2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[YoungJRNY]

Steelers name Todd Haley as new offensive coordinator. I'm fired up over this. Out of all the candidates on the map, Haley would of been my choice hands down. He's the right guy for the job in handling a balanced attack, especially the running game and the ability to mix and match the Steelers wide receiving corpse. Under the Rooney family, his natural ties to Pittsburgh and the history his family has within the Steelers organization, I don't think his "temper" would interfere in any conflicts. His type of passion is exactly what is needed for the Steelers offense to move forward.

[Enigma869]

It's also prolly worth mentioning that your comment regarding Brady not having a HOF WR is lame.

Maybe in your opinion. I think it's quite valid. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Joe Montana played most of his career and won 3 of his 4 Super Bowls with the best Wide Receiver to ever play in the NFL! By the way, in Jerry Rice's first Super Bowl win, he caught 11 passes for 215 yards and a TD. In his second win with Montana, he caught 7 passes for 148 yards and 3 TDS, and in his final Super Bowl win with Montana, he caught 10 passes for 149 yards and 3 TD's, so I would say a great receiver's contribution is quite significant, when it comes to making big plays on the biggest stage of the sporting calendar.

we'll have to wait for Moss or Welker to get in the Hall... then this point will be moot....

Maybe to you, it will be. Not sure what Moss and/Welker getting into the HOF does for Brady's three Super Bowl wins, given that neither guy was on the team for any of those victories! Welker had a chance to make the play in that game, and he simply didn't catch the football.

BTW - "game of inches" is a metaphor... its actually measured in yards...

I know what a metaphor is, genius. I'm also fully cognizant that a football field is measured in yards. I wasn't referring to the field, but thanks for elucidating me on something as complex as a football field!

[YoungJRNY]

Now, that said, I do think the catch wasn't as easy as some make it out to be.

I don't recall anyone saying that it was "easy". The fact that he left his feet to try to catch the ball makes it a more difficult catch than it needs to be. The bottom line is that if you're a receiver in the NFL and the ball hits you in both of your hands, you absolutely MUST catch the football!

Looking at the play in slow motion, didn't he have to leave his feet to spin around to that side? I think his height left him a position where he couldn't just run through the catch while turning.

For a wide receiver that led the NFL in catch's during his duration with the Patriots, that pass hit Welker RIGHT between the hands and he's that type of player that is capable of going up and adjusting his body to that catch. Yes, he had to pivot and rotate his body to get a good angle on the football but once he was in the air, the ball hit him dead in the hands. The hard part was over, which was locating the ball and adjusting his route to the trajectory. He's made that play countless number of times. It was just one that got away from him, period. His fingers just clamped too early and because of it, he couldn't brace it to his chest before hitting the ground. It was a quick twitch response and the ball simply clanked off his hands. I think the pass was as reasonable and catch-able as it comes, especially to a player like Wes Welker who is Brady's go to guy time and time again. He should have made the catch and would have made it any other time, but the potential for a drop was there & he just couldn't hold on givin' the big circumstance.

[slucero]

It's also prolly worth mentioning that your comment regarding Brady not having a HOF WR is lame.

Maybe in your opinion. I think it's quite valid. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Joe Montana played most of his career and won 3 of his 4 Super Bowls with the best Wide Receiver to ever play in the NFL! By the way, in Jerry Rice's first Super Bowl win, he caught 11 passes for 215 yards and a TD. In his second win with Montana, he caught 7 passes for 148 yards and 3 TDS, and in his final Super Bowl win with Montana, he caught 10 passes for 149 yards and 3 TD's, so I would say a great receiver's contribution is quite significant, when it comes to making big plays on the biggest stage of the sporting calendar.

we'll have to wait for Moss or Welker to get in the Hall... then this point will be moot....

Maybe to you, it will be. Not sure what Moss and/Welker getting into the HOF does for Brady's three Super Bowl wins, given that neither guy was on the team for any of those victories! Welker had a chance to make the play in that game, and he simply didn't catch the football.

BTW - "game of inches" is a metaphor... its actually measured in yards...

I know what a metaphor is, genius. I'm also fully cognizant that a football field is measured in yards. I wasn't referring to the field, but thanks for elucidating me on something as complex as a football field!

like I said.. Brady is every bit the field general Montana was... he just wasn't as efficient at it.. and its reflected in his stats..

