OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NFL season & predictions thread:

[YoungJRNY]

I found this quite hilarious. The Steelers and Bengals just played one HELLUVA Monday Night football game, down to the last play and all ESPN is worried about is the Jerry Jones press conference. Does Jerry Jones own ESPN too? Because I've NEVER.. EVER seen a 1-7 team get so much hype and air time as the Cowgirls. That star can't be that powerful (if it's even powerful at all), I mean come on now, damn.

It is Dallas...like it or not, they are the Alabama of the NFL...or the Duke basketball equivalent. ESPN must suck off someone, and with Lebron and OG off tonight, Dallas gets the nod. I see Stuart Scott all amped up.....man, he is the worst.

That dudes eyeballs freaks me out. He's like a character from Tales of the Krypt or something. His catchphrase's are funny. They are terrible and so early 1990 lingo, haha.

[Rockindeano]

Well, I am in mourning as usual, but Mikey boy Brown has taught all of us long suffering Bengal fans ,to wait till next year. Pittsburgh is a very good team. The Bengals have been too little, too late for years. I think most of the coaching staff needs too be fired but Brown has this dedicated thing going on, which probably means $$$$ from his pocket if he has to buy out a contract. I have moved on to Bronson Arroyo being signed for 3 yrs at a cost of 36-39 mil. Castellini is NOT MIKE BROWN. That should make the Reds interesting if ESPN's report happens. I hope you people treasure Tim Lincecum ! He is very much like a younger Arroyo,but even more trickier and younger. No wonder Perry is a Giants fan.

Hey, atleast they gave you a glimmer of hope. Under the Bettis/Cowher regime, a 20 point lead in the 4th QRT was AUTOMATIC and you might as well forget about it. The Steelers play calling under Arians has been pathetic for years and even though I think Mendenhall was our MVP, we can't run the ball at the specific times when we NEED to run it well and it came back to bite us (result, Ben forced pick, Bengals back in it.) That game should have never been that close.

You're right. Cincinnati should have won by 10. The fumbled opening kickoff=7 points...The blocked punt turnover =3 points, the missed FG cost them 3 points. In reality, the Bengals probably should have won this game by 7-10 points. Special teams was the difference.

[Maui Tom]

I never thought I would EVER say this...but other than the actual games they show...I abhor ESPN now...I mean...Trey Wingo breaking down defenses? ESPN can go fuck itself.

[YoungJRNY]

Well, I am in mourning as usual, but Mikey boy Brown has taught all of us long suffering Bengal fans ,to wait till next year. Pittsburgh is a very good team. The Bengals have been too little, too late for years. I think most of the coaching staff needs too be fired but Brown has this dedicated thing going on, which probably means $$$$ from his pocket if he has to buy out a contract. I have moved on to Bronson Arroyo being signed for 3 yrs at a cost of 36-39 mil. Castellini is NOT MIKE BROWN. That should make the Reds interesting if ESPN's report happens. I hope you people treasure Tim Lincecum ! He is very much like a younger Arroyo,but even more trickier and younger. No wonder Perry is a Giants fan.

Hey, atleast they gave you a glimmer of hope. Under the Bettis/Cowher regime, a 20 point lead in the 4th QRT was AUTOMATIC and you might as well forget about it. The Steelers play calling under Arians has been pathetic for years and even though I think Mendenhall was our MVP, we can't run the ball at the specific times when we NEED to run it well and it came back to bite us (result, Ben forced pick, Bengals back in it.) That game should have never been that close.

You're right. Cincinnati should have won by 10. The fumbled opening kickoff=7 points...The next turnover =3 points, the missed FG cost them 3 points. In reality, the Bengals probably should have won this game by 7-10 points. Special teams was the difference.

