OFFICIAL NFL 2015-2016 Thread

[YoungJRNYfan]

I honestly think it doesn't matter. When Brady comes back, they'll go on a run and have a spot in the AFC Championship game. Brady and Bellichick have got the league pegged offensively. It's not a difficult system but it's a difficult system to defend. Eldelman made that huge CB from Seattle look silly on that square out and if anybody is dumb enough to put a LB on Gronk on the outside, nobody is going to beat NE.

It seems like the Steelers have realized this and have been drafting quick and motorized linebackers of today's era to cover the underneath/hybrid TE with Shazier in the middle and now with Jarvis Jones and Bud Durpree on the outsides, who are very fast (closing speed.) That's the key to stopping N.E's offense. It's not getting to Brady anymore. He gets rid of the ball too fast. The key to stopping NE's offense is to get in Brady's passing lanes and simply open field tackling. They are going to continue to shred defense's with throwing windows but one on one; open field tackling and not giving up Y.A.C is key. Getting to Brady doesn't matter anymore.

[YoungJRNYfan]

I actually hope Brady wins his appeal and plays week 1 VS Pittsburgh. Brady is practically the only one to own the Steelers and I think going up against the best will give the Steelers young D a true test by getting better. I don't want to beat Garappolo. I want Brady because we all know if the Steelers beat Jimmy, we will then see Brady in the playoffs for the first time and he'll shred.

[slucero]

According to AJ Feely.. Brady's been doctoring his balls for a long time..

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... er=ya5nbcs


Either way, the proof in the pudding to will be to watch Brady's stats when can't doctor the balls anymore, cause teams and the league will be bird dogging the Pats.
.

[Jonny B]

The Pats were fined 1 million for Deflategate.
The Pats will save 1.8 million because of Brady's suspension, which is without pay.
So the Pats actually get a net gain of 800K for violating the integrity of the game.
It would be more financially punishing to the Pats' salary cap to repeal the suspension and let Brady play.
How's your integrity working out for you, NFL?

[Journey/Survivor]

The Pats were fined 1 million for Deflategate.
The Pats will save 1.8 million because of Brady's suspension, which is without pay.
So the Pats actually get a net gain of 800K for violating the integrity of the game.
It would be more financially punishing to the Pats' salary cap to repeal the suspension and let Brady play.
How's your integrity working out for you, NFL?

1 million is a really small fine for an owner to begin with.

[No Surprize]

The Pats were fined 1 million for Deflategate.
The Pats will save 1.8 million because of Brady's suspension, which is without pay.
So the Pats actually get a net gain of 800K for violating the integrity of the game.
It would be more financially punishing to the Pats' salary cap to repeal the suspension and let Brady play.
How's your integrity working out for you, NFL?

No what should have been done and if the NFL had any motherfucking balls, with the history of repeated violations from the ESPN darling's, it would have been straight ass tens across the board:

1. Ten Game suspension for princess Brady
2 Ten Million dollar fine
3.Loss of 10 draft picks over the next 3 years

That's a penalty and if this were the NCAA, they would have gotten the death sentence.

[mikemarrs]

I didn't like Mariota at all during the pre draft process last year because i thought that he was strictly a scrambling QB like RGIII among other things. However once i did a lot of research because i wanted to learn more about the guy we were drafting i realized i was dead wrong in my assessment. See the thing is Mariota is mostly a pocket passing QB who a lot of times will only run as a last resort. The guy is very intelligent,extremely athletic,phenomenal work ethic,good mostly passing and occassionally using his legs to extend plays,constantly in playbook and watching film to try and improve,high character guy who avoids social media and nightlife,etc. He is very competitive and hates to lose. I couldn't find nothing but good things about him. Mariota is the best prospect to come out since Luck in 2012. He reminds me of a bigger Russell Wilson.....

A major misconception about Mariota is that he runs a lot and doesn't have good pocket skills when that couldn't be further from the truth. Mariota spent the majority of his junior campaign throwing passes from the pocket but he is a good runner as well which makes him truly dangerous. He is a passer first with running ability, not the other way around. He has that ability to make plays with his legs, extend the play and push the ball downfield. He will hold the ball until the very last second before deciding to run.

