American Football

[Kim Mitten]

Tough move for Dalton - Bengals-Cardinals flexed meaning the Bengals have 3 straight prime time games. The other two are against the Browns and Texans, if they can't beat them they don't deserve a playoff place.

 

[Anon]

We haven't been able to stretch the field on either boundary really with Nelson and Adams injured/not fit, but had got away with it before as we had enough time and bodies for Rodgers to find enough short field options in the middle. Denver though were able to clog the middle and rush Rodgers to such a high level there wasn't time to wait for openings that weren't there. Guessing the way to combat that is run the stuffing of the ball to commit the extra guy there, but Lacy clearly isn't Lacy at the moment bar that drive that got us to 10-17 and looked like we may be starting to find some rhythm.

With Manning and their running game looking the best this season, and now Vernon Davis in the mix, certainly makes the Patriots game a lot more interesting.

 

[kieran_vale]

Aye that addition of Davis is a smart decision. I know his production last couple of years has been minimal but I think a lot of that is down to Kaepernick (who by the way is now beyond awful - he should thank his lucky stars he has Blaine Gabbert as back-up).

Should be a really good game and possibly have #1 seeding implications given three of the AFC divisions are as good as in the bag already. They have had issues covering Gronk before (not that it puts them in exclusive company there) and Brady has such a quick release it renders pass rushes almost redundant.

 

[Anon]

Gabbert named starter vs the Falcons. That year-to-year contract now seems very sensible from the 9ers side.

 

[Bobbin']

Texans are gonna win AFC South

 

[Kim Mitten]

Twickenham to host NFL games next year. Minimum of 3 games over 3 years. With Wembley having 2 guaranteed we could see more than 3 games in London next year but more likely 2 at Wembley and 1 at Twickenham. Still talk that the Jaguars will play back to back games next year, one as the home team, one as the away. Would think there is a good chance one of those games will be divisional, so we might get to see JJ Watt.
It's 2018 that's going to be good, currently slated for 2 games at Wembley, 2 games at Tottenham and at least 1 at Twickenham.

In other news Wisenhunt fired in Nashville.

 

[Anon]

Bad teams get trigger happy too quickly for me. Everyone agreed Mariota would need time to adjust, but now he'll have to restart somewhat under a new system, and elsewhere that team hardly smacks of a team with loads of good players and ergo should be playing better.

One and a half seasons for Whisenhunt. What was the point?

 

[Kim Mitten]

Bad teams get trigger happy too quickly for me. Everyone agreed Mariota would need time to adjust, but now he'll have to restart somewhat under a new system, and elsewhere that team hardly smacks of a team with loads of good players and ergo should be playing better.

One and a half seasons for Whisenhunt. What was the point?

He was number 1 choice for the Lions job, they only hired Caldwell because Wisenhunt wouldn't move to Michigan. I agree he has gone too soon, much deeper issues in Tennessee than just the HC. I think he is a good coach to be honest and given a bit longer could get them going, especially in what is probably the weakest division in the NFL (only competition being NFC East)

 

[kieran_vale]

His record as coach there wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement for keeping him to be fair to the Titans. That said this smacks of fire the HC so the GM can cover his own arse more than anything. Other than that not sure why they couldn't wait until the off-season especially as any interim is unlikely to bring about any significant improvement and rarely does. Strange thing is such is the dreadful nature of the AFCS the Titans are even still in with a small chance of winning that division (though personally I'm starting to fancy the Jags)

One rumoured trade ahead of the deadline is the Pats and Titans doing a deal for Jason McCourty. That could be fun pairing him up in the secondary with Devin.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

1 Clemson
2 LSU
3 OSU
4 Alabama
5 Notre Dame
6 Baylor
7 Michigan State
8 TCU
9 Iowa
10 Florida

Committee to Baylor: Maybe think about scheduling someone other than South West North Dakota Tech in OOC, K?

 

[Anon]

Pep Hamilton fired as Colts OC, Rob Chudzinski takes over. Another seemingly last-ditch attempt by GM/Pagano to try to save their skin.

After today's waiver wire, I've now made 27 moves this season, 11 more than the next person

 

[Stagat]

After today's waiver wire, I've now made 27 moves this season, 11 more than the next person

Got 2 out of the 3 I went for this week. DeAngelo Williams being the one I missed. Not surprised at all though, reckon a fair few woulda been in for him.

 

[.V.]

Got 2 out of the 3 I went for this week. DeAngelo Williams being the one I missed. Not surprised at all though, reckon a fair woulda been in for him.

