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My predictions:

Pittsburgh by 10. Crap game.

U. Sheffield 14 - 0 Hallam. Epic game.

Elliott 0 - 1 Concussion. Bad times.

:-(

What happened? You lead with your head or get blindsided?

Time to lay off Clark, Mr D?

Healthy respect for Welker
When the Patriots lost to the Steelers Nov. 30, receiver Wes Welker was knocked out of the game in the third quarter by a vicious but legal hit by safety Ryan Clark.

The way Welker responded earned Clark's respect . . . and something else.

"Wes got my Pro Bowl vote," Clark said yesterday. "Obviously, he deserved it numbers-wise, but also because of the way he handled that situation. He handled it like a football player should."

Welker was here yesterday as part of the "Got Milk?" campaign, and while he made the media rounds, Clark's hit inevitably entered the discussion. Welker reported that he's felt no ill effects from the blow, although he hasn't forgotten it.

"He made a good, solid hit, but I'd just say that I'm anxious to see them again," Welker said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benzhiyi

Time to lay off Clark, Mr D?

Don't be stupid - Paul's completely blinkered view of the Pats gets in the way of him having any sane thoughts or actually having an understanding of the games and the laws of it.

I suspect he reads things on Pats only bulletin boards and recylces them on here as his own thoughts. Similar that Palace fans will see tackles differently (same say foul, some say clean), Paul is just reacting to what he reads from similar narrow-minded people.

I'm sorry Paul, but your postings recently have been awful - you've posted crap after crap about the draft and the Pro-bowl and even those without a slant to them you turn into some kind of Pats argument. The biggest game of the year is on Sunday and you've barely registered a post about it. Now, I appreciate you are a Pats fan but it is still Superbowl Sunday and most of us would like to talk about the two teams - not how the Steelers did against the Pats and how the Cards did against the Pats, but how the Steelers and Cards match up.

Sorry. Rant over.

My Prediction for the 'Big One'

Pittsburgh 20
Arizona 23

I have to work for the most of the first half; REALLY ****ed off.

Will be able to watch the majority of the second half though.

Cant wait. Going to drink lots of beer and hopefully get involved in some Hermosa Superbowl partying! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmatthews

What happened? You lead with your head or get blindsided?

last year i got concussed. nailed miles after the whistle. meant that superbowl was fairly below average for me...

The Steelbowl is one of the highlights of British american football... It's absolutely brutal - two of the most aggressive Ds in the country. Every year it just turns into an enormous brawl. It's brilliant.

interestingly, during the week, for the first time this season I cleaned my helmet. I've got an enormous deep scar on the very back of the lid, a remnant from a match against derby where I got hit late after the whistle in the back of the head. That got me angry. I talked smack that day (and played terribly)

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxoneagle

I havent mentioned how the Cards did against the Pats. You are the one going on about them bottling the end of the season.

I have posted about it, but I actually have no opinion of the Cardinals other than I prefer to watch them play.

I also think that Baltimore would have won if they had beat the Steelers. They are better against the Pass IMHO.

IMO, the Cardinals will win and I posted my reasons for that. I have no more to say on the game other than I sold my tickets for the Superbash and made a great profit :D

And I dont read Pats forums, I read the other teams. Gangrene or whatever its called (Jets), Steeler Fury and Finheaven.

The only Patriots sites I go on are UKPatriots, Patriots.com, patscap.com and the Patriots radio website and forums.

I'm more interested in what other teams have to say that a lot of the Patriots.

I'm more than happy to not go on about it, but I said I would mention any news about Cassel/Brady which I put and it turned into a discussion/argument. Isn't that the point of a forum.

Talk about whatever, you start the discussions and i'll contribute from now on then

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauldrulez

I also think that Baltimore would have won if they had beat the Steelers. They are better against the Pass IMHO.

Huh? This says it all I believe:

Code:

 Passing  



Rk         Team                          G         Pts/G         TotPts         Comp         Att         Pct         Att/G         Yds         Avg         Yds/G         TD         Int         1st         1st%         Lng         20+         40+         Sck         Rate

1         Pittsburgh Steelers         16         13.9         223         301         533         56.5         33.3         2,511         5.4         156.9         12         20         149         28.0         65T         23         2         51         63.4

2         Baltimore Ravens         16         15.2         244         276         528         52.3         33.0         2,875         5.9         179.7         17         26         152         28.8         67T         41         6         34         60.6

I said, in my opinion.

