NFL thread 2014 v. Frankford Yellow Jackets Lay the Pipe on the Dayton Triangles

[CrimsonSunrise]

First Rams preseason game tonight!  5 bullet points..

1. NO INJURIES PLEASE

2. Running back competition between Stacy/Cunningham/Mason

3. Michael Sam fighting for a roster spot.  Biggest competition is Ethan Westbrooks.  Looks like the 2 of them will be fighting for the final 9th DL spot.

4. WR competition.

5. Secondary concerns - Our Front 7 looks great, back end has the question marks.

GO RAMS!!

[hefdaddy42]

For the Panthers tonight, I'm not expecting too many revelations, other than getting a look at the rebuilt WR corps and some DBs.

The defense is pretty stacked, as is the OL and RBs, and Cam will be the guy at QB (although he may not play at all tonight, and if so, only handing off).

[ReaPsTA]

With preseason, you can't take anything to heart with the team's performance.  I suspect that if you did a statistical study, preseason performance would have little to no correlation with regular season performance.

Hopefully, these two things will actually matter:

1.  How hard is the team working?  Are they obviously not going full tilt because it's the pre-season?  Or are they already out there busting their ass?

2.  What does the playbook look like?  How much has it expanded from last year?

Even trying to keep my focus narrow on purpose, I suspect by week four of the regular season I'll be angry about shattered expectations.

Fuck preseason.  Can I still call my friend and tell him I'm not going over?

[hefdaddy42]

The players on the field after the first couple of series had damn well better be going full speed, because those are guys still looking for jobs.

[King Postwhore]

With preseason, you can't take anything to heart with the team's performance.  I suspect that if you did a statistical study, preseason performance would have little to no correlation with regular season performance.

Hopefully, these two things will actually matter:

1.  How hard is the team working?  Are they obviously not going full tilt because it's the pre-season?  Or are they already out there busting their ass?

2.  What does the playbook look like?  How much has it expanded from last year?

Even trying to keep my focus narrow on purpose, I suspect by week four of the regular season I'll be angry about shattered expectations.

Fuck preseason.  Can I still call my friend and tell him I'm not going over?

ReaP, you never see the real playbook in preseason.  It's as bland as bland can be.

[KevShmev]

Exactly. Teams are not gonna tip their hand by running their best game plans in the preseason.  It's very vanilla.

[ReaPsTA]

The players on the field after the first couple of series had damn well better be going full speed, because those are guys still looking for jobs.

Indeed.  But I want to see the starters putting in work too.  Especially because of how Kelly runs his teams (ridiculously physical, hard practices).  I need to see that paying off.

ReaP, you never see the real playbook in preseason.  It's as bland as bland can be.

Exactly. Teams are not gonna tip their hand by running their best game plans in the preseason.  It's very vanilla.

I think I'm going to be drinking a lot during this game.

[King Postwhore]

I watched 2 series for the Pats/Redskins game and went to my DVR.  Boring as all hell.  the 3rd game I'll watch most of it because it's a trial run for the starting group for at least a half to 3 quarters.

[CrimsonSunrise]

For the Panthers tonight, I'm not expecting too many revelations, other than getting a look at the rebuilt WR corps and some DBs.

The defense is pretty stacked, as is the OL and RBs, and Cam will be the guy at QB (although he may not play at all tonight, and if so, only handing off).

Yeah, you guys really did a turnaround on your WR corp.  Cam's good to go.  I'm sure they're treating him like Kaep, Wilson, and RGIII are being treated ,drilling into him do NOT take off running 

Indeed.  But I want to see the starters putting in work too.  Especially because of how Kelly runs his teams (ridiculously physical, hard practices).  I need to see that paying off.

I dunno...  Mike Martz used to run those high tempo practices back in the Greatest show on Turf days. It's all good until a marquis player gets hurt.  I want my starters played very sparingly, if at all in the first preseason game.  The Rams do it a bit different than most teams.  Most play their starters the most in game 3, the Rams do it in game 4.  I like that approach, that way they're warmed up for the next week season opener.