[Seven Wishes2]

This is a very hard one. It's much harder to get past than the Sox' collapse last year. This was going to be the one that cemented the Patriots' legacy forever, and put Brady in the discussion with Montana...and most of all, shut the fucking mouths of all the jealous Brady and New England haters. I don't think I'll ever get ove this one...unless we come right back next year and take it all.

[YoungJRNY]

]Rob Gronkowski, Shirtless Matt Light Danced Away Their Sorrows After The Super Bowl



Ever wonder what the losers do after the big game? Well, some sulk in hotel rooms. Others cry in their beer. And some dance. They dance like no one's watching, even when someone is watching, which is what many people were doing last night as Matt Light took off his shirt and started to boogie, according to the friend of one guy who was watching:



In fact, the guy couldn't look away, especially not after Light and Rob Gronkowski called a Jersey Shore audible and hopped on stage to fist pump:



The pas de deux occurred at the official invite-only Patriots post-game party, which took place at the inappropriately named Victory Field (home to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians) and featured LMFAO, Maroon 5, and Steven Tyler. Sounds less like a celebration and more like an enormous Irish wake. Also: Earth, Wind & Fire were playing. Win or lose, you are always allowed to get down to Earth, Wind & Fire. When the nuclear winter comes and Bill Belichick is worm food, you will be dancing to Earth, Wind & Fire.

UPDATE: Looks like Gronkowski also removed his shirt during the LMFAO set.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sport ... ame-party/

[annie89509]

I haven’t followed football religiously since my ‘9ers went into the clinker after ’02-‘03, but I do know football…Big Brother got me hooked on following pro sports since the mid-‘60s. So, just because I have a different perspective doesn’t make me a “dope.”

My point was, before expansion and influx of franchises, you have great (2-way) teams that dominated. Those teams sent 5,6,7,8, players to the HOF…from both sides of the field. Sure, you have the same teams today contending for the championship year after year (Steelers, Ravens, Colts (before Peyton got hurt), Pats, Giants, Saints & Packers of recent years), but just how dominating are they over their opponents? How many sure HOF’ers are playing on these teams right now? Maybe 2-3 true superstars per team? Great offense (Pats, Saints, Packers)….great defense (Ravens, Steelers)…closest to being both is Steelers…but only because of Ben’s knack of making plays. Same can be said of Brady…he makes average players look good…good players look great.

Truth is…there is no team today that is “great” (or even “good”) in every facet…passing, running, defense against the rush, against the pass (setting aside special teams play). This is not my opinion…heard this from more than a few commentators. I'm not a hater…I don't hate anyone/anything....

And…getting back to my ‘9ers …nobody said Alex Smith is the 2nd coming of Joe Montana…or even Steve Young. BUT…he did engineered 4-5 come-from-behind last quarter wins…plus 1 more against the Saints in Div playoffs. How he’s going to do next season…nobody has a crystal ball.

Lastly…can’t people have friendly disagreements here without throwing out the insults?

[annie89509]

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201202/tom-bradys-wife-blames-patriots-teammates

Gisele goes potty mouth on fans:

Watching your husband's team lose the Super Bowl can't be easy, but nobody expected this kind of reaction from the world's most famous supermodel.

Gisele Bundchen tossed Tom Brady's teammates under the bus following the Giants 21-17 upset of the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Brazilian beauty was caught in a moment of weakness by TheInsider.com waiting for an elevator as she left the suites at Lucas Oil Stadium.

A few Giants fans started heckling her about Brady's performance as she walked quickly through the concourse. After initially smiling and even trying to ignore the fans, Bundchen let her guard down just long enough to deliver a foul-mouthed defense of her man -- and a sideswipe of his receivers.

"You (have) to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball," she is heard saying. "My husband cannot [expletive] throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times."

Pats receivers Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Aaron Hernandez all dropped passes. As a team, New England dropped at least four catchable balls.

Get rid of her now while you can, Tom. Or ATLEAST try to muzzle her big mouth before she gives the media every reason to turn your fairytale marriage into the next Tony Romo/Jessica Simpson saga! The "Please pray for Tom" message was embarrassing enough.

