2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[Maui Tom]

Chris Mortensen @mortreport



Filed to ESPN: Irsay cleans house, including Bill and Chris Polian, per league source

I haven't had a chance to read the stories yet, but I haven't seen Caldwell's name in any of the headlines yet... does this clown still have a job?!

believe it or not he does and Irsay said it's possible he could be the coach next year.....no lie....

[AR]

Chris Mortensen @mortreport



Filed to ESPN: Irsay cleans house, including Bill and Chris Polian, per league source

I haven't had a chance to read the stories yet, but I haven't seen Caldwell's name in any of the headlines yet... does this clown still have a job?!

believe it or not he does and Irsay said it's possible he could be the coach next year.....no lie....

Nothing his old man didn't try in a drunken stupor in Baltimore once.

[Enigma869]

A local Boston sports writer's take on the Patriots post-season chances.

Count me as a guy with zero faith in the immediate future of the 2011-12 Patriots. These guys aren’t going anywhere near Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Something bad is going to happen at Gillette Stadium before this month is over. The 13-3 Patriots are a house of cards, a castle of sand, all smoke and mirrors.


http://www.boston.com/sports/football/p ... _patriots/

[AR]

A local Boston sports writer's take on the Patriots post-season chances.

Count me as a guy with zero faith in the immediate future of the 2011-12 Patriots. These guys aren’t going anywhere near Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Something bad is going to happen at Gillette Stadium before this month is over. The 13-3 Patriots are a house of cards, a castle of sand, all smoke and mirrors.


http://www.boston.com/sports/football/p ... _patriots/

They do have Brady though. They really do keep finding a way to win.

[mikemarrs]

I've got the feeling it could be.....

Baltimore vs. Green Bay for the big one.

a few weeks ago i would've picked Pittsburgh but the injury thing and them being banged up worries me.

[YoungJRNY]

I've got the feeling it could be.....

Baltimore vs. Green Bay for the big one.

a few weeks ago i would've picked Pittsburgh but the injury thing and them being banged up worries me.

Pittsburgh looked great against New England and showed what they can do to teams when healthy and with an elite pass rush. James Harrison didn't play against New England and that's the game where Woodley went down with his hamstring injury. Since then, the Steelers injuries came at their own elite positions and they've been scrappin' because of it ever since. Now, they are without their feature back and that's always a concern entering the playoffs to plug in a different approach to a different back. Personally, I prefer Redman's style over Mendenhall's right now for the sake of the team. The offensive line for the Steelers is in shambles and Ben is hobblin' all over the place. Having Redman, who is a bruising type-back, could be a blessing givin' our situation with injuries. We could actually beat teams down with Redman to give Ben a chance downfield. Other than that, it'll be VERY nice to see a Woodley/Harrison reunion on defense. They haven't played together since week 3. Pittsburgh's defiantly hurting but I don't trust Flacco against anybody to anoint Baltimore anything but they are the most balanced on paper.

[Seven Wishes2]

As long as Flaccid is calling the signals for the JailBirds, Baltimore won't win the championship.

[Enigma869]

#espn.. Chargers will keep Turner, GM Smith

#espn..Eagles owner says Reid returning

I saw this. Smith and Turner must have very incriminating pictures of Spanos, because I honestly have no freakin' clue how these fuckers hold on to their jobs!

[AR]

As long as Flaccid is calling the signals for the JailBirds, Baltimore won't win the championship.

As a Ravens fan I will make this my signature if they do win it all.

[Enigma869]

As a Ravens fan I will make this my signature if they do win it all.

Anything can happen in the NFL, but I would be STUNNED if Baltimore won The Super Bowl. I guess they have as good of a chance as any other AFC team to get there, but there is they'll never score enough points to beat Green Bay or New Orleans, and both of those teams are scoring points...even against Baltimore's vaunted (and at this point...old) defense!

[AR]

As a Ravens fan I will make this my signature if they do win it all.

Anything can happen in the NFL, but I would be STUNNED if Baltimore won The Super Bowl. I guess they have as good of a chance as any other AFC team to get there, but there is they'll never score enough points to beat Green Bay or New Orleans, and both of those teams are scoring points...even against Baltimore's vaunted (and at this point...old) defense!

That's how I seem them too, as good a chance as any in the AFC. I've learned to never make blanket statements about anything in the NFL like the one I hope goes in my future signature.

The Ravens did beat the then defending Super Bowl champion Saints 30-24 last season but it was a home game. Much tougher to replicate that one in a dome with no home field advantage.

[conversationpc]

As a Ravens fan I will make this my signature if they do win it all.

