American Football

[Anon]

I've long been a defender of Capers, but even I've run out of patience. There were understandable caveats, especially last season, when it comes to injuries (we were regularly down to our 4th and 5th choice corners) but our passing defence has long been a joke. Plus while it's rare, when we let a drafted four year player go in Hayward with no offer or little fanfare and he turns into an all pro elsewhere, it raises question marks on both the defensive coaching/coordinating and the overseeing talent evaluating. Yet, the only guy who's realistically going to make the decision to changes Capers is McCarthy.

MVP candidates? I perfectly understand why the vote in modern times would only ever go to a QB. However in a season when nearly all the possible candidates have either gotten injured (Wentz, Rodgers, hell even Watson) or not quite been as good as last season (Ryan and Brees for differing reasons, and to a lesser extent Wilson and Brady), I'd quite like the voting to take advantage and make the likes of Brown a contender. As it is, feels like Brady is going to win almost by virtue of being the last QB standing.

 

[kieran_vale]

I think the Bills just got jobbed a bit on that overturned TD call at the end of the half. Not enough conclusive evidence to overturn it for my money. We seem to have been involved with a number of these ones this season going back to Sefarian-Jenkins one for the Jets and of course last week.

Been a strange game, lots of dumb mistakes from both teams with flashes of brilliance like Gronks TD catch. Think this will be close all the way.

 

[kieran_vale]

Gilmore is proving to be a real disappointment. It was bad enough the way Martavis Bryant dominated him last week but against a one legged Benjamin this week is embarrassing. Certainly not what was expecting when we signed him.

 

[Aberstone]

I think the Bills just got jobbed a bit on that overturned TD call at the end of the half. Not enough conclusive evidence to overturn it for my money. We seem to have been involved with a number of these ones this season going back to Sefarian-Jenkins one for the Jets and of course last week.

Been a strange game, lots of dumb mistakes from both teams with flashes of brilliance like Gronks TD catch. Think this will be close all the way.

Me thinks Al Riveron may be facing justified criticism in the media this week, absolutely no conclusive evidence whatsoever to overrule the ruling on the field.

 

[kieran_vale]

Me thinks Al Riveron may be facing justified criticism in the media this week, absolutely no conclusive evidence whatsoever to overrule the ruling on the field.

Yep looks worse more you see it to be honest. I think Mike Pereira called out the league office on Twitter earlier so suspect this one will not go away quickly. Just looked pure guesswork at best.

The legend of Jimmy G is growing by the game. Very impressive against such a good Defence. Has helped with Blake Bortles playing like the Blake Bortles we all know and love though. Looks like a bye week for the Pats and Steelers.

 

[JJ1532]

And now Dallas crumbles in the red zone and don't even get any points. Haha, fuck you Jerry Jones.

 

[pride_of_notts]

I am not very suprised with Bortles the run game has not been working today against 49ers and having Bortles throw the ball a lot is generally a bad idea. I can see the playoff bound teams being very interested in this game in containing Jags run game.

 

[JJ1532]

Wow, that 4th quarter was some of the most offensive play calling I've seen from the Cowboys. Hilarious ineptitude. All this talk about Zeke's return and they put up 12 points at home against a banged up Seahawks defence. Oh well, no play offs for you Jones.

 

[kieran_vale]

That is some of the stupidest shit I've ever seen from Malik Jackson to get a personal foul for a headbutt in that situation. Just cost his team any chance of trying to come back in this.

 

[kieran_vale]

What the fuck were the Texans or more specifically BOB playing at there on the goal line. Had the Steelers on their heels in the running game and instead choose to throw it twice inside the one yard line. Really dumb Football.

 

[JJ1532]

My god, these teams are trash. Just dreadful football. Loads of penalties negating big gains, now 3 straight turnovers. The way Philly are playing at the moment, they are going to get mullered in the play offs, regardless who they come up against.

 

[JJ1532]

I can't believe what I just watched. I mean, the first 3 quarters were bad, but that 4th quarter wasn't even college football level bad, it was worse. Raiders deserve to lose that game given how inept they were, but Philly wasn't much better. They managed to get it together at the end and get a field goal, but this win masks huge issues for them. The offence kept turning the ball over and their defence could have easily given up more points had the Raiders played like an NFL team in the 4th quarter. Hilariously inept football from both teams.

Philly should get smoked by the Cowboys next week, if Lynch can get 100 yards on them tonight, Zeke should have loads of joy. And in the play offs, whichever team they face in the wildcard is going to obliterate them. When they face the Rams, Saints or Panthers, they'll get destroyed.

 

[kieran_vale]

Job done #1 seed for the Pats. Game was very forgettable but still did enough. James Harrison did some nice stuff, got a sack in garbage time but was nice to see a Pats defender being able to set the edge again.

Cleveland finish 0-16, one bright spot is they will be picking first and fourth. They must use one of them on a franchise QB. Hopefully this embarrassment can trigger them to finally start improving.

 

[RavenBish]

Not much positive to take from this Bengals season especially as the likes of Green, Atkins, Dunlap and Burfict get another year older but we've unearthed three stars in Mixon, Lawson and William Jackson III, the latter in particular looks like a perennial all-pro level corner.

Now let's just get a head coach who doesn't fancy Dalton and likes him some Lamar Jackson/Baker Mayfield

 

[pride_of_notts]

Cleveland finish 0-16, one bright spot is they will be picking first and fourth. They must use one of them on a franchise QB. Hopefully this embarrassment can trigger them to finally start improving.

