The NFL Think-Tank

[Dave2112]

Greetings all! Since there were a few football threads going, I thought it would be nice to have one ongoing thread for anyone who wanted to discuss the NFL season as it progresses. Anything from playoff picks to coaching decisions, news or any other NFL-related topic can be put here for the remainder of the season.

Note: As this may become a large thread with 10 weeks left and the playoffs after, let's keep the off-topic stuff to a bare minimum. Really bare.

Ok, first topic, but feel free to open the discussion into any direction:

Who is doing the best job as coach given what they had to work with?

I think Jim Haslett should be considered, as the Saints were supposed to be bottom-feeders this year. Also, Tony Dungy is doing a great job of reorganizing Indy, even after the loss to Pittsburgh. On the other hand, I hate what Mike Tice is doing to my Vikes...a lot of really questionable decisions over the last few weeks. Wasn't he the linemen's coach for last 5 years? My Seahawks would fare much better with a different coach as well. Holmgren took on too much as VP and general manager...they need a coach with his mind in the game, not the front office. Seattle looks great on paper every year and they play good, close games. However, having an inspired coach can be the difference between a four-point loss and an exciting win.

 

[asutickler]

Mike Tice... Oh, Lord.


I'm originally from Minnesota and, as a former offensive lineman myself, I was thrilled when Tice was given the job. I thought week one was a fluke... Then I thought week 2 was some sort of accident... But by week 3, I just thought Tice was a dumbass. 🙄 Way to perpetuate the "big, dumb guy" stereotype, Mikey! Then again, the Vikes have made some pretty scaborous personnel moves over the past couple of seasons, so its not ALL Tice. Although their record is still well worse than it should be.


Coaching MVP (MVC? 😛 )for this year has DEFINATELY got to go to Jim Haslett, assuming New Orleans dosen't tank. I thought they were going to be lucky to go 8-8...


Naturally, my pick for the best coach over the last 5 years is Andy Reid. I had my doubts when he showed up with that loser Doug Prderson from the Packers... But now I realize the man's genius. Talk about a "Chumps to Champs" kinda story...


GO EAGLES!!!!


ASUTickler

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

I am not really a Cowboys fan but this does kinda throw me off...

I know this season we have seen an ongoing trend where the answer to a bad team is to throw out the QB.

Obviously starting the season their were changes:

Matt Hasselbeck was replaced by Trent Dilfer (Seahawks)
Doug Flutie was replaced by Drew Brees (Charges)
etc.

And Many QB's have been replaced

Testaverde was benched
Bengals have changed QB's at least seven times
Lions now have Harrington
and the list goes on trust me.

But what I want to know is why now the Cowboy's are benching Quincy Carter now. He's finally showing proof of potential to be a good QB. He has been TERRIBLE for years, and just when he's getting good he gets benched???

Explain that one to me please!

 

[Dave2112]

Yeah, that's kinda fucked up. I've seen this trend start over the last few years. The worst is Steve Spurrier, who has got to learn that this ain't college anymore. You can't switch QB's on a whim like that and expect to compete against NFL defenses.

And by the way, my comments about the OL coach wasn't directed at the linemen in any way. As a former WR, I know that it takes guts and a good head to consistently play that position. I was talking more about going from a line coaching job right to Head Coach. I think you need a bit more experience running something like the entire offense or defense before taking that position. Not always, but usually.

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Yeah I agree with you Dave,

and I have to say I am glad to see Spurier fail simply because his ego was so high coming into the NFL, that it will be a good humbling experience for him!

 

[Dave2112]

Yeah, you're right. I don't like to see any coach do bad, but Steve's gotta step it up a bit and realize that college success doesn't always translate to a Lombardi Trophy?

Here's a question. Whattya think about the whole Terrell Owens Football Signing thing? Personally, I think we could do without stuff like that, but it looks like it's blowing over.

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

I think that it's incredible!

It is high time that stars realize why they are where they are. Musicians, actors/actresses, and Professional Athletes are all in the same category.