Can I go back in the history books and pick out how many games the Steelers should have won givin the same formula? Or maybe any other NFL, College, High school, or Pee-wee game? That's football. Does the Ben pick count in all of this? Jeff Reeds missed FG? All those Bengals penalties amounting over 50 yards alone on that one T.D drive? In reality, the Bengals should have lost by 20.

[Rockindeano]

I never thought I would EVER say this...but other than the actual games they show...I abhor ESPN now...I mean...Trey Wingo breaking down defenses? ESPN can go fuck itself.

LOL at Trey Wingo smack...he is a tool for sure, however, ESPN's College Gameday is awesome, with Corso and Herbstreit and Fowler...good stuff. I love when Corso goes to the headgear at 2 minutes left....it's hilarious.

[Rockindeano]

Jesus Christ, now we have ESPN reporting on Lebron James Tweets about the Cowboys. This is unreal. We really need to know how Lebron feels about the Cowboys.....Good God.

[YoungJRNY]

Jesus Christ, now we have ESPN reporting on Lebron James Tweets about the Cowboys. This is unreal. We really need to know how Lebron feels about the Cowboys.....Good God.

It's become unbearable. It's my cue to get some rest for the night!

[Rockindeano]

Fuck, I didn't know Jerry Jones was owner, president AND general manager?! WTF? No wonder they suck ass. Dude, I can see you being owner and president, but for God's sake, get a football guy in there to deal with football matters. What a retard.

[Don]

Trey Wingo Apologizes For Accidentally Calling Champion Lady Vols 'Pat Summitt's Marauding Army Of Monstrous Lesbians'

Trey Wingo said "a slip of the tongue" was to blame for an incident in which he referred to the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in less than flattering terms during their 59-46 victory over Rutgers Tuesday night. "It was an honest, if disastrous, mistake—I was just fumbling for something to say so I didn't repeat 'Lady Vols' one more time, and somehow the thing about the lesbian army just came out," said Wingo, who has offered to perform any public or private act of contrition the Lady Vols required of him. "They worked so hard to get here and played so well when they did, and then I had to go and embarrass the whole lumbering herd of ungainly she-oxen in front of a national audience…

[Rockindeano]

Trey Wingo Apologizes For Accidentally Calling Champion Lady Vols 'Pat Summitt's Marauding Army Of Monstrous Lesbians'

Trey Wingo said "a slip of the tongue" was to blame for an incident in which he referred to the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in less than flattering terms during their 59-46 victory over Rutgers Tuesday night. "It was an honest, if disastrous, mistake—I was just fumbling for something to say so I didn't repeat 'Lady Vols' one more time, and somehow the thing about the lesbian army just came out," said Wingo, who has offered to perform any public or private act of contrition the Lady Vols required of him. "They worked so hard to get here and played so well when they did, and then I had to go and embarrass the whole lumbering herd of ungainly she-oxen in front of a national audience…

I have new found respect for Mr. Wingo. That is classic stuff right there. I don't see how the Hell he keeps his job on this one though. C'mon, calling college women "Monstrous Lesbians?" Oh man.

[mikemarrs]

don't forget another game only three days away on thursday night.....


Thu. Nov. 11
6-2 Ravens at 6-2 Falcons 8:20 PM


i think i'll take the ravens in this one even though they are on the road.

[Ehwmatt]

So, is Stafford a total bust or what? The guy appears to be made of glass!

[mikemarrs]

stafford is made of glass and walking away with 80 million dollars.

[YoungJRNY]

My week 9 Power Rankings:



1. Baltimore Ravens: Coming off a a bye, the Ravens are one of the few teams in the league that are playing their kind of football consistently. This group is a hard team to beat even though they got room for improvement. LeRon McClain spitting in the face of a Miami Dolphins defensive player is straight up thuggish and is the ultimate dis-respect. He should be fined in every way shape or form.


2. N.Y Giants: The Giants remain the class of the NFC thus far. They are not only winning, but they are dominating in spectacular and impressive fashion. Eli is still coming of age and their defense is a tough bunch to work around. Great turnaround after starting the first couple of weeks very slow.