Mariota was 2nd in the country in completion percentage (over 70%) when throwing from the pocket. Mariota can make all the throws, if anyone has watched film or the Combine, he has proven that. Against the best defensive teams that he faced all year long, Michigan State, UCLA, Arizona (PAC-12 Championship Game) and Florida State. Mariota was 85 for 129, 65.8 completion %, averaged 295 yards passing, 53 yards rushing, 3.75 total touchdowns and only 1 interception in those four games. Mariota played his best games when Oregon played better defensive teams. In 41 games Mariota had a 67 percent completion percentage, 105 total touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 10,796 passing yards and 2,237 rushing yards.

When asked to throw down field, make post-snap reads and deliver the ball to the correct spot, Mariota is at the top of the college QB chart. I've seen him make accurate throws on the run, to the outside, over the middle, down the sideline, in the flats, on check downs, on hot reads and going deep. His ball placement is among the elite. He has enjoyed 68.5% (2012), 63.5% (2013) and 68.8% (2014) completion percentages in college. His ability to spot the ball in the face of pressure means he has a very valuable asset that a lot of teams will like when they come to evaluate him for their teams.

Mel Kiper said. "He has great character, great approach, works hard, prepares hard. On the field performance has been upgraded tremendously in terms of just overall accuracy throwing the football. Pinpoint placement, throwing with anticipation, allowing the receiver to run after the catch, maximize those catches with balls that are thrown on target and precise. You think about throwing into tight windows in the NFL. Obviously in college you're not gonna see that all the time, but when he has to he can."

"His improvisational ability is off the charts," Kiper continued. "He can be a magician in that pocket; avoid, escape and create when nothing's there. Defenses think they have that play stopped and defended, Mariota creates a positive play. That's something in the NFL that comes up huge week after week for mobile quarterbacks. Mariota is the complete package."

[mikemarrs]

One of the factors in New Orleans' struggles last season was its inability to get to the quarterback.

And as the sacks dropped from 49 in 2013 to just 34 in 2014, it became clear the Saints' roster lacked depth in the number of players who could pressure the quarterback.

It didn't take long for New Orleans to rectify that situation this offseason.

Seven of the Saints' nine picks in the draft were on defense, including edge-rushing specialists Hau'oli Kikaha and Davis Tull in the second and fifth rounds, respectively.

Just one day into New Orleans' rookie minicamp, coach Sean Payton already was praising Kikaha, the nation's FBS leader in sacks as a senior at Washington in 2014.

"You've got a crystal-clear vision right away," Payton said. "You know exactly what you're getting with the player. He's smart, he's tough, there's a passion to how he plays and you see it out here."

Kikaha finished his career with 36 sacks, including 19 as a senior and 13 as a junior.

[mikemarrs]

There is already a possible QB situation brewing in Tennessee between Marcus Mariota and Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger played well enough for the team last year that he thought he had the starting job until the team drafted Mariota. So now we
have Mettenberger saying he will fight to the death in regards to being able to be starter.....

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... the-death/

“I don’t [know] what the mind-set is, but at the end of the day I can just control what I do and I’m extremely confident in myself, almost to a fault,” Mettenberger said. “But people who know me know I’m not going down without a fight to the death.”

I was a huge fan of his last year he threw a lot of great passes. He can complete a throw from anywhere on the field.Check out his highlights from last year below. In two out of six games he played he set rookie franchise and league records.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2m4f5 ... ghts_sport

For a sixth round rookie he was really good but tragically he played on a terrible team with no line,no running game or defense. With the team picking high they couldn't bypass a chance to pick up a QB with potential like Mariota. However many were not
pleased with decision to pick a QB and it received a lot of bad attention when the two starting receivers acted displeased with the Mariota pick at a live draft party for the team. After all they have a bond with Mettenberger....

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/ ... /70965656/

A video emerged showing Titans receivers Wright and Hunter reacting to the Titans picking Mariota. The two players were at LP Field for a fan event the night of the draft when someone recorded their reaction as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell read Mariota's name.

Hunter immediately sat down. Wright just smiled and shook his head.

The reaction on Twitter, well, it's not surprising. Many fans quickly concluded the players aren't on board with the selection. They immediately forecasted a controversy on the team.

Well if you think thats it its not quite over yet. Taylor Lewan the teams starting left tackle is best friends with Mettenberger.
Imagine how Mariota feels when the guy who is supposed to be blocking for and protecting him is best friends with his rival and competition at QB......

