Coincidence?


Not a chance ........... :D

No, I just got back, and tbh I really am not bothered by peoples opinions on me, put me on ignore, dont read my blog, diss the Pats, say I'm shit at Fantasy, say I'm shit at Madden, it really doesnt bother me at all.

One bad game doesnt make a season.

The theory was 6 and 6 and the 4 other games would make the season 6-10 or 10-6, one of the 2nd 6 was won but one of the 1st 6 was lost. Still on for a play-off run.

Alongside my Steelers pick, I reckon they will play the...

Broncos to win the AFC, they must have the easiest schedule of all time.
Patriots Week 8, Chargers Week 17. Play the Panthers and the Bills as well. But apart from that, they should ace their division and possibly the conference. Especially if they sort their D out rather than relying on shootouts.

Cowboys have the Giants, Eagles and Fredskins to beat yet. Fancy McNabb to leaf the Eagles in at least one of the games to victory. Same with Eli, but Romo to Owens is looking deadly and Felix Jones looks to be a real quality RB especially as a backup/sharing carries with Barber. Incredibly quick, agility and he has returned kicks from what I have watched.

Just spoke to Rhys Lloyd, the kick-off guy for the Panthers. He's from Dover. He makes a lot of money per year for kicking the ball :eek:

I wish I got paid to kick a ball 70 yards.

He trains twice a week :D

And - from what I've found out - kickers get a million or two per year to do it.

Mental.

I wouldn't mind taking a paycut.

:D

No way he's on that. Kick-off guys are in purely for power, not accuracy or ability/nerve to win the game.

Only guys like Vinatieri are going to be on that kind of money.

Oh, OK. I guess not then. But he certainly earns a fair wedge. He implied as much in the interview.

Whatever the case, good for him :p

I'd guess there would be some bidding for him, but he's probably still not much over the league minimum. Time to do some research.

Minimum salary for a rookie this year appears to be $295K.

Trying to find Lloyd's exact number. Proving elusive so far.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/ is no www.baseball-reference.com :(

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...68110422_x.htm

Still, better than a kick in the teeth.

Did you ask a question on WikiAnswers Strath?

No, but oddly I did answer one. Can't even remember what page it was that I saw that link on!

Belichick on Sunday's game:

Bill Belichick: Well, there is not too much to say here. I thought that Miami played a real good football game. They did everything a lot better than we did. The outplayed us. They out coached us. They certainly dominated on offense and defense. I thought we were competitive in the kicking game but that was about it, not on the offensive or defensive sides of the ball. They obviously deserved to win. They were the better team and they did everything a lot better than we did today. Not too much to say.
Q: Can you talk about the recognition of the Ronnie Brown and shotgun play?
BB: We had trouble with a lot of things. That was one of them. We had trouble a lot.
Q: Was that a play they had shown on film before?
BB: We had trouble with their new stuff. We had trouble with their old stuff. We didn’t play very well on defense. We didn’t coach very well. We didn’t play very well across the board and they did a good job, so give them credit. We’ve got a lot of work to do. I know we are better than that.
Q: What do you attribute to that – coming in with the difference in records?
BB: If we had the answer to that, we would have fixed it. We will get back to work tomorrow and work to correct and improve it.
Q: Can you talk about the play of Matt Cassel?
BB: We couldn’t move the ball on offense, we missed some opportunities and we couldn’t stop them on defense. I don’t know what else to say. They did a lot better job than we did on offense and defense.
Q: Could you see anything of this coming from a preparation standpoint? Did you have a good week at practice?
BB: It doesn’t matter. Every week in practice you always work on things. You improve them and correct them as you go through the week. The bottom line is, they came out to play on Sunday and we didn’t. We didn’t do a very good job today and that includes everybody.
Q: Are you concerned that if you get behind by 10 or 12, which when Tom Brady was quarterback was not a big deal, is it a much bigger deal than it was before?
BB: That was never the game plan – to get behind by 10 or 12. We always want to go out and play well and, as the game goes on, play the situations that come up. We always played it that way, I’m sure that’s the way we will continue to play it.
Q: Is it difficult for Matt [Cassel] because he has so little experience?
BB: Whatever the situation is, we have to play it. So, it doesn’t make any difference – that goes for everybody.
Q: Have they shown the split out of [Chad] Pennington before?
BB: That hasn’t been a big thing for them. We know that getting those two guys in the game is something that we expected them to do. We just didn’t do a good job with it, or a lot of other things for that matter.
Q: Is it worse that you have two weeks to dwell on it or better that you have two weeks to make corrections?
BB: There isn’t anything we can do about the schedule. So, what it is we work with, try to make the best out of it and do the best that we can to improve our football team during that time. When the games are scheduled we will play them. We will try to use the time the best we can – same as we always do.
Q: How concerned do you get about a game like this?
BB: What happened today is a reflection of the way they played and the way we played – the way they coached and the way we coached. Every game is it’s own entity [and] we know that.
Q: You did have a regular season record winning streak. Do you take any pride in that?
BB: I think right now all we were concentrated on was the Miami game. That’s what we will do. We will take a look at that, make some adjustments, corrections, go forward and start getting ready for San Francisco. That really is what our mindset is for this week and the next two weeks.
Q: Any particular reason the direct snap continued to give you trouble?
BB: They did a good job with it and we didn’t.
Q: Has Ronnie Brown ever thrown the ball in the NFL that you know of?
BB: Yes. He’s left handed, he’s right handed. Believe me there were a lot of other problems besides that.