Geez, there's no common courtesy, anymore. This tape of Gisele is all over TV, the 'net, etc. I feel for her...she's trying to mind her own business, walking out of there...ruly guys are yelling stuff at her...and she's not supposed to respond???? Crazy times.

[Enigma869]

This is a very hard one. It's much harder to get past than the Sox' collapse last year. This was going to be the one that cemented the Patriots' legacy forever, and put Brady in the discussion with Montana...and most of all, shut the fucking mouths of all the jealous Brady and New England haters. I don't think I'll ever get ove this one...unless we come right back next year and take it all.

For me, it's not. The reality is that I am still stunned that this team made it to The Super Bowl. Players don't win and lose Super Bowls...teams do. Don't lose sight of the fact that this Patriots team was 31st in defense and no team with that bad of a defense has EVER made it to the big game. 2007 was a whole lot tougher for me to take, because I thought the Patriots were the better team (and still think that Patriots team would beat that Giants team 99 out of 100 times, if not for an all time fluke play). I thought the Giants were the better overall team this season. As for the Patriots haters...that will never change. The Cowboys have them, the Steelers have them, the Yankees have them. All great teams have haters. As someone who grew up watching the Patriots win one or two games a season, it's very gratifying to me that the Patriots have now been to more Super Bowls than any other team in the history of the NFL not named Dallas or Pittsburgh (and they're only one appearance behind both of those teams).

This year was gravy for me. The frustrating thing with that game is that the Patriots receiver didn't make the play that he needed to make and the Giants receiver did (and Manningham's catch was FAR more difficult). As Bob Kraft said, you only have a 6% chance to get to a Super Bowl and only a 3% chance to win that game. I honestly believe this year's version of the Patriots overachieved in a HUGE way. As bad as their defense was, both their defense and Brady played well enough to win that game, but it simply wasn't meant to be.

[YoungJRNY]

This is a very hard one. It's much harder to get past than the Sox' collapse last year. This was going to be the one that cemented the Patriots' legacy forever, and put Brady in the discussion with Montana...and most of all, shut the fucking mouths of all the jealous Brady and New England haters. I don't think I'll ever get ove this one...unless we come right back next year and take it all.

For me, it's not. The reality is that I am still stunned that this team made it to The Super Bowl. Players don't win and lose Super Bowls...teams do. Don't lose sight of the fact that this Patriots team was 31st in defense and no team with that bad of a defense has EVER made it to the big game. 2007 was a whole lot tougher for me to take, because I thought the Patriots were the better team (and still think that Patriots team would beat that Giants team 99 out of 100 times, if not for an all time fluke play). I thought the Giants were the better overall team this season. As for the Patriots haters...that will never change. The Cowboys have them, the Steelers have them, the Yankees have them. All great teams have haters. As someone who grew up watching the Patriots win one or two games a season, it's very gratifying to me that the Patriots have now been to more Super Bowls than any other team in the history of the NFL not named Dallas or Pittsburgh (and they're only one appearance behind both of those teams).

This year was gravy for me. The frustrating thing with that game is that the Patriots receiver didn't make the play that he needed to make and the Giants receiver did (and Manningham's catch was FAR more difficult). As Bob Kraft said, you only have a 6% chance to get to a Super Bowl and only a 3% chance to win that game. I honestly believe this year's version of the Patriots overachieved in a HUGE way. As bad as their defense was, both their defense and Brady played well enough to win that game, but it simply wasn't meant to be.

You can hold your head held high, bro. The Patriots built one helluva empire this decade and that's not going to change. In fact, I came away IMPRESSED in how the defense turned it on with intensity in the playoffs. They destroyed Denver, something a good Pittsburgh defense couldn't (and just wouldn't do for their own stubborn, personal business.) They played a Ravens balanced attack well and they actually BROUGHT THE HEAT on Eli Manning and the Giants offense and held to what I believed a potential 34-point offense to just 19 points (and that's actually with Belichick HANDING the Giants 6 points on purpose.) They played like a championship defense (in the post-season) and certainly had a championship offense. This entire 2011 season, the lack of defense around the entire league showed how any offensive powered team can make it to the big dance, and judging by an overall standpoint, I was not the LEAST surprised to see the Patriots in the Super Bowl whatsoever. They had one of the league's most explosive offense's (and the AFC's best record at 13-3) coming out the gate and the landscape of the league showed that was the formula to go (atleast for the 2011 season.) Even though New England showed cracks in defense, they showed they were amongst the elite on offense & I said it from the very beginning that the AFC would come down to New England, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Once Pittsburgh bailed out early, the Pats were the obvious favorite and will probably get better heading into next year. We'll see if the AFC can step up their game as well, which I'm SURE they will with teams like the Texans, Jets and even the Chargers poised for 2012 push's.