Having lost 6 games in a row prior to Sunday, this is the silver lining to those loses.

 

[Anon]

Yeah definitely, I had DeAngelo Williams then Langford as my top two targets but didn't expect to get either, but glad Pierre Thomas was available given my RB2 this week would have been Karlos Williams.

I also think it helps having an iffy/average start to the league as well, as that then gives you 3/4 weeks to shape the team, drop those that have guffed and bring in unexpected stars who emerge once the season has started.

 

[Craig]

Can't wait for LSU-Alabama on Saturday. Not looked forward to a game, NFL or college, as much for a few weeks.

 

[kieran_vale]

That's utter bullshit what the Colts have done to Hamilton. Not especially going to make any judgement on his play-calling but you only have to look at that O-Line they have there (another reason Grigson is right up there for most incompetent GM). I also fail to see how it's his fault that Luck keeps stupidly turning it over. Scapegoating at its worst.

It's almost not worth me bothering to make any waiver claims as none of them are ever successful. Thankfully looks like Forte will only miss a couple of games if that. I take it benching my entire team for a couple of games to get a better position on this is against the spirit of the game right?

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Bell and Allen done for the season in my fantos. RIP.

 

[Kim Mitten]

Well, amazing day in Motown, Lewand and Mayhew gone. This is such an un-Lions move, I've spent 20 odd years supporting this team and they have always been utterly loyal to dross, and Lewand and Mayhew have been better than most! Martha Ford is clearly nothing like her husband cos she wants a total restart. Some seem to think even Stafford will be out.
Caldwell stays, but most seem to think he is gone at the end of the season. I'm not sure about that, I mean whats the point of keeping him and getting rid of everyone else now?
No idea what happens from here to be honest, thought Mayhew did a good job with first round draft picks and gets a little iffy there after, especially round 2! But I'd thank him for all he's done since coming in.
The off season is certainly going to be interesting, if everyone is indeed chucked under the bus I can't quite see the replacements, maybe Wisenhunt is willing to move to Michigan after all!

 

[Destruction]

Is there a Steeler fan on here?

 

[Craig]

Yes.

 

[Destruction]

Who.

 

[Craig]

Aberstone.

 

[Destruction]

Aberstone - I might be a Steeler fan, I like the kit. Is it good being a Steeler fan or not? TIA.

 

[kieran_vale]

That jersey the Bills will be wearing on TNF next week was almost identical to the Pats throwback. Not too sure about that all green one the Jets will be rocking.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Steelers cheat sheet from a neutral POV:

Positives:
- High probability of snow games and minus stupid degree temperatures from November onwards.
- You get to affect an air of moral superiority despite having a roughly equal proportion of scumbags and assholes as every other franchise.
- You get to say BLUE COLLAR! SMASH MOUTH! PROPER FOOTBALL! all the time, even if the defense sucks and the offense is predicated on flinging it around every down.
- Your owners are first class folks. So classy. Great people. Wow just a pleasure to spend some time with them wasn't it Jim.
- Good more often than not, though how much of that is historical good fortune vs sustainable/predictive qualities inherent to the franchise is debatable.
- Legit rivalry games.
- You get a yellow towel.

Negatives:
- Their throwback unis are a crime against humanity.
- If you get so taken by them that you end up flying over to a home game then you'll have to eat cabbage rolls.
- Terry Bradshaw is a bonafide, copper bottomed arsehole.

 

[kieran_vale]

Sometimes I think they try too hard with these things but have to admit I did like that TNF intro with Jim Brown and the history surrounding these teams. Rather better than those school kids they had on the Pats-Phins game intro anyway (albeit they did drop some truth bombs on Deflategate).

 

[Aberstone]

Aberstone - I might be a Steeler fan, I like the kit. Is it good being a Steeler fan or not? TIA.

It's alright. Carel's synopsis is on the money, but he didn't mention the Primanti Bros sandwiches.

 

[Anon]

I may well have gone with the Steelers were it not for the Packers. Years ago when my Dad followed the Dolphins I wanted to choose a team that want them, and always thought the Steelers uniforms looked cool, which they still do.

...

If Kaepernick heads towards the exit, which if of all QBs it turns out Gabbert looks OK, could be possible... I wonder how much he'd command as a free agent. Surely there's a team out there that's needy and think he's worth a chance to fix.

 

[TomPNE94]

This Ole Miss - Arkansas game has been insane. Arkansas just converted a 4th and 25 to keep overtime alive after a lateral.

 

[TomPNE94]

And now convert the extra 2 points to win, the QB taking it in and injuring himself