And more details on that formation... (David Lee is now Miami's QB coach.)

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2...hey-did-it/?hp

Yeah I heard the interview on the Pats site. Cassel sweated his way through his interview and Moss took his calmly as always although Cassel didnt like one of Randys answers when told about it.

Liking your new Facebook pic, Elliott. :p

I ask about wikianswers as there is a question saying

What is Rhys Lloyds salary?

Thank god for Sky +, just managed to watch the Packers Cowboys game and then the weekend highlights. Theres something about Rodgers I don't like and I can't put my finger on it.

Great start to the season for the Ravens, didn't someone on here say they wouldn't win a game.

It wasnt me this time. Flacco has something about him that I do like. I cant think what it is, but there is something.

And Ben, this is what I was referring to earlier. Wrote by my favourite PFW writer and blatant homosexual Erik Scalavino.

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

The Boston Herald is concerned about the chemistry between backup QB-turned-starter Matt Cassel and All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss.

"With the Pats entering a bye week," the Herald column reads, "there will be an ongoing debate over Cassel’s ability to work with veteran wideout Randy Moss, who suggested the Dolphins won because they wanted it more.

'I don’t know if I agree with (that),' said Cassel. 'But if that is what Randy said, then that’s how he felt . . . I know that we wanted it as a team and we wanted to win.'"

Ah, I probably got a link from that having googled it.
Erm, is that a fact? Please think about libel laws and edit it if necessary. Thanks.

And Saxon, you say that the season is all but down the tube.

I think without Brady we are back to being like the other 75% who dont have an excellent QB. Senior Manning, Romo, Tramp Manning, McNabb, Favre, Cutler, and possibly Roethlisberger and Rivers.
We now have an average QB, an experienced but ageing Defense that now has some pace with the addition of Mayo with Guyton and Crable taking a few reps as well.
Deltha O'Neal has stepped in well and Ellis Hobbs looked like a new man although both looked average against the Phins.

The OL are one of the, if not the best in Football but have their stupid days like Yesterday(seems a lot longer ago), we have one of the best WR combos in the game with Moss and Welker, have a deep backfield that are good in their seperate positions but can also have average to awful games (like yesterday).

