American Football

[Lamby]

What a f*cking boring Superbowl it's gonna be. Two teams who only run the ball instead of throwing. Snooze fest.

 

[Craig]

This time last week the dream was still alive.

 

[kieran_vale]

What a f*cking boring Superbowl it's gonna be. Two teams who only run the ball instead of throwing. Snooze fest.

To be fair this post turned out half right. Rams couldn’t run it either as well as throw.

As a Pats fan I enjoyed the game obviously not least for the very old school feel to it. Think McVay got shown up a bit, seemed intent on imposing his game plan regardless and did not make any of the necessary adjustments as there wasn’t a great mystery to what the Pats were doing, largely cover four and a few zero blitzes. If Goff is going to progress he really needs to be able to show a sign of being able to read a Defense and change things up at the line as suspect the book will be out on them for next year.

Big summer ahead now, need to sign up Flowers to a long term deal and also the issue of a likely Gronk retirement. Obviously past his best now but some big shoes to fill.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Big summer ahead now, need to sign up Flowers to a long term deal and also the issue of a likely Gronk retirement. Obviously past his best now but some big shoes to fill.

I would be very suprised if Gronk does not retire he is definately not the same guy he was in previous seasons I think it will be more or less impossible to replace.

The combine should be interesting coming up in the next few weeks I think all the attention is going to be on the Defensive prospects so I can see some big movements both up and down Oliver for one I can see making some big numbers given how much of a freak athlete he is at Defensive Tackle plus there is bound to be at least one or two Quarterbacks move up big time.

Other players I am interested in but won't make the headline grabbing numbers would be Renfrow and Isabella both who impressed me in the Senior bowl

 

[Stagat]

Some reyt trades going down.

OBJ to Cleveland is wild. Along with Chubb and Hunt at RB and Mayfield a year more mature, they're gonna win the north aren't they?

AB to the Raiders, Bell to the Jets... Dudes, stay in Pittsburgh.

Very not unhappy with who the Bills have brought in. Needed weapons for Allen to throw to and John Brown and Cole Beasley aren't a bad couple to pick up.

Liked Brown since he was in that good offense at Arizona a few years back. Never been the top WR (I don't think) on a team but seems very capable on his day. They should both be an upgrade on what we had last year either way.

Frank Gore too. Happy to have him just because it's Frank Gore. Him + Shady + Ivory are like 95 years old but it's Frank Gore! Someone said on Reddit if you need 2 yards he'll get you 4 and if you need 5 yards he'll also get you 4 which sounds about right. Good that we'll get to see him in a Buffalo kit though.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Cleveland have to be q dark horse for the superbowl too nevermind north , interesting about ab I think Smith Schuster will be another top fantasy wr now next season

 

[kieran_vale]

A lot of the moves so far are exactly why I'd be reluctant to make any waves on the first day or so of free agency given some of the contracts handed out. The deal the Raiders gave Trent Brown from us (baring in mind he's really only produced one season) was ridiculous, pays to be left tackle in the Pats system I guess. Disapponted to lose Trey Flowers but again at that price there was no way we were matching. Got an adequate replacement in Michael Bennett who we traded for a week ago in any case.

AB got a great deal in terms of guaranteed money, how happy he'll be after a season of Derek Carr throwing it to him rather than Big Ben remains to be seen.

Agree with Stagat about the Bills work, made some low key improvements there which is absolutely the right way to go about free agency. Of the big moves I do like Earl Thomas to the Ravens, explains why they let Weddle walk and as close to an Ed Reed replacement as you could get.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Some reyt trades going down.

OBJ to Cleveland is wild. Along with Chubb and Hunt at RB and Mayfield a year more mature, they're gonna win the north aren't they?

I think the Browns was legit even before OBJ they was my fav to take Afc North what with Steelers in Chaos, Ravens I can see seriously regressing not convinced by Lamar and they have lost a lot of talent on defence in free agency as for the Bengals with a new coach are a major question mark.

Very not unhappy with who the Bills have brought in. Needed weapons for Allen to throw to and John Brown and Cole Beasley aren't a bad couple to pick up.

Personally I think the big signings for the Bills is that they got Allen some really good protection in particular I think Morse is the pick of the bunch It will be really interesting to see what way the Bills go in the Draft I would personally like to see Oliver if he is availble as replacement for Kyle or Jonah Williams and slot him in as a Right Tackle

 

[Stagat]

I think the Browns was legit even before OBJ they was my fav to take Afc North what with Steelers in Chaos, Ravens I can see seriously regressing not convinced by Lamar and they have lost a lot of talent on defence in free agency as for the Bengals with a new coach are a major question mark.

Personally I think the big signings for the Bills is that they got Allen some really good protection in particular I think Morse is the pick of the bunch It will be really interesting to see what way the Bills go in the Draft I would personally like to see Oliver if he is availble as replacement for Kyle or Jonah Williams and slot him in as a Right Tackle

Yep. I dunno about the Ravens and Steelers tbh as far as who'll be better. Thomas and Ingram look good acquisitions for the former and the latter still have JuJu and Conner. Dunno who's coming second or third with those but think we know who's coming 4th...