I have reasons for that, but I dont really feel like going into them in case it causes offense or is bias...

But how can you have opinions on a statistical fact? :D

I see, great argumentation ;)

I have finally calmed down after our conference game and now want the Steelers to rip the Cardinals a new one, little get together planed at mine, lots of Thai Sweet Chilli and Coffee!

Prediction

Steelers 24
Cardinals 10

At the request of Superbowl news:

Quote:

TAMPA, Fla. -- Hines Ward practiced Thursday for the first time since suffering a sprained right knee in the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago, and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the wide receiver looked "awesome."

Tomlin also reiterated what he has said for the past week: Ward will play Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals.

"He is where I thought he would be today," Tomlin said.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger practiced effectively, but at times, he appeared to be trying to stretch his mid-torso region during the workout at the University of South Florida. Tomlin denied a recent report that Roethlisberger had undergone X-rays on his back this week.

"Not that I heard," said Tomlin, who then asked Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett if he knew of any X-rays on Roethlisberger. Lockett said no. Then Tomlin said: "Ben's health is often the subject of inaccurate reports. He's fine."

Roethlisberger was hit in the rib/back area during the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. He didn't come out of the game, but backup Byron Leftwich hurriedly warmed up in case he was needed. Roethlisberger said after the championship game that he was fine, and nothing had surfaced about his mid-torso until Thursday's report.

Roethlisberger threw the ball well on short and deep routes Thursday -- including a 40-yard bullet to wide receiver Santonio Holmes and several sharp tosses to Ward.

Despite rain, which was heavy at times, the Steelers went through their normal Thursday routine, which features the starting offense and defense working against the scout teams and on red-zone work. Leftwich imitated QB Kurt Warner, and practice-squad wide receiver Dallas Baker played WR Larry Fitzgerald to help the defense prepare for the Cardinals' stars.

"We're getting a great look from our scout teams, and we have all year," Tomlin said. "I can't say enough about the quality of work we're getting from Byron Leftwich, who has been fantastic all season imitating the other quarterback. He's giving our defense a good look at how Kurt Warner plays."

The Steelers will practice again Friday and have a short walk-through Saturday.

And from the opposing camp:

Quote:

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Arizona Cardinals practiced in a steady drizzle Thursday in what head coach Ken Whisenhunt called a "really good day of work" three days before Super Bowl XLIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The rain started about an hour into the Cardinals' 2-hour, 15-minute workout at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice facility.

Running back J.J. Arrington, who missed all of last week's practices with a sore right knee, went through a limited workout for the second day in a row. He took part in offensive drills but sat out special teams work at the end of practice.

"We were worried about him slipping and doing something to his knee," Whisenhunt said.

Arrington is the team's primary kickoff returner.

Injured defensive ends Travis LaBoy (biceps) and Antonio Smith (knee) both worked out extensively.

Whisenhunt said he was pleased that the rain didn't disrupt practice.

"Who knows?" he said. "It's not supposed to be like this on game day, but if it does rain at least we got a lot of work in with wet balls and operating on a field that is a little bit wet."

The Cardinals had scout-team players wear jerseys to simulate Steelers linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley and safety Troy Polamalu.

"It helps our receivers and Kurt (Warner) in order to identify defenses," Whisenhunt said. "Where a certain defensive player shows up, you may have plays predicated off of that. Now, this is something we do all year on a weekly basis. I saw one thing this year before Tennessee played Pittsburgh, they had a player running around on the field with a big long wig hanging out of his helmet to impersonate Troy."

Stats lie, so its fair enough to have an opinion on them.

From Dallas:

Quote:

In an interview seen Thursday on NFL Network’s Total Access, Adam Schefter and FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer both agreed that Terrell Owens would not be in Dallas in 2009.

If you’re a fantasy football enthusiast, hearing the top two information men in the business making such a statement is very interesting.

Owens, 35, failed to meet statistical expectations last season, though he still finished with close to 70 receptions, 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. The reasons T.O. would be released are less about his skills and abilities and more about his, well, outspoken personality and the Cowboys desire to change their locker room atmosphere.

If Schefter and Glazer are right and Owens will soon be out of the mix in Dallas, the past indicates the value of Tony Romo would suffer.

