American Football

[Martino Knockavelli]

Pussification of America continues apace IMO

 

[kieran_vale]

Could not have asked for a better first half really. Gives both Pats and Fins the option now to throw in some back-ups.

Biggest concern so far has been that field in Miami, looks like an injury waiting to happen.

 

[RavenBish]

going to be well fun when Burkhead signs somewhere else for $2-3m a year and I have to watch Jeremy Hill carry the ball 20-25 times a game next season because Gio Bernard's crippled.

Seriously, re-sign him and get rid of Hill, he's trash, there's no cap penalty and he'll be an UFA in '18 anyway.

 

[kieran_vale]

Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs sorted, couldn't ask for more than that. Almost as pleasingly gone 8-0 on the road for the season which is exceptional.

 

[Anon]

Baalke gone, Kelly supposedly as well. Think Kelly's been dealt a rough hand with a naff roster, but unlikely he's getting a 3rd HC gig in the NFL. Does he attempt to get an OC gig or - I assume - walk back into a college football HC role...

Kubiak supposedly leaving too. Would be interesting to see who they hire. Not for HC role right now, but I always wondered if Manning fancied a crack at being an OC or some involvement on the the QB coach side of things.

 

[Destruction]

7 in a row for Pitts and will face Miami next week at Heinz Field with the big guns back.

 

[kieran_vale]

Quite looking forward to seeing that game. Steelers are favourites at home however they'll need to do a far better job defensively than they did today or Ajayi and Stills,Parker and Landry will have a field day against them. For the Fins to win they will need to find a way to get better production from their Linebackers or Bell will run all over them though. Do that and I absolutely think they can win there.

 

[Anon]

Wasnt it against the Fins earlier in the season that Ajayi had one of his booming games, piling up the yardage? Agreed it could be really competitive, looking forward to that one.

Whatever happens, and given their iffy start, has been a great first season for Gase.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Does he attempt to get an OC gig or - I assume - walk back into a college football HC role...

College. Probably missed the boat for this silly season, but he will have his pick of whatever big time jobs come open next year.

 

[Craig]

 

[kieran_vale]

Mike McCoy fired by the Chargers. Maybe they've been unlucky with injuries however he has had 4 years and beyond anything else they are the 1 in Clevelands record this year. Hard to come back from that.

First strike Green Bay, should never have got that far if Ansah had done his job and finished the sack on Rodgers but some nice link up with Jared Cook and Richard Rodgers on that drive otherwise.

 

[epic73]

they are the 1 in Clevelands record this year.

Ouch.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

The tone of the "REDEMPTION FOR PSU! WHAT A STORY!" slant to ESPN's pre-game coverage is making me a bit queasy here.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

What a run from Barkley. This is turning into a great game.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

52-49 walk off 45 yard FG.

NOT BAD.

 

[RavenBish]

Who wants to give us a 1st round pick for McCarron then?

Draft might actually be fun this year with a top 10 pick and potentially a pick or 2 extra for McChampionship. Still can't believe we turned down a 2nd & 4th last offseason for him, just have to hope Mike n Marv have played a blinder to rinse someone like they did with Palmer. Even better if it's Hue again.

 

[Anon]

Has McCarron even looked that good? Such a small sample size, who offered that for him last season?

Looking at current estimates I'd be surprised if you get more than a 3rd. Garoppolo has possibly shown more, but i can't imagine the Pats getting more than a 2nd round for him either.

 

[kieran_vale]

For Jimmy G its a 1st and a 4th which is the starting price (Adam Schefter who I think is a pretty reputable source quoted that). Whether the Pats get that I don't know but if not I'd be more than happy for him to be Brady's backup next year. Give Brissett another year in the system learning.

There are also a number of things in play such as the fact this QB class in the upcoming draft is not great so to me the smart option would be to make the trade for a QB needy team and also when quoting first rounders etc its also about where in the first round it is as well. Could happen on that basis.

 

[Renegade]

Has McCarron even looked that good? Such a small sample size, who offered that for him last season?

Looking at current estimates I'd be surprised if you get more than a 3rd. Garoppolo has possibly shown more, but i can't imagine the Pats getting more than a 2nd round for him either.

Looked better than Osweiler and we all saw what happened there...

I reckon the Browns will go after Jimmy G, I think he is their safest bet on a decent young quarterback. They have a lot of picks in this draft, could see them giving up the pick they got from the Eagles for Wentz.

