2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[mikemarrs]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

[Ehwmatt]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

The 49ers are going "all in" for sure for the short-term. The only problem is I have serious doubts about Alex Smith. But I love their team and philosophy. I think we will see a retrenchment from arena league-esque teams like the Packers and Saints who merely outgun their opponents in this so-called "passer's league." In their place, we'll see teams undoubtedly adhering to the "passer's league mentality," but I think the future successful teams will strike an eventual "balance" between more passing but still having hard-hitting defense and at least some semblance of a running game.

[mikemarrs]

Titans have interest in Asante Samuel but the Eagles want a third round pick.Will be interesting to see if Tennessee really wants to or not.

[Fact Finder]

All turnovers to be reviewed

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- All turnovers will be reviewed from the booth with no coaches' challenges needed and overtime periods in the regular season will use the same scoring rules as the postseason after NFL owners voted to approve those proposals Wednesday.

The replay official already reviews all scoring plays.

With all turnovers now subject to review, it could lead to even more effective coaching challenges. According to ESPN Stats & Information, last season (the first with all touchdowns being reviewed), plays were reversed on 52 percent of challenges, the best rate over the past 11 seasons and 10 percent higher than in 2010.

The NFL rarely tinkered with overtime until two years ago, when the Saints won the NFC title by winning the coin toss to start the extra period, marching downfield and kicking a field goal.

The vote on adopting the overtime was 30-2.

An overtime in the regular season now will end on a team's first possession only if it scores a touchdown or the defense forces a safety. If the team kicks a field goal on its first possession, the opposing team also will get a possession. If it also kicks a field goal, the extra period continues.

Other rules changes: A team will lose a down for illegally kicking a loose ball; too many men on the field becomes a dead-ball foul; and a player receiving a crackback block is now considered a defenseless player and will result in a 15-yard penalty.

Not passed were proposals to have the booth official handle video reviews rather than the referee, and outlawing the horse-collar tackle made on quarterbacks in the pocket.

Given the NFL's concern with player safety, not extending the horse-collar rule seemed surprising. But competition committee chairman Rich McKay said the ownership "didn't think this can impact on player safety."

"The rule was developed for the open-field tackle when a defender has the chance to do something else (in making the tackle)," he said. "He's also able to use the runner's momentum against him. We didn't think that applied to the pocket, didn't see the injury risk."

Several bylaw changes were tabled until the league meetings in May, including expanding preseason rosters to 90, designating one player suffering a major injury before Week 2 of the season as eligible to return from injured reserve, and moving the trading deadline back two weeks to after Week 8.

McKay expects them to pass at the next meetings in Atlanta.

"There were good ideas and suggestions, no resistance," he said. "We'll work on the language."

Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league's strong stance against non-contract bonuses such as the Saints' bounty program that got coach Sean Payton suspended for one year and cost New Orleans a $500,000 fine and two second-round draft choice. Goodell said the league will not allow any cash payments between players, whether the clubs are involved or not.

"It's not permissible and we are going to take that out of the game," he said.

Goodell expects to speak with players' union head DeMaurice Smith before the end of the week and hopes to have the NFLPA's recommendations on punishment for players involved in the bounties by then or soon after.

The NFL also will not be awarding the 2016 Super Bowl, its 50th, to any city this year. Goodell said he expects many bidders for the game.

[mikemarrs]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

The 49ers are going "all in" for sure for the short-term. The only problem is I have serious doubts about Alex Smith. But I love their team and philosophy. I think we will see a retrenchment from arena league-esque teams like the Packers and Saints who merely outgun their opponents in this so-called "passer's league." In their place, we'll see teams undoubtedly adhering to the "passer's league mentality," but I think the future successful teams will strike an eventual "balance" between more passing but still having hard-hitting defense and at least some semblance of a running game.

Exactly.The only player is I have serious doubts about is Alex Smith too.In my opinion i just don't think he is that good.My opinion is if the 49ers had a better QB they just might've made it to the super bowl last year.If the 49ers had a better QB i think they would be so much better.I have seen teams suffer and waste a super bowl talented team due to having a great team but mediocre QB.2008 Tennessee Titans were great but QB Kerry Collins sucked.2009-2010 NY Jets were very good but Mark Sanchez was the weak link at QB.Now you have a great niners team which is only as good as how far Alex Smith can lead them.For instance i think if the niners had a Matthew Stafford or even a guy like Andy Dalton they would be much better.I think this is why the niners went and got another QB Josh Johnson from Tampa Bay because they know Smith is really only gonna get them to a certain level.As soon as Alex Smith play declines in 2012 there will be a QB controversy in S.F. and Josh Johnson will take over at QB.