Anything can happen in the NFL, but I would be STUNNED if Baltimore won The Super Bowl. I guess they have as good of a chance as any other AFC team to get there, but there is they'll never score enough points to beat Green Bay or New Orleans, and both of those teams are scoring points...even against Baltimore's vaunted (and at this point...old) defense!

Same here...At this point, the only question for me is, who will come out of the NFC and win the Super Bowl. It could come down to who is the hotter QB and I think the slight edge for that is Brees. I'm going with New Orleans, just barely.

[YoungJRNY]

Watch out for Atlanta. Nobody wants to talk about them in the NFC. I know, they got destroyed in the regular season at New Orleans, but so did the Jets in 2010 in Foxboro. Atlanta could surprise. My NFC pick until their eliminated. New Orleans and Green Bay is just.... TOO obvious.

[YoungJRNY]

SOURCES: Roethlisberger tweaked ankle in Cleveland. Setback.

I just don't see it for Pittsburgh this season. We won't be going anywhere in the playoffs with a hobbled Ben. I'm preparing for maybe a one and done type scenario. We won't be able to beat a fresh Baltimore team nor will we be able to get into a shootout with New England on the road with Ben limping. Not giving up, just understanding the percentages are very low for the Steelers in this kind of state to make it out of the divisional round.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12004/1201235-100.stm

[Seven Wishes2]

Batch is good enough to get them past the awful Tim Tebow and his overrated Broncos, who would have finished 4-12 were it not for an amazing stretch by their D.

I wouldn't worry about this one. I also think the BungHoles are going to upset Houston. I'm taking the Giants and Saints in the NFC.

[YoungJRNY]

Batch is good enough to get them past the awful Tim Tebow and his overrated Broncos, who would have finished 4-12 were it not for an amazing stretch by their D.

I wouldn't worry about this one. I also think the BungHoles are going to upset Houston. I'm taking the Giants and Saints in the NFC.

The Steelers defense is going to have to be SPECTACULAR to get anywhere near the Title Game. Maybe it'll work in reverse and we'll return to pounding the rock with Redman between the tackles and play tough run D. We'll see how the Steelers respond and see how good they really are within this playoff stretch. I also like the Bengals over Texans.

[Ehwmatt]

SOURCES: Roethlisberger tweaked ankle in Cleveland. Setback.

I just don't see it for Pittsburgh this season. We won't be going anywhere in the playoffs with a hobbled Ben. I'm preparing for maybe a one and done type scenario. We won't be able to beat a fresh Baltimore team nor will we be able to get into a shootout with New England on the road with Ben limping. Not giving up, just understanding the percentages are very low for the Steelers in this kind of state to make it out of the divisional round.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12004/1201235-100.stm

FANTASTIC news. Playing Big Ben against San Francisco and then later against the Browns in essentially meaningless games will go down as a great coaching faux pas. And no, that's not hindsight speaking. I was texting you, Dan, and other people while the lights were flickering at Candlestick three weeks ago how stupid it was they were trying to play Big Ben. He could have rested for almost a month by the time the playoff game rolls around; instead, you guys are probably fucked in the long run (though probably not against Touchdown Jesus).

[Enigma869]

Watch out for Atlanta. Nobody wants to talk about them in the NFC. I know, they got destroyed in the regular season at New Orleans, but so did the Jets in 2010 in Foxboro. Atlanta could surprise. My NFC pick until their eliminated. New Orleans and Green Bay is just.... TOO obvious.

Atlanta isn't nearly as good as you keep claiming they are. They have some good parts, but they will get completely run off the field by New Orleans or Green Bay. Not sold on them, AT ALL. They're a good team...not an elite team.

[Ehwmatt]

Batch is good enough to get them past the awful Tim Tebow and his overrated Broncos, who would have finished 4-12 were it not for an amazing stretch by their D.

I wouldn't worry about this one. I also think the BungHoles are going to upset Houston. I'm taking the Giants and Saints in the NFC.

I also like the Bengals over Texans.

Dalton apparently missed practice today with the flu. Not a good omen for the Bengals. If it just started today, that shit or its aftereffects (e.g., weakness) could definitely be lingering on Saturday.

[Enigma869]

FANTASTIC news. Playing Big Ben against San Francisco and then later against the Browns in essentially meaningless games will go down as a great coaching faux pas. And no, that's not hindsight speaking. I was texting you, Dan, and other people while the lights were flickering at Candlestick three weeks ago how stupid it was they were trying to play Big Ben. He could have rested for almost a month by the time the playoff game rolls around; instead, you guys are probably fucked in the long run (though probably not against Touchdown Jesus).

