NFL Season

[Hoopz]

I'm ready for Week 1.  I'll start the Pick Em thread later.  Just curious what everyone thinks about this season coming up?

It certainly seems like the Packers are poised to make a run with their offense.  Pats seem to be a contender and they'll at least when the AFC East unless the Bills can pull it out.

The Jets?  I think they'll be lucky to get to .500.  That's if they don't implode before the season opens.

SF saddled with Alex Smith is an issue.  If Dilfer could get a ring with Baltimore, then he could get one in SF.

[ChadTower]

I'll be honest.  I'm less interested in the NFL this year than maybe ever.  I'm about to cancel DirecTV and who knows if I'll watch more than 2-3 games all year.  I think I'd rather be fishing than trapped in front of my TV for 8 hours every Sunday.

[Sparkolicious]

Saints!!!

[JMB]

Things I am curious to see how they play out this season:

- How the Saints do without Sean Payton.
- How Peyton Manning does in Denver and will he make it through the year without injury.
- What week the Jets QB controversy starts.
- How Adrian Peterson does coming back so soon from that knee injury.
- How many porn stars Rob Gronkowski hooks up with

[Sparkolicious]

lol! @ the Gronk!  My opinion is COMPLETELY Biased as a long time Saints season ticket holder, but I can tell you.. The feeling here with the fans and with the players being interviewed is super confidence.  We have lost ZERO from our offense, Payton not withstanding, and our Coordinator has been calling lots of plays anyway.  Lets not forget we have Brees.   Then there's of defense.  People have been moved around a bit, and we have a healthy Johnathon Casillas.  Losing Vilma isn't saying much. He missed a lot of time last season injured anyway.  Plus it always seems like a D coordinators first year with a team is a good one.  No one know exactly what to expect.  I will say this.  Look at what  Spagnuolo did for the Giants D.  Oh... and there's the fact that we had to eat a lot of shiz in the off season.  Players are really ready to get out there and prove something to everyone.  I would not want to play the Saints at home for sure. It will be LOUD!

[wp34]

I'm anxious to see how Cutler does now that he finally has some big weapons to throw to.  Though I'm concerned the Bears line won't hold up and he will be lying on his back a lot.

I know it will get (is already) way over-hyped but I am actually interested in seeing how RGIII and Luck do this year.

It certainly seems like the Packers are poised to make a run with their offense.

[Hoopz]

Been a long off season with too much info about the Saints, Manning, Jets, etc so I'm just excited to see some real games. 

[Sparkolicious]

You are right about that.. It is especially bad when it is your team getting all the crappy press

[wp34]

Been a long off season with too much info about the Saints, Manning, Jets, etc so I'm just excited to see some real games.

I hear ya on the Jets.  That story is getting old.  Let the season begin!

[Zero_Hour]

Well the Steelers lost their first round O-Lineman to a dislocated Kneecap and torn MCL, so it's handy we have a quarterback who can still play while getting the snot knocked out of him. Our biggest deep threat receiver, Mike Wallace is still not in camp, but Antonio Brown looks like he might be just as dynamic, so we'll call that a push. Oh and our number one running back still hasn't touched the ball, since he is only 7 months out from knee surgery. Add in a new offensive coordinator in Todd Haley, and there are certainly a lot of reasons to be cautious with the enthusiasm, but they are my team. Oh also we get to open against Manning, in Denver, without Ryan Clark, one of our starting safeties, since a medical condition prevents him from playing at altitude.
Good or bad, I'll be there watching.

[ChadTower]

I watched the Bucs/Pats game the other day.  The Bucs lost their stud first round D lineman to an ugly looking injury.  Then they lost their all pro guard for the season.


Looking at the rest of the NFC south, losing important players already, with a rookie head coach and ownership that has a hardon for soccer, this is going be a 6 win year.  Maybe less.

[Hoopz]

Oh also we get to open against Manning, in Denver, without Ryan Clark, one of our starting safeties, since a medical condition prevents him from playing at altitude.
Good or bad, I'll be there watching.

I remember that from the playoff game last year.  That's crazy but good that he just sits out.

And good luck listening to those idiots with that stupid incomplete chant.      I hate watching Broncos games on TV because once you hear it, it's impossible to not hear it again.

[ChadTower]

I wonder how dandruff boy is going to injure himself this year.  Flying into the sidelines and hitting his ribs on the Gatorade table?  Running into the goalposts?  Suicide by pulling guard?

[wp34]

What's the over/under on which game Rex Ryan gets canned?   

[Hoopz]

What's the over/under on which game Rex Ryan gets canned?   

I'll say the Jets win less than 8 games.  And I think that's pretty damn generous. 