[YoungJRNY]

Steelers Nation couldn't be happier to move forward with such a strong personality to take the reigns with our offense. Official statement from Steelers management:

The Pittsburgh Steelers named former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley their new offensive coordinator on Tuesday.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora had reported Monday that the Steelers had offered Haley the job.


"I am excited about the opportunity to come back home and work for a tremendous organization," Haley said. "It is an honor to work with the Rooney family and Coach (Mike) Tomlin and continue the success that has become synonymous with the Steelers."

Haley has deep Pittsburgh roots and is the son of Dick Haley, formerly the director of player personnel for the Steelers from 1971-1990.

"My father has so many fond memories both from his playing days and his time in the personnel department with the team, and I look forward to helping bring more championships to Pittsburgh and to being a part of one of the storied franchises in the NFL."



Haley, fired by the Chiefs after the season, replaces Bruce Arians, who was not retained but has been hired for the same position by the Indianapolis Colts. Haley will inherit an offense that scored 325 points last season en route to finishing 12-4.

Haley, 45, spent 10 seasons as an assistant before being hired by Kansas City. He was offensive coordinator for Arizona in 2007 and 2008, helping lead the Cardinals to their only Super Bowl appearance. Haley went 19-26 in two-plus seasons with the Chiefs, leading them to the 2010 AFC West title.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... line_stack

[Ehwmatt]

Nice to see Gronk's ankle was still in bad enough shape to mail it in on routes, but in good enough shape to go dancing around. Odd.

[YoungJRNY]

Nice to see Gronk's ankle was still in bad enough shape to mail it in on routes, but in good enough shape to go dancing around. Odd.

I think the alarming thing here, is that they act like losing never took place. These guys are supposed to be the most passionate and most competitive nature beings in the world. To see this raises caution signs. As the article said, you never seen Tom Brady there. He took it like we all would (or did) with our last high school football game or out last high school baseball game. He cared about the loss and decided that losing on the job doesn't call for a time of celebration. These guys (like Gronk, his FIRST SUPERBOWL and it's no guarantee these guys will ever make it again) act like partying is what comes with the perks of being a professional athlete. It's just a big slap in the face to the Patriots staff (who probably worked endless hours to put together this run & spending precious time away from their families) as well as the other teammates that took it hard and actually cared about their professional legacy in the world of sports, and that's a privilege.

[Don]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2JOQNA ... r_embedded

Is this what a gay bar looks like?

[YoungJRNY]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2JOQNAzig&feature=player_embedded

Is this what a gay bar looks like?

This dude better take notes from Roethlisberger or his boi Eldeman. It's only a matter of time this kind of behavior results in a "..but he raped me!" case. Dude is hammered beyond belief. What a whacko. So much for staying off a HIGH ankle sprain. And what the fuck IS that? One of the worst displays of a night club I've ever seen.

[Don]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2JOQNAzig&feature=player_embedded

Is this what a gay bar looks like?

This dude better take notes from Roethlisberger or his boi Eldeman. It's only a matter of time this kind of behavior results in a "..but he raped me!" case. Dude is hammered beyond belief. What a whacko. So much for staying off a HIGH ankle sprain. And what the fuck IS that? One of the worst displays of a night club I've ever seen.

I didn't spot Ricky Martin or Neil Patrick Harris in there so Gronk might be safe this time around.

[YoungJRNY]

Every time I see a blond bimbo acting like she's remotely interested in sports only because "her" team won the Super Bowl and participating in a down town parade probably because she'll show her tits for free booze and drinks, I want to run a bus through an orphanage.

N.Y GIANTS Super Bowl parade:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... wvTPNMEEGI

Newswoman: "Who's your favorite player you want to see?"
Bimbo: "Sanchez!"

Fuckin moron! Go home.