3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Up by 20 in the 4th QRT against a dead team of the Bungles, the Steelers 4th QRT woes continue. They have all the cards in place to be as dominant as ever, but below average play calling at crucial times is killing this team a shot at any blow out and comfortable victories. When do the Steelers EVER play comfortable?


4. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Vick is finally living up to his own hype and finally realizing what it takes to become an all around Quarterback. Out of all of the years I've watched Vick, I'm stunned by how accurate he is with the ball in the pocket and his arm strength is impeccable. The Eagles aren't a sleeper, but are over shadowed by the QB drama and how great the Giants are playing in the NFC at the moment, but they are easily NFC's #2 team.


5. N.Y Jets: Even though they struggled against a high surging Lions team, Sanchez was poised and needed to capitalize on any opportunity necc to win the game late down by a bunch, and he did just that. With a little - a lot of help from Detroit in the process, dirty Sanchez and the Jets came up HUGE on the road from a come from behind victory in O.T. Those wins define seasons.



6. New England Patriots: The Pats were the latest victim of a Cleveland Browns beat down and completely got manhandled the entire game. It wasn't even close, which leads to the question of their toughness in straight up physical games. It could only be a bump in the road, and it must be that in New England because they are in for a huge showdown Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field that could have home-field advantage written all over it.



7. Green Bay Packers: The Packers face a plethora of injuries, and everyone was waiting for them to bow out, but it's the complete opposite. Despite no running game and facing major injuries, instead of going in the tank, the Packers are manning up and welcoming that challenge. Annihilating a Cowboys team on Sunday Night was impressive, but the jury is still out on this group. We'll see if they can win and play December football.



8. New Orleans Saints: The Saints are slowly but surely picking up their own head of steam & it couldn't come at a better time. They are now poised to make a second half of the season run and need it to keep pace with Atlanta in the NFC South. They play Atlanta once more this season, so that's shaping up to be make or break for the South crown, something a Super Bowl Champion welcomes.



9. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are ranked low this week due to the fact of every other NFL team owning up and making a push. Peyton Manning could be beat, only if you get the necc pressure on him. I've never seen Manning hit the dirt as many times as he did Sunday. If other teams can get to Manning like the Eagles did, then the Colts will lose more often than they win.



10. Atlanta Falcons: This Falcons team is a resilient group. They seem to play to the wire weekly and is one of those teams that grind it out to the end to give themselves a chance to win, and then go and win it. Signs of a great team in the making for the present, and beyond. What a ride it'll be to see if the Falcons can edge out the Saints in the NFC South.

[mikemarrs]

As Cowboys owner Jerry Jones commences the process of drawing up a list of candidates for the head coaching job in 2011, several obvious names have emerged.

Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com has listed ten of them: John Fox, Jason Garrett, Jim Harbaugh, Jon Gruden, Mike Zimmer, Brian Schottenheimer, Bill Cowher, Rob Ryan, and Tony Dungy.

The final decision will depend in large part on the extent to which Jones is willing to give up part or all of his control over the football operations. Guys like Cowher and Gruden would want to run the show -- as would Browns president Mike Holmgren, whose lingering desire to coach could put him into the mix.

If Jones decides that his team has the talent but merely needs an enema of accountability, why not Rob Ryan? The equally brash identical twin of Jets coach Rex Ryan is a 10-gallon hat away from looking just like a cowboy, and if Jones wants to stick with the 3-4 defense Rob Ryan would make plenty of sense.

Either way, Jones will have plenty of options. The ultimate answer will depend on his willingness to step aside and let the trained professionals run the team.

[Eric]

http://rikkerpowerrankings.blogspot.com ... kings.html

[Don]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jim Harbaugh coaching the Chargers or 49ers next year.