[Fact Finder]

As if the Bengals didn't already have a bad reputation, now our cheerleaders are getting in on the act....jeez!

Ben-Gal accused of sex with student

10:15 AM


A Cincinnati Ben-Gals cheerleader was indicted Thursday for allegedly having sex with a student when she was a teacher at Dixie Heights High School.

Here are some pics of Sarah Jones...man, those gals sure look better from the second deck.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 801&Ref=PH

[Ehwmatt]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

The 49ers are going "all in" for sure for the short-term. The only problem is I have serious doubts about Alex Smith. But I love their team and philosophy. I think we will see a retrenchment from arena league-esque teams like the Packers and Saints who merely outgun their opponents in this so-called "passer's league." In their place, we'll see teams undoubtedly adhering to the "passer's league mentality," but I think the future successful teams will strike an eventual "balance" between more passing but still having hard-hitting defense and at least some semblance of a running game.

Exactly.The only player is I have serious doubts about is Alex Smith too.In my opinion i just don't think he is that good.My opinion is if the 49ers had a better QB they just might've made it to the super bowl last year.If the 49ers had a better QB i think they would be so much better.I have seen teams suffer and waste a super bowl talented team due to having a great team but mediocre QB.2008 Tennessee Titans were great but QB Kerry Collins sucked.2009-2010 NY Jets were very good but Mark Sanchez was the weak link at QB.Now you have a great niners team which is only as good as how far Alex Smith can lead them.For instance i think if the niners had a Matthew Stafford or even a guy like Andy Dalton they would be much better.I think this is why the niners went and got another QB Josh Johnson from Tampa Bay because they know Smith is really only gonna get them to a certain level.As soon as Alex Smith play declines in 2012 there will be a QB controversy in S.F. and Josh Johnson will take over at QB.

I've heard Colin Kaepernick (drafted in 2nd round last year) is the 49ers future hope at QB. They supposedly like him a lot.

[YoungJRNY]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

The 49ers are going "all in" for sure for the short-term. The only problem is I have serious doubts about Alex Smith. But I love their team and philosophy. I think we will see a retrenchment from arena league-esque teams like the Packers and Saints who merely outgun their opponents in this so-called "passer's league." In their place, we'll see teams undoubtedly adhering to the "passer's league mentality," but I think the future successful teams will strike an eventual "balance" between more passing but still having hard-hitting defense and at least some semblance of a running game.

Exactly.The only player is I have serious doubts about is Alex Smith too.In my opinion i just don't think he is that good.My opinion is if the 49ers had a better QB they just might've made it to the super bowl last year.If the 49ers had a better QB i think they would be so much better.I have seen teams suffer and waste a super bowl talented team due to having a great team but mediocre QB.2008 Tennessee Titans were great but QB Kerry Collins sucked.2009-2010 NY Jets were very good but Mark Sanchez was the weak link at QB.Now you have a great niners team which is only as good as how far Alex Smith can lead them.For instance i think if the niners had a Matthew Stafford or even a guy like Andy Dalton they would be much better.I think this is why the niners went and got another QB Josh Johnson from Tampa Bay because they know Smith is really only gonna get them to a certain level.As soon as Alex Smith play declines in 2012 there will be a QB controversy in S.F. and Josh Johnson will take over at QB.

I've heard Colin Kaepernick (drafted in 2nd round last year) is the 49ers future hope at QB. They supposedly like him a lot.

Just like Charlie Whitehurst was supposed to be the Seahawks future as well when they gave him a ludicrous contract when Pete Carrol came aboard. I don't buy into teams believing into young draftees who haven't proved themselves neither on the field OR practice field, especially what we've seen on how owners and head coach's are willing to do while jerking around QB's that atleast performed decent in their careers (Sanchez, Smith, etc.) I don't think the 9'ers are going to fully build around Kaepernick until he shows more than enough to atleast get on the field and then perform consistently thereafter.

[YoungJRNY]

As if the Bengals didn't already have a bad reputation, now our cheerleaders are getting in on the act....jeez!

Ben-Gal accused of sex with student

10:15 AM


A Cincinnati Ben-Gals cheerleader was indicted Thursday for allegedly having sex with a student when she was a teacher at Dixie Heights High School.

Here are some pics of Sarah Jones...man, those gals sure look better from the second deck.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 801&Ref=PH

[Ehwmatt]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

The 49ers are going "all in" for sure for the short-term. The only problem is I have serious doubts about Alex Smith. But I love their team and philosophy. I think we will see a retrenchment from arena league-esque teams like the Packers and Saints who merely outgun their opponents in this so-called "passer's league." In their place, we'll see teams undoubtedly adhering to the "passer's league mentality," but I think the future successful teams will strike an eventual "balance" between more passing but still having hard-hitting defense and at least some semblance of a running game.

