2013/2014 NFL Thread: The place to get Hernandez'd

[Erzengel]

Ah.....then Friday.

 

[Donut]

Dolphins vs Cowboys in the Hall Of Fame game

 

[Rowsdower!]

This is the most depressing free agency for me ever, I think. Normally, the Steelers avoid signing ANYONE worthwhile in free agency because THEY DO IT RIGHT GOTTA BUILD THROUGH THE DRAFT CUZ THEY'RE THE BEST DAMN TEAM EVER CUZ ROONEYS HERP DERP DERP. I'm used to all of that bullsh**. I've made my peace with it, because at least they usually find ways to be competitive (even if that means periodically scraping out embarrassing 13-10 wins against sh**ty teams with season records of 2-14).

But last year proved that they're not a very competitive team. You can blame injuries if you want but you should also take into consideration that two other teams in their division made the playoffs, one of which won the Super Bowl. That means that there are at least two serious contenders in the AFC North for possibly years to come, making it harder and harder for a team like the Steelers to remain relevant. And they're even less relevant now that they've lost some key players (and to be fair, some sh**ty ones... good riddance, Rashard Bendandfall).

But what bugs me the most is how, despite losing those players and not signing anyone worthwhile and pricey (I'm not sure how much William Gay and Bruce Gradkowski are going for these days but I can't imagine it's all that much), they're STILL struggling to stay under the cap. So in other words, they're a team chock full of dead weight on both sides of the ball, and they're apparently paying these guys WAY more than they're worth. Does this make any sense? I know people (myself included) have ripped Mike Brown over the years for being a tightwad a**hole who never has cap problems because he lowballs his players. Yet somehow the Bengals are and look to be a competitive team for a while now (it took a long time, but still). Meanwhile the Steelers are struggling to maintain mediocre receivers like Manny Sanders, injury-prone and aging defensive players like Polamalu and Hampton, and the worst offensive line in the history of football.

I fully expect the Steelers to have another horrible draft too, because Tomlin SUCKS at evaluating talent. Fun fact! There are now NO players left on the Steelers roster from the 2008 draft. Now, 2008 wasn't exactly yesterday, but it also wasn't that long ago. But those guys are all gone now, mostly because the majority of them sucked.

Aside from Lawrence Timmons, Lamarr Woodley (when he gives a f** at least) and maybe Antonio Brown, Tomlin seems to only be interested in drafting busts.

 

[Warhammer]

Rows, I feel your pain. I am sure Matt and SpideyInATree feel the same way.

 

[Lantern Venom]

Niners sign K Phil Dawson. He's a definite upgrade over the woeful Akers.

I'd love to invite the Super Bowl officiating crew to SF so Dawson could tune up his skills on their crotches.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Rows, I feel your pain. I am sure Matt and SpideyInATree feel the same way.

Thanks. I'm sure a lot of fans feel this way, but don't expect the GENIUSES in the sports media to reflect that opinion. For example, read this article:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...tomlin-downplays-concerns-about-2013-steelers

What are these guys smoking? Yes, Tomlin has a good winning record, but that's also because he walked into an ideal situation with a team that was already built. But the players that HE has brought in? Most of them haven't worked out or have been fairly average. Oh, but TOMLIN DOESN'T MINCE WORDS AND THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD LISTEN TO HIM CUZ AS WE ALL KNOW, CATCH PHRASES WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

What a bunch of crap. Sports "journalism" has been a joke for a long time, but I'm constantly amazed by how writers seem to take it to a new low with each consecutive year.

 

[Erzengel]

NFL eliminates Tuck Rule and passes Crown of the Helmet rule.

Crown of the Helmet rule

The new rule will draw a 15-yard penalty if a runner or a tackler initiates forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top/crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players clearly are outside the tackle box (an area extending from tackle-to-tackle and from 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage to the offensive team’s end line). Incidental contact by the helmet of a runner or a tackler against an opponent would not be deemed a foul.

 

[Immortalfire]

Glad the whining Tom Brady rule is gone. Sad that they've replaced it with an even more ridiculous rule.

 

[Kaleb]

There is a lawsuit for brain damage. Guys don't know their own names at the age of 45. Guys like Seau killed themselves, and making sure NOT to blow their brains out.people can Hate Goodell all they like but he is doing the right thing.This rule just simple says if you're in open space and see a defender coming, don't try and truck him with your helmet


also the Bengals were the only team to vote agains the rule

 

[Warhammer]

Thanks. I'm sure a lot of fans feel this way, but don't expect the GENIUSES in the sports media to reflect that opinion. For example, read this article:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...tomlin-downplays-concerns-about-2013-steelers

What are these guys smoking? Yes, Tomlin has a good winning record, but that's also because he walked into an ideal situation with a team that was already built. But the players that HE has brought in? Most of them haven't worked out or have been fairly average. Oh, but TOMLIN DOESN'T MINCE WORDS AND THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD LISTEN TO HIM CUZ AS WE ALL KNOW, CATCH PHRASES WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

What a bunch of crap. Sports "journalism" has been a joke for a long time, but I'm constantly amazed by how writers seem to take it to a new low with each consecutive year.

One thing that bothers the s*** out of me is whenever people like Stephen A. Smith speak so highly about Tomlin. Smith always say s*** like "Coach Tomlin is hands down, one of the best coaches in the league. He is class personified because he does not make excuses when the team loses. Every time the team loses, he always says the the coaching staff and the team as a whole is to blame." What a crock of s***. I love me some First Take, but damn. Tomlin was a decent coach who was lucky enough to inherit the team Cowher built and a team that has still in it's prime. I try to support Tomlin because he is a local around my way but damn, he needs a serious evaluation in the way he is coaching this team before he runs it into the ground in these next few years.