I will give major credit to the Dolphins, they were up for it, the Patriots werent. Joey Porter backed up his words, Cassel fell on his back. Moss had a bit of a sulk, Welker had a decent game and Morris, Faulk and the FBs struggled to run the ball.
Nice to see O'Connell get some reps so early in his career although I would have preferred him to wait until Week 17 and take a few when we are safe.

Roll on the first double West-Coast encounter this year.

And good luck to the Phins, beat the Bills and the Jets for us will ya.

Just had my interview with Aden Durde now - lovely bloke and someone that was an absolute pleasure to talk to.

I really hope at least one of these guys makes it at some level - they've all been excellent interviews and I've got my fingers crossed for them all :p

Well the PFW guys say so on the radio.

But shall I change it to "supposed". He wont mind, hes a good guy. Its plastered all over the pfw website.

This was someone who worked on the show :D

http://www.pfwinprogress.com/forum/v...c.php?f=3&t=88 Very first post.

RDS,

Not to soil his reputation, but I typed his name in on google and it came up that he had taken banned substances when with the Panthers on the Talent Exchange Programme with NFLEurope

Interesting. Sounds ominous - he seemed very down to earth though. I'd like to think that he learned his lesson.

Genuinely, your D is average at best. It's a combination of slow, rookies and frankly tossy players.

I was expecting most NE games this year to be a serious gunshow, with Brady just outgunning most teams. Now you don't have Brady, it's just the opposition who will be gunning all day. Let's face it, me in my filthy lineman pads could pass on NE all day!

Anyone seen Ray Lewis hit on Sunday against the browns which caused the interception?

That's why he is my favourite player

It's going to change I think. Going to have the RB pass picture that he FinFans group has.

I was wondering where I had heard of Lloyds from (aside from NFL). He was on the Frankfurt team that I watched at World Bowl and there was a piece about him in the program.


Oh, and about Wildcat formation, any money on Oakland seeing that and cracking out some Wildcat with McFadden? He is the ultimate wildcat RB. Arkansas games were good to watch last year!

And now I've just read the link that was posted!

Its an interesting play and one that will certainly be used more often now.

You have others that could possibly adapt their offense to it.

The Vikings? The Chiefs? Maybe even the Patriots will end up using it alot after seeing the effectiveness.
The Falcons have used it and the Saints either have or will use it.

Looking at NFL.com they are calling it the Arkansas formation, I think someone said on here that DM had thrown a pass on Sunday, although that post probably got lost somewhere in here.

Its a specialist play, that like the flea flicker will give big yardage when it works, but if it fails you are likely to lose yardage, get intercepted or fumble.

Its nice to see different plays used in the game however.

Are you talking good QBs or ones better than Cassel?

If better than Cassel, you can add Campbell, Garrard, Delhomme, Brees, Palmer, Anderson AND Brady Quinn, Hasselback, Jeff Garcia (who can't get a start), Trent Edwards, Aaron Rodgers, Warner, Collins, Young, etc, etc.

Paul - there are at least 30 QBs around the league that I would pick ahead of Cassel. I'd take Brady on one leg and we'd score more.

Who the f*ck do we have at running back to do that kind of play, FFS?!

Man for man, our D is pretty good... 3 years ago.

To be fair, let's look at the normal starting D:

Warren and Vilfork are decent players and Seymour is getting along now.

Mayo looks a pace off, Bruschi is too old, ditto Vrabel and Thomas is our best LB currently.

DB Hobbs is decent enough, Sanders is another journeyman, Harrison is old but probably still our best DB, J. Sanders is OK.

On both sides of the ball, time to give some game time to Wheatley, Crable, O'Connell and Slater.

Kevin Faulk has passed a few in his time (footballs that is).

Looking at the RBs stats from college just now, I completely forgot that Sammy Morris was born in Oxford, when I done a research project on British born NFL players 3 years back, he was one I focused on along with Osi Umenyiora and Lawrence Tynes who I think had one year under his belt at the Chiefs at the time.

