL. It's all shoulder charges to try to flatten a guy, or shitty arm tackles trying to grab a guy's jersey. I don't know what high school and college coaches are teaching now but it ain't the way it's supposed to be.

[sickrubik]

Yeah, that's been the biggest problem for me with the play of the Broncos defense this season. Trying too hard to make a "play" instead of just fucking tackling.

[Tannhauser]

I'm really starting to wonder why I keep watching the NFL. 

[Paelos]

I'm really starting to wonder why I keep watching the NFL. 

That thought would have been almost sacrilegious a few years ago, now I find college about 100x more entertaining as a sport. Sort of like basketball. That shouldn't happen.

[WayAbvPar]

Awesome. Darell Bevell and the utter fucking incompetence of the NFL's 25th rated officiating crew* were enough to sink the Seahawks. Sure glad this was the first game I attended all year.





*just guessing. They were fucking awfu

[Tannhauser]

And the Lions lose to the NY Fucking Giants.  Lost 5 of their last 6.  Eliminated from the playoffs.  Time to fucking can Schwartz though I HIGHLY doubt that'll happen.  Ford is 109 and the only nutrition he can receive is via coffee enemas.  Ford has owned the Lions for 50 barren, starved years, with no Super Bowl appearances at it's last playoff win in 1991.  Ford must sustain himself with the tears of Lions fans.

Every year it's the same fucking teams in the playoffs, NONE of which I love and I have to decide which team I despise the least. 

[Mithas]

Can we just stop handing out division titles and playoff appearances to shitty divisions like the NFC North?

[HaemishM]

Can we just stop handing out division titles and playoff appearances to shitty divisions like the NFC North?

I'd be all for that. Don't forget though that 2 of those teams lost their QB's for almost half the season. Both had shitty defenses though.

[Hoax]

And the Lions lose to the NY Fucking Giants.  Lost 5 of their last 6.  Eliminated from the playoffs.  Time to fucking can Schwartz though I HIGHLY doubt that'll happen.  Ford is 109 and the only nutrition he can receive is via coffee enemas.  Ford has owned the Lions for 50 barren, starved years, with no Super Bowl appearances at it's last playoff win in 1991.  Ford must sustain himself with the tears of Lions fans.

Every year it's the same fucking teams in the playoffs, NONE of which I love and I have to decide which team I despise the least.

I think there are a great many fanbases in the NFL and other major leagues that would caution you to not piss on an owner like Ford. It can be a lot worse.

Can we just stop handing out division titles and playoff appearances to shitty divisions like the NFC North?

You say that but I like the NFC North winner over the Saints at their building and once you win one playoff game you can win either.

[Shannow]

In both those gifs, the defender had ample time to line up a solid shot at the guys waist/thighs and wrap him up (ok, in Gronk's case it was probably wiser to go for the ankles, because Gronk is hueg). Instead, they just go in at full-pelt to crump the receiver outright.

When I played football in 7th grade, you were supposed to go for the waist/hips and wrap that motherfucker up. Anything other than attacking his center of gravity meant somebody was going to be running some fucking laps. I so rarely see that kind of form tackling anymore in the NFL. It's all shoulder charges to try to flatten a guy, or shitty arm tackles trying to grab a guy's jersey. I don't know what high school and college coaches are teaching now but it ain't the way it's supposed to be.

This. I also want to know where they were taught to tackle with your helmet. Fucking stupid.

[Mithas]

Can we just stop handing out division titles and playoff appearances to shitty divisions like the NFC North?

I'd be all for that. Don't forget though that 2 of those teams lost their QB's for almost half the season. Both had shitty defenses though.

Agreed. Both the Packers and Bears would have been better if their defenses ever decided to show up. The Lions choked the division away, the Vikings are bad all around, the Packers have a shitty defense, and the Bears have an all-time shitty defense.

The problem I have with handing out a division title to that garbage is because you will probably have Arizona at 11-5 or 10-6 and missing the playoffs.