What I'm saying is that these people would not be here if it weren't for the fans. If no one watched their movies, or if no one bought their albums, and in this case if no one watched or went to their games and bought their merchandise... these players would not have a paycheck. The sport would disappear.

So to me, Terrel is just giving back to those that he owes his career. I support this, and think that it should be allowed in the NFL. I think the NFL needs to also remember that they are fan supported. It is my ticket money, and the money I spend on jerseys and shirts, and calenders that gives them their fat paychecks!

So... if you piss the fans off enough... we'll leave!

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Ok,

I can answer all questions about the Texans and why they're doing terribly!

They need to change their name to the Oilers!

 

[ShiningIce]

Well hopefully my beloved Jaguars can pull off something amzing this year

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Well, they did lose to the previously 1-5 Texans today!

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Oh wow,

Football's game of the year happened today when the Bengals beat the Texans. It is the Bengals 1st win all year!!!

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Did anybody see Tiki Barber tonight?

Wow, I was impressed.

Two weeks in a row that guy has been the MAJOR offense of the Giants!!!

 

[Dave2112]

It seems that everytime Fassell puts his ass on the line, his team responds. It reminds me of some of the old covers from the National Lampoon magazine. I can see it now...Jim on the sidelines with a .357 to the temple of a Bassett Hound screaming "If you guys don't win, the dog gets it!" In that case...Super Bowl 2002: Giants 73, Steelers 9.

Ok, back to reality. One thing that really cheesed me off this weekend was sitting through the first half of the Bears/Eagles game. The officiating crew seemed like they were just playing for airtime! I have rarely seen so many petty little calls on such frivolous shit. And THEN...a MAJOR infraction by Brian Urlacher, which was obvious even to the guys in the nosebleed seats, went uncalled. I was getting very bored when the game was an hour old and the first quarter was still being played. Refs...run the game, but just let the guys play, will ya?

I'm still stunned that the Pats walloped the Bills so badly. And the Jets win? Totally unforseen! Oh, and kudos to the Bengals for picking up thier yearly win so early. Usually we have to wait until week 12 or so.🙄

So here's a question to discuss. What do you think causes franchises to be so bad for so long? You'd think that in this day and age of free agency, revenue sharing and salary caps that every team will get a chance eventually. Look at the last few Super Bowls. The Rams come out of a decade of complacency to become a real force. The Ravens come out of nowhere, the Titans shock everyone by going to the big game...so why can't the Bengals, Cardinals or Seahawks ever win? They continuously get high draft picks, play relatively weak schedules (although Seattle got kinda screwed by going to the same division as St. Louis and San Fran) and have some level of talent. This is especially true with the Seahawks. I think you guys can attest to the fact that every pre-season, Seattle always looks great...on paper. They have the skill positions covered, have had many Pro-Bowl players...so what's the deal?

Is it the systems? The coaching staff? With the revolving door of the NFL, you'd think one of these teams would at least start getting to 10-6 sometime soon, eh? In Cincy, I think it's an attitude of losing. Every time I see Cincy play, I get this feeling that the guys already expect to lose. With Seattle it's more of the syndrome that the Bears are going through right now...play well, stay in the game, put up points or at least prevent them...and find a way to lose by three.

Thoughts?

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Most of Cinci has been blaming their bad luck reign on the people in their head offices. They say that they have not been willing to go out and get the right players and coaches for the job, and this is what has been causing the team to seriously stumble for such a long period of time!

 

[sceej56]

Don't follow football as close as I once did but here's my two cents on what ails these perennial losers you mentioned, Dave. More than any other sport, professional football is won and lost in the front office. Everyone works under the same cap (more or less - see 49ers and Cowboys of a few years ago). One key is knowing when to let go the veterans who have just started the slide; like no other sport, football players go from All-Pro to can't play a lick in as short as one year. Huge key is drafting smart and I don't mean the first round; you don't have enough first round picks to build a team - its those teams which can find quality pros in the 2nd through 4th round and the occasional jewel late that succeed.