NFL eliminates Tuck Rule and passes Crown of the Helmet rule.

My goodness. I'd rather keep the Tuck Rule.

 

[Warhammer]

NFL passes the Jim Schwartz Rule:

NFL coaches who wrongly throw a challenge flag for a replay review that was going to be conducted automatically will no longer cost their team the opportunity to have the play reviewed.

 

[jacobed]

There is a lawsuit for brain damage. Guys don't know their own names at the age of 45. Guys like Seau killed themselves, and making sure NOT to blow their brains out.people can Hate Goodell all they like but he is doing the right thing.This rule just simple says if you're in open space and see a defender coming, don't try and truck him with your helmet


also the Bengals were the only team to vote agains the rule

Its saying keep your head up so the rest of your body can get injured.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

NFL passes the Jim Schwartz Rule:

Does that mean we actually beat the Texans last Thanksgiving now?

 

[Rowsdower!]

One thing that bothers the s*** out of me is whenever people like Stephen A. Smith speak so highly about Tomlin. Smith always say s*** like "Coach Tomlin is hands down, one of the best coaches in the league. He is class personified because he does not make excuses when the team loses. Every time the team loses, he always says the the coaching staff and the team as a whole is to blame." What a crock of s***. I love me some First Take, but damn. Tomlin was a decent coach who was lucky enough to inherit the team Cowher built and a team that has still in it's prime. I try to support Tomlin because he is a local around my way but damn, he needs a serious evaluation in the way he is coaching this team before he runs it into the ground in these next few years.

Yeah, I don't get it. If by "not making excuses" you mean giving carefully worded and rehearsed answers like a low-level employee who is on shaky ground with his boss, then yeah, Tomlin is great at that. Seriously, the guy has almost no personality in interviews or during press conferences. They always gush over how charismatic he is, and I'm like "WTF?" He's basically Belichick if you replaced exceptional coaching ability with proficiency in beard trimming.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Well I'm proud that my team stood by not approving the stupid rule.

And while the tuck rule aided Dalton last season, I'm glad to see it go.

 

[Matt]

Thanks. I'm sure a lot of fans feel this way, but don't expect the GENIUSES in the sports media to reflect that opinion. For example, read this article:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...tomlin-downplays-concerns-about-2013-steelers

What are these guys smoking? Yes, Tomlin has a good winning record, but that's also because he walked into an ideal situation with a team that was already built. But the players that HE has brought in? Most of them haven't worked out or have been fairly average. Oh, but TOMLIN DOESN'T MINCE WORDS AND THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD LISTEN TO HIM CUZ AS WE ALL KNOW, CATCH PHRASES WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

What a bunch of crap. Sports "journalism" has been a joke for a long time, but I'm constantly amazed by how writers seem to take it to a new low with each consecutive year.

Great posts Rows, I agree entirely.

One thing that bothers the s*** out of me is whenever people like Stephen A. Smith speak so highly about Tomlin. Smith always say s*** like "Coach Tomlin is hands down, one of the best coaches in the league. He is class personified because he does not make excuses when the team loses. Every time the team loses, he always says the the coaching staff and the team as a whole is to blame." What a crock of s***. I love me some First Take, but damn. Tomlin was a decent coach who was lucky enough to inherit the team Cowher built and a team that has still in it's prime. I try to support Tomlin because he is a local around my way but damn, he needs a serious evaluation in the way he is coaching this team before he runs it into the ground in these next few years.

This is what I've been saying for years.

NFL passes the Jim Schwartz Rule:

I actually don't like this. If a coach is such a cry baby that he cannot keep his composure, his team should be penalized.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Thanks, Matt. Figured you would. Part of me almost wants the Steelers to go 4-12 so that Tomlin might finally be exposed for the mediocre coach he truly is. Almost.

 

[Kaleb]

Jason La Canfora‏@JasonLaCanfora1m
Ed Reed's deal with the Texans is for 2 years. While he struggled w/leaving BAL, his only team, the Texans courted him heavily all along

Thanks Ed for the memories.

 

[Matt]

Damn, Baltimore is falling apart.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Man... Cincinnati really has a shot at claiming the division this year.

 

[Matt]

Scarily enough, they do. Pittsburgh is old. Baltimore is deteriorating faster than any team I've ever seen. That being said, Marvin Lewis will undoubtedly find a way to blow it for Cinci and make sure the finish 9-7 or worse.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I was thinking about this in regards to one of the NFL's TV Partners:

- NBC has been finishing fifth behind the Spanish Language Univision. That has to be because of the fact that it's the offseason for the NFL. Because it would be really pathetic for NBC if they finished behind Univision during the NFL season. Sunday Night Football averages 20 million people and it's the one crown jewel in NBC's fall lineup.

 

[Erzengel]

Think the #1 show for NBC is Saturday Night Live. And that's not even a prime time show. I can't name one show on that channel beside like the Office.

 

[enterthemadness]

Think the #1 show for NBC is Saturday Night Live. And that's not even a prime time show. I can't name one show on that channel beside like the Office.

Chuck (canceled), The Cape (Canceled), ER (Canceled), Whitney (toss up for 3rd season), 30 rock (series ended)...


-_-....

 

[vindrow]

Yeah, I don't get it. If by "not making excuses" you mean giving carefully worded and rehearsed answers like a low-level employee who is on shaky ground with his boss, then yeah, Tomlin is great at that. Seriously, the guy has almost no personality in interviews or during press conferences. They always gush over how charismatic he is, and I'm like "WTF?" He's basically Belichick if you replaced exceptional coaching ability with proficiency in beard trimming.

Well, you know Tomlin as long as he is throwing out his "Tomlinisms" he feels he is doing his job.