Am sure you're right about the Bills too. Tbh I'm not that well up on players in the non-glamour positions. Am like a Chelsea fan who got more excited about signing Duff than Makelele or summat (best analogy I have right now) so it's always appreciated to read comments like you make. I should take more of an interest in those positions really.

I think Allen definitely needed more protection so he doesn't end up running all the time. That added to the two new WRs will hopefully see him do so.

 

[Aberstone]

Getting stung by the AB trade was frustrating but he wanted out and used whatever leverage he had to achieve his objectives, what the Giants did trading OBJ is mystifying. They had a superstar running back in Saquon Barkley to supplement their superstar wide receiver and yet they're trying to rebuild with Eli Manning at the helm? He's washed, done, finished. As for the Browns, well they're loaded so it's hardly a surprise everybody has them as favourites to take the AFC North. The picks John Dorsey has at his disposal in the draft I'd imagine would be focusing on bolstering their offensive line and linebacker corps.

Tyreek Hill is also being investigated for an incident of battery, SMH if he has done this because you'd have thought he would have learnt the first time around?

On the Steelers to finish - for all these claims of a self-imposed disastrous offseason, the team still has a legitimate #1 Wide Receiver, one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, a solid running back and a hall of fame QB. Defensively I worry, but what's new? Le'Veon Bell playing himself has been my personal highlight this offseason.

 

[Craig]

Hill has had a pop at his three year old lad if reports are accurate. If true get rid of the c***.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Am sure you're right about the Bills too. Tbh I'm not that well up on players in the non-glamour positions. Am like a Chelsea fan who got more excited about signing Duff than Makelele or summat (best analogy I have right now) so it's always appreciated to read comments like you make. I should take more of an interest in those positions really.

Yeah I can understand that It is kind of hard to judge the players who don't touch the ball but it is where you win games generally in the Trenches you only have to look how often Offensive tackles get overpaid latest one being Trent Brown

Hill has had a pop at his three year old lad if reports are accurate. If true get rid of the c***.

Yeah I don't know what to make of it not really enough information especially as he is only named on the first Police report (Which got dismissed) also i can see teams lining up around the block if he came available

 

[Aberstone]

Also kinda fundamental to have a franchise QB pride_of_notts if you're going to have both lines winning the line of scrimmage. Like a broken record, I think (we) Steelers are covered in that regard.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Also kinda fundamental to have a franchise QB pride_of_notts if you're going to have both lines winning the line of scrimmage. Like a broken record, I think (we) Steelers are covered in that regard.

Yeah it's massively important having a Franchise QB but O line massively impacts both on the Run game and Passing game Also you don't want your Franchise Qb running for his life behind a bad O line. As for the Steelers I agree they should be good but I don't think they can through with another chaotic season like last year especially with what seems to resurgent Browns and for that Tomlin is going to have to lay down the law and I am not convinced he will do it.

 

[kieran_vale]

Gronk now retired, what a career he’s had. Nice way to go out making what was effectively the catch which won the Super Bowl. How on Earth you can replace him I have no idea as not only was he a beast at catching his blocking also was elite level. Frees up about $9m in cap space which is one thing for the Pats at least though suspect we may be looking at the first couple rounds of the draft for a TE now.

 

[Stagat]

Legend of the game, hall of famer, one of the best to ever do it etc. Not been fun watching him dominate for so long but I have to appreciate we got to see him play in our time and not just on some old tape.

On a personal level I'm happy he's been able to accept it's time to stop at just 29. Still got most of his life ahead of him and deserves to be able to spend it doing whatever he wants with hopefully no lasting physical issues from his time playing.

 

[kieran_vale]

Aye definitely the right decision for him. In truth it’s amazing given how many major surgeries he’s had and the fact American Football is one of the most violent sports there is outside of combat sports he has lasted 9 years in the NFL. His injury history even going back to college was why he fell to us in the draft rather being a high first rounder.

At his absolute peak one of the biggest mismatches in the game, there was literally no coverage he couldn’t beat. Only one similar was probably Megatron who could routinely beat double and triple coverage.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Gronk now retired, what a career he’s had. Nice way to go out making what was effectively the catch which won the Super Bowl. How on Earth you can replace him I have no idea as not only was he a beast at catching his blocking also was elite level. Frees up about $9m in cap space which is one thing for the Pats at least though suspect we may be looking at the first couple rounds of the draft for a TE now.