I am not convinced keeping Hue Jackson is the correct call which seems to be the direction they are heading but they are seriously stacked going into the draft personally they should take the best QB on the board which will be interesting to see who they go for I think it is out of Allen, Darnold or Rosen for the second pick I would go with Minkah to give them help in the secondary also it is interesting the Browns have 5 picks in the first two rounds. I think the Browns definately need to look at the free agency for a vet QB no point in destroying whoever they draft personally I would look at Alex Smith who seems likely to part ways with Chiefs.

Now let's just get a head coach who doesn't fancy Dalton and likes him some Lamar Jackson/Baker Mayfield

Lamar Jackson is an interesting prospect personally I don't think of him as a first rounder but I get the feeling a good combine especially the athletism he brings could cause some QB needy team to take a punt on him in the 1st

 

[kieran_vale]

What a play on 4th and 12 for Cincy. Fantastic stuff.

The Bills may be on the verge of the final playoff spot.

 

[kieran_vale]

And they’re in. Though they are divisional rivals am really pleased for the Bills. Fantastic for them to end the longest streak without making the postseason in American sports.

 

[Anon]

And they’re in. Though they are divisional rivals am really pleased for the Bills. Fantastic for them to end the longest streak without making the postseason in American sports.

All the more remarkable given during the season they were both cleaning the roster for 2018 and the midseason Peterman debacle.

Capers almost certainly finally gone. A result of both our yearly bad passing defence (despite high picks, good players, money spent) and with the likes of Hayward, Hyde and Peppers having very good seasons elsewhere. Not a good sign.

 

[.V.]

Fucking Ravens, they pulled a Chargers for me this year. Guess I’m used to that at least.

 

[kieran_vale]

All the more remarkable given during the season they were both cleaning the roster for 2018 and the midseason Peterman debacle.

Capers almost certainly finally gone. A result of both our yearly bad passing defence (despite high picks, good players, money spent) and with the likes of Hayward, Hyde and Peppers having very good seasons elsewhere. Not a good sign.

I think that absolutely has to be the right move for Green Bay to move on from him. Possibly a year later than he warranted, just never seems to make the right in game adjustments to me. I see Green Bay have already extended Davante Adams which is an excellent move. Probably the best receiver on the team now. Not sure unless looking to deal Jordy Nelson how it is going to all fit in capwise but may be wrong on that.

Looks like Jon Gruden back to the Raiders. Big name obviously but I do wonder with the amount of time he has had out of coaching whether this will work out. Am expecting the Pats to lose at least one of our co-ordinators this off-season. Now Caldwell has gone from the Lions and the the Pats connections in the front office that would be an obvious landing spot for Patricia or McDaniels.

 

[RavenBish]

Jim Caldwell being axed is the first one I'm not so sure about, 3 winning seasons out of 4 for a franchise with one winning season between 2001 - 2014 seems a little harsh. Not really sure what the higher ups were expecting when you look at their roster as well.

not that I want him in Cincy though, we've had enough boring old school coaching.

 

[Anon]

Yeah I don't agree on Caldwell either, it's hardly a roster that screams as being better than their record under him.

I liked sealing up Adams. Right now he's our best receiver and that he was the only one who made Hundley look effective rises his stock more. Have no doubt the cap will be fine though esp with a new Rodgers deal on the horizon.

I think we'll have bigger than normal changes in Green Bay this season. Would not surprise me to see several mainstays depart - Nelson, Cobb, Burnett, Bulaga could all be gone. We've sealed up Linsley but for a contract I'm not sure he's worth. Average player but is getting top ten position money...

 

[JJ1532]

I know it's how things are done in American Sports, but interviewing candidates for new roles when they already have jobs and their teams are in the play offs seems barmy to me. I know if I was a head coach and a team was interviewing one of my staff for a new job, I'd be telling them to piss off as I need my staff focused on preparing for very important games coming up, not preparing CVs and presentations for other teams.

I mean, I get that teams want their vacancies filled quickly, but interviewing the week after a season has finished? Whats the harm in waiting until after most teams have finished their seasons and then interviewing candidates? Even if you appoint someone in early February, thats still 2 months before the draft and 6 months before any training camps start. Don't understand the urgency. Whole process just seems really odd.

 

[Anon]

I don't mind it. On the flipside I found the whole 'delaying til your team knocked out' stuff farcical as it meant you potentially having to wait weeks for your preferred candidate to speak to you, allowing other teams to seal up their vacancies, only to find that the guy you waited for went elsewhere or wasn't even keen in the first place. And then your 2nd, 3rd choices might have already got a role elsewhere - and it essentially penalises those O/DCs whose teams are doing well.

Nature of the business that if your team does well enough to get into the playoffs, your O/DCs will get interest. I quite like that teams aren't allow to deny permissions for promotion roles too.

------

Capers officially out. Winston Moss the only realistic internal appointment, but I'd love to get Vic Fangio if he misses out on HC roles elsewhere.

 

[Anon]

TT no longer GM either. Seismic changes afoot in Green Bay.

 

[JJ1532]

Another team going through massive changes is Arizona. Arians gone and now Palmer too. Smart money would be on Fitzgerald going too.

But hey, some good news for RavenBish at least, Marvin Lewis is coming back to the Bengals. I swear, yes the Browns are horrifically run, but so many teams seem intent on trying to outdo them.

 

[.V.]

RB meltdown in 321...

 

[kieran_vale]

I’m sorry but the Bengals are really beyond parody. I had an inkling something like this was going to happen when it wasn’t announced on Monday that he had left. The big reason will be Mike Brown is too cheap to pay the going rate for his replacement. The Bengals last two results will have been all the excuse he needed.

Someone should probably go and check on RB at this point though.

 

[RavenBish]

Seriously, when is he just going to fuck off?

They're even going to keep an OC and QB that had the team 32nd in total offense and 26th in scoring. I mean...at least make a scapegoat and plead naivety.

 

[Renegade]

Dalton deserves a new 5 year contract for that drive.