I think I'm going to be drinking a lot during this game.

I concur 1000% 

[El Barto]

I watched 2 series for the Pats/Redskins game and went to my DVR.  Boring as all hell.  the 3rd game I'll watch most of it because it's a trial run for the starting group for at least a half to 3 quarters.

I watched the first half to see if James White demonstrated any brilliance (nope!). Mallet certainly didn't look good and I wasn't around to see New Guy. A lot of sloppiness, including a couple of penalties on Browner (not that the secondary situation concerns me in the slightest  ). Easley is who I most wanted to see, but he didn't even make the trip.

[King Postwhore]

And that's why I can't watch it El Barto!   You never see who you really want.  Was both lines that bad?  I'll wait to the season starts and evaluate as the season progresses.

[El Barto]

They were both completely unremarkable. I saw one hold, and I saw the O-line make a grand canyon sized hole that one of the no-name RB's totally failed to exploit. That's the only time I ever thought about either line.

[bosk1]

Hey, I just realized something.  If a team has a really good preseason, it is technically possible to rack up as many wins as Cleveland had in their entire 2013 regular season. 

[black_biff_stadler]

If a team even steps on the field, they've already equaled the '60 Cowboys,'76 Bucs, '82 Colts, and '08 Lions.

[cramx3]

If a team even steps on the field, they've already equaled the '60 Cowboys,'76 Bucs, '82 Colts, and '08 Lions.

And the 08 Lions were 4-0 in the preseason I believe.

[Jamesman42]

Nice to see Tannehill throw a TD on the opening drive, 6 for 6, with 0 sacks.

[black_biff_stadler]

If a team even steps on the field, they've already equaled the '60 Cowboys,'76 Bucs, '82 Colts, and '08 Lions.

And the 08 Lions were 4-0 in the preseason I believe.

You just can't let me have anything, can you?

[hefdaddy42]

Well, I saw what I wanted - rookie WR Kelvin Benjamin caught a TD pass.

But the OL definitely needs work - pass blocking was OK, but they didn't open up any running holes at all.

A pleasant surprise was QB Joe Webb, competing for a #3 QB position that the Panthers may not even keep.  He showed great athleticism, good decision making, great arm strength and zip on the ball, and led the team on two long drives.  That was a lot of fun to watch.

[ReaPsTA]

Things I saw:

 - Jordan Matthews didn't impress me.  The Eagles should worry that he is a draft bust.

 - Sanchez showed a little more poise than Foles.  I think we might see Sanchez starting this year.

 - McCoy didn't have any notable plays.  Watch for his impending decline.

 - The Eagles special teams made some big plays.  Look for them to be the best unit in the league this year.

 - The Eagles didn't pull off a successful two minute drill at the end.  While the starters weren't playing, we should be concerned that a culture of losing is developing in the locker room.

Emperor Kelly might have no clothes.  Are we sure he can make magic happen twice in a row?

[Tom Bombadil]

As an Eagles fan who follows them 24/7, here's my response to that:

I wouldn't put too much into Matthews' drops. It was his first NFL action in his life. Sammy Warkins had no cathes in his first game and nobody is calling him a bust. The drops were bad, but this kid has tremendous work ethic. He'll make the necessary adjustment. I wouldn't worry about it.

McCoy had one carry all game. They were taking it easy with him. To say he's declining because of that is a little ridiculous. It can also explain why the first team offense wasn't too sharp, because the Eagles offense revolves around McCoy and the zone read, which I didn't see them run at all last night.

The offense should be fine and I'm sure they will be one of the top 5 in the league this year. The defense worries me, but they looked a little improved and I like what I'm seeing from the younger guys.

How can a culture of losing be developing after a 10-6 season and one preseason game?

