American Football

[Renegade]

...the fuck?

Odell Beckham was clearly the Rookie of the Year, how on earth did a wide receiver not win the award? Is it solely based on fan votes? Wouldn't be surprised if Vikings fans conspired on social media to vote for him if so, it's happened before with NFL.com polls.

 

[Aberstone]

Friend of mine is a staunch Vikings fan and even he tweeted this morning that Odell Beckham Jr. was robbed of the award.

 

[Renegade]

Ah, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year is announced tonight at NFL Honours, that's more important. I'm sure OBJ will get it.

One day to go, God is great, go Hawks.

 

[Kim Mitten]

I just don't get the Bridgewater pick - so many better choices. He only played 12 games as well - if they are going for a QB bias then Carr did more with less in Oakland, he also played every game. The WR class was way better, if Bekcham Jr is not getting it as he missed games then Evans surely wins it.
I am utterly baffled by the choice, certainly in recent memory I can't think of a worse pick for one of the end of season awards.

I expect JJ Watt to be overlooked for league MVP now, it'll go to a QB, most likely Rodgers, and no QB has had a stand out season, all the 'elite' have gone a bit wonky for a stretch at some point this season.

 

[Anon]

Bridgewater pick is odd, but I get why Beckham didn't win - he only played well in half a season. On that half season, he was undeniably exceptional in every game (best waiver before-he-got-hot pickup I'll ever make), but I dunno, is half a season enough to be considered?

MVP has to go to Rodgers, a most valuable player award isn't the same as best performing player.

 

[Anon]

Slocum fired as ST coach. I'm never a fan of rash firings - it's been part of our identity under TT and has yielded results - but he has been there a while, and various ST metrics had us under par for a good few seasons under his direction. Obviously looking at the NFC game, the blown assignment by Bostick is a bit harsh to blame Slocum for, but it was the fake FG that really kickstarted the comeback - and given Carroll had used them in the past we so should have been better prepared for that. Sacrificing the already-minor chance of blocking the FG for the sake of making sure eligible receivers were covered (and esp OTs called out as eligible) should have been the plan.

 

[Renegade]

Beckham had more receptions and receiving yards than any of the rookies and had as many touchdowns as Mike Evans, despite playing four less games. He averaged a touchdown and over 100 yards per game, which would have been All-Pro level had he played in all the games. His averages were better than any receiver in the league, so yeah, I reckon he did enough!

As for the MVP, it's a stupid award. Why don't they just have a player of the year award like other sports? Every year you have the inane argument on the best player vs the player most important to their team's success (which 95% of the time is a quarterback). J.J Watt is the best player in the NFL, he should be given some award for that, but he probably won't. Silly Americans.

Weren't Green Bay's special teams pretty decent this season? I seem to remember good returning from the Packers at least and Crosby had a good season.

 

[Anon]

Agreed on the MVP stuff. Btw, not saying I agree with Beckham not getting it, but I can understand the argument against - if he's played in more games he'd have been a lock for sure. Hypothetically, if he'd had the same numbers condensed into him playing just 5 games (a ridiculous notion, I know) does he still do enough?

Weren't Green Bay's special teams pretty decent this season? I seem to remember good returning from the Packers at least and Crosby had a good season.

Hit and miss really. Crosby could easily have been let go after 2012 but his 2013 and 2014 seasons were very good, and had balls of steel to tie the game in Seattle. Micah Hyde has also had a great season returning punts, think he got at least 2 TDs from them.

Mastay had a noticably bad year punting, and our kick returning yardage I think was bottom 2/3 of all teams, surprising given Cobb's a good returner. Got a feeling were one of the worst at allowing yardage from kicks and punts too.

People are bound to think he's been fired for the Seattle game, but we don't tend to make such firings and his unit hasn't been great for many years now. Last season we got in an additional assistant too, so the pressure was turned up for 2014 back last summer. Seattle was probably the straw that broke the camel's back.

 

[kieran_vale]

Well Rodgers takes the MVP. Not personally where I'd have gone as would have preferred Watt but of the QB's he's probably been the most fitting of that criteria. That said I do wonder what it would take for someone from another position such as Gronk for example to be in contention, it's a valid argument to me that without him we quite possibly don't make the Super Bowl he is that important to our Offense. Never going to happen though.

Murray for Offensive player of the year, no argument there. Think he can pass a big thanks to that Dallas O-Line though.

Watt unsurprisingly defensive player of the year.

Lastly Gronk gets comeback player of the year, again I don't think this would ever have been in doubt.

 

[Anon]

Lastly Gronk gets comeback player of the year, again I don't think this would ever have been in doubt.

I dunno, I thought McClain would have been in contention, given he was completely out of the league. Plenty of players get injured for a season and return to their previous form.

 

[Craig]

I have an early start tomorrow so won't be staying up for the game. Can't say I'm overly fussed seeing as if you'd asked me at the beginning of the playoffs which match-up would least interest me the Seahawks-Pats would probably have been quite high on the list. I'll catch the highlights tomorrow evening. Would like to see the Pats win it but think the Seahawks will take this one in a low scoring affair.

 

[SamScfc]

My first SB so looking forward to this, shit that it's the last of it til bloody September

 

[Craig]

America has the best national anthem, all other anthems pale in comparison.

 

[TomPNE94]

America has the best national anthem, all other anthems pale in comparison.

agreed

 

[.V.]

America has the best national anthem, all other anthems pale in comparison.

Check out the version the Dixie Chicks did in Super Bowl 37. Best version I've ever heard.

In other news, Dominos pizza ordered

 

[shane]

Why kick on a 2nd down?

(I don't watch a lot of NFL).

 

[TomPNE94]

Why kick on a 2nd down?

(I don't watch a lot of NFL).

I can't say I noticed this happening..

 

[kieran_vale]

Pats D is showing up big time so far, some excellent coverage.

Apart from the boneheaded interception Brady and the O have clicked also.

 

[kieran_vale]

That was a nice long ball from Wilson to set that TD up, damn it.

 

[shane]

I can't say I noticed this happening..

Pretty sure it was Seattle halfway through the first quarter?

Now I'm starting to question whether it happened....

 

[kieran_vale]

Gronk you fucking legend, great drive inside the 2 minute warning.

 

[SamScfc]

Fuck you Gronk, had 2 bets for it to be a draw at HT and either team to win. Twat.

 

[TomPNE94]

Fuck you Gronk, had 2 bets for it to be a draw at HT and either team to win. Twat.

Still a chance here mate...

 

[SamScfc]

Still a chance here mate...

Yep, they're going for it!

 

[kieran_vale]

Fuck you Gronk, had 2 bets for it to be a draw at HT and either team to win. Twat.

Well you got your wish.

Unbelievable, that's good from Carroll to go for it, that's why he is in the Super Bowl and Mike McCarthy isn't.

 

[TomPNE94]

Yep, they're going for it!

There you go!!

 

[SamScfc]

Feel a bit like a twat now cos it can only return £26...but still, first superbowl and a winning bet is all good.

Enjoying this, got off to a bit of a slow start but it's proper kicked into gear now.

 

[RavenBish]

Fucking hell I love Katy Perry

 

[kieran_vale]

Feel a bit like a twat now cos it can only return £26...but still, first superbowl and a winning bet is all good.

Enjoying this, got off to a bit of a slow start but it's proper kicked into gear now.

Been a great game, lots of physical play and both offenses have shown up also.

 

[RavenBish]

This is incredible