NFL 2014

[Triforcer]

BATTLE OF THE BROWNS!

Until Romo came back.  I was hoping until then that we could unload Johnny on the Cowboys for a couple of 1st round picks. 

[Trippy]

Should've kept Weeden in

[Paelos]

Rivalry with the Redskins always bites the Cowboys. Every year.

[HaemishM]

How 'bout them Cowboys!!!!!

Yeah, I didn't bother to watch this game thinking it either wouldn't be competitive or that Dallas would step on its deck because it's Washington. I was right either way. 

[WayAbvPar]

From Sports Pickle last night on Twitter-


Gritty Romo Comes Back from Injury to Lead Cowboys to OT Loss at Home to Terrible Team Playing 3rd-String QB

Pretty much sums it up.

I wonder who is going to throw a bunch of money at Colt McCoy in the off season?  I thought he might be the real deal in college, but until last night he has been pretty awful as a pro.

[Nebu]

I wonder who is going to throw a bunch of money at Colt McCoy in the off season?  I thought he might be the real deal in college, but until last night he has been pretty awful as a pro.

I'll bet it's Baltimore.  They love giving huge contracts to mediocre QB's.   

[WayAbvPar]

Hey now, don't forget about Cincy 

I bet it will be the LOLJets.

[HaemishM]

To bad they already have their franchise anchor.

I wouldn't put it past the Browns to make the same mistake twice, but I'm going to bet on some place like Tennessee, Jacksonville or Houston.

[Paelos]

Houston seems like they will be picking QB's early in the draft.

[K9]

Not if they keep on winning games...

Current bottom eight teams are:

8) - Redskins*
7) - Rams*
6) - Falcons
5) - Titans*
4) - Buccaneers*
3) - Jaguars
2) - Jets*
1) - Raiders

I * the teams that could draft a QB. I figure that the Raiders and Jags will give Carr and Bortles at least one whole season each to prove themselves. The Falcons don't have any issues at QB, their issues are with their O-Line and elsewhere on the field. I'm also not sure about the Bucs. After throwing money at Josh McCown but hanging onto Glennon I'm not sure what they will do. They could do with an upgrade at QB for sure, but throwing a rookie into the hot mess that is the Tampa team seems like a recipe for disaster. I figure they try to ride McCown, Glennon, or some other hapless FA while they rebuild the rest of the team, then try and grab a decent QB.

Obviously the order will change a fair whack before draft day, but I wouldn't be surprised to see 75% of those teams in the bottom 8 by years end.

[Paelos]

I'm thinking Houston won't get the "top" picks at QB, nor should they.

The "top" guys are likely to be Mariota and Winston, both guys I think will get destroyed at the NFL level.

The guy I would gun for is Dak Prescott, but that's only if he doesn't improve his status a ton by winning the whole damn thing (which I think he might). He would be a later pick than the top 10.

[HaemishM]

Having seen Prescott in 2 whole games, I'm not sure what makes you think he'd be any less likely to be destroyed at the NFL level than Winston or Mariota. In the games I've seen, he's thrown more picks than anyone should feel comfortable with.

Any idiot could see that signing Josh McCown as a free agent was a dumb fucking idea especially if your team had no playmakers. Trestman's offense combined with Marshall and Jeffrey made that guy a mint and I can't believe an NFL GM couldn't see that. But I guess that's why Tampa is a fucking trainwreck that even Lovie Smith's defense can't fix because he hasn't even been able to get the defense working.

[Paelos]

Having seen Prescott in 2 whole games, I'm not sure what makes you think he'd be any less likely to be destroyed at the NFL level than Winston or Mariota. In the games I've seen, he's thrown more picks than anyone should feel comfortable with.

Prescott's arm is great, his build is solid although shorter than Jameis, and his escapability is better. He's also not a dumbass, which NFL people are very scared of right now. He's had one bad game where he tossed two picks against Auburn. He also scored 3 TDs in that game and over 360 combined yards.

You'll hear draft comparisons of Prescott to Tim Tebow, but as a Tebow that can actually throw the ball. His original projections for the draft were a 1-2 round guy, but he's starting to move up people's boards. If he gets into the playoff and wins, he'll be a middle first round guy if not higher.

[01101010]

Looking at the turnout of round 1-2 quarterbacks in the last 5 years... I definitely would be a little (a lot) gun shy if I were a GM. They have all been suspect, Stafford, Luck, Newton, Dalton, and Kaepernick; but the rest have been flameouts.

[HaemishM]

Prescott reminds me of a less dumbass Kap - which to me is not someone you spend a first round pick on. I'm sure someone will but I don't think it'll be smart.