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantas ... as-starter

"That is the mentality that Zach has. He thinks of himself as a starter, and the guys in the locker room do also," Lewan said. "I don't think he is going to give it up easily,"


So after this news this comes out below. Lewan says he likes Mariota and everything is fine.

http://espn.go.com/blog/tennessee-titan ... -just-fine


A lot of this has been blown up to the point some fans have suggested it's the start of a locker room divide.

Lewan was around Friday after a rookie minicamp practice and jumped on a question that allowed him to disavow that notion.

"If people want to put stuff out there like that, that's fine," Lewan said. "In this locker room, I have nothing against Marcus at all. I've known Zach for longer, that's the only thing.

"I don't care about anything but winning games. So when it comes to the business perspective of it, then I don't care who the quarterback is."

[YoungJRNYfan]

Whatever Mettenberger does from here on out will be an audition for another franchise. QB needy teams like Cleveland, Buffalo, Houston or hell, even Chicago at this point will probably be watching Mettenberger closer this preseason incase he becomes available. Afterall, QB's in his position like Matt Flynn and Josh McCown made the most of playing well in backup duty or a fill-in with an injury to land them a spot elsewhere. Mettenberger has starting experience and some upside, especially with size, which doesn't come along often. He won't go unnoticed this preseason.

[tater1977]

Bad timing, bad taste or just plain stupidty ?

Kaepernick uses Texas floods to promote his #brand

http://www.knbr.com/2015/05/26/kaeperni ... his-brand/

[mikemarrs]

Speaking of Houston they are going to be on the 2015 edition of Hard Knocks..........

[mikemarrs]

Three QB's competing for starting job in Houston...Brian Hoyer,Ryan Mallett,Tom Savage

[mikemarrs]

There's only so much that can be learned from performances at OTAs, but when a rookie quarterback comes in and takes control of the offense right away, it's worth noting.

That's exactly what new Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has done so far. Many have heaped praise on the No. 2 overall pick early on, with the latest being receivers coach Shawn Jefferson.

"He is deadly accurate...I am just giddy about his future going forward.No. 1, it's his accuracy, No. 2, he's come in and grasped the offense. And No. 3 is the way the guys respond to him, the way he's able to go in that huddle and take control," Jefferson said, Jefferson, via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.

Reviews from players, coaches and media have been overwhelmingly positive so far.

The deadly accuracy shouldn't come as much of a surprise for people who watched Mariota at Oregon. In three years with the Ducks, Mariota completed 66.8 percent of his passes, including over 68 percent in two separate seasons. With that kind of accuracy plus superb decision-making, Mariota put up the video game-like TD:INT ratio of 105 to 14 for his career.

Jefferson's last two points are far more important for Mariota's future. As with any quarterback coming out of a spread or shotgun-heavy offense, Mariota faced questions about how he would adapt to an NFL style scheme. Tennessee did say that it would try to mold its offense to help Mariota, but the fact that he's grasping a major scheme change so quickly is still a good sign.

We should have a chance to see how Mariota and No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston are developing when the Titans face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 of the regular season.

[mikemarrs]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... ell-wilson

"There will be (designed) opportunities, but there will also be a lot of opportunities, just like with Russell Wilson, when the play breaks down and he runs with the ball and extends the play," Whisenhunt said.

It's an interesting comparison, though one that makes a lot of sense so long as Whisenhunt has a similar amount of confidence in Wilson's arm. At the moment, Seattle's offense seems like the only one perfectly suited to handle the rigors of being a mobile passer.

[mikemarrs]

Whatever Mettenberger does from here on out will be an audition for another franchise. QB needy teams like Cleveland, Buffalo, Houston or hell, even Chicago at this point will probably be watching Mettenberger closer this preseason incase he becomes available. Afterall, QB's in his position like Matt Flynn and Josh McCown made the most of playing well in backup duty or a fill-in with an injury to land them a spot elsewhere. Mettenberger has starting experience and some upside, especially with size, which doesn't come along often. He won't go unnoticed this preseason.

Mett lead the NFL in passing last preseason but it was the second game of the preseason at New Orleans where he caught my attention. In the second game was where he completed 20 out of 25 passes including a 65 yard missle to Justin Hunter. He passed the eye test with me quickly you can tell he will be a starter in due time. There is a saying that it all starts at the top and personally myself even though i'm a fan of the team it is mistakes like not keeping Mett as starter and drafting another QB that are reasons the team has been stuck in a downfall the past four years. I would've took Philly up on the trade offer in the draft and built around Mett.