Enough of boring you with school projects, Jets-Chargers in about 3 hours time. Looking around a few sites, some have the Jets 60-40 to the Chargers in this game, I'm hoping Sproles has an awful game after me benching him stupidly. Favre will probably have a big game if Cromartie plays how he did last week.

And it wasnt how many QBs are better than Cassel, my point is that we are in the same situation as a lot of other teams were 2 weeks ago. For example, we are in the same position as the Chiefs, but we have 3 QBs in the same system, 2 of which have been here a few years and should know the whole playbook back to front. Whereas the Chiefs are onto their 3rd QB and I wouldnt blame them if they moved on. But compared to the Chiefs, we have an elite team that isnt full of rookies that are learning the NFL game the hard way. Not going to go back through the reasons again.

The 6 and 6 argument is the most likely for me. We should be guaranteed to win 6 and lose 6, with 4 other games. We have won 1 of the wins and lost one but have won one of the losses.
So its going to be between 6-10 and 10-6, its how MC performs and if KO'C or Goots get a go at some point. Cassel will have the first 8 games I reckon, no point changing yet, he has the bye to sort it out.

It's not a play, it's a formation. Called Wildcat. Or Wildhog with the Arkansas reference.

Arkansas ran it all last year with Darren McFadden and got a load of O from it (he can throw very well).

I think it'll peter out fairly quickly really. It's very easy to defend against in the NFL, much like the wishbone. Had the Pats expected it at all, they'd have stopped it easily (probably)

Kiffin's time could be up in Oakland. Complete joke if you ask me.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3601867

I agree with the majority of that apart from the Mayo part, I think he has been the one player that has performed well so far. No-one was good against the Phins, but Mayo has had about 25 tackles unassisted now and 5-7 assisted tackles whereas Bruschi has had about 24 tackles in total and all bar 1 or 2 have been assisted.

You missed out Merriweather, who seems to have learned how to catch the ball recently, Hobbs has done well, same with Adalius. Vrabel has looked good and it may be my opinion but Bruschi is the weakpoint in the LB corps. Crable and Guyton have both had time there and looked good.

O'Connell may get some time if we get in the redzone as Cassel looks absolute bollocks when we get there and you cant run it in everytime.

Slater if given a few more returns, can be very,very good at it and when he was drafted I said he would be the new Devin Hester (completely wrong so far, but hey).

Do you think that Ellis Hobbs III and Welker should be sharing KRs considering how vital both are to the team. Slater and Wheatley should be getting the majority of reps here as they are quick, strong and agile.

Wilfork and Thomas are the only ones I'd want off that lineup. I really don't rate the secondary AT ALL.

Wilfork is a beast though. I had to think long and hard about joining a facebook group about a non-Miami player. The "U-ness" in him won me over though.

If Kiffin goes, Crennel will be next.

Kiffin will find another job, Al Davis obviously doesnt like him. Pretty stupid decision really, I cant remember who said it yesterday but if it got to 10-2, he would probably be fired after their next loss.

Ticking timebomb for Lane.

Face it, would anyone work for Al Davis? He's a dick! (allegedly...)

I know this is going off the subject but oh well.

04 Draft, the Manning-Rivers trade.

The Giants got Manning and then a Superbowl in 07 with him.

The Chargers got Rivers, Merriman and Kaeding.

Who got the better deal?

Whose the better QB right now

You can't compare us with the Chiefs. We've gone from top of the pile to lower half, with no exaggeration.

Knowing the playbook is one thing - executing it is another. Cassel is in the bottom 10% of QBs in this league.

Hobbs should be returning everything - he's our most potent attacking weapon right now.

Manning has the jewellery without having the weapons. End of argument.

:hi:

I think it was ESPN the magazine that did a "Where are they now?" spread... and The Fridge was a brick layer.

As for that play. Never question Ditka ;)

http://frankthetank.files.wordpress....dle-finger.JPG

:o

I hate you :D

:lux: :lux: :lux:

A 75 year old Simon Jordan TBH.