[Don]

Man, where's Giselle when you fuckin' need her?

[Ehwmatt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2JOQNAzig&feature=player_embedded

Is this what a gay bar looks like?

This dude better take notes from Roethlisberger or his boi Eldeman. It's only a matter of time this kind of behavior results in a "..but he raped me!" case. Dude is hammered beyond belief. What a whacko. So much for staying off a HIGH ankle sprain. And what the fuck IS that? One of the worst displays of a night club I've ever seen.

Good points both of you. This video is downright disturbing on so many levels. This guy is a grade A tool, and I'd be pissed as hell if I were a Pats fan after watching him phone in routes all night long. He was clearly looking out for his own long-term best interests.

[AlteredDNA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2JOQNAzig&feature=player_embedded

Is this what a gay bar looks like?

This dude better take notes from Roethlisberger or his boi Eldeman. It's only a matter of time this kind of behavior results in a "..but he raped me!" case. Dude is hammered beyond belief. What a whacko. So much for staying off a HIGH ankle sprain. And what the fuck IS that? One of the worst displays of a night club I've ever seen.

Good points both of you. This video is downright disturbing on so many levels. This guy is a grade A tool, and I'd be pissed as hell if I were a Pats fan after watching him phone in routes all night long. He was clearly looking out for his own long-term best interests.

Might be the latest trend in "rehab"...

[Don]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni2JOQNAzig&feature=player_embedded

Is this what a gay bar looks like?

This dude better take notes from Roethlisberger or his boi Eldeman. It's only a matter of time this kind of behavior results in a "..but he raped me!" case. Dude is hammered beyond belief. What a whacko. So much for staying off a HIGH ankle sprain. And what the fuck IS that? One of the worst displays of a night club I've ever seen.

Good points both of you. This video is downright disturbing on so many levels. This guy is a grade A tool, and I'd be pissed as hell if I were a Pats fan after watching him phone in routes all night long. He was clearly looking out for his own long-term best interests.

Might be the latest trend in "rehab"...

or "relapse" if Josh Hamilton is anywhere to be found.

[YoungJRNY]

Bradying is sweeping the nation (for the next 48 hours or so)
By Chris Chase




Bradying is the distant, yet equally annoying, cousin of Tebowing.

The signature pose doesn't mimic the act of being a three-time Super Bowl champion, future Hall of Famer, happy family man and seemingly well-adjusted human being like Tom Brady; it recreates a woebegone pose that the New England Patriots quarterback was captured in during Super Bowl XLVI.

(Note: All shots of Bradying should be accompanied by the sad trombone sound.)

Like Tebowing and those Will Ferrell Old Milwaukee commercials, Bradying was sort of amusing the first time you see it, then will decline as it grows in popularity, bottoming out in the moment that a C-list celebrity like Kathy Griffin tweets about it and then officially dying three weeks from now when your mom mentions it to you during your weekly phone call.

We tried to find who started the trend but the quest proved fruitless, like the sports meme equivalent of identifying patient zero. Let us know who it was and we'll honor him or her by Giseleing (my significant other will scream profanities in your direction).

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutd ... 36897.html

[Don]

Pats re-sign Tiquan Underwood.

Wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, who was cut by the New England Patriots the night before Super Bowl XLVI, was re-signed by the team on Tuesday, the team announced.

A source told ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss at the time of Underwood's release that it was purely a football decision based on the Patriots' needs for their matchup with the New York Giants and was not disciplinary in nature, which would seem to be confirmed by the signing. After releasing Underwood, the Patriots promoted defensive lineman Alex Silvestro off their practice squad. Silvestro was active for the Super Bowl but did not play any defensive snaps.

In a text message to ESPN's Ed Werder prior to the game, Underwood said in part, "The New England Patriots are a GREAT Organization. I wish them nothing but the best today."

A third-year receiver, Underwood played in eight games for the team: six in the regular season, two in the playoffs. He totaled 97 snaps (including penalties) and his role varied, as either the team's third, fourth or fifth receiver. He finished the season with three catches for 30 yards.

The Patriots also announced the signing of defensive back Ross Ventrone, who was involved in 21 transactions with the team from mid-August to the end of the season, being waived and re-signed to the practice squad on virtually a weekly basis. Ventrone played in eight regular-season games this season.

