The NFL Thread

[WTF]

The media is now in constant hype for Manning for comeback player of the year award.

Somebody tell me what he is doing is more amazing than what Peterson is doing with the worst qb in the NFL, 0 wrs and half an offensive line 9 months after tearing up his knee.

Go ahead and tell me. Except for puss13, I don't give a fuck what he thinks.

What Manning is doing is pretty great, but Peterson is a fucking beast.

[Crazy Levi]

I'd back AP for comeback player of the year for sure...He snaps the ole ACL at the end of last season, doesn't miss a snap this season, and is putting together a year like he is?

Certainly understandable why some would think Manning should get it too. he was out all season and he comes back and he's still Manning.

I think in the end it'll be close but AP will get it.

[NeverSurrender]

[Tenacious_Dio]

I'd back AP for comeback player of the year for sure...He snaps the ole ACL at the end of last season, doesn't miss a snap this season, and is putting together a year like he is?

Certainly understandable why some would think Manning should get it too. he was out all season and he comes back and he's still Manning.

I think in the end it'll be close but AP will get it.

Award unlikely, but Panthers' Davis in midst of historic comeback


We can debate the relative merits of Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson as NFL comeback player of the year candidates until we're as blue as a Seahawks jersey, but shame on us if we don't interject Thomas Davis in the discussion.

After missing the entire 2011 season because of a series of neck surgeries, Manning has led the Broncos to a 9-3 record and first place in the AFC West. Peterson, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL in a game on Christmas Eve last year, has made an amazing return for the Vikings and leads the league in rushing.

Then there is Davis. The Carolina Panthers linebacker has come back from not one, not two, but three knee reconstructions. On the same knee. No other NFL player has done that. While Davis is justifiably proud to conquer such insurmountable odds, his motivation is more altruistic.

"I feel like I'm doing this for guys who are to come," Davis said. "I'm doing it for the guys who are going to go through injuries and the teams that are going to have to make decisions on guys that have been injured. Don't give up on the player. And if you're a player, don't give up on your dreams."

It would have been easy for Davis, 29, to give up last year. In the second game of the season, against Green Bay, he had just planted his leg when a Panthers lineman inadvertently leg-whipped him in the right knee. For the third time in less than three years, Davis' ACL was torn.

When he came into the team facility the next day, Davis told head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion that he didn't think he could cope with going through a third, arduous rehabilitation. Davis already had experienced that after tearing his ACL in a November 2009 game in New Orleans and again after injuring the knee in a non-contact drill during OTAs in the spring of 2010.

"I knew I was on my third strike," Davis said. "Nobody had really been given an opportunity to come back from three knee surgeries. No one had ever tried. So at that point, I just knew it was over. I knew I was done. That's how I felt in my heart."

But Davis went home and talked to his wife, Kelly, about his situation. They prayed together with the Panthers' team chaplain. Kelly and the chaplain encouraged Davis to try to make a third comeback if that's what he wanted.

On the following day, Davis told Vermillion he wanted to go a third time. Davis also sat down with Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and general manager Marty Hurley, who told him that if he were willing to put himself through another rehab, they were willing to give him another chance.

"I had a lot of people questioning the decision, a lot of people telling me that if this was happening now 'you may just want to shut it down because you never know what it's going to do to you later on in life,' " Davis said. "All I knew at that point was how good I felt when I was on the field after the second time. I wanted to see what was going to happen. I didn't know if I would be in a position where I would actually be able to come back and play football. I just knew I wanted to."

Davis' third knee surgery was more complicated than the first two, when doctors had grafted part of his hamstring and, then, a patellar tendon to his right knee. This time, they took a patellar graft from his left knee. So, in effect, Davis had double knee surgery.

Although the third rehab process was much like the first two, the trainers decided to change the strengthening part, based on Davis' body structure.

"I think the biggest thing with my body and the way my knees are made, when I did strengthening squats, my knees would kind of buckle in," Davis said. "So we focused on keeping my legs wider and building the strength from the outside in. I think that made a world of difference."

The Panthers went into this season with a plan of working Davis back onto the field gradually. In training camp, he had been hampered by some nagging pain in his hamstring and calf, but that was residual effects from his muscles firing up. In the season opener in Tampa, Davis played in the Panthers' nickel package and was a gunner on the punting team.

"The coaches did a great job of sticking to their guns and sticking to the plan they had set for me -- pretty much to protect me from me," Davis said. "But the competitive edge started to kick in and it started to get frustrating, because I wanted to be out there competing with my teammates on a down-to-down basis."

After linebacker Jon Beason was sidelined with injuries after four games -- he eventually had surgery for cartilage damage in his right knee and a torn labrum in his left shoulder -- the 6-1, 235-pound Davis returned to the starting lineup at weakside linebacker. He has started eight games and is the team's third-leading tackler (72 tackles, 46 solos). He also has two pass defenses, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

"It doesn't surprise me he's playing well," Panthers coach Ron Rivera told beat reporters in early November. "He's always had the desire, always had that want-to, and he's got tremendous athletic ability. He's got some football savvy, a natural feel for the game."