[javeryh]

I think Romo must be able to suck chrome off a trailer hitch.  There's some reason he's still around and I'm not sure I want to know what it is.  I'm anticipating another painful year as a Cowboys fan.

I hate the Cowboys almost as much as the Eagles but Romo is an awesome QB. He does the best with what he has and if he never fumbled that snap a few years ago the perception on him would be totally different - his career numbers are great. I can't believe what I just wrote.  GO GIANTS!!

[ChadTower]

Romo is just like Brett Favre only with a lot less talent.  Great numbers, so far no wins that matter.  Favre eventually got himself to a title, but only that one, and he had to have an all time great year to overcome his bad decision making in the process.


Romo will never be able to do that.  He'll always be a first round exit QB.

[Rando]

I'm ready/excited for the season...

- Agree that Romo has his work cut out for him, can DeMarco help out the offense enough and can they keep Dez from self-imploding?
- Can Eli repeat with a similar cast?
- Will Houston dominate with their 1st string QB instead of their 3rd string?
- How the heck will all these Rookie QB's do?
- Think Sanchez will make it to week 6 before Tebow takes his job?  (I'm thinking about week 6 Sanchez gets sacked one too many times to get back up)
- How will Peyton do with Tebow's former "weapons"

Looking forward to Fantasy, looking forward to pickems, looking forward to Football!!!

[Zero_Hour]

One thing I'm not looking forward to is replacement refs in the regular season. Apparently though, the NFL has sent a memo to teams to tell them that's what they're getting, at least for week.

[Hoopz]

One thing I'm not looking forward to is replacement refs in the regular season. Apparently though, the NFL has sent a memo to teams to tell them that's what they're getting, at least for week.

+1

The replacements are in a difficult position so I hate to knock them, but we have all season some really bad calls.  Granted, the "real" refs had blown calls but some of the stuff this pre-season is significantly worse than missing a holding call or an inadvertent whistle...

[Hoopz]

Had my fantasy draft last night.  For the 3rd year in a row, I've had the 10th pick (out of 10). 

Normal turds went before me and Forte dropped to 9 so I was hoping to get him.  Didn't happen.  Didn't like McGimpy so I grabbed Cam Newton and Demarco Murray.  Not particularly comforting.  Grabbed AP and Roddy White in the next two, then crazy family assailant Dez Bryant and Jeremy Maclin.  Grabbed Ryan Williams, Roy Helu and Mendenhall later in hopes that one of them will be healthy and/or starting at some point when I need them.  Took flier on Heyward-Bey getting comfortable with Palmer, Hernandez just as a WR not a TE, and Cutler as my backup who happens to have the same bye week as Cam Newton.   

Anyone else drafted yet?

[Malenko]

I agree with Chaddles on this one, I'm not very into football at all this year. I'll prolly be stuck watching it cause it looks like the NHL is going to have a lock out. I want every team to go 8 and 8 and all the tie breakers to be even, then let them figure out what the hell to do then.

[Trip]

Saints!!!

WHO DAT!

[Hoopz]

I agree with Chaddles on this one, I'm not very into football at all this year. I'll prolly be stuck watching it cause it looks like the NHL is going to have a lock out. I want every team to go 8 and 8 and all the tie breakers to be even, then let them figure out what the hell to do then.

If the tiebreakers are all even, they eventually resort to a coin toss:

http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures

I doubt they ever get past #4 but it'd be fun to see.

And I doubt the Jets can win 6 games let alone 8.

[JMB]

Anyone else drafted yet?

Had one draft last night 8 team league and ended up with the 7th pick. My picks went Calvin Johnson, I did take McGimpy, V. Cruz, Forte, J Nelson, R. Bush, E Manning, A. Brown, V Jackson, Pettigrew, Roethlisberger, Tamme, D Brown

This league starts 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, and has 2 flex spots. I will probably end  up starting 4 WR's most weeks.

The league I have been in the longest drafts Mon night. 10 team auction. Looking forward to that.

[Rando]

Anyone else drafted yet?

Yep,
Feedback on you guys first, will even give you a silly ranking out of how many teams in your league, higher being better:

Didn't like McGimpy so I grabbed Cam Newton and Demarco Murray.  Not particularly comforting.  Grabbed AP and Roddy White in the next two, then crazy family assailant Dez Bryant and Jeremy Maclin.  Grabbed Ryan Williams, Roy Helu and Mendenhall later in hopes that one of them will be healthy and/or starting at some point when I need them.  Took flier on Heyward-Bey getting comfortable with Palmer, Hernandez just as a WR not a TE, and Cutler as my backup who happens to have the same bye week as Cam Newton.   