[Ehwmatt]

Anything to get Gruden off of Monday NIght Football. Jesus christ that guy is a sycophant for every team that plays on Monday night. So annoying. I'm also not sold on his coaching pedigree - seems to me he inherited a Dungy-built TB team and then summarily blew it there.

[mikemarrs]

lost in all the talk about who will be the next cowboys coach is the talk of who will be the next carolina panthers head coach? does bill cowher take the carolina job right there close to where he lives and calls home? i also wouldn't put it past jerry jones to hire john fox once he gets fired from carolina.

[Rockindeano]

Anything to get Gruden off of Monday NIght Football. Jesus christ that guy is a sycophant for every team that plays on Monday night. So annoying. I'm also not sold on his coaching pedigree - seems to me he inherited a Dungy-built TB team and then summarily blew it there.

You have to love how Chucky just lives and breathes football 24 hours a day. He is engrossed in football it seems. I think his act on the four letter Matt, is to appease the network bosses. Like him or not, he did beat the living shit out of Oakland in the Super Bowl, and that is always a good thing.

[Ehwmatt]

Anything to get Gruden off of Monday NIght Football. Jesus christ that guy is a sycophant for every team that plays on Monday night. So annoying. I'm also not sold on his coaching pedigree - seems to me he inherited a Dungy-built TB team and then summarily blew it there.

You have to love how Chucky just lives and breathes football 24 hours a day. He is engrossed in football it seems. I think his act on the four letter Matt, is to appease the network bosses. Like him or not, he did beat the living shit out of Oakland in the Super Bowl, and that is always a good thing.

I think his act is more akin to him trying to aggrandize his coaching prospects. Doesn't want to burn any bridges. I'm just real sour on the guy because people have been clamoring for him here in Cleveland since Mangini made his first mistake last year, and love or hate Mangini, I just don't see why Gruden is so sought after. He seems charismatic enough, but I think a lot of his other supposed strengths are greatly exaggerated.

[Rick]

Anything to get Gruden off of Monday NIght Football. Jesus christ that guy is a sycophant for every team that plays on Monday night. So annoying. I'm also not sold on his coaching pedigree - seems to me he inherited a Dungy-built TB team and then summarily blew it there.

You have to love how Chucky just lives and breathes football 24 hours a day. He is engrossed in football it seems. I think his act on the four letter Matt, is to appease the network bosses. Like him or not, he did beat the living shit out of Oakland in the Super Bowl, and that is always a good thing.

I think his act is more akin to him trying to aggrandize his coaching prospects. Doesn't want to burn any bridges. I'm just real sour on the guy because people have been clamoring for him here in Cleveland since Mangini made his first mistake last year, and love or hate Mangini, I just don't see why Gruden is so sought after. He seems charismatic enough, but I think a lot of his other supposed strengths are greatly exaggerated.

Gruden drives me up a wall. Theismann used to do the same thing. Phil Sims tries to, but I can listen to that guy.

[YoungJRNY]

I guess I'm the only one that enjoys Gruden in the booth. I love the combination of Gruden and Jaws. They go at it at times, but it's all good. It's a good mix and match. I love hearing Jaws, and esp Gruden breakdown the game so easily and offer some good coaching ability through the screen. It comes so easy to those guys to what they see and I think Gruden is the smoothest we've seen in the booth in a long time. Sure does beat Phil Simms, who I just can never, ever handle. Gruden's okay in my book, I like his style.

[Don]

Merlin Olsen was a favorite of mine. Now days , these guys seem to have the need to shout and act like they're on the juice when ever they open their mouths.

[YoungJRNY]

Looks like the Steelers huge mammoth of an left offensive tackle, Max Starks will be lost for the season due to a neck injury he suffered against the Bengals. Starks was the anchor and leader of the line, winning 2 Super Bowl rings as a starter and paved way for many Steelers 1,000 yard rushers in his time for Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, and Rashard Mendenhall.