In 21 games while Owens was in Philadelphia, Donovan McNabb averaged 280 passing yards and two touchdown passes (4,480 passing yards, 32 touchdowns — 16 games). In the 40 games post T.O., McNabb has averaged 247 passing yards and 1.5 touchdown passes (3,952 yards, 24 touchdowns — 16 games).

While a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Owens was integral in the development of Jeff Garcia into a fantasy football star. But once T.O. left for the Eagles in 2004, Garcia’s stock plummeted. What’s more, Garcia has never even come close to posting the same sort of numbers in his last five seasons as he had with Owens.

Of course, Romo would have the advantage of a more talented core of players around him than McNabb or Garcia had once Owens left. But it seems a bit outlandish to think that his numbers wouldn’t decrease somewhat without such a lethal weapon.

One player whose value would soar is Roy E. Williams. He would go from second fiddle to Owens to the top wideout in the team’s pass attack. In fact, he’d go from a No. 3 fantasy wideout in drafts to someone who could be considered more of a No. 1 at the position.

A Cowboys team without Owens would also mean more targets for Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin.

While no one knows for sure what will happen in Big D, it looks like it will be a very interesting offseason for not only the NFL, but fantasy football owners as well

On the Superbowl:

Quote:

CBS-TV employs former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Cardinals offensive tackle Dan Dierdorf. Each has his own perspective, outlook and thoughts on Super Bowl XLIII.

Here are some of their ideas on some of Sunday’s issues:

COWHER ON….

The keys to Super Bowl XLIII: “The key to any game is the turnover situation. Kurt Warner has proven throughout the playoffs that he’s not only played productive football, but he’s played smart football. The Cardinals have run the ball enough to make the play-action work, and a big key from Arizona’s standpoint will be not to turn it over against the best pressure defense in the National Football League.”
Having quarterbacks on each side that have both won Super Bowls: “Playing in your first Super Bowl is quite an experience. The fact that Ben Roethlisberger was just there three years ago, I would be surprised if he didn’t play well. Throughout this year Ben has proven what type of quarterback he is, particularly in the fourth quarter. That is what has been most impressive. The fact that both Kurt Warner and Ben have played in the Super Bowl before will lend itself to both of them not letting the stage get too big.”
Arizona Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt: “I’m happy for Ken Whisenhunt, Russ Grimm, Kevin Spencer, Mike Miller, all of those guys. What Kenny has done is turn around a culture in that city and with that football team. The run they have made is nothing less than spectacular. Certainly you would like that to culminate with a victory. Without a doubt he has changed the whole persona of the Arizona Cardinals franchise and its history with this year.”
Pittsburgh Head Coach Mike Tomlin: “Mike Tomlin has come in and put his blueprints on this team. Certainly with Dick LeBeau and the same staff that was there three years ago in that Super Bowl, one can argue that Dick’s defense this year is one of the greatest defenses of all time. When you look at the starters on this football team, I believe 15 of them were there three years ago. So there is a lot of experience. The experience factor will be big. Mike has been to one Super Bowl as an assistant. That will help him tremendously.”
DIERDORF ON….

Cardinals making Super Bowl: “I’m thrilled and delighted. You don’t want to be a part of that graphic that is put up when someone talks about how long it’s been since a certain team has or hasn’t won a playoff game, or how long it’s been since they’ve had a playoff game at home. This current edition of the Cardinals team has removed the Cardinals from that list. Now the list just got a little smaller and for that I’m grateful. I’m proud and happy for them since it’s the only team I played for during my 13-year career in the NFL. Even though it was here in St. Louis and now they’re in Arizona, it’s still the same organization. I played for the Bidwill family, have known them all of my adult life and am very proud of them.”
The keys to Super Bowl XLIII: “The Cardinals are decided underdogs in this game on so many different levels. It’s going to be harder for them because it’s their first time in the Super Bowl. Granted Kurt Warner has been there before, but the vast majority of these guys haven’t. They can’t act like tourists in New York City staring up at all of the tall skyscrapers. They can’t get caught looking up because the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be looking down. The Steelers are going to have their eyes fixed on what they have to do to win this game.”

http://forums.scout.com/mb.aspx?S=11...&T=3842590&P=1

Salary cap news: Teams supported mentioned below...