Big deal. Ben has a boo boo. I've never seen so much coverage for a guy's injury. Brady got his shoulder pummeled two weeks ago, and nobody is giving a minute to minute update on his "condtition". This reminds me of Favre constantly going on and on about how hurt he was. Even if Ben can't go, Denver fucking blows. Touchdown Jesus is throwing for 50 yards a week, and that isn't getting it done against ANY team in the playoffs, including Ben in a fucking wheelchair!

[conversationpc]

It's probably not going to happen but, if by some miracle or crappy play by their opponents, Denver ends up winning a couple of games, I'm going to be laughing my ass off.

[YoungJRNY]

SOURCES: Roethlisberger tweaked ankle in Cleveland. Setback.

I just don't see it for Pittsburgh this season. We won't be going anywhere in the playoffs with a hobbled Ben. I'm preparing for maybe a one and done type scenario. We won't be able to beat a fresh Baltimore team nor will we be able to get into a shootout with New England on the road with Ben limping. Not giving up, just understanding the percentages are very low for the Steelers in this kind of state to make it out of the divisional round.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12004/1201235-100.stm

FANTASTIC news. Playing Big Ben against San Francisco and then later against the Browns in essentially meaningless games will go down as a great coaching faux pas. And no, that's not hindsight speaking. I was texting you, Dan, and other people while the lights were flickering at Candlestick three weeks ago how stupid it was they were trying to play Big Ben. He could have rested for almost a month by the time the playoff game rolls around; instead, you guys are probably fucked in the long run (though probably not against Touchdown Jesus).

That's pretty much what I've been saying. I think it's obvious that Denver isn't a team that is going to be scaring too many teams out of the stadium and we can certainly get the job done with reserves on top of reserves. Denver doesn't necessarily instill fear in anybody but it's still a football game, and as banged up as Pittsburgh is, we will probably be hanging on the rest of the way to pure will. Beating Denver is one thing. Going into a fresh New England or Baltimore is another. Baltimore is more physical, so I'd rather to go New England in the Divisional Round and let Baltimore bang into bodies if the opportunity presents itself to having another Steelers/Ravens matchup. As for the decision to play Ben, I don't think there was a choice since the division was still on the line. Ben isn't going to be 100% regardless so he might as well get use to moving around on it with guys flying around in game speed.

[Enigma869]

Going into a fresh New England or Baltimore is another.

A fresh New England? Really? You do know that New England's leading pass rusher (Andre Carter) was lost for the season three weeks ago, and their top defensive back (Pat Chung) missed half the season, right? Not to mention, three of their five starting offensive lineman are out with injuries and aren't even playing! Sorry dude, but you watch enough football to know that EVERY team has injuries at this point of the season! There isn't a single team or NFL player who is 100% at this point in the season!

[YoungJRNY]

Going into a fresh New England or Baltimore is another.

A fresh New England? Really? You do know that New England's leading pass rusher (Andre Carter) was lost for the season three weeks ago, and their top defensive back (Pat Chung) missed half the season, right? Not to mention, three of their five starting offensive lineman are out with injuries and aren't even playing! Sorry dude, but you watch enough football to know that EVERY team has injuries at this point of the season! There isn't a single team or NFL player who is 100% at this point in the season!

I've stated this to you many times that even with the Patriots defense fully loaded, they simply weren't going to make a difference on the Patriots team (even you said a good defensive team won't be winning the Super Bowl this season regardless.) Bellichick got rid of many players from their system during the season and it hasn't made an ounce of a difference to how New England wins football games. Even though Tom Brady has been on the injury list since 2001, that severely damaged shoulder you talked about isn't preventing him from throwing for over 5,000 yards (on his non-throwing shoulder.)

That homefield, 13-3 record is all thanks to Tom Brady and the health of Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker this late into the season, which is the formula in how the Patriots attack you (look in 2009 when Welker went down with his broken ankle. New England came out and couldn't do a thing VS Baltimore.)

The Steelers win football games on defense and the mobility of their quarterback. Ben is on a broken foot on one end, and a high ankle sprain on the other, which limits his mobility. He also has a broken thumb on his throwing hand and wears a glove just to grip the ball.

How do the Steelers beat you on defense? With a pass rush and they've been very limited at that juncture with the loss of Harrison and Woodley practically all season, which means lack of turnovers (only 15 all season, which is severely low along with only 35 sacks, another disgustingly low tally. Even that TERRIBLE New England defense, with 0 pass rush, has more than the vaunted Steelers defense with 40.) The Patriots have a week off, along with Baltimore so it's safe to say those teams will be the most fresh, which is the obvious perk of the top 2 seeds in each Conference and is sometimes said to be more valuable than homefield.