Exactly.The only player is I have serious doubts about is Alex Smith too.In my opinion i just don't think he is that good.My opinion is if the 49ers had a better QB they just might've made it to the super bowl last year.If the 49ers had a better QB i think they would be so much better.I have seen teams suffer and waste a super bowl talented team due to having a great team but mediocre QB.2008 Tennessee Titans were great but QB Kerry Collins sucked.2009-2010 NY Jets were very good but Mark Sanchez was the weak link at QB.Now you have a great niners team which is only as good as how far Alex Smith can lead them.For instance i think if the niners had a Matthew Stafford or even a guy like Andy Dalton they would be much better.I think this is why the niners went and got another QB Josh Johnson from Tampa Bay because they know Smith is really only gonna get them to a certain level.As soon as Alex Smith play declines in 2012 there will be a QB controversy in S.F. and Josh Johnson will take over at QB.

I've heard Colin Kaepernick (drafted in 2nd round last year) is the 49ers future hope at QB. They supposedly like him a lot.

Just like Charlie Whitehurst was supposed to be the Seahawks future as well when they gave him a ludicrous contract when Pete Carrol came aboard. I don't buy into teams believing into young draftees who haven't proved themselves neither on the field OR practice field, especially what we've seen on how owners and head coach's are willing to do while jerking around QB's that atleast performed decent in their careers (Sanchez, Smith, etc.) I don't think the 9'ers are going to fully build around Kaepernick until he shows more than enough to atleast get on the field and then perform consistently thereafter.

I don't know dick about Kaepernick other than his name. But I don't think Smith could be said to have performed "decently" in his career. The overwhelming body of his work has been decidedly subpar, and I'd be generous to rate him as "decent" last year.

And I don't know what Kaepernick showed or didn't show in practice last season. I do know he was a 2nd round rookie who didn't have an offseason on a team with all new personnel. And all of a sudden, that team found itself in playoff position early on. So of course they're going to stick with the veteran game manager at that point.

So all in all, I don't give a shit about Kapernick or who the 9ers have at QB. I just take issue with some of your statements above

[YoungJRNY]

Smith showed he can overcome the mental beatdown he went through over the past couple of years of being a #1 draft-bust AND going through a rebuilding phase with the San Francisco 49'ers. He proved last season that with the right head coach and people around him, he can manage the game good enough for an NFC Title run (that loss wasn't pinned on him.) That said, I don't think Alex Smith is anything special. He's a 2nd-3rd tier QB. To his credit, for a QB to bounce back what he's overcome and be the leader of a 13-3 team speaks volumes of the mental-capacity he has and that's what some QB's lack. The 9'ers pursuit of Manning was a no-brainer. Smith couldn't carry Manning's clipboard the right way but now, he deserves a chance to build on his career.

That said, obviously, no QB is safe unless you're of the elite. Plain and simple. Nothing will surprise me anymore with how a coach handles their QB situation not named Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Roethlisberger or Manning & Manning. Even with Phillip Rivers shitty play last season, I'm not sold on his tenure in S.D thus far.

[Jonny B]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

The 49ers are going "all in" for sure for the short-term. The only problem is I have serious doubts about Alex Smith. But I love their team and philosophy. I think we will see a retrenchment from arena league-esque teams like the Packers and Saints who merely outgun their opponents in this so-called "passer's league." In their place, we'll see teams undoubtedly adhering to the "passer's league mentality," but I think the future successful teams will strike an eventual "balance" between more passing but still having hard-hitting defense and at least some semblance of a running game.

Exactly.The only player is I have serious doubts about is Alex Smith too.In my opinion i just don't think he is that good.My opinion is if the 49ers had a better QB they just might've made it to the super bowl last year.If the 49ers had a better QB i think they would be so much better.I have seen teams suffer and waste a super bowl talented team due to having a great team but mediocre QB.2008 Tennessee Titans were great but QB Kerry Collins sucked.2009-2010 NY Jets were very good but Mark Sanchez was the weak link at QB.Now you have a great niners team which is only as good as how far Alex Smith can lead them.For instance i think if the niners had a Matthew Stafford or even a guy like Andy Dalton they would be much better.I think this is why the niners went and got another QB Josh Johnson from Tampa Bay because they know Smith is really only gonna get them to a certain level.As soon as Alex Smith play declines in 2012 there will be a QB controversy in S.F. and Josh Johnson will take over at QB.