In six games last season Mettenberger set records in two and had a 95 passer rating before a depleted offensive line caused him to have a bad game and get injured against the Giants. Mariota may turn out to be good and i hope he does because drafting him means they basically pushed Mett to the side. The Titans seem hell bent on finding another McNair which didn't work with VY or Jake Locker. I just want a damn decent pocket passer which is what Mett is and he can throw passes accurately anywhere on the field. I think Mett could be a great fit in a place like Buffalo or Chicago.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2m4f5 ... ghts_sport

Mettenberger highlights. Watch this and you can tell the guy doesn't look at all like a sixth round rookie QB. He looks like a possible starter. Hated to see him pushed to backup for Mariota.

In the space of a couple weeks Mettenberger was voted near the top of the list on two different rankings of the best backup QB's.....Just a matter of time before teams start offering TN draft pick for Mettenberger.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25231060

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... no-1-to-32




The crazy thing in all this was now backup QB Mettenberger showed promise as a rookie. He had no line,no running game and a defense that was last in the league. Late in the season before Mett's last game he had a excellent passer rating top among all rookie QB's in 2014. The guy is a gunslinger he was throwing missles regularly but the linemen had penalties constantly backing the team up in second and twenty situations. Hard for any QB to have to deal with that a lot. Between the constant penalties on offense and a defense giving up too much yardage it was a can't win.

He threw 27 of 41 for 300 yards with 2TD and 1INT his first game against Houston setting a franchise rookie QB record. He threw an 80 yard bomb against Pitt and overall completed 15 of 24 passes for 263 yards with 2TD and 1INT,110 QB rating setting a MNF rookie record for QB. Against Philly he threw for 345 yards including eight passes over twenty yards with 2TD and 1INT and an 88 QB rating. In his fifth game at Houston he completed 13 of 19 passes completing 68 percent of his passes for 184 yards for 1TD and 1INT and a 95 QB rating. He only played in six games but played good IMO for a rookie QB on a shitty squad.

[mikemarrs]

Titans sign QB Mariota to four-year, $24.2M deal

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/tenn ... eal-072115

Marcus Mariota the No. 2 overall pick in May's NFL Draft, signed his deal on Tuesday, the team announced.

FOX Sports NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reports the deal is worth $24.2 million over four years, with a $15.9 million signing bonus

[mikemarrs]

In the space of a couple weeks Mettenberger was voted near the top of the list on two different rankings of the best backup QB's .....Just a matter of time before teams start offering TN draft pick for Mettenberger.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25231060

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... no-1-to-32

IF Mariota turns out to be really good at starter TN will have the best QB situation in the league.

[S2M]

Brady isn't required to hand over the phone. This isn't a court of law.

Folks just can't face the fact that NE is the best team in the league, and has been for the better part of 15 years now.

[Memorex]

They are a good team no doubt. But that doesn't mean the league doesn't have rules. And Brady or anyone else should not be operating outside of them. I don't think anyone believes that Brady wasn't instrumental in all of this and he was punished. If he didn't want the four game suspension, maybe he should have participated in his own defense. And if he chose not to, then he has no one to blame but himself. I don't feel sorry for him one once.

It's like anything - a rule may be ok or it may be lame. But they all make quite a bit of money to act within league rules. Every now and then, someone gets slapped. I just don't see why he would appeal after thumbing his nose at them during the investigation. Seems counter-productive.

People (well, most people) don't mind a successful team. They just mind when one team in particular is so blatant about skirting the rules. I felt this during the 49ers run in the 80's. I don't think it was a secret that the cap was being manipulated to death and people were pissed - rightfully so - and people got slapped. They also put themselves in a corner of not having money for a successful team for over a decade. Just follow the damn rules and be on an even playing field. That's all.

[slucero]

I'm pretty sure the texts could have been retrieved from the wireless carrier... or the NSA..

[S2M]

Wow. I don't even know where to begin. First.... Goodell had Jastrzemski's and McNally's texts. He didn't need Tom's. Second, if Goodell had already exonerated both Kraft, AND the team - and this is all about Tom....why the unprecedented fine, and loss of draft picks? Next, prior infractions for doctoring footballs have garnered negligible fines. Why the different levy?

This all adds up to the other teams being tired of NE winning all the time(jealousy), coupled with Goodell taking a beating on all other cases up to this point, and looking for some sort of redemption.

Not to mention Goodell /Wells inventing a standard that doesn't exist, 'more probable than not' There is no such standard in law, or any other official tribunal, unofficial proceeding...etc.