Also signed by the Patriots to future contracts were linebacker Markell Carter, wide receiver Britt Davis, offensive lineman Matt Kopa, defensive end Aaron Lavarias and linebacker Mike Rivera, all of whom spent time on the Patriots practice squad in 2011.

[mikemarrs]

Well since the season is now over its interesting to see who all the teams play next season so if anyone wants to discuss some of the games coming up in 2012 here they are below..........


The complete 2012 NFL schedule with dates and times won't be announced until April, but the official list of home and away opponents for all 32 teams was announced Monday by the NFL.

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots

Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

2. New York Jets

Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

3. Miami Dolphins

Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

4. Buffalo Bills

Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore Ravens

Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

4. Cleveland Browns

Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

AFC SOUTH

1. Houston Texans

Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

2. Tennessee Titans

Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

4. Indianapolis Colts

Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

AFC WEST

1. Denver Broncos

Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

2. San Diego Chargers

Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

3. Oakland Raiders

Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC EAST

1. New York Giants

Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

3. Dallas Cowboys

Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Washington Redskins

Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC NORTH

1. Green Bay Packers

Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

2. Detroit Lions

Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

3. Chicago Bears

Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

4. Minnesota Vikings

Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

NFC SOUTH

1. New Orleans Saints

Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers

Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders

2. Atlanta Falcons

Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders

Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers

3. Carolina Panthers

Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders

Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers

Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders

NFC WEST

1. San Francisco 49ers

Home: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

Away: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, New York Jets

2. Arizona Cardinals

Home: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

Away: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, New York Jets

3. Seattle Seahawks

Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets

Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

4. St. Louis Rams

Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New York Jets

Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

[YoungJRNY]

I'll start with my team:

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

Judging by speculation, I think the 4 most improved teams heading into next season will be the Jets, Eagles, Raiders and Chargers and the Steelers have them all on the schedule (away looks brutal.) Looking at this at this moment, this is a rough one. The Cowboys, Giants and Baltimore X2 will be as tough as it gets. As I said, the Raiders, Eagles, Chargers and Jets should be the most improved in 2012 so I think the Steelers have a very hard schedule. Another one that sticks out at me is Tennessee because of location. Givin' the history (old AFC Central rivals) the Steelers always get a dog fight against Tennessee, especially in their house. Typically, that will probably be in the first half of the season, which means temps in the 100's. You bet your ass we'll be wearing our black jersey's in that one. I can see 10-6 for Pittsburgh. That's a toughie going on the road to Dallas, N.Y Giants, Oakland and obviously Baltimore.

Overlooking the AFC, a quick skim looks like the Patriots could be well on their way to another 13-3 season. Their overall opponents (as of right now) doesn't seem to be that daunting outside of Houston, San Fran and Baltimore. Miami may be a threat in the East. We'll see.

[YoungJRNY]

Interesting note:

What if we told you there was a quarterback in the last seven years that won two league MVP awards, won 78.4% of his regular season games, and had a 101.8 passer rating with a 203:63 TD-to-INT ratio? He led three of the 10 highest scoring teams in NFL history in that span.

Then what if we told you that same quarterback in the postseason had a 7-6 record (.538), 0-2 in the Super Bowl, lost two home playoff games by 26 points and had an 87.1 passer rating with a 27:17 TD-to-INT ratio? Finally, in those three historically high-scoring seasons, he lost in the playoffs by scoring only 14, 21 and 17 points (the 14 and 17 represent season-lows).

That is not a fictional quarterback at all. That is Tom Brady from 2005 to 2011.

[mikemarrs]

Tennessee Titans

Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings



I'll do my team.I look for Jake Locker to win the starting spot this upcoming season.You can also bet there will be some changes coming to the offensive line especially with CJ's production slipping last season.

Well i see we have New England at home and most of our secondary will be gone in free agency so i would not be surprised if we got torched by Brady.The NY Jets will be better after recharging from last season's huge disappointment.That game will be hard fought.I also see Steelers,Bears,Lions at home which will all be hard fought especially like the Steelers game like you said is always a bruising,physical hard fought matchup.

On the road against the Chargers and Packers against our revamped secondary doesn't look good for us as both are throwing teams.I could see us having a good chance against Buffalo,Minnesota and Miami in all of those matchups.Then you have the divisional games which i'll go ahead and say i think we will split even in those.