Great player but I think it has been on the cards especially with how the Pats used him in his final year but he definately should be a 1st Ballot into the hall It will be interesting to see what the Pats do draft wise for Tight end I don't think the top prospects will be availble Hock or Fant unless the Pats trade up Irv Smith I have seen mocked regular to the Pats so I would guess he is the most likely option as he is more likely still on the Board at 32

 

[kieran_vale]

Great player but I think it has been on the cards especially with how the Pats used him in his final year but he definately should be a 1st Ballot into the hall It will be interesting to see what the Pats do draft wise for Tight end I don't think the top prospects will be availble Hock or Fant unless the Pats trade up Irv Smith I have seen mocked regular to the Pats so I would guess he is the most likely option as he is more likely still on the Board at 32

In theory with the amount of picks we have it could be feasible to move up some spots in the draft if necessary though as a rule Belichick does it rarely. Not totally inconceivable as we did it twice in the same draft to take Chandler Jones and Hightower one year. We do currently have a couple of in-line blockers at that position on the roster so would imagine more a move TE would be the way to go I suspect.

 

[pride_of_notts]

In theory with the amount of picks we have it could be feasible to move up some spots in the draft if necessary though as a rule Belichick does it rarely. Not totally inconceivable as we did it twice in the same draft to take Chandler Jones and Hightower one year. We do currently have a couple of in-line blockers at that position on the roster so would imagine more a move TE would be the way to go I suspect.

Yeah Patriots do have plenty of picks they could use in moving up just a question how far they need to move up if they go down drafting a Tight End in the 1st I think Fant is the only really realistic one for you guys to move up for I think it would be difficult moving up into the top half (Likely top 10) for Hockenson

 

[Aberstone]

JuJu has just buried AB on Twitter after the latter took some unnecessary shots at the former. Outstanding content and proves what a smart choice it was from myself when in the 'Burgh last year to get a JuJu jersey and not one of 84.

 

[kieran_vale]

JuJu has just buried AB on Twitter after the latter took some unnecessary shots at the former. Outstanding content and proves what a smart choice it was from myself when in the 'Burgh last year to get a JuJu jersey and not one of 84.

Good on JuJu. AB great player though he unquestionably is has come across incredibly bitter ever since getting traded. Basically he’s got what he wanted and now rather than talk about his current team seems more interested in mentioning the Steelers at every opportunity.

I genuinely think for the Steelers it will play out very much as addition by subtraction. This is now a chance for Tomlin to stamp his authority more, whether he can do it remains to be seen but just now for all the Browns hype the Steelers are still the team to beat in that division.

 

[pride_of_notts]

1st Round of the draft tonight who does everybody want
Personally I would be happy if any of Ed Oliver, Jonah Williams, T J Hockenson or Jawaan Taylor any these fall to 9 I will be happy with.

 

[kieran_vale]

I think the big needs for the Patriots are WR, TE and we could do with getting younger at Safety also. The problem with us picking at #32 is based on recent history have a high expectation of us trading out the round completely. There is however a lot of draft capital to play with if we do fancy moving up.

I think the Cardinals will go with Kyler Murray, what draft compensation they can get back for Rosen will be interesting though. Be a tough spot for any QB to go into though as that team has so many holes at almost every spot, will likely need a couple of years to put things right there. Am interested in what the Giants do, personally I think they have to take Haskins with #6 and then with the defensive depth particularly in the first round draft someone on that side of the ball with the 17th pick.

The defensive depth in this draft is also why am puzzled the Chiefs traded for Frank Clark the other day. Not to mention the huge contract he got, to me this wasn't the greatest value trade on their side of things particularly as Clark you'd describe more as very good rather than great.

 

[pride_of_notts]

I think the big needs for the Patriots are WR, TE and we could do with getting younger at Safety also. The problem with us picking at #32 is based on recent history have a high expectation of us trading out the round completely. There is however a lot of draft capital to play with if we do fancy moving up.

Yeah thats one thing the Pats have going for them is they definately have the capital to trade up if they need to which would probably be more TE rather than WR

I think the Cardinals will go with Kyler Murray, what draft compensation they can get back for Rosen will be interesting though. Be a tough spot for any QB to go into though as that team has so many holes at almost every spot, will likely need a couple of years to put things right there. Am interested in what the Giants do, personally I think they have to take Haskins with #6 and then with the defensive depth particularly in the first round draft someone on that side of the ball with the 17th pick.

Everything does seem the Cards going with Murray honestly I am not a fan of it they would be better going Bosa and building around Rosen whoever trades for him will get an absolute bargain Also there is a lot of talk Giants could be going Jones rather than Haskins. Prospects I am curious to see where they go are Rashan Gary and Dk Metcalf both major athletic projections

 

[kieran_vale]

Were the Cardinals even aware they were on the clock there??

 

[pride_of_notts]

Yeah it's annoying how No1 picks burn so much of the clock for no real reason I wonder what trade value Rosen has now all the leverage is with the buying teams.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Niners Select Nick Bosa can't hate on that really the Cards should of been selecting him imo

 

[kieran_vale]

Aye good pick, personally would have preferred Quinnen Williams but either way you can't miss.

Problem for the Cards now is they don't really have much leverage in trading Rosen now. Could see a second rounder getting it done.

Edit - Quinnen Williams to the Jets, I hate to say that is a brilliant pick.

 

[pride_of_notts]

I think positional value plays into it slightly Edge has slightly more value especially with similar level prospects

Q Williams to jets definately adds more interior Pass rush to them which they probably needed