[YoungJRNY]

Watch out for Atlanta. Nobody wants to talk about them in the NFC. I know, they got destroyed in the regular season at New Orleans, but so did the Jets in 2010 in Foxboro. Atlanta could surprise. My NFC pick until their eliminated. New Orleans and Green Bay is just.... TOO obvious.

Atlanta isn't nearly as good as you keep claiming they are. They have some good parts, but they will get completely run off the field by New Orleans or Green Bay. Not sold on them, AT ALL. They're a good team...not an elite team.

I'm not going by popular pick and how teams look in the regular season. I'm not going with the obvious pick after seeing it over, and over and over in the NFL with teams pulling the upset in the playoffs, I think the Falcons are that team to NOT sleep on and are VERY capable of beating anybody. The Packers and Saints should be the Championship game on paper, obviously, but the Falcons could play spoiler over the other low tier teams (Lions, Giants.) Atleast the Falcons have the offense, unlike the 9'ers, to keep up if needed.

[Enigma869]

I'm not going by popular pick and how teams look in the regular season. I'm not going with the obvious pick after seeing it over, and over and over in the NFL with teams pulling the upset in the playoffs, I think the Falcons are that team to NOT sleep on and are VERY capable of beating anybody. The Packers and Saints should be the Championship game on paper, obviously, but the Falcons could play spoiler over the other low tier teams (Lions, Giants.) Atleast the Falcons have the offense, unlike the 9'ers, to keep up if needed.

Obviously, I understand that ANY team could play the role of spoiler. Hell, Denver could beat the Steelers. This is the NFL. I simply wouldn't bet on it. Atlanta is definitely good enough to win a game. That said, they are woefully inconsistent, and that simply doesn't work this time of the year.

[YoungJRNY]

I'm not going by popular pick and how teams look in the regular season. I'm not going with the obvious pick after seeing it over, and over and over in the NFL with teams pulling the upset in the playoffs, I think the Falcons are that team to NOT sleep on and are VERY capable of beating anybody. The Packers and Saints should be the Championship game on paper, obviously, but the Falcons could play spoiler over the other low tier teams (Lions, Giants.) Atleast the Falcons have the offense, unlike the 9'ers, to keep up if needed.

Obviously, I understand that ANY team could play the role of spoiler. Hell, Denver could beat the Steelers. This is the NFL. I simply wouldn't bet on it. Atlanta is definitely good enough to win a game. That said, they are woefully inconsistent, and that simply doesn't work this time of the year.

Ironically, I don't think there are too many teams that are consistent.

NFC:

Green Bay Packers: 32nd ranking defense. We just saw two of the worst defense's get completely embarrassed in a shootout Sunday, Green Bay being one of them. Inconsistent defense's isn't a good thing, ever, when entering the post-season. Also, a loss to a lowly Chiefs teams begs a concern.

San Francisco 49'ers: Tough defense, conservative, but effective offense with one hell of a running game. An "old-school" team that knows how to run the football (clock management) and stop the run on defense. QB that could thwart their attack.

New Orleans Saints: Losing to the Buccaneers and Rams is a pretty hard one to swallow. Defense isn't forcing the turnovers like they once were and will likely go on the road if they want to win a Super Bowl.

New York Giants: Stabilized at quarterback that has a comeback like mentality. Tough running game but lacks the defense to keep up with a high powered offense. A sleeper team.

Atlanta Falcons: Great passing game, great running game, dangerous wide-outs and tight end. Lacks the defense to consistently win, but so does the other elite teams ahead of them like GB and N.O. A sleeper team.

Detroit Lions: That other team with one of the worst defense's that just got 6 touchdowns thrown on them by a backup QB. Quick strike offense that lacks a solid defense.

---------------

AFC:

New England Patriots: 31st ranked defense. A defense that gives up the most yardage in the league but stiffens up in the red-zone. One of the most productive offense's not named Green Bay or New Orleans.

Baltimore Ravens: Balanced running attack that goes with a dominating and destroying defensive front. Holes in the secondary, but linebackers a strong core to defeat. QB that could thwart their attack.

Houston Texans: Good defense but ravaged with injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Very inexperienced, young football team with a hurt, young QB.

Denver Broncos: Mediocre defense with practically ZERO offense. The weakest of the 12 NFL playoff teams.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Can't run the ball or force turnovers. Injuries at elite positions and are susceptible to the run. Owns the #1 overall defense and the #1 overall passing defense.