And drafting is an art not a science! think about the number of guys who have been first or second picks in the entire draft who were absolute busts! Kijana Carter - alright he got hurt but he supposedly had a suspect knee in college? Big Daddy Wilkerson? Keith McCants (he was he fifth or sixth in a line of "next Lawrence Taylors)? Ryan Leaf (whom Beatherd nearly wrecked the Chargers to get)? Ricky Williams is doing fine now, but how the hell does Ditka trade an entire draft for a guy without knowing he has "emotional problems"? And my all time favorite, the so called "Incredible Bulk" Tony Mandarich, who was going to revolutionize the offensive tackle position ... until he got to Green Bay and had to start steroid testing ... suddenly he had no strenght and is getting tossed around in practice. And don'e get me started about the Giants of my youth! Top draft picks and they woudl never draft a guy to do the job he did in colege. Rocky Thompson, college running back, we "project" him as a wide receiver - earth to Giants, he can't catch! Rich Glover, nose guard who we "project" as a linebacker - earth to Giants, he's too slow to play linebacker and too small for the line

I better end this rant as it's gettign further and further off topic!

 

[Krokus]

Hm.

No matter what, I have to go with my home team, the Dallas Cowboys. I'll stick with erm' through thick and thin.

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

So anybody have any ideas on who our 2002-2003 Probowlers will be???

QB's in my opinion

AFC- Rich Gannon and Drew Bledsoe

NFC- Bret Favre and Aaron Brooks

 

[Dave2112]

If given enough time to show some more of his skills, don't forget Chad Pennington of the Jets. This guy has better numbers in his first four games than anyone else in NFL history. Better than Montana's Elway's...I guess the next few weeks will tell. I agree with the Bledsoe call, but Gannon is starting to slip.

There are really very few NFC QB's this year that are "great". Favre, McNabb and Brooks come to mind, although Vick is showing some great promise and may not be the bust everyone projected him to be.

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Vick is great,

He is my fantasy QB and he has posted some great #'s for me.

And as far as Gannon goes, he had 7 300 yrd. plus games this season. Last week he fell short for the first time all season with 152 yrds. I believe! So one lower than par game does not mean that he is slipping. I think he is the best QB in the game and I am proud to have him on the Raider Lineup.

I love the RAIDER NATION!!!

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Can the Raiders beat the Broncos on MNF's 500th game???

Is it possible at Invesco???

5,280 feet high???

 

[amk714]

I think Favre will lead the Packers to another Super Bowl title. 😀 I'm not an NFL guy, so don't ask me why. 😛 Nice thread, Dave! 🙂

 

[Dave2112]

Well, Gannon did it on Monday Night! I actually picked the Raiders for that game, as history seemed in thier favor. The Raiders (and Jerry Rice) rule Monday Night.

How about that Steelers/Falcons tie, eh? Only the 16th in history.

I can't believe my Vikes gave it up to the Giants at home. With 8 points left off the board due to the most ridiculous kicking game I've ever seen and a fresh QB who was quite effective, there's no way you can come away with a loss there. I think my team is now in the dreaded "rebuilding" phase.

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Dave,

despite your ideas, history DID NOT assume the Raiders would win last night. The Raiders in fact have not beaten Shanahan (the coach) at home during his tenure, or have they beaten the Bronco Bastards at home since 1994!!!

BUT THEY DID IT LAST NIGHT AND IT WAS SOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!

34-10 OH YEAH!!!!

GO RAIDERS!!!!

BTW,
WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, AND FROM THERE A SUPERBOWL IS STILL POSSIBLE!!!

 

[Dave2112]

This yer, the playoffs are still wide open, and the Raiders have just as good a shot as anyone in the AFC right now. I'd love to see the Silver and Black make it.

 

[giggleygirl25]

im still hopin for the bills to make the playoffs this year,strange thing is usually its easy to tell who is gonna make it and who isnt..but with the re-alignment its too close to call at the mid-point of this season