football season is here!!!!!!!!!! (1 Viewer)

[Capitolron]

OMG - If you watched the Redskins vs. 49ers - you could feel the game slipping through our hands

Well at least the season is over

Someone pass me the Bourbon and a Pistol - the two favorite things for a Redskin Fan to end the season.

 

[sammy719]

OMG - If you watched the Redskins vs. 49ers - you could feel the game slipping through our hands

Well at least the season is over

Someone pass me the Bourbon and a Pistol - the two favorite things for a Redskin Fan to end the season.

Ron, my brother is the biggest Redskin fan I know, and he feels the same way as you, I don't know where the Skins took a wrong turn at because they were playing some great ball the first half of the season, with the talent on that team.. I don't know good luck to the Skins next year, even though I'm a die hard Raven fan I still like the Skins....Sammy

 

[Peter Reuss]

Well, the Vikes proved they could go out and beat the Giants 2nd string (barely). Next week against the Eagles will be interesting. As inconsistant as both the Vikings and Eagles have been, it could be a blowout either way! My worry is that the Eagles defense will completely confuse Tavaris Jackson and we'll go down in flames. If we get behind and have to throw - we're doomed. If we can start with a lead and can run Peterson (and if he can hold on to the ball for once), we have a good chance.

At least we're in the playoffs!

 

[Louis Badolato]

Peter,

I was shocked at how poorly the Vikings played in a must win game against the Giants. If it wasn't for Antonio Pierce abandoning his gap and allowing a big running touchdown (again - his 4th such overpursuit in the last 4 games - so much for his being able to get over the distraction caused by Plax), Adrian Peterson would have rushed for about 35 yards. Most of the Vikings scoring came against 2nd and 3rd string players, and the Vikings allowed the Giants 2nd string offense to score 10 points (it should have been 13, but for a barely missed 47 yard fieldgoal). Brandon Jacobs didn't play at all, Eli Manning played only the first half, Derrick Ward was taken out as soon as he got over 1,000 yards (first series of the 2nd half). The final 10 points scored in the 4th quarter were scored with the Giants entire starting front 4, and 3 of the 4 starting secondary players on the bench.

If the Vikings think they are going to beat the Eagles next week, they are going to have to play much, much better. They will be facing an Eagles (starting) defense that is, frankly, better than the Giants (starting) defense the Vikings could only score 10 points on in 3 quarters. The McNabb/Westbrook combination is certainly capable of putting at least 24 points on the board if the Giants (playing second and third stringers the entire second half) could score 19 points.

Also, on one of the Vikings scoring drives, Peterson fumbled the ball, and, as it took the officials like 2 minutes to award the ball to the Vikings, it was only pure luck (and the officials' basically guessing who had the ball at the bottom of the pile) that kept the Vikings from turning the ball over twice (Tavaris Jackson also threw an interception). That makes 8 fumbles and an interception in the last two games. The Vikings have to take better care of the ball if they want to beat the Eagles.

Anything is possible at this time of year, but I wouldn't bet against the Eagles next week.

 

[lancer]

Congratulations to all whose teams made the playoffs. My #1 team, the Redskins went down in flames but #2 team, the Ravens are in the mix and gotta play the Dolphins. Have to agree with Louis that no sub-500 team or even a 500 team should be in the playoffs while a winning record sits at home. The NFL needs to fix the system and send the best records to the championship rounds. Reward success, not mediocrity. JMHO. -- lancer

 

[jazzeum]

Jets have fired Mangini. Thank god. In retrospect, he probably should have taken Bellicheck's advice and stayed with the Pats. He wasn't ready.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Lancer,

I really would not be at all suprised to see your Ravens beat Miami and play the Titans in two weeks. With that defense and running game, assuming Flacco doesn't melt down and turn the ball over several times, the Ravens could go deep into the playoffs.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Jets have fired Mangini. Thank god. In retrospect, he probably should have taken Bellicheck's advice and stayed with the Pats. He wasn't ready.

So who do you think will coach the Jets next year? If I was their GM, I would make a big run at Bill Cowher, and then either (1) sign Cassel from the Patriots as a free agent or (2) try to trade up and draft one of the quarterbacks coming out of Texas, Texas Tech or Oklahoma to replace Farve (who looks to be pretty much washed up at this point).