We won! Yeeeeah! :lux:

It just goes to show - RDS + Chargers + NFL Thread = Shitting last minute defeat.

RDS + Chargers - NFL Thread = Resounding win :lux:

I watched NFL Gameday last night. Some great action from week three. Some massive plays by the Dolphins I must say. Is the QB position now under threat? :D ... Seeing the WR swap positions with the WR and the RB taking the QB role was a breath of fresh air. Brilliant!

Paul, you really need to chill out fella. I have nothing against you and enjoy the banter on here. That's all it is for me, makes the NFL season more of a laugh ... :p

You mention Romo to TO, but that didn't really take off this week, although other players took the stage. What TO did do though was an awesome tackle back after being floored high up the field and he blocked for his team-mate to score a touchdown. Great team play by the guy, something that he is not generally known for.

Agree with you about Barber and Felix Jones. Both look lethal. It's great to be able to look around your team to see scorers across the field and not just having to rely on one or two.

Oh, and before I forget, hit of the week has to go to the one that took place in the Ravens/Browns game. If you saw you will know what I mean .... :ouch:

Anyone see the front cover of the Metro this morning?

Milliband: Brown is an inspiration

I agree, although I suspect we're not talking about the same person. :lux:
I would have said that now it is pretty much even, but you'd probably have to give it to the Giants right now as they've won it all. A trade that has definitely benefitted both sides though.
Ditka just about questioned himself on it in the America's Game episode with the 85 Bears. Think he feels that Payton deserved better, he just didn't realise what it meant to him.
More than a bit unfair in my opinion. Compared to Davis Jordan's reign looks positively consistent. No swing between the massive highs (3 Super Bowl wins) and massive lows (the Art Shell 2-14 season).

Chad Johnson's Gmail account was hacked supposedly. ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/...30346fdf_o.jpg

Jason Taylor out of Sunday's game at Dallas :sob:

Ah, the Skins up next ... :p

He's a big loss on D - has had two awesome games in a row against the Saints and Cardinals

jazman, how do you think it'll go on Sunday? I think the Skins offense is starting to really click, and the D sorted out the Cardinals high-powered good and proper

Romo and co, though, are a different proposition

The Skins could have won in Dallas last year and do have a chance I think

I love the games against the Skins, always have been tough match ups. I recall last seasons game, tough as always. To be honest, it'll be a tough battle as you are in some good form as well. Not being cocky here but you need you best defence to cope with our firing offence. And if our defence plays to its abilities we should beat you ... but it's never that simple eh? Hoping it's one of the live games over here as I'll be glued ...

Intesting to listen to Deion Sanders on NFL Gameday. Talking about Romo and his abilitiy to make errors under pressure which has been a feature of his game. He says this lets the Cowboys down a bit in terms of predicting them for the Superbowl this season .. I agree to a certain extent, but this season he needs to stand up and be counted. If he can drop one in the end zone like he did against the Eagles and still win the match maybe lady luck is on our side ... :)

It's live here, if that helps ;)

My wife flies out Sunday morning and is away for 10 days... so I have two Sundays of peace and quiet watching the football. I'll probably move the laptop into the front room so I can surf po.. I mean, check my fantasy team at the same time... ;)

I'll catch a flight then ;)

Lucky you ... I have to fight for the right most of the time as Mrs JM isn't into sport what so ever ....

Sport po? What the hell is that??? ;) :D

Mmm, sport and porn... ideally involving Hope Solo... :D

Is that the brother of Hans? ;)

Are you two talking to each other on any other threads ;)

Jealous ;)

No, daughter. The offspring of Hans and Leia.

Ooh, ouch .. :o

Best I not search her from work then ... ;)

At least its not Luke and Leia, that would be wrong.

Or Leia and Jabba the Hutt.