What killed the 49ers last year wasn't Alex Smith, but two special teams gaffes. The 49ers defense was eating Eli Manning for breakfast lunch and dinner all day long before that. What they need is a few more weapons who can catch the ball. In addition, that running game is gonna be even stronger with Brandon Jacobs thrown into the mix. With a running game like that, they'll contend again next year regardless of who's the QB.

[Ehwmatt]

The last time Brandon Jacobs saw the 49ers, he watched them walk off the field as losers in the NFC Championship Game.

Now he’ll be trying to help them avoid the same fate this season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the 49ers and Jacobs have agreed to terms on a contract. There are no details about those terms, but it’s a safe bet that it is for less than the $4 million that Jacobs was set to earn with the Giants before they released him earlier this month.

Jacobs gives the Niners backfield another look alongside Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter......


Gore,Jacobs,Hunter pretty good backfield there for the niners.Looks like they want to continue to play very tough defense and grind out yardage on the ground but they also have some good receivers too with Manningham plus Moss joining the team.The niners have done some things to make the offense better and the defense was already good.I would not be shocked to see the niners make it very far again next season.

The 49ers are going "all in" for sure for the short-term. The only problem is I have serious doubts about Alex Smith. But I love their team and philosophy. I think we will see a retrenchment from arena league-esque teams like the Packers and Saints who merely outgun their opponents in this so-called "passer's league." In their place, we'll see teams undoubtedly adhering to the "passer's league mentality," but I think the future successful teams will strike an eventual "balance" between more passing but still having hard-hitting defense and at least some semblance of a running game.

Exactly.The only player is I have serious doubts about is Alex Smith too.In my opinion i just don't think he is that good.My opinion is if the 49ers had a better QB they just might've made it to the super bowl last year.If the 49ers had a better QB i think they would be so much better.I have seen teams suffer and waste a super bowl talented team due to having a great team but mediocre QB.2008 Tennessee Titans were great but QB Kerry Collins sucked.2009-2010 NY Jets were very good but Mark Sanchez was the weak link at QB.Now you have a great niners team which is only as good as how far Alex Smith can lead them.For instance i think if the niners had a Matthew Stafford or even a guy like Andy Dalton they would be much better.I think this is why the niners went and got another QB Josh Johnson from Tampa Bay because they know Smith is really only gonna get them to a certain level.As soon as Alex Smith play declines in 2012 there will be a QB controversy in S.F. and Josh Johnson will take over at QB.

What killed the 49ers last year wasn't Alex Smith, but two special teams gaffes. The 49ers defense was eating Eli Manning for breakfast lunch and dinner all day long before that. What they need is a few more weapons who can catch the ball. In addition, that running game is gonna be even stronger with Brandon Jacobs thrown into the mix. With a running game like that, they'll contend again next year regardless of who's the QB.

Everybody will remember those special teams gaffes, but if you watch the game again with an objective eye you can see that Smith completely tightened up in the second half. He was skipping footballs off the ground 3 yards in front of him on screens and short slant routes and just couldn't do ANYTHING. Hard to throw interceptions when the ball isn't even in the air. He just doesn't have the arm. The era of Trent Dilfer-caliber QBs winning the Super Bowl is long over.

I'm pretty sure John (Enigma) is as unimpressed with Smith as I am. John--care to chime in?

[tater1977]

New From Depend®: Football Pros Try the New Depend® Real Fit for Men

http://youtu.be/nf94Y8Tk1Bg

[conversationpc]

Everybody will remember those special teams gaffes, but if you watch the game again with an objective eye you can see that Smith completely tightened up in the second half. He was skipping footballs off the ground 3 yards in front of him on screens and short slant routes and just couldn't do ANYTHING. Hard to throw interceptions when the ball isn't even in the air. He just doesn't have the arm. The era of Trent Dilfer-caliber QBs winning the Super Bowl is long over.

I'm pretty sure John (Enigma) is as unimpressed with Smith as I am. John--care to chime in?

I don't think he'll ever be a top-tier QB but he has, other than his 3rd year in the league, improved every single year and was far better last year than the year before. I think he'll play better this year with a chip on his shoulder. That being said, he probably won't be great but I think he can be more than good enough to win a Super Bowl with the 49ers.

[Liam]

New From Depend®: Football Pros Try the New Depend® Real Fit for Men

http://youtu.be/nf94Y8Tk1Bg

When I first saw that I said "Oh no, DWare".lol

[YoungJRNY]

Everybody will remember those special teams gaffes, but if you watch the game again with an objective eye you can see that Smith completely tightened up in the second half. He was skipping footballs off the ground 3 yards in front of him on screens and short slant routes and just couldn't do ANYTHING. Hard to throw interceptions when the ball isn't even in the air. He just doesn't have the arm. The era of Trent Dilfer-caliber QBs winning the Super Bowl is long over.