[Memorex]

Wow. I don't even know where to begin. First.... Goodell had Jastrzemski's and McNally's texts. He didn't need Tom's. Second, if Goodell had already exonerated both Kraft, AND the team - and this is all about Tom....why the unprecedented fine, and loss of draft picks? Next, prior infractions for doctoring footballs have garnered negligible fines. Why the different levy?

This all adds up to the other teams being tired of NE winning all the time(jealousy), coupled with Goodell taking a beating on all other cases up to this point, and looking for some sort of redemption.

Not to mention Goodell /Wells inventing a standard that doesn't exist, 'more probable than not' There is no such standard in law, or any other official tribunal, unofficial proceeding...etc.

As far as the team - Brady is part of that team. So are the others involved. You can punish a team for it's participants behavior. especially if multiple people on that team are involved.

Also, I think a bug part of this is Brady lying. Either way, he screwed up. Not sure if the punishment is too much or too little, but it's what occurred. I just don't think a single ounce of it has to do with how other teams or fans view the Patriots.

[S2M]

Memorex wrote:

" I just don't think a single ounce of it has to do with how other teams or fans view the Patriots."



If this were the Jaguars, or the Bucs....no one would care. Hell, San Diego did it....and I don't care. This SUCH an inconsequential issue.

[Memorex]

To be honest, I don't care about it either. It follows their reputation, so it's got that element. But other than that, whatever. But it's for the league to decide what is proper or not and while I don't care about deflated footballs, I also don't care if Brady has to sit down for a few games because the rules were broken. I'd be saying the same if it was my team. Just play the game or take the lumps.

I have to follow the rules at work and so should people that work in the sports world. They get paid a lot of money to just do their job.

[S2M]

To be honest, I don't care about it either.[b] It follows their reputation[/b], so it's got that element. But other than that, whatever. But it's for the league to decide what is proper or not and while I don't care about deflated footballs, I also don't care if Brady has to sit down for a few games because the rules were broken. I'd be saying the same if it was my team. Just play the game or take the lumps.

I have to follow the rules at work and so should people that work in the sports world. They get paid a lot of money to just do their job.

What reputation? And if you mention "Spygate", I will have to educate you on exactly what "Spygate" was. 99% of the people have NO clue what they were accused of, and what they actually did.

[Memorex]

They have a reputation. Or am I the only one who has noticed? Real or imagined, fact or fiction, they have one. That's my point.

[mikemarrs]

Below are my final predictions for this 2015 season. Might revise them one more time before season starts. Wanted to put Buffalo higher they got a killer roster but no QB and a very rough schedule.

As of September 8,2015 these are my predictions for this season.....



2015 PREDICTIONS..........

AFC EAST
Miami--10-6
New England--10-6
Buffalo--9-7
NY Jets--7-9

AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh--11-5
Baltimore--9-7
Cincy---8-8
Cleveland--4-12

AFC SOUTH
Indy--11-5
Houston--7-9
Tennessee--6-10
Jax---4-12

AFC WEST
Denver--10-6
Kansas City--9-7
San Diego 8-8
Oakland--6-10


NFC EAST
Dallas--10-6
Philly--9-7
NY Giants--8-8
Washington--4-12

NFC NORTH
Green Bay--12-4
Minnesota--9-7
Detroit--9-7
Chicago---4-12

NFC SOUTH
Atlanta 9-7
Carolina--8-8
New Orleans--7-9
Tampa Bay--4-12

NFC WEST
Seattle--11-5
Arizona--10-6
St. Louis--8-8
San Francisco--4-12

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP:DENVER VS. INDIANAPOLIS
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP:DALLAS VS. SEATTLE

SUPER BOWL:SEATTLE VS. INDIANAPOLIS

[YoungJRNYfan]

My gut title games:

AFC

Baltimore/Pittsburgh

NFC

A. Dallas/ Green Bay
B. Detroit/ Dallas

SB:
Steelers V Cowboys Round IV

[YoungJRNYfan]

Teams that could breakout and set themselves up for a breakout playoff run:

Arizona
St. Louis
N.Y Giants

I think the AFC is weak. IMHO it's coming down to N.E/Baltimore/Pittsburgh.

I don't think Indy will be as good as most people think. N.E made them look like childish fools in both of their meetings. If they can't stop the run, they will continue to get embarrassed and outplayed by good coaching staffs.