In 1963, at age 38, Y.A. Title was the league MVP with 36 touchdown passes while leading the Giants to the best record in football and a 14-10 loss to the Bears in the Championship game. In 1964, at age 39, he "got old fast" during a 3-10-1 disaster, and (wisely) retired at the end of the '64 season. I think Brett Farve hit a similar wall about 5 weeks ago, and is done.

 

[VanguardFC007]

Of those 3 colleges you mentioned, Colt McCoy (Texas) has said he isnt coming out and Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) is a maybe probably no to come out according to ESPN. That leaves Harrel (Texas Tech), Tebow (Florida) who isnt going to succeed at the next level as QB, and the best prospect of them all Stafford (Georgia) is likely to take another year of college.

 

[Spitfrnd]

OMG - If you watched the Redskins vs. 49ers - you could feel the game slipping through our hands

Well at least the season is over

Someone pass me the Bourbon and a Pistol - the two favorite things for a Redskin Fan to end the season.

Amen Bro, it was Tequila for me but fortunately my wife hid my pistols.

 

[Warrior]

Louis,
I agree with what you said in regards to not rewarding mediocre performances, but 99% of the time, division winners deserve to be in the playoffs, this was a very unusual year.

The NFL is all about parity, so they'll never abandon the division format. It's all about teams like the Ravens, Falcons, Cardinals and Dolphins, who all stunk last year, turning things around and getting into the playoffs. Look at Miami, they went from 1-15 to 11-5, winning the division.

Regarding the Patriots, they had no business being in the playoffs and I say that as a life long Patriots fan. Had Jabar Gaffney caught a sure TD pass vs the Colts or had their defense prevented Favre from completing a 15 yard pass in OT on 3rd and 15, they'd be in the playoffs.

You shouldn't have to depend on other teams losing to get into the playoffs.

Needless to say, the Patriots dynasty is starting to crumble; reports are coming out Brady's knee is still not right, he may miss the entire 2009 season, Cassel performed brilliantly but will be gone next year as he is a free agent and the defense is old and needs to be retooled. Miami is in great shape to dominate the division for several years to come.

Regarding next week, I'll take the Falcons (I wouldn't want to play them in the playoffs), Vikings (excellent ground game), Chargers (they are red hot and at home) and the Ravens.......

 

[tdubel]

George, excellent post and I do agree with your analysis.

As for my Steelers, Ben's concussion aside, I am just not feeling it, hopefully things will improve in the next 2 weeks, but I feel as a fan, a deep playoff run is not in our near future, just have a bad feeling about this and it is probably the fact that San Diego looks red hot and the Colts have the Manning enigma.

I think the Ravens have a real good chance next week, their defense needs to have a stellar game and Flacco needs to just keep getting better. Last night he looked like a combination of Bradshaw (consistency) and Manning (fabulous passing). Wow, is he going to be good.

TD

 

[Warrior]

Tom,
I took the Ravens close to ten years, but they finally have a QB, rather ironic they found one the year after they dumped their former coach because he was pegged as an offensive genius, yet the Ravens were offensively challenged his entire time as coach.

Regarding the Steelers, I find it disturbing that their front office has already claimed big ben will be fine in time for the playoffs.

Really? The guy was carted off the field on a stretcher and had a concussion and lost feeling his hands. I'd be very hesitant to throw the guy out there after that, scary stuff and I hope he is ok.

Re the playoffs this year; my biggest nightmare is going to happen, I can feel it, a Manning vs Manning Super Bowl.

My girlfriend is going to fall over when I tell her on February 1st the day his hers, I'll go wherever she wants to.

 

[tdubel]

Tom,
I took the Ravens close to ten years, but they finally have a QB, rather ironic they found one the year after they dumped their former coach because he was pegged as an offensive genius, yet the Ravens were offensively challenged his entire time as coach.

Regarding the Steelers, I find it disturbing that their front office has already claimed big ben will be fine in time for the playoffs.

Really? The guy was carted off the field on a stretcher and had a concussion and lost feeling his hands. I'd be very hesitant to throw the guy out there after that, scary stuff and I hope he is ok.

Re the playoffs this year; my biggest nightmare is going to happen, I can feel it, a Manning vs Manning Super Bowl.

My girlfriend is going to fall over when I tell her on February 1st the day his hers, I'll go wherever she wants to.

No offense to Indy and Giants fans, but I will absolutely be sick to my stomach if it is the Mannings. Look, I greatly respect Peyton's ability, Eli,well, I will reserve comment, he has a "great chin" and "thick skin". BUT, one thing that has always struck me is the look both get when things don't go perfect, it is never their fault, that I don't really care for. All in all, though, what a successful family, have to give them that.