I'm pretty sure John (Enigma) is as unimpressed with Smith as I am. John--care to chime in?

I don't think he'll ever be a top-tier QB but he has, other than his 3rd year in the league, improved every single year and was far better last year than the year before. I think he'll play better this year with a chip on his shoulder. That being said, he probably won't be great but I think he can be more than good enough to win a Super Bowl with the 49ers.

If Smith doesn't play even BETTER than he did last season then he certainly won't be their QB of the future. This is a big season for Harbaugh as well to see if he can continue his rookie season success so if things don't work out for him, of course the scapegoat would be to cut ties with Smith only because of his background of being a #1 draft pick bust for most of his career. Smith isn't a game changing QB, he's nothing more than a manager (he's still even learning to manage for what it's worth) but I still feel he played well enough to earn the teams trust and get a shot at getting better. From there, anything can happen and he may turn out to be a fine QB entering his veteran years.

[mikemarrs]

2012 NFL Draft live on NFL Network, beginning on Thurs., April 26 with the first round, continuing on Friday, April 27 for the second and third rounds, and concluding on Sat., April 28....


Well only a few more weeks until the draft.Can't wait

[YoungJRNY]

2012 NFL Draft live on NFL Network, beginning on Thurs., April 26 with the first round, continuing on Friday, April 27 for the second and third rounds, and concluding on Sat., April 28....


Well only a few more weeks until the draft.Can't wait

The 2012 schedule should be coming out in a matter of weeks as well. It's April, the draft is coming and it's inching closer and closer Getting excited.

[Liam]

You can watch the draft on NFL.com if you don't have NFLN (like my sorry ass.)

[Enigma869]

Everybody will remember those special teams gaffes, but if you watch the game again with an objective eye you can see that Smith completely tightened up in the second half. He was skipping footballs off the ground 3 yards in front of him on screens and short slant routes and just couldn't do ANYTHING. Hard to throw interceptions when the ball isn't even in the air. He just doesn't have the arm. The era of Trent Dilfer-caliber QBs winning the Super Bowl is long over.

I'm pretty sure John (Enigma) is as unimpressed with Smith as I am. John--care to chime in?

I'm not much of an Alex Smith fan. He won a playoff game that I didn't think he had any shot of winning (and he won that game on his own). That said, he's a JAG (just another guy). 19th in the league in passing yards and 17th in TD passes isn't good enough in a passing league. Running backs have become almost irrelevant in the NFL. Trent Dilfer's situation was a once in a lifetime occurrence. He just happened to be fortunate enough to land on a team with one of the most dominant defenses ever assembled. Hell, the guy was cut the second his team won the Super Bowl, so that should give you some indication how significant the Ravens thought Dilfer's role in that championship was. Smith (and most other QB's) could win a championship with an all-time dominant defense, but I'm not convinced the Niners are quite that good. It's been said that Smith has "improved" with each season. Perhaps. That said, he's never going to be an elite QB that a team should be build around. Also, he didn't really have any other direction to do in, given how much he sucked his first couple of years.

[slucero]

Everybody will remember those special teams gaffes, but if you watch the game again with an objective eye you can see that Smith completely tightened up in the second half. He was skipping footballs off the ground 3 yards in front of him on screens and short slant routes and just couldn't do ANYTHING. Hard to throw interceptions when the ball isn't even in the air. He just doesn't have the arm. The era of Trent Dilfer-caliber QBs winning the Super Bowl is long over.

I'm pretty sure John (Enigma) is as unimpressed with Smith as I am. John--care to chime in?

I'm not much of an Alex Smith fan. He won a playoff game that I didn't think he had any shot of winning (and he won that game on his own). That said, he's a JAG (just another guy). 19th in the league in passing yards and 17th in TD passes isn't good enough in a passing league. Running backs have become almost irrelevant in the NFL. Trent Dilfer's situation was a once in a lifetime occurrence. He just happened to be fortunate enough to land on a team with one of the most dominant defenses ever assembled. Hell, the guy was cut the second his team won the Super Bowl, so that should give you some indication how significant the Ravens thought Dilfer's role in that championship was. Smith (and most other QB's) could win a championship with an all-time dominant defense, but I'm not convinced the Niners are quite that good. It's been said that Smith has "improved" with each season. Perhaps. That said, he's never going to be an elite QB that a team should be build around. Also, he didn't really have any other direction to do in, given how much he sucked his first couple of years.

I don't buy that... and neither does Troy Aikman...