Quote:

6. Miami -- $28m under – Free-agent DE Julius Peppers is linked to the Dolphins in trade rumors. Miami has the cash and also an extra 2nd-rounder (from sending DE Jason Taylor to the Skins) so it’s possible. However, they’d have to part with their 1st rounder - 26th overall - this year too. Miami has some free agents to re-sign like S Yeremiah Bell, LB Channing Crowder, & CB Andre Goodman. OT Vernon Carey is also a free agent but he’ll be offered more money by someone else, if only for his versatility. S Renaldo Hill will probably walk too.

11. Philadelphia -- $25m under – The big question is what do they do with Donovan McNabb? He counts $10.3 million on the cap. If they trade him it would free up $9.2 million in cap space (with only $1.1m left on the books). S Brian Dawkins, OT Tra Thomas, OT Jon Runyan, RB Correll Buckhalter and S Sean Considine are free agents. They can cut TE L.J. Smith and CB Lito Sheppard to free up $5m. Bust WR Reggie Brown is staying because they take a $3m hit if they release him

13. New England -- $21m under – This figure doesn’t count the (gulp) $14.8m one-year tender for Matt Cassel. If they tag Cassel they’ll have $28 million cap dollars tied up in 2 quarterbacks. However, they can make it work. DE Richard Seymour, OT Matt Light, WR Randy Moss, LB Adalius Thomas, and DE Jarvis Green have a combined $65m in cap charges – if 3 or 4 of those guys restructure it frees up $15m easily.

16. Pittsburgh -- $19m under – Supposedly a frugal club, the Steelers spent $128m in payroll last year, 6th highest in football. The product bears out that spending. And when they did Roethlisberger’s extension last March they pro-rated his $25m signing bonus over the 8 years of the deal, and his 2009 salary is “only” $4.75m, so his 2009 cap hit is a manageable $7.9m. The big question is will they re-sign G Chris Kemoeatu, T Max Starks, and T Marvel Smith, all free agents?

17. Baltimore -- $19m under – CBs Samari Rolle & Chris McAlister count a combined $17m. Pay cuts or both hit the road. The Ravens are a relatively low payroll club who’s squeezed the most they could out of what they have. 3 of the top-6 defensive free agents on the 2009 market are Ravens: DE Terrell Suggs, LB Bart Scott, and LB Ray Lewis. They can’t keep all three. Maybe only one. TE Todd Heap already took a pay cut once so they might just cut him. It would free up $3.6m. The big rumor is a straight-up trade: Terrell Suggs for Anquan Boldin. Wow!

24. Dallas -- $10m under – Owner Jerry Jones will always empty his pockets and spend cash-over-cap so it doesn’t really matter how much room Dallas has. The first order of business is Terrell Owens. The reports that his release/trade would cause a massive cap charge are true – but the “net” hit is only $680,000. In other words, he already counts $8.99 million if stays. He counts $9.67m if he leaves. They have until June 1st when his $3.1m roster bonus is due. All-World LB DeMarcus Ware is entering a contract year and deserves to be one of the 5 highest-paid defenders in the NFL. Overall, every offensive starter is signed for at least 2 more years. Cutting QB Brad Johnson, G Montrae Holland, and S Roy Williams frees up $6m.

25. Carolina -- $9m under – Jake Delhomme counts $11m on the cap. Cut him and get $6m in net cap savings. Or accept his apology for the 6 turnovers vs. Arizona, re-do his deal and free up a few million. Ask CB Ken Lucas ($6m cap charge) to restructure too. Cut WR D.J. Hackett, RB Nick Goings, LB Landon Johnson, OG Keydrick Vincent, and CB Ricardo Colclough to free up $8m. Carolina could franchise-tag DE Julius Peppers and trade him for a 1st round pick (they currently don’t have a 1st rounder in this draft). We hear Cleveland and Miami are the most interested.

32. New York Jets -- $7m over – Whew, last year they doled out over $100 million in guaranteed dollars. Those bonuses are pro-rated out over the next 4-5 years so they’re going to be in and out of cap jail for a while. Laveranues Coles counts $7m and they need him to accept a pay cut, which he won’t. Leon Washington deserves a big extension. Ks Jay Feely and Mike Nugent are both free agents – Nugent was hurt and Feely might have stolen the gig.