The Steelers have the worst luck on the offensive front I've ever seen. I can't remember a single year, maybe since 2004, to where they all stood together as one unit. Since then, it's all been about injuries, IR moves, and season ending nonsense before the season even started.

Since the season started, the Steelers have now lost two starters and both starting tackles; Right tackle Willie Colon, and Left Tackle Max Starks. Starting left offensive Guard Chris Kemoeatu could be out with an ankle sprain as well.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers lost their 3-4 defensive end, Aaron Smith to a torn tricep, and our other defensive end Brett Keisel hasn't been in the lineup for weeks nursing a pulled hamstring.

The Steelers are a severely beat up team at the moment. It's always been this way. The last time we were this hurt, we went 15-1 when our backups stepped up every position in 2004, so we'll see what we're made of, but it doesn't look pretty in Steel town for our offensive and defensive fronts.

[Ehwmatt]

I guess I'm the only one that enjoys Gruden in the booth. I love the combination of Gruden and Jaws. They go at it at times, but it's all good. It's a good mix and match. I love hearing Jaws, and esp Gruden breakdown the game so easily and offer some good coaching ability through the screen. It comes so easy to those guys to what they see and I think Gruden is the smoothest we've seen in the booth in a long time. Sure does beat Phil Simms, who I just can never, ever handle. Gruden's okay in my book, I like his style.

Gruden's constant "Oh My he's special" etc etc. just gets so old. It's hard to take.

[S2M]

And you might be without Will Allen, Mewelde Moore, and Isaac Redman on Sunday night too....

[YoungJRNY]

And you might be without Will Allen, Mewelde Moore, and Isaac Redman on Sunday night too....

Will Allen is a special teams ace (and would be needed in the secondary as well.) Last season, our special teams was by far one of thee worst squads in football. This season, they've stepped up and have been very stingy, and Allen has been a major part in that, so that's a concern. I believe Moore and Redman have concussion-like related injuries, so it depends later in the week to see their progress, but right there that's our 3rd down/spell back in Mewelde and also our short yardage ace in Redman. It doesn't get thinner than this.

[Enigma869]

Looks like the Steelers huge mammoth of an left offensive tackle, Max Starks will be lost for the season due to a neck injury he suffered against the Bengals. Starks was the anchor and leader of the line, winning 2 Super Bowl rings as a starter and paved way for many Steelers 1,000 yard rushers in his time for Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, and Rashard Mendenhall.

The Steelers have the worst luck on the offensive front I've ever seen. I can't remember a single year, maybe since 2004, to where they all stood together as one unit. Since then, it's all been about injuries, IR moves, and season ending nonsense before the season even started.

Since the season started, the Steelers have now lost two starters and both starting tackles; Right tackle Willie Colon, and Left Tackle Max Starks. Starting left offensive Guard Chris Kemoeatu could be out with an ankle sprain as well.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers lost their 3-4 defensive end, Aaron Smith to a torn tricep, and our other defensive end Brett Keisel hasn't been in the lineup for weeks nursing a pulled hamstring.

The Steelers are a severely beat up team at the moment. It's always been this way. The last time we were this hurt, we went 15-1 when our backups stepped up every position in 2004, so we'll see what we're made of, but it doesn't look pretty in Steel town for our offensive and defensive fronts.

Stop whining It's football. Every team has injuries. The Patriots best defensive back (on a team that is VERY challenged in that position) hasn't played in weeks and Deion Branch has been banged up since they got him. Oh, and they just had to sign Shayne Graham today because their kicker got a pimple on his ass and is now out for several weeks. There is no such thing as a healthy team in the NFL.

[larryfromnextdoor]

i know its not popular,, but i agree with just about everything Chris Collinsworth says.. seems right on the money most of the time and seems to compliment Al..

my best bud.. a Steelers fanatic..(are there any other kinds) ..... hates him because of he constantly called Neil O'Donnell a gimpy arm quarterback .. but that was long ago..