Alex Smith's career could've been far different
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 1MR5HF.DTL
Eric Branch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, January 19, 2012

In their second NFL seasons, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith had more yards, touchdowns and a higher quarterback rating than did Hall of Famer Troy Aikman.

After their second year in the league, however, circumstances changed dramatically for Smith and Aikman. And their divergent paths involved the same assistant coach.

In Aikman's case, the Cowboys hired Norv Turner as their offensive coordinator in 1991, and the struggling QB began a three-year run with Turner that included three Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl titles. For Smith, who prospered under Turner's guidance in 2006, his career began a steep descent after his offensive coordinator left San Francisco to become the Chargers' head coach.

Five years, three head coaches and five offensive coordinators later, Smith is on the doorstep of the Super Bowl and Aikman, a Fox analyst, will be in the broadcast booth Sunday when the Niners host the Giants in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park.

Thanks to their shared relationship with Turner Aikman knows better than most how Smith's career trajectory could have been far different before 2011.

"Absolutely it could have been," said Aikman, who threw 20 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and had a 7-19 record as a starter in his first two seasons. "Absolutely. I know what Norv does for a quarterback and I know what he meant to my career. ...

"That's a big part of it is having a guy who really understands offense who is able to put you in the right position. Unfortunately for Alex, Norv was just there one season and then he moved on. You know, Brett Favre ran the same offense for 35 years or however long it was. There's something to be said for that."

Aikman noted that Smith's counterpart Sunday, the Giants' Eli Manning, has had far more stability during his eight-year career. Tom Coughlin has been Manning's only head coach. New York's fifth-year offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, was Manning's position coach in his first three seasons.

For Smith, well, it's better late than never. His career has been resurrected thanks to the guidance of head coach Jim Harbaugh, who had a 15-year career as a quarterback in the NFL.

"Norv just understood," Aikman said. "He played (quarterback) in college, but without having played in the pros, he understood what that guy under center was dealing with. That's Jim Harbaugh and how he's been helpful to Alex in that regard. He's a head coach who played the position and knows how difficult the position is with the expectations and challenges."

Aikman expects Smith to continue improving under Harbaugh, noting Smith is only 27. However, he doesn't expect Smith to ever put up gaudy numbers in Harbaugh's offense, which leans heavily on the ground game.

Smith ranked 17th in the NFL in touchdowns (17) this season and 19th in yards (3,144). Aikman can relate. On offenses headlined by running back Emmitt Smith, he did not have a 4,000-yard season and threw for more than 19 touchdowns once in his 12-year career.

Aikman realized early that his career wouldn't be defined by stats, but by Super Bowls. For that reason, his only focus became winning, and he didn't tolerate teammates who didn't share his mind-set. Similarly, Smith has shrugged off questions regarding his so-so stats this season and repeatedly stated his focus is on wins and losses.

Now Smith is two wins away from sharing something else with Aikman besides their relationship with Turner.

"Right now, Alex is realizing the fruits of that; if you win, none of those other things really matter," Aikman said. "Ultimately, you get the credit and the recognition that you deserve when you win. I think at the quarterback position, if you just win, and make that a priority, the rest of it will take care of itself."

Sophomore years

Alex Smith had a better second season in the NFL than Troy Aikman. By his fourth season, however, Aikman led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and a Super Bowl title. Smith, now in his seventh season, led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and the NFC title game. A look at Year 2 of their respective careers:

[mikemarrs]

As the Colts prepare to put Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck through a private workout, the other potential first overall pick in the draft has declined an invitation to do the same thing.

Colts owner Jim Irsay says via Twitter that Robert Griffin III has declined an invitation to work out for the team. Irsay specifically blames the decision on Griffin’s agent, Ben Dogra. But if Griffin wanted to work out for the Colts, Griffin would be working out for the Colts.

So what does it mean? Apparently, Griffin has no interest in following Peyton Manning as the quarterback of the Colts. Instead, Griffin wants to play, apparently, for the Redskins, who hold the second pick in the draft.

And so the power play comes not from the quarterback who went to the same school as the last high-profile quarterback who dissed the Colts. Instead, the guy who possibly is in position to leapfrog Luck doesn’t want to go to Indy, even if it means being the first overall pick.

It’s also possible that the Griffin camp is completely convinced that Luck will be the pick, regardless of what Griffin would do at a personal workout, and that Griffin isn’t interested in wasting his time.

Either way, Griffin is more than willing to yield the top pick in the draft to Luck, something that under the rookie wage scale means a lot less than it used to.