Yuk Paul, I just don't know how your mind works sometimes .. ;)

Like my 5 year old daughter would say, you're brain is broken ... :D

If it wasn't for a phone call on Sunday night I would have been stuck watching the flaming dancing while checking my laptop for scores. :veryangry

Can't complain when I don't have to watch it and the Mrs chooses to come to Selhurst, Wembley, Turner Field, etc.

I saw one of the 1997 re-runs in a Californian cinema, and one scene caused someone to shout, "Dude, that's your sister!" :D

She's the 'keeper for the US women's soccer team. Very lovely :)

Not to go too far off topic, but my wife did similar. She'd not seen any before so we watched them in order and she got the whole Luke/Leia thing and thought it was pretty gross when they kissed. I had to explain the whole legacy of the series after that...

That sounds like a spoof movie :D

Hi JM - please note my comment on the County cricket thread - Let the banter commence!

BTW Brian Westbrooks injury does not look to be too serious and may play against the Bears this weekend! :lux:

Woo-hoo! :lux: Saw it and duly replied ...

That looked inocuous didn't it ... treading on his own player like that ... sprains are are part of the game I guess, it's ligament damage that is the problem ...

I hope Westbrooks injury isn't that bad, convinced that had he not picked up that injury we would have battered the Steelers. Any news on McNabbs chest injury, he said it wasn't anything to worry about after the game on Sunday but knowing his previous record with injuries.....

I was impressed with the McNabb/Westbrook link up at the Texas Stadium in week 2. Think it's key for you guys this year.

Lot of injuries going around again this week - Saints, already with 6 of their week 1 starters out, are going to lose Shockey for 4-6 weeks with a sports hernia.

It's been a strange start to the season - the team that keeps their starters fit longest might just win the Superbowl :D

Whoo hoo a fellow Eagles fan, I thought for a while there that I was on my own against all the Glory hunting Pats, Fins, Cowgirls (Sorry Jazman :p ) fans...................Hopefully McNabb will be okay, it did not sound to serious when he was being interviewed on NFL Game Day! and he did go out again in the 2nd half!!

I also thought Kolb looked quite good when he came on for those couple of series..............I wonder whether Paulderulz etal would rather have Kolb as their no1 rather than Cassell. I will have to ask my Bro that one :hi:

I'd rather have my gran at QB than Cassel... and she's been dead 15 years.

True.....B W is the main man, well he certainly was last season and a fully fit McNabb looks mightly impressive. I also thought Buckhalter looks good and as for the defence - apart form the the game against your lot look pretty impressive. The Steelers game was a true slugfest - just how I like it! :lux:

:eek: That bad, ouch! :(

Glory hunting? Gimme a break ... ;)

:D :D :D

I just wish I didn't have tea in my mouth when I read that ... as I haven't now!!! :o

Be careful to wipe the keyboard before you get an electric shock...

Willie Parker out next week. Maybe Ben will have to throw some more. Maybe I should pick Holmes for my fantasy team!

Some news this week

All from Adam Schefters blog:

Has now been updated with:

I wish he would make his mind up.

You can't exactly blame Schefter for that - no-one knows what goes on in Al Davis' head sometimes.

I left that for the cleaners ... :p

It wasnt Schefter, it was more Al Davis.

As said, its like working for SJ.

I do love these little irrational grudges you hold against people, Paul :D

I thought you were having a dig at Schefter changing his mind ;)

Cleaners? Posh b*gger.

I dont like Schefter because of his smug grin every time he appears on Total Access. I love it when he gets proved wrong especially by Jamie Dukes.

Whereas Marshall Faulk is an arse.

I would love to make that claim but I meant the office cleaners. I'm now home and AM the cleaner .. :D

I like those guys on Total Access and NFL Gameday ... crack me up, typical American in my view ... :)

I can't wait to live in the US, in Colorado.

Sundays at 11am, the first match starts, then the second one at 2pm with the evening game at a reasonable 6.30pm.

Of course, when the Broncos are at home I'll be too busy tailgating :D