[Hoax]

Wait wait wait.

Luck has been suspect? In what fucking world?

Newton is a monster, if you've ever watched an actual Carolina game its insane how much velocity he puts on the ball. He may never be Joe Montana or Tom Brady in terms of managing an offense but pretty sure he's not suspect. The talent is too real. He can def win you a super bowl with the right roster and situation.

Dalton has won a shitton of games. This is Dalton's best year by far. Trust me I've watched every Bengals game every year for years. Dalton will never be elite but he's far from suspect he's put in good work since he made it to the league.

Stafford is hard to figure out, he may be the next Cutler, you think he has it and then something goes wrong. But there are plenty of teams that would take him and start him in a heartbeat.

Kaepernick is suspect. He has gifts but he also can't be counted on. He's the definition of suspect.

RG3 is fucking suspect. That's what a suspect QB looks like.

[Paelos]

Newton is a monster, if you've ever watched an actual Carolina game its insane how much velocity he puts on the ball. He may never be Joe Montana or Tom Brady in terms of managing an offense but pretty sure he's not suspect. The talent is too real. He can def win you a super bowl with the right roster and situation.

Newton's not suspect, I just don't think he's smart. I disagree that he can win a Super Bowl unless his defense leads the league. They had the best season they are likely to have in a long time last year, and they punked out in the playoffs scoring only 10 points.

Cam's got talent but so did Vick (Vick had tons more). Unless you actually put in the mental work and produce it out on the field? Talent is only good for winning in the regular season.

[Paelos]

Good example of why Cam isn't next level last night. NOLA has been pathetic on the road and hadn't won a game away yet. Cam plays his worst game at home against a defense others have averaged about 27 points against. Carolina only gets 10 on the board, while Cam has 155 yards, 4 sacks, a pick, and no TDs. This is absolutely a turning point game as to who goes to the playoffs, and Carolina came up wanting.

Carolina's not that bad. They simple got out schemed by the other team, and Drew Brees is 10x the mental QB that Cam is. The game turned because Cam committed a sack-fumble inside his own 10 yard line (stupid mistake #1), and then took another sack immediately on the next series to complete a 3-and-out. NOLA scored on the next series before the half as Drew just torched Carolina down the field for 85 yards. 14-0 at the half and the game was basically over.

[01101010]

Newton is a monster, if you've ever watched an actual Carolina game its insane how much velocity he puts on the ball. He may never be Joe Montana or Tom Brady in terms of managing an offense but pretty sure he's not suspect. The talent is too real. He can def win you a super bowl with the right roster and situation.

Newton's not suspect, I just don't think he's smart.

In my book, that makes him suspect.

And don't take it as me thinking these guys are great at their position, but that there are fatal flaws with each. And yes, you can say that about every QB just as you can say with the right roster, ANY QB can win you the superbowl.

[Paelos]

Yes any QB can win the Super Bowl with the best defense in the league, the best RB, the best O-line, and winning the turnover margin.

Russell Wilson had most of those. 

(I know, dig at the Seattle fans again, but I honestly think he's overrated)

[Trippy]

I thought you were talking about Trent Dilfer at first.

[Nebu]

Jim McMahon, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson, and Phil Simms also come to mind.

[Cyrrex]

I have just decided to make it official.  Brandon Wheeden is not good.  Would be nice if Dez would catch a ball for my fantasy team, but I guess fucking not.

[Paelos]

All the Tony Romo haters should just take a look at the alternative today.

A sense a trade coming for Johnny Football soon. Our GM is looking at a starter that's back may not want to cooperate.

[01101010]

Hoyer has been pretty average/below average lately so I doubt the Browns would entertain Dallas. Then again... I been wrong before.

[Paelos]

So yeah, San Fran is being the San Fran I expected. I still say they miss the playoffs.

[HaemishM]

San Fran is definitely looking like a lock to miss the playoffs. Alex Smith is laughing his ass off watching Kap get sacked 8 fucking times against the RAMS and then losing on a goal line stand against a QB sneak. I'm not even sure Seattle is a sure playoff team because they had trouble with fucking Oakland.