[mikemarrs]

I feel sorry for the Skins in a way because ever since Snyder bought the team they just can't seem to get a consistent winner on the field and this has been going on for over a decade or more now.Maybe Griffin just might get that team over the hump once and for all.The Giants and Eagles both have pretty much together owned the NFC East the past twelve years.Of course back in the 90's the Cowboys and Redskins had their days of running the division.Maybe the tides will turn once again with a new decade still early.Will be interesting to see if Griffin can turn them into a winner and save Mike Shannahan from getting the axe from Snyder.

[mikemarrs]

New Seattle Seahawks Uniform....

With the NFL formally unveiling its new line of Nike apparel today, the Seahawks were the team everyone was keeping an eye on, after they promised a “new age” look.

Now we’ve seen what the new-age Seahawks look like: The team’s website has posted a full-scale fashion show of the team’s redesigned gear.

Reactions have been mixed. Packers tight end Jermichael Finley loves them, writing on Twitter, “Seahawks has the best looking Jerseys. THEY ARE SICK!”

But Paul Lukas, the obsessive chronicler of sports uniforms, wrote on the Uni Watch Twitter, “It is SERIOUSLY ugly.

[Ehwmatt]

Everybody will remember those special teams gaffes, but if you watch the game again with an objective eye you can see that Smith completely tightened up in the second half. He was skipping footballs off the ground 3 yards in front of him on screens and short slant routes and just couldn't do ANYTHING. Hard to throw interceptions when the ball isn't even in the air. He just doesn't have the arm. The era of Trent Dilfer-caliber QBs winning the Super Bowl is long over.

I'm pretty sure John (Enigma) is as unimpressed with Smith as I am. John--care to chime in?

I'm not much of an Alex Smith fan. He won a playoff game that I didn't think he had any shot of winning (and he won that game on his own). That said, he's a JAG (just another guy). 19th in the league in passing yards and 17th in TD passes isn't good enough in a passing league. Running backs have become almost irrelevant in the NFL. Trent Dilfer's situation was a once in a lifetime occurrence. He just happened to be fortunate enough to land on a team with one of the most dominant defenses ever assembled. Hell, the guy was cut the second his team won the Super Bowl, so that should give you some indication how significant the Ravens thought Dilfer's role in that championship was. Smith (and most other QB's) could win a championship with an all-time dominant defense, but I'm not convinced the Niners are quite that good. It's been said that Smith has "improved" with each season. Perhaps. That said, he's never going to be an elite QB that a team should be build around. Also, he didn't really have any other direction to do in, given how much he sucked his first couple of years.

I don't buy that... and neither does Troy Aikman...

Alex Smith's career could've been far different
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 1MR5HF.DTL
Eric Branch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, January 19, 2012

In their second NFL seasons, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith had more yards, touchdowns and a higher quarterback rating than did Hall of Famer Troy Aikman.

After their second year in the league, however, circumstances changed dramatically for Smith and Aikman. And their divergent paths involved the same assistant coach.

In Aikman's case, the Cowboys hired Norv Turner as their offensive coordinator in 1991, and the struggling QB began a three-year run with Turner that included three Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl titles. For Smith, who prospered under Turner's guidance in 2006, his career began a steep descent after his offensive coordinator left San Francisco to become the Chargers' head coach.

Five years, three head coaches and five offensive coordinators later, Smith is on the doorstep of the Super Bowl and Aikman, a Fox analyst, will be in the broadcast booth Sunday when the Niners host the Giants in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park.

Thanks to their shared relationship with Turner Aikman knows better than most how Smith's career trajectory could have been far different before 2011.

"Absolutely it could have been," said Aikman, who threw 20 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and had a 7-19 record as a starter in his first two seasons. "Absolutely. I know what Norv does for a quarterback and I know what he meant to my career. ...

"That's a big part of it is having a guy who really understands offense who is able to put you in the right position. Unfortunately for Alex, Norv was just there one season and then he moved on. You know, Brett Favre ran the same offense for 35 years or however long it was. There's something to be said for that."

Aikman noted that Smith's counterpart Sunday, the Giants' Eli Manning, has had far more stability during his eight-year career. Tom Coughlin has been Manning's only head coach. New York's fifth-year offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, was Manning's position coach in his first three seasons.

For Smith, well, it's better late than never. His career has been resurrected thanks to the guidance of head coach Jim Harbaugh, who had a 15-year career as a quarterback in the NFL.

"Norv just understood," Aikman said. "He played (quarterback) in college, but without having played in the pros, he understood what that guy under center was dealing with. That's Jim Harbaugh and how he's been helpful to Alex in that regard. He's a head coach who played the position and knows how difficult the position is with the expectations and challenges."

