2016 NFL THREAD - Super Bowl 51 - Patriots' Day: V - Screw Goodell

[King Postwhore]

Seriously, how old is Gronk, 14? Continually giggling like an eighth grader about scoring his 69th touchdown.

Yup.  There's 5 boys in that family can you imagine the destruction in that house?

[Cable]

Similar thing happened to LeGarrett Blount (though Pitt isn't "Football Siberia"), where he saw how the other three quarters live, and came back humble, and ready to work.  Now he's one of the best backs in the league on one of the best teams in the league.   

There were numerous reasons that Blount didn't work out in Pittsburgh, mainly getting high while driving and leaving the field early before a game finished because he was throwing a hissy-fit. That being said Tomlin is WAY more of a "players coach" than Billy boy who strikes me as much more a disciplinarian.

While the second part of one of the best teams in the league is right, Blount is a tier two running back at best. His career numbers dictate as much
https://www.nfl.com/player/legarretteblount/497149/profile

Outside of touchdowns, he is not really holding up against his peers. Games like 18 for 43yds, 13 for 50 have been more present than 24 for 127. Blount is basically a one sided player, which is pretty much who BenJarvus Green-Ellis was. Further, Blount's seasonal yards per carry is trending in the wrong direction. Now, talking about his importance to the team, and belief in the Patriots system is a very different discussion.

[KevShmev]

Yeah, Blount is a mediocre back who is a product of the system.  His porous YPA, despite playing in that offense, shows how good he isn't. 

Speaking of a product of the system, I still have no idea how good Ezekiel Elliot really is.  I mean, he is definitely better than any of the RBs they had last year, but their o-line is so dominant that I think just about any good RB could do what he's doing this year. 

David Johnson is probably the best RB in the game right now.

[pogoowner]

It's a toss-up between Le'Veon Bell and David Johnson. And I think Elliot looks like the real deal, even if he does have a good o-line. He has great athleticism, but he also runs with power.

[KevShmev]

I think we can almost throw DeMarco Murray back into the mix, when you consider what he is doing this year on a mediocre Titans team.

Also, I saw a stat that said that the Steelers are 1-7 against the Ravens without Roethlisberger since 2004 (his rookie year).  What stands out is not the record, but the fact that Roethlisberger has missed that many games against them. Just goes to show you how much the guy gets hurt.

[Dream Team]

I've seen this movie before. Ben comes back too soon, can't plant properly, and his passes sail high straight into the arms of waiting defenders. Probably gonna be ugly.

[KevShmev]

We can only hope.

[dparrott]

Raiders get to find out if they are for real tonight.  With a couple of members of Broncos D injured, they may pull it out.

[KevShmev]

As good as the Vikings look for the first part of the season, they have looked that bad lately.  Another ugly offensive performance.

[King Postwhore]

And just got stopped on a 4th and 1 on the 4 hard line of the Lions.

[KevShmev]

If they lose this game, it's their own fault for not cutting that stooge of a kicker two months ago.  If they had a kicker worth a damn, they probably are leading this game 16-13 (since they probably kicked the FG there, the XP wouldn't have missed, and the other missed FG wouldn't have been shanked so badly, which is the reason why it was blocked).

[King Postwhore]

Damn the Ravens are taking it to the Steelers today.

[King Postwhore]

Matt Prater is the man!

[KevShmev]

HORRENDOUS clock management by Minnesota at the end there.  Running 2nd down too quickly and then calling timeout after 2nd down with 27 seconds left enabled Detroit to have time to tie it up.  Awful.

[King Postwhore]

Holy shit Jets.  Way to kill your momentum.

[TheCountOfNYC]

Holy shit Jets.  Way to kill your momentum.

That's pretty much their season. They would have had to finish the rest of the season 7-1 at the worst to have a shot at the playoffs. With two games again New England and pretty much no shot of beating them in Foxborough, the best record they can obtain is 9-7 which will not be good enough for the playoffs with the AFC West being so good this season.