[Tannhauser]

And the Lions lose to the NY Fucking Giants.  Lost 5 of their last 6.  Eliminated from the playoffs.  Time to fucking can Schwartz though I HIGHLY doubt that'll happen.  Ford is 109 and the only nutrition he can receive is via coffee enemas.  Ford has owned the Lions for 50 barren, starved years, with no Super Bowl appearances at it's last playoff win in 1991.  Ford must sustain himself with the tears of Lions fans.

Every year it's the same fucking teams in the playoffs, NONE of which I love and I have to decide which team I despise the least.

I think there are a great many fanbases in the NFL and other major leagues that would caution you to not piss on an owner like Ford. It can be a lot worse.

You're going to have to defend that statement, because I find it ludicrous.

[Hoax]

From an article that came out on Insider this week, ranked Lions as second best potentially open coaching positions behind the Texans:

There's a huge gap between the top two teams and the others in the eyes of league insiders. Detroit and Houston finished among the top two on just about every ballot. Both organizations project stability. Both are known for providing all the resources coaches covet. There's no questioning the Lions' talent.

"They have a QB, they have Megatron, a running back, Ndamukong Suh," the GM said. "You just need to improve the back half of your defense. [Team president] Tom Lewand is good to work for. There is an ability from a coaching perspective to probably get the personnel you want. Their ownership is outstanding. There is a degree of patience still."

Ownership previously stood by Matt Millen as its top football decision maker for seven losing seasons. Current coach Jim Schwartz has been on the job for five seasons, returning in 2013 after going 4-12 last season. Patience can be frustrating for fans, but coaching candidates covet stability.

"The No. 1 place for me would be Detroit with William Clay Ford as your owner," the agent said. An NFL team exec put it this way: "The Fords do things first class behind the scenes and they give you time. Schwartz could have been fired before. They have a great facility, the stadium is nice. The Lions appear to be a leader short of coming through."

http://www.ramsondemand.com/threads/ranking-potential-coaching-openings.21787/

Point being there are owners who seem to be more interested than saving money on facilities/contracts than winning. There are owners like Jerry or Al Davis (RIP) who lose touch but insist on overriding football minds. There are owners that have to scapegoat and fire someone every year the results aren't good, creating endless turn over and losing seasons. There are owners who disrespect the traditions of the fans, change the colors, the club name etc. There are investment owners who buy the team just to take out big loans raise the team valuation and sell it. There are owners that seem to hire HC/OC with some new system ala Chip Kelly but then never give them time to implement it so the roster is always in the middle of a tear down to fit a new system.

All of those things are a lot worse than a hands off owner that is loyal to a fault. Could be there is stuff I don't know, I'm not from Michigan or anything but he seems ok to me. Never heard anything about unreasonable ticket prices for Lions games or anything like that either.

[Mithas]

Von Miller torn ACL. Not good for a defense that has looked shaky at times this season.

[sickrubik]

Von Miller torn ACL. Not good for a defense that has looked shaky at times this season.

At times? You mean every Sunday? That being said, they did a decent job without him yesterday. He did go out fairly early. That being said, I'm glad we have at least one less game in the post season.

[Malakili]

Speaking of injuries, Romo out for the year.

[Paelos]

Speaking of injuries, Romo out for the year.

Philly is going to light us up like the Rockefeller Tree.

[HaemishM]

Speaking of injuries, Romo out for the year.

Philly is going to light us up like the Rockefeller Tree.

Yes, but Romo wasn't going to stop that anyway. 

[Zetleft]

At least now we will be forced to run this week.  Who am I kidding we will still pass 70% of the time.  I would almost be fine with missing the playoffs if it meant we can get rid of the coaching staff.  But I'd much rather have both, even if our chances to advance in the playoffs are slim to none. 

[Paelos]

Here's the funny thing. Philly is more than capable of completely shitting the bed when they think they have a guaranteed win. 48-30 against Minnesota? We're seen wildly different games in two weeks out of them.

[HaemishM]

Yeah, there is no guarantee Philly will even show up. Which pretty much sums up this season for every team.

[Paelos]

Ugh, so true. What a terrible year we've had for consistency in the league. Any given Sunday isn't supposed to mean that you have no idea if 70% of the playoff teams even deserve a shot.