QBs – Cam will  be decent depending on your scoring system, as will Cutler, wonder if you’ll have issues deciding which to start each week
RBs – I like Murray and he was a monster last year, injury shouldn’t be a recurring issue and Dallas will definitely need him to step up.  AP should be good if the knee is good, Williams should be good if he can hold himself together, Helu is iffy and the entire Redskins backfield is a tossup, and Mendenhall eh.  Murray and whoever is healthy that week to start.
WR – Roddy/Dez/Maclin – good group, I think Dez has potential to be a monster this year in response to all the off-field stuff and “Dez rules” and such, not to mention rest of Dallas receivers are banged up.  HeyBey could be okay if Palmer is okay, not sure what you mean by Hernandez as WR instead of TE but should get a bunch of balls as Brady will spread it around, though he’ll have to share with Gronk, Welker, and Lloyd.

I give you a… 7 out of 10

Had one draft last night 8 team league and ended up with the 7th pick. My picks went Calvin Johnson, I did take McGimpy, V. Cruz, Forte, J Nelson, R. Bush, E Manning, A. Brown, V Jackson, Pettigrew, Roethlisberger, Tamme, D Brown
This league starts 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, and has 2 flex spots. I will probably end  up starting 4 WR's most weeks.
 

No offense but I’d think you would have a more impressive team with just 8 in the league.

QBs – Eli/Roeth – Good but not great except for a few big weeks.  Wonder if you’ll have a decision problem like Hoopz above each week
RBs – McGimp/Forte/Reggie Bush/DBrown – Forte and Gimp to start, eyes on Bush and Brown to see what they do
WRs – Calvin/Cruz/Nelson/Brown/Jax – Here is your strength and yep it’s where your flexes will come from each week
TE – Pett/Tamme – I’ve seen a bunch of people grabbing Pett, so hoping good things for you

I give you a… 4 out of 8, I think your RB’s will hold you back and you don’t have enough QB to cover for it

Here’s me, had 3rd pick in a 12 team league, start QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, Def, K
QB: Matt Ryan/Matt Schaub – Happy with Ryan and waited a while for a backup and Schaub was still there, not sure why but happy to get him
RB: Ray Rice/Willis McGahee/Cedric Benson – Aside from Rice I’m WEEAAKK here and not happy
WR: Julio Jones/Andre Johnson/Stevie Johnson/Greg Little/Randy Moss – Jones/Johnson combo should be good to ride each week, got Little and Moss to see what happens
TE: Brent Celek – Came on strong at the end of last year for Philly
Def: Houston – Good last year, expect Texans to do well in division
K: Garrett Hartley – NO kicker assuming he gets job, should be steady points

I give myself a…  9 out of 12, I think I’m strong in 5 of the 6 key positions

Luck all!

[Hoopz]

Anyone else drafted yet?

Yep,
Feedback on you guys first, will even give you a silly ranking out of how many teams in your league, higher being better:

Didn't like McGimpy so I grabbed Cam Newton and Demarco Murray.  Not particularly comforting.  Grabbed AP and Roddy White in the next two, then crazy family assailant Dez Bryant and Jeremy Maclin.  Grabbed Ryan Williams, Roy Helu and Mendenhall later in hopes that one of them will be healthy and/or starting at some point when I need them.  Took flier on Heyward-Bey getting comfortable with Palmer, Hernandez just as a WR not a TE, and Cutler as my backup who happens to have the same bye week as Cam Newton.   

QBs – Cam will  be decent depending on your scoring system, as will Cutler, wonder if you’ll have issues deciding which to start each week
RBs – I like Murray and he was a monster last year, injury shouldn’t be a recurring issue and Dallas will definitely need him to step up.  AP should be good if the knee is good, Williams should be good if he can hold himself together, Helu is iffy and the entire Redskins backfield is a tossup, and Mendenhall eh.  Murray and whoever is healthy that week to start.
WR – Roddy/Dez/Maclin – good group, I think Dez has potential to be a monster this year in response to all the off-field stuff and “Dez rules” and such, not to mention rest of Dallas receivers are banged up.  HeyBey could be okay if Palmer is okay, not sure what you mean by Hernandez as WR instead of TE but should get a bunch of balls as Brady will spread it around, though he’ll have to share with Gronk, Welker, and Lloyd.

I give you a… 7 out of 10

We don't need to start a TE but can use one in a WR spot. 

I usually determine who my guy is and always play him unless it's going to be severe weather, major injuries, etc.  I try and avoid flip flopping as it just leads me to getting whip sawed....   I have some gambles that if a couple pay off, I can do well.  If not, well there's always our Pick Em here.      And my dynasty team.