[cramx3]

Good and needed win for the Giants.  I thought they were about to blow it with that interception at the end. 

[RoeDent]

What a start to Colts @ Packers! Kickoff returned 99 yards for a Colts touchdown. Just as I write, the Packers intercept.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

So how about that Steelers onside kick?

[PowerSlave]

I've been a Mike Tomlin defender for many years. Needless to say, that came to an end today.

[axeman90210]

Holy shit Jets.  Way to kill your momentum.

Fucking offsides on a kickoff....

Hopefully we pick someone good in the draft next year

[cramx3]

Hopefully we pick someone good in the draft next year

Well if we go by history, I'm guessing they won't.    I feel bad for Jets fans (my father is one). 

[Skeever]

Yup, it's over for the Jets. Chan Gailey's offense is terrible in the Red Zone, and Fitz being so mediocre doesn' thelp.

[axeman90210]

I thing the loss of Decker was a huge blow for our offense, because basically the same group of guys playing for Gailey last year were fantastic in the red zone.

[King Postwhore]

Kevin, Denver's O is affecting the D. 

[TAC]

Wow, did Collinsworth call that TD for the Broncos or what?

[pogoowner]

I thought all along that they'd have a good year, but it's really refreshing to actually see Oakland doing well. They have a great fanbase and they deserve it. The stadium situation is a damn shame, though.

[cramx3]

I thing the loss of Decker was a huge blow for our offense, because basically the same group of guys playing for Gailey last year were fantastic in the red zone.

Definitely, but I also think an aging Fitzpatrick who never really was a QB to lead a successful team is a problem as well.  Which of course ties into Decker, but I just think that whole hold out over the summer and the poor draft choices at QB are what has really hurt them the most.  I'm also surprised their defense isn't better than what they are, but that could be tied to poor QB play.

[Dream Team]

For anyone who still thinks Tomlin is a good coach, I suggest watching that onside kick attempt on a loop. His other brilliant strategy was to attack the Ravens' strength (run defense) with runs up the middle with predictable results.

[mikeyd23]

For anyone who still thinks Tomlin is a good coach, I suggest watching that onside kick attempt on a loop. His other brilliant strategy was to attack the Ravens' strength (run defense) with runs up the middle with predictable results.

I agree, but unfortunately, as a Steelers fan, there's pretty much zero chance at his job being on the line regardless of how well they do.

[hefdaddy42]

Raiders looked good last night.

Panthers: well, a win is a win at this point.  The Rams have a legit good defense, but I would have liked to see a better performance yesterday.  Oh well.

[axeman90210]

I thing the loss of Decker was a huge blow for our offense, because basically the same group of guys playing for Gailey last year were fantastic in the red zone.

Definitely, but I also think an aging Fitzpatrick who never really was a QB to lead a successful team is a problem as well.  Which of course ties into Decker, but I just think that whole hold out over the summer and the poor draft choices at QB are what has really hurt them the most.  I'm also surprised their defense isn't better than what they are, but that could be tied to poor QB play.

Yeah, I expected some regression from him compared to last year, but I think the lack of Decker has made it a bit more severe than it would have been otherwise. The defense is really what's been a letdown for me.

[KevShmev]

Kevin, Denver's O is affecting the D.

I didn't see the game - was at the DT concert  - but from what I've heard about the game, their two biggest problems reared their ugly head: the offensive line and the run defense.

For anyone who still thinks Tomlin is a good coach, I suggest watching that onside kick attempt on a loop. His other brilliant strategy was to attack the Ravens' strength (run defense) with runs up the middle with predictable results.

He is too much of a players coach.  LeVeon Bell even came out and said they make mistakes in practice all the time.   That speaks volumes as to how bad a job Tomlin does at getting his team ready. 

[KevShmev]

Hey look, a good game for once tonight!!

[King Postwhore]

It also makes me feel confident for next week's game.