Aikman expects Smith to continue improving under Harbaugh, noting Smith is only 27. However, he doesn't expect Smith to ever put up gaudy numbers in Harbaugh's offense, which leans heavily on the ground game.

Smith ranked 17th in the NFL in touchdowns (17) this season and 19th in yards (3,144). Aikman can relate. On offenses headlined by running back Emmitt Smith, he did not have a 4,000-yard season and threw for more than 19 touchdowns once in his 12-year career.

Aikman realized early that his career wouldn't be defined by stats, but by Super Bowls. For that reason, his only focus became winning, and he didn't tolerate teammates who didn't share his mind-set. Similarly, Smith has shrugged off questions regarding his so-so stats this season and repeatedly stated his focus is on wins and losses.

Now Smith is two wins away from sharing something else with Aikman besides their relationship with Turner.

"Right now, Alex is realizing the fruits of that; if you win, none of those other things really matter," Aikman said. "Ultimately, you get the credit and the recognition that you deserve when you win. I think at the quarterback position, if you just win, and make that a priority, the rest of it will take care of itself."

Sophomore years

Alex Smith had a better second season in the NFL than Troy Aikman. By his fourth season, however, Aikman led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and a Super Bowl title. Smith, now in his seventh season, led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and the NFC title game. A look at Year 2 of their respective careers:

I'm not going to read that whole article, but this dopey (to channel John) chart at the bottom of this article draws the exact same kind of comparisons that the hopers and prayers here in Cleveland are drawing to Colt McCoy. I've heard his numbers compared to Aikman, Manning, Brees etc. It's laughable, and not an accurate metric.

[slucero]

I'm not going to read that whole article, but this dopey (to channel John) chart at the bottom of this article draws the exact same kind of comparisons that the hopers and prayers here in Cleveland are drawing to Colt McCoy. I've heard his numbers compared to Aikman, Manning, Brees etc. It's laughable, and not an accurate metric.

So according to you - you know more about being a quarterback in the NFL than Troy Aikman...


Just how many seasons did you play?..... care to show us YOUR credentials?

[No Surprize]

New Seattle Seahawks Uniform....

With the NFL formally unveiling its new line of Nike apparel today, the Seahawks were the team everyone was keeping an eye on, after they promised a “new age” look.

Now we’ve seen what the new-age Seahawks look like: The team’s website has posted a full-scale fashion show of the team’s redesigned gear.

Reactions have been mixed. Packers tight end Jermichael Finley loves them, writing on Twitter, “Seahawks has the best looking Jerseys. THEY ARE SICK!”

But Paul Lukas, the obsessive chronicler of sports uniforms, wrote on the Uni Watch Twitter, “It is SERIOUSLY ugly.

I'm all for this but Seattle's is the only one even remotely different, wonder why? I was hoping for a big change in the uni's & helmet's of all the teams. After 40 some years of the same, it's time.

[mikemarrs]

New Seattle Seahawks Uniform....

With the NFL formally unveiling its new line of Nike apparel today, the Seahawks were the team everyone was keeping an eye on, after they promised a “new age” look.

Now we’ve seen what the new-age Seahawks look like: The team’s website has posted a full-scale fashion show of the team’s redesigned gear.

Reactions have been mixed. Packers tight end Jermichael Finley loves them, writing on Twitter, “Seahawks has the best looking Jerseys. THEY ARE SICK!”

But Paul Lukas, the obsessive chronicler of sports uniforms, wrote on the Uni Watch Twitter, “It is SERIOUSLY ugly.

I'm all for this but Seattle's is the only one even remotely different, wonder why? I was hoping for a big change in the uni's & helmet's of all the teams. After 40 some years of the same, it's time.

I was hoping too for a change or new twist but like you said its the same 'ol same 'ol look.

[Ehwmatt]

I'm not going to read that whole article, but this dopey (to channel John) chart at the bottom of this article draws the exact same kind of comparisons that the hopers and prayers here in Cleveland are drawing to Colt McCoy. I've heard his numbers compared to Aikman, Manning, Brees etc. It's laughable, and not an accurate metric.

So according to you - you know more about being a quarterback in the NFL than Troy Aikman...


Just how many seasons did you play?..... care to show us YOUR credentials?

No need to address your crappy, fallacious rhetoric. Just remember, Aikman is an analyst and in my experience is far too nice about giving his 2 cents about players. This is the same guy who recently proclaimed Tony Romo is also better than he was. You think he's right about that, too?

By that logic, every player in the NFL should be a pro bowler because Jon Gruden heaps effusive praise on anyone who suits up every Monday night. Or at a minimum, none of us could say a bad word about any NFL player or have our own opinion about how good they are because Gruden thinks they're all great.