I like your team with Rice and Benson.  I think crazy Cedric could do well as long as he keeps his act together.  On that offense, he could be feast or famine though.  Andre Johnson's hammies are going to be a concern but with Julio, you have a great young stud. 

I did grab the Bears and Jets defenses in the 13/14 rounds so that's a plus, I hope.

[CCM]

I agree with Chaddles on this one, I'm not very into football at all this year.

+1

I used to look forward to the NFL season every year, I was in 3 fantasy football leagues, and I ran one of my own.   I'm not in any fantasy leagues at all this year, and I just don't care about the NFL, not sure why...

[amendonz]

the new zealand agent for the memorabilia shop B&M (i think)  packed it in and is moving back to USA, i manahed to get some stuff cheappp







and even chucked in some free stuff



paid about $230 for the lot, all autographed apart from the trading cards and 'sweet swatch', brand new condition with tags, only a couple things have authenticity certs but so who knows really but the guy seemed like a really good guy so heres hoping 

what do you guys reckon? good score or worthless tat?

[ChadTower]

$230 was worth it if you only want the shirts to wear around the house.

[Hoopz]

So how'd everybody do in their fantasy leagues?  I won one with the team I posted above.  Had to do quite a few drop/adds to survive but AD playing lights out and Cam Newton lighting it up the last 6 or so games really helped.  Roddy White, Dez, and Hernandez all had great games during my playoff run to help.

Who else grabbed a championship?  Or who got hosed by a player who had a career game and cost you a ring?

[ChadTower]

Fairly crappy.  Got hit too hard with injuries.  Came on strong at the end, also with Newton and Hernandez along with Forte returning but too many of my key guys produced very little (Fred Jackson, Greg Jennings, Newton and Hernandez until like week 12).

[JMB]

I made the playoffs despite McFadden being a huge lemon. I snagged Demaryuis Thomas after a guy dropped him early in the season. WR's carried me all year. Ended up running into a guy who had huge weeks from Brees , Chris Johnson, Julio Jones and Andre Johnson in the first week of the playoffs. Won the consolation game and finished 3rd.

[yotsuya]

Made it to my championship game. Would have won if Tony Romo hadn't ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- the bed.

[ChadTower]

Would have won if Tony Romo hadn't ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- the bed.

It's like we've heard this someplace before.   

[yotsuya]

'S ok. When the Cowboys lose, I always win.

[ChadTower]

I am a huuuuge Tony Romo fan. 

I hate the Cowboys.

He ensures they are always worthless and a threat to nobody.  I love Tony Romo.   

[yotsuya]

I am a huuuuge Tony Romo fan. 

I hate the Cowboys.

He ensures they are always worthless and a threat to nobody.  I love Tony Romo.   

Same here. My team was autodrafted this year, and that's how I ended up with Romo. He sucked at first, then put up huge numbers to get me into the championships, then became Same Ol' Tony in the game that mattered. Of course. In the end, I'd rather lose my FF championship than hear all the ---uvula--- Cowboy fans I know crow about winning the division.

[Hoopz]

Week 17 championship?  He had a huge game in Week 16 which was a great benefit to me with Dez catching two TDs and 220+ yards.  Romo is the anti-Aikman.  Great in Fantasy but bad in real life.

[Rando]

Here’s me, had 3rd pick in a 12 team league, start QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, Def, K
QB: Matt Ryan/Matt Schaub – Happy with Ryan and waited a while for a backup and Schaub was still there, not sure why but happy to get him
RB: Ray Rice/Willis McGahee/Cedric Benson – Aside from Rice I’m WEEAAKK here and not happy
WR: Julio Jones/Andre Johnson/Stevie Johnson/Greg Little/Randy Moss – Jones/Johnson combo should be good to ride each week, got Little and Moss to see what happens
TE: Brent Celek – Came on strong at the end of last year for Philly
Def: Houston – Good last year, expect Texans to do well in division
K: Garrett Hartley – NO kicker assuming he gets job, should be steady points

I give myself a…  9 out of 12, I think I’m strong in 5 of the 6 key positions

I did well with this squad, won my division regular season, but they dropped the ball first week of playoffs.  I scored highest points next two weeks but it was too late and I could only take 5th, not 1st or 3rd.  Won my entry money back for winning division, but no big cash prize.

QB was good with Ryan majority of year.  Rice at RB was good as was Willis McG for the first half, but after that I struggled to get a good #2 again (Jackson, Wells, Ballard, Brown).  WR's were good when they showed up.  I never settled on a TE, changed out that Position all year.  Houston Defense was money most of season.

On a related note, I won a pickem league with 30 or so entries, led for finaly 7 or 8 weeks, held on to win at the end by 2 games, thanks to Eagles and Buffalo!

Great year of football, despite the Giant's being bipolar.