TD

 

[Spitfrnd]

With the Skins finished with their season ending self destruction, I can only say, Go Ravens. Yeah I know Black is their color but Baltimore football with always be blue to me.

 

[Warrior]

"No offense to Indy and Giants fans, but I will absolutely be sick to my stomach if it is the Mannings. Look, I greatly respect Peyton's ability, Eli,well, I will reserve comment, he has a "great chin" and "thick skin". BUT, one thing that has always struck me is the look both get when things don't go perfect, it is never their fault, that I don't really care for. All in all, though, what a successful family, have to give them that."


Can you imagine ESPN the week leading up to the "Manning Bowl"; it will be insufferable. They'll be showing Archie in the stands every 12 seconds during the game, gee what fun.

Regarding "the look" you mentioned; LOL, too funny, we call that "The Manning face" up here in New England, that look of utter disbelief. Peyton does it much better than Eli, Peyton has gagged away championships in 2003, (AFCCG vs the Patriots) 2004 (divisional playoff game vs the Patriots, notice a trend here?), 2005 (I am sure you especially loved that one!) and 2007 (to Billy Vogel?, perhaps his biggest gag job of all time).

I guess the only upside to a possible "Manning Bowl" is one of them will have "The Manning face" at the end of the game....................

 

[jazzeum]

A Manning Bowl would be fantastic! Here's hoping. With the Colts finished the season, you can't say it's out of the realm of possibility. George and Tom, we'll get you the movie schedule for that day

 

[Louis Badolato]

I'm sorry that it would be your biggest nightmare, George, and that you would hate it Tom, but I would love to see Eli's Giants play Peyton's Colts in the Superbowl. I, however, have no such feeling. I see the Giants, Panthers, and Eagles each having a chance to go all the way from the NFC, and the Colts, Titans, Steelers and Ravens each having a chance from the AFC. Too much depends on luck, and the weather, for me to be confident in the outcome of this year's playoffs.

I see the #5 Colts beating the #4 Bolts, and the #6 Ravens beating #3 Miami in the AFC wildcard round, while in the NFC #5 Atlanta should beat #4 Arizona. The #6 Eagles beat the #3 Vikings if the team from this week's blow out of the Cowboys shows up, but lose if the team from last week's game against the Redskins shows up.

If the Eagles lose the Giants host Atlanta in the Divisional Round, but if the Eagles win the Giants host the Eagles in the Divisional Round.

I think the Giants beat Atlanta, but with the Eagles a lot depends on whether the Giants can loosen up the Eagles defense with the passing game.

The Panthers should beat Atlanta or the Vikings. Then it comes down to the Giants hosting the Panthers or the Panthers hosting the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

In the AFC, the Steelers should host the Colts in the Divisional Round, while the Titans should host the Ravens. Both those games could go either way, so I have no idea at this point who will be in the AFC Championship Game.

 

[jrsteel]

Tom,
I took the Ravens close to ten years, but they finally have a QB, rather ironic they found one the year after they dumped their former coach because he was pegged as an offensive genius, yet the Ravens were offensively challenged his entire time as coach.

Regarding the Steelers, I find it disturbing that their front office has already claimed big ben will be fine in time for the playoffs.

Really? The guy was carted off the field on a stretcher and had a concussion and lost feeling his hands. I'd be very hesitant to throw the guy out there after that, scary stuff and I hope he is ok.

Re the playoffs this year; my biggest nightmare is going to happen, I can feel it, a Manning vs Manning Super Bowl.

My girlfriend is going to fall over when I tell her on February 1st the day his hers, I'll go wherever she wants to.

George you're right about Roethlisberger. I don't know if he'll be ready. Even if he is physically I don't know about mentally. We'll see. I have no problem with Leftwich playing. I think he'd have no problem running the offense.

 

[Warrior]

"George you're right about Roethlisberger. I don't know if he'll be ready. Even if he is physically I don't know about mentally. We'll see. I have no problem with Leftwich playing. I think he'd have no problem running the offense."

That was the worst kind of hit, double teamed with the first guy wrapping up his legs and the second guy coming in and wrapping up his upper body, falling backward with no way to brace himself, what a whack that kid took, he's fortunate he did not sustain permanent damage.

He is one tough kid, I had the pleasure of meeting him in person last year and he is a monster, has to be to take the pounding most NFL QB's take.

I just hope he is 100% before they send him back onto the field...............