I do think Jake Locker is the real deal and he will keep us in a lot of games.I think we need to draft a WR or bring one in free agency because Kenny Britt can't stay healthy.I do see our defensive secondary being the weak link especially vulnerable there against throwing teams.I'll predict another 9-7 record for Tennessee and maybe this time we will make the postseason as a sixth seed.I do think the Texans will be really good in 2012.

[Enigma869]

Interesting note:

What if we told you there was a quarterback in the last seven years that won two league MVP awards, won 78.4% of his regular season games, and had a 101.8 passer rating with a 203:63 TD-to-INT ratio? He led three of the 10 highest scoring teams in NFL history in that span.

Then what if we told you that same quarterback in the postseason had a 7-6 record (.538), 0-2 in the Super Bowl, lost two home playoff games by 26 points and had an 87.1 passer rating with a 27:17 TD-to-INT ratio? Finally, in those three historically high-scoring seasons, he lost in the playoffs by scoring only 14, 21 and 17 points (the 14 and 17 represent season-lows).

That is not a fictional quarterback at all. That is Tom Brady from 2005 to 2011.

Yep...I agree. Brady is done. Dude sucks. Welker dropped a pass, so that Super Bowl loss is all on him. Oh well...it was a fun ride while it lasted. Funny how Vegas have the Patriots already have the Patriots as the overwhelming favorite to win it all next season (and I don't agree with that). They must be watching a different guy and the horrible season he had. Afterall, he didn't win the MVP

By the way, look up the great Joe Montana. In 1985, 1986, and 1987, Joe Montana lost in the playoffs 17-3, 49-3, and 36-24. In those losses, Montana completed a whopping 50% of his passes, threw ZERO TD's and threw 5 picks! At no point in Brady's career has he ever sucked that badly!

[Seven Wishes2]

Montana had 6 sub-80 passer rating games in 23 total post season contests. Brady has 6 in 22. Montana, in a landslide.

The fact that New England is 140-40 with Brady at the helm, all-time, is mind-boggling, especially in the era of free agency and salary caps.

[YoungJRNY]

Interesting note:

What if we told you there was a quarterback in the last seven years that won two league MVP awards, won 78.4% of his regular season games, and had a 101.8 passer rating with a 203:63 TD-to-INT ratio? He led three of the 10 highest scoring teams in NFL history in that span.

Then what if we told you that same quarterback in the postseason had a 7-6 record (.538), 0-2 in the Super Bowl, lost two home playoff games by 26 points and had an 87.1 passer rating with a 27:17 TD-to-INT ratio? Finally, in those three historically high-scoring seasons, he lost in the playoffs by scoring only 14, 21 and 17 points (the 14 and 17 represent season-lows).

That is not a fictional quarterback at all. That is Tom Brady from 2005 to 2011.

Yep...I agree. Brady is done. Dude sucks. Welker dropped a pass, so that Super Bowl loss is all on him. Oh well...it was a fun ride while it lasted. Funny how Vegas have the Patriots already have the Patriots as the overwhelming favorite to win it all next season (and I don't agree with that). They must be watching a different guy and the horrible season he had. Afterall, he didn't win the MVP

By the way, look up the great Joe Montana. In 1985, 1986, and 1987, Joe Montana lost in the playoffs 17-3, 49-3, and 36-24. In those losses, Montana completed a whopping 50% of his passes, threw ZERO TD's and threw 5 picks! At no point in Brady's career has he ever sucked that badly!

I didn't write it my man. I think we would all be lieing to ourselves if we would all come out and say Brady won't ever get back to the big game. In fact, I expect him to play in atleast one more Super Bowl before he retires and could join the elite legends with 4. Brady's career isn't over and it didn't end in Indianapolis. Will he avenge his 2 Super Bowl losses? Who knows, time will tell but his legacy has already been written, as was Joe Montana's before he lost those games. It doesn't change the fact that people will pull of the not-so-great statistics and understand over the past couple years that he's failed to deliver the kind of magic he delivered in the years of his championship victories in the clutch moment or clutch football game. He has plenty of time to make up for it but those 2 straight loss's prove that even the best of the best need a team around them to get the job done. It's not all about one player. Never will be.