All in all, it was just one preseason game, and there's not a lot you can conclude based off it. Wait until regular season rolls around.

[ReaPsTA]

Oh no......

[KevShmev]

Things I saw:

 - Jordan Matthews didn't impress me.  The Eagles should worry that he is a draft bust.

 - Sanchez showed a little more poise than Foles.  I think we might see Sanchez starting this year.

 - McCoy didn't have any notable plays.  Watch for his impending decline.

 - The Eagles special teams made some big plays.  Look for them to be the best unit in the league this year.

 - The Eagles didn't pull off a successful two minute drill at the end.  While the starters weren't playing, we should be concerned that a culture of losing is developing in the locker room.

Emperor Kelly might have no clothes.  Are we sure he can make magic happen twice in a row?

Not bad.  I'll give you a 7/10 for the solid shtick.

[hefdaddy42]

Things I saw:

 - Jordan Matthews didn't impress me.  The Eagles should worry that he is a draft bust.

 - Sanchez showed a little more poise than Foles.  I think we might see Sanchez starting this year.

 - McCoy didn't have any notable plays.  Watch for his impending decline.

 - The Eagles special teams made some big plays.  Look for them to be the best unit in the league this year.

 - The Eagles didn't pull off a successful two minute drill at the end.  While the starters weren't playing, we should be concerned that a culture of losing is developing in the locker room.

Emperor Kelly might have no clothes.  Are we sure he can make magic happen twice in a row?

Do you understand preseason?  TB's read seemed more in line with a real preseason game.

Your reads would be more valid after a Week 1 regular season game.  Maybe.

[Rattlehead]

I think he was being sarcastic 

[King Postwhore]

The thing is, ReaP is so serious about his sports it's hard to tell.

[hefdaddy42]

*shrugs*

[black_biff_stadler]

not drugs

[Rattlehead]

I know it's just preseason, but seeing the Broncos beat the Seahawks was nice…  I'm going to see the Broncos take on the Chiefs at Mile High in September, can't wait 

[ReaPsTA]

Orlando Scandrick suspended four games for using MDMA.  Here's the obligatory, but apparently still necessary, article comparing it to the Ray Rice suspension.  A lot of other comparisons are made to other suspensions showing how wrong this is.

It's an old story at this point, but I swear it's even less comprehensible now than it was when it happened.

[cramx3]

At least he admitted to using the drug recreationally.  You dont hear that very often, but I'll never understand why people do molly.

[El Barto]

At least he admitted to using the drug recreationally.  You dont hear that very often, but I'll never understand why people do molly.

Because it's fun.

That aside, what I don't get is why it's a PED. While it is partly an amphetamine, I'm not sure how that effects performance while vacationing in Mexico in the middle of April. If it doesn't happen during the season then it should probably be treated about the same as grass, which wouldn't have resulted in the suspension. 

[cramx3]

At least he admitted to using the drug recreationally.  You dont hear that very often, but I'll never understand why people do molly.

Because it's fun.

That aside, what I don't get is why it's a PED. While it is partly an amphetamine, I'm not sure how that effects performance while vacationing in Mexico in the middle of April. If it doesn't happen during the season then it should probably be treated about the same as grass, which wouldn't have resulted in the suspension.

I think someone commenter on a website stated, "it would make an interception dance better"

[hefdaddy42]

Anyone else watching Hard Knocks?  It's the Atlanta Falcons this year.

2 episodes in, I'm kind of bored. 

[cramx3]

I havent watched, but being that its the same thing every year, the show can be very boring.  There isnt anything juicy with the Falcons to make this years show stand out.  No controversy surrounding that team or players who make you want to watch if you arent a falcons fan.

[black_biff_stadler]

Anyone else watching Hard Knocks?  It's the Atlanta Falcons this year.

2 episodes in, I'm kind of bored.

Considering it's the Falcons, you've more than gotten your money's worth if you're only kind of boreed.