Cincinnati Bengals: Young football team that lacks experience but has potential on both defense and offense. One of the worst road records in the playoffs.


In my opinion, I think the only real consistent NFL teams right now are the 49'ers and Ravens since they own the balance that is needed in the playoffs. Even though the Ravens haven't been that good against bad teams, they are 8-0 at home and swept their division and will see a heavy dose of Ray Rice, who is as big of a mismatch for a defense than anyone. They both, however, lack the QB play if they find themselves in trouble. But they can run the ball and play defense, something that's always a good sign for teams in the post-season.

[Enigma869]

Ironically, I don't think there are too many teams that are consistent.

In my opinion, I think the only real consistent NFL teams right now are the 49'ers and Ravens since they own the balance that is needed in the playoffs. Even though the Ravens haven't been that good against bad teams, they are 8-0 at home and swept their division and will see a heavy dose of Ray Rice, who is as big of a mismatch for a defense than anyone. They both, however, lack the QB play if they find themselves in trouble. But they can run the ball and play defense, something that's always a good sign for teams in the post-season.

Sorry dude, but I couldn't disagree with you more. There is a huge difference between a team being flawed (every team in the NFL is flawed) and being consistent. Being consistent is all about showing up to play each and every week. Atlanta got smoked by Chicago, lost to a bad Tampa team, barely squeaked by some very mediocre teams and got run off the field by the Saints. At least when the awful Patriots defense lost games, they still showed up to play in every one of those games. They lost one game by 3 points, one game by 4, and lost to the Steelers by 8. I would say that's awfully consistent for a putrid defense!

[YoungJRNY]

Ironically, I don't think there are too many teams that are consistent.

In my opinion, I think the only real consistent NFL teams right now are the 49'ers and Ravens since they own the balance that is needed in the playoffs. Even though the Ravens haven't been that good against bad teams, they are 8-0 at home and swept their division and will see a heavy dose of Ray Rice, who is as big of a mismatch for a defense than anyone. They both, however, lack the QB play if they find themselves in trouble. But they can run the ball and play defense, something that's always a good sign for teams in the post-season.

Sorry dude, but I couldn't disagree with you more. There is a huge difference between a team being flawed (every team in the NFL is flawed) and being consistent. Being consistent is all about showing up to play each and every week. Atlanta got smoked by Chicago, lost to a bad Tampa team, barely squeaked by some very mediocre teams and got run off the field by the Saints. At least when the awful Patriots defense lost games, they still showed up to play in every one of those games. They lost one game by 3 points, one game by 4, and lost to the Steelers by 8. I would say that's awfully consistent for a putrid defense!

I always looked at it differently. I look at consistency as an overall product and the 9'ers and Ravens have beaten teams consistently through the whole season pretty much in every one of their victories. They stuck to their formula and teams knew how the Ravens or 49'ers would beat them if they lost. Playing good defense and conservative, balanced offense. That's consistent play anyway you look at it.

On the other hand, in MANY games this season, Brady started off sluggish, the defense gave up yardage on top of yardage and having to come from behind in some of their games as well. That's being inconsistent in my opinion, even in wins no matter what the margin. What you said about the Falcons is exactly what I'm talking about. They get smoked by Chicago, lost to Tampa and barely squeaked by some bad teams. Even the last two games, the Patriots were down 17-0 and 21-0, hardly a consistent way of playing good football when you put look at the good and bad side by side.

Atleast for the Ravens and 49'ers, Ray Rice was going to run it down your throat, and Alex Smith was going to manage the game from Gore's legs while riding a good defense. The Steelers one week would look great in the passing game, and the second week barely escape. Brady would look tormented and then turn it on in late situations. Inconsistency, week to week.

[Enigma869]

Even the last two games, the Patriots were down 17-0 and 21-0, hardly a consistent way of playing good football when you put look at the good and bad side by side.

You do know that they won both of those games, right? I assume that you also know that after going down 21 to 0, they then scored 49 unanswered points? Consistency isn't about one game. It's about the rythym of the season and not getting blown out by teams. The Patriots lost three games, and by a total of 15 points. It's not like they got run off the field by any team they played. Hell, the worse game they played the entire season was against Pittsburgh. They should have lost that game by 7 TD's, and yet, they were in the game until the end. Last I checked, an NFL game is 4 quarters, which is why you never see me on this board predicting the demise of a team before a game is actually over...sort of like you did last week, talking about how pathetic the Patriots were before they scored 49 points!