 

[Anon]

Osweiler had the benefit of half a season playing for Denver and looked 'ok' in what, and no pick was needed to be given up. I would argue there was more to bank on with him at that time than right now with McCarron or Garropolo.

I just dont see 1st round picks being given away for reserve QBs with extremely small sample sizes, even by teams who are QB needy in a pass happy league. Unless a HC is convinced one of these is the next big thing, they'd be better off chasing a Hoyer type and not give up a very high pick, and paired with drafting a possible project.

 

[MagpieBee]

Osweiler had the benefit of half a season playing for Denver and looked 'ok' in what, and no pick was needed to be given up. I would argue there was more to bank on with him at that time than right now with McCarron or Garropolo.

I just dont see 1st round picks being given away for reserve QBs with extremely small sample sizes, even by teams who are QB needy in a pass happy league. Unless a HC is convinced one of these is the next big thing, they'd be better off chasing a Hoyer type and not give up a very high pick, and paired with drafting a possible project.

Agreed. The trade prices for some very average QBs are only going up because the draft class is so poor.

 

[Anon]

Of course though i could be completely wrong, fair play for teams demandkng what they can, it only takes one desperate team to bite at a high price for an inexperienced backup and it could set the market.

I'm struggling to think of a recent young backup QB moving for a very high draft pick.

 

[Renegade]

It's not like Garoppolo is simply a reserve/backup quarterback - he was taken in the second round of the draft only a few seasons ago and he's sitting behind the greatest quarterback of all-time. It's at least arguable that he's worth a first round pick given that he almost was one and should have improved significantly in the meantime. At this stage, he has comparable talent to the quarterbacks at the top of this year's draft and is now pro-ready. I wouldn't give up a #1 or a #3, but a #12? Maybe.

 

[Anon]

Sure he's stuck behind Brady, but that doesn't raise a player's value - just limits the games he can play and impress in. From what I remember he didn't really exceed in pre-seasons either, so the sample size of NFL time is preciously small. I just remember the same arguments being made about Mallett - a player that talent-wise maybe could/should have been a 2nd rounder, sits behind and learns from Brady, does ok in small sample sizes over the next three years or so, moves team and gets an chance to be a starter and turns out to be far from an NFL starter level.

This isn't a knock on the Patriots btw or saying they're demanding too much (a player is worth what a buyer deems worth after all), just general thoughts on value really of young backups with small amounts of game time. I just don't see a 2nd round player going up to 1st round draft value - even around #12 - on the basis of his NFL play.

 

[kieran_vale]

Everything you say is fair Jimbob though I think you have to view each situation on its merits. This QB class is not good so just hypothetically take the Browns if they traded the Eagles pick for Jimmy G and the Pats pick (which if my maths is right will be #27-32). Use the first on Myles Garrett who will transform their defense then that is a pretty good situation.

Of course if Cousins doesn't stay with Washington and hits the open market as unlikely as that is then all that changes. I guess there is also what will happen to Romo to consider too.

I wouldn't compare Jimmy G to Mallet either. In the formers case though admittedly a small sample size he impressed against the Cards on the road and lit up the Dolphins D at Foxborough before going off injured (which itself could be an issue granted), Mallet never had that other than some pre-season film. Also looking at his skillset he has a good arm, reads defenses well and most impressively his release was timed quicker than Bradys at the start of the season, no mean feat. If it were me and its just my opinion I make the trade over drafting Trubisky, Watson or Kizer. Same goes for AJ McCarron to a lesser extent.

 

[Anon]

Fair do's

Washington would be mad to move on from Cousins, he's obviously never going to be stellar but they seem to be building something decent there and to switch it around at that position, could easily get worse.

Intrigued to see where Romo goes, on top of his age surely his existing contract really limits his options as well.

 

[Renegade]

Connor Cook's first two games - replacing a second string quarterback against the Broncos and a playoff game against the #1 ranked defence (yards allowed) in the league...hardly seems fair.

I expect Osweiler will be able to drive down the field for a few field goals in this game and the Texans defence might put up some of their own points. The Raiders deserved better than this.

 

[Renegade]

There's one field goal.

 

[kieran_vale]

Have to agree it's a real shame watching this there is no Derek Carr. With my Patriots supporting hat on its good for us but not good for the playoffs.

That's a horrible play on that INT. Nicely done by Clowney it must be said.

 

[Renegade]

I'm counting that as a defensive score.

Well, the early Saturday game is living up to tradition already. Might go watch Westworld.

Please Osweiler, throw a pick six.