Arizona is the real deal. That defense is insanely good - not because they tortured the shit out of Brandon Weedon. They are so good because that's a defense that has been pretty ravaged with injuries and yet they are finding guys that step up. On the other side of the field, the Cowboys defense is getting nutpunched with injuries and their depth is just not there. They've been punching above their weight all season and it's starting to catch up to them. Now they have 5 of the next 7 on the road with an iffy QB and a backup that shouldn't be on the field. I can't even say that the Cardinals were the reason he was so bad yesterday. Weedon's throws were just uniformly terrible. I thought Dez Bryant was about to stab that motherfucker in the face because at least half of his targets weren't even close to being catchable balls. It didn't help him that Arizona basically nullified the Cowboys vaunted running game. Two weeks in a row, the Cardinals have faced a top offense (Philly last week and Dallas this week) and just shut them down. Had Romo played it would have been closer but I don't think the result would have been different.

Denver... I don't even know what the fuck was wrong with Denver. That was just a putrid game on their part, especially their special teams. Demarius Thomas looks like half the time he's thinking about his contract instead of catching the ball. They better hope Sanders doesn't get injured, because he and Julian Thomas are carrying this offense. And Hillman, when they remember to run the ball. Which they completely forget after the first quarter.

Special mentions of derision to Mark Sanchez for becoming a starting QB again. 2TD's, 2 INT's. Yep, that's Sanchez all right. That final NFC wild card spot is going to be a toss up - you have Green Bay (who will lose it to Seattle if tied), Seattle, Dallas/Philly, San Fran and Carolina all potentially vying for it, but you know Carolina ain't even going to get close and depending on how long Romo is out, Dallas could be out of the running by December. San Fran can maybe withstand one more loss before they get written off and both Green Bay and Seattle are teetering. Meanwhile the only sure thing in the AFC is that New England is going to win that division again and Indy will win the South. The other two divisions are up for grabs and there looks to be at least 3 or 4 teams that ought to make the playoffs that won't.

[WayAbvPar]

Seattle was missing something like 8 or 9 starters, including 4 OL and their best blocking TE. From a line that was suspect to begin with  . If the defense hadn't done work in the first half they would have lost. I do think Carr is going to be a good QB (more likely if he gets out of Oakland  ). Giants next week and then the schedule gets REALLY tough. If they don't get a lot of guys healthy before they start the Arizona/SF gauntlet they are proper fucked.

[Paelos]

Denver's played two road games. They lost one and played against one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NFL in the other. Four of their next five are on the road. I think the tone will change a bit on Denver when they look bad in a few of those.

Denver... I don't even know what the fuck was wrong with Denver. That was just a putrid game on their part, especially their special teams. Demarius Thomas looks like half the time he's thinking about his contract instead of catching the ball. They better hope Sanders doesn't get injured, because he and Julian Thomas are carrying this offense. And Hillman, when they remember to run the ball. Which they completely forget after the first quarter.

Yeah, and then you argued with me about this point I made.  Denver hadn't been on the road yet, and when they do go on the road they look like shit against remotely decent competition. The tone is going to change on them fast, and you can see it coming. It's the defense. It's gaudy in stats, but when they face what could be a playoff team, it's been pretty below average. Also, Peyton in opposing crowds doesn't look like the surgeon he is at home. Peyton got ruffled and he started throwing picks. Opposing teams have proven time and again that if you knock him off his spot, he's going to press.

I think KC beats them. Then you probably have a 9-3 team that's lost all it's games to teams they could see in the playoffs. I believe that will probably gut-check people's opinions on Denver's ability to win it all. Personally, I wouldn't put down dollar one on that ever happening. Eventually a solid defense will shake up Peyton away from Denver (even if that's in the Super Bowl again), and he'll fold the second he leaves home field.

[HaemishM]

Thing about Denver last night though is that they didn't even bother getting a running game going. Their first 2 possessions were quick failures and from then on, it was pass pass pass. 17 total rushes and 2 of those were Peyton scrambling for his life since the Pats didn't have to worry about stopping the run and could just tee up on the QB. D. Thomas and Welker both had terrible nights with drops. The real trap game for them isn't in Oakland this Sunday, it's the following Sunday in St. Louis. The Rams have been much better against good teams and a 1 p.m. game time does not favor Denver.

[shiznitz]

I have just decided to make it official.  Brandon Wheeden is not good.  Would be nice if Dez would catch a ball for my fantasy team, but I guess fucking not.

During an interview segment I saw with him after the game, the scrolling bar underneath his name read "Hasn't won a game in last 8 NFL starts." Yet, he still manages to have a job in the league.

[HaemishM]

Both Micheal Vick and Mark Sanchez still have jobs in this league. Teams are super fucking desperate for anyone that can throw a ball farther than 10 yards.

[Azuredream]

https://twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/529444932474654720

Cowboys decide to use the hashtag #Cowboysuk for their upcoming game in London. 

[Malakili]

 

[HaemishM]

Well, it IS accurate on so many levels.