A first-round draft pick (14th overall) in 2005 after playing three years at Georgia, Davis became a full-time starter in 2006. He started 14 games that season, all 16 games in both 2007 and 2008, and the first seven in '09 before the game in New Orleans, in which he planted his right foot one way, tried to move in the opposite direction, and tore his ACL for the first time.

He missed the entire 2010 season and then played in only two games last year before suffering the third ACL injury. It would have been easy for Davis to have hosted a pity party during any of his three comebacks, but he managed to stay upbeat and motivated.

"Through each rehab, I knew that I had a goal I set for myself, and I knew what it would take to attain it," he said. "I knew I couldn't sit around and pout and be sad about the situation. I knew that if I did that, I would never accomplish the goals I set. I've never been a quitter at anything I've done in my life, and I told myself I was going to make this thing work and make it happen."

Davis had plenty of help during his third comeback. In addition to Kelly's support, he cited Dr. James Andrews for performing the surgery "and giving me a guideline to follow;" Vermillion; and Panthers assistant trainers Mark Shermansky and Greg Hawthorne. But Davis is the one who showed the will to succeed.

That character trait was instilled in Davis while he grew up in a single-parent home -- his grandmother helped him mom raise him -- in the tiny town of Shellman, Ga., where "everybody knows everybody," Davis said. The town still doesn't have traffic lights. Davis played football and basketball at Randolph-Clay High (student population: 471 back then) and received little exposure. The only major college to offer him an athletic scholarship was Georgia. Had the Bulldogs not shown interest, Davis probably would have gone to Grambling.

"I tell people I was going to wear the 'G' one way or another," he said.

After three reconstructions, you would think that Davis' right knee might look like a loopy road map. But the biggest scar is on his left knee.

"You'd be amazed," Davis said. "I have some very small scars [on the right knee]. You might even think that they were just some little scratches I had."

Surprisingly, Davis doesn't think about the risk of suffering another knee injury once he steps on to the field.

"I wear my knee brace and I say a prayer before every game," he said. "I just ask the Lord to protect me and watch over me, and if it's in His plans, I won't get injured. If it's not, then I'll have to deal with whatever happens. As a player, you can't go out there and think about injuries or getting hurt. You have to go out there and play without hesitation. If I'm thinking about knee injuries, then I'm not going to be the best player I can be for this team."

Last year, Thomas earned the Ed Block Courage Award as voted on by his teammates. The award is named in honor of former Baltimore Colts athletic trained Ed Block and is given annually to a member of each NFL team.

This year, he should be a contender for comeback player of the year. Manning and Peterson may be co-favorites, partly because they are more prominent players and put up more distinctive numbers, but let's not leave Davis out of the running.

He has climbed a mountain no other NFL player has conquered.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/w ... z2EJ0yLVGh

[bane]

The media is now in constant hype for Manning for comeback player of the year award.

Somebody tell me what he is doing is more amazing than what Peterson is doing with the worst qb in the NFL, 0 wrs and half an offensive line 9 months after tearing up his knee.

Go ahead and tell me. Except for puss13, I don't give a fuck what he thinks.

They're both deserving IMO. Peterson's comeback from his injury is phenomenal, but people were saying Manning's career was over. His injury was so bad that the Colts cut him. The way he's come back is a more dramatic story.

[poizond13]

What AP has done is incredible, no doubt. I don't want to take anything away from him. But his injury is something that's fairly routine nowadays in sports. There was a well documented path to recovery and rehab, and very little doubt that he could play again. Peyton, on the other hand, was dealing with a much more serious injury. There was real doubt and debate as to whether he could ever play again. Since the injury was so rare, there was no real consensus on any timetable for when or if he could return, as well as his rehab regimen. It was uncharted territory, and the whole situation was filled with uncertainty. Peyton basically had to just work his ass off day in and day out, without knowing for sure whether he could play again. There were multiple surgeries to recover from and the risks of a neck/shoulder injury far outweigh those of a knee injury.

Therefore, while they are both impressive, there's no doubt that Peyton had a much harder road to go through, and thus deserves the comeback player of the year award. When you look at his stats this year, they are pretty much comparable to his last season before the injury, which is just incredible.

[Facedown]

There was real doubt and debate as to whether he could ever play again....there was no real consensus on any timetable for when or if he could return....without knowing for sure whether he could play again.

How quickly trollboy forgets.

[sin]

Peterson's had a great season. With no disrespect him or you, Manning came and pretty much took over a completely new team to him. I know he did it his way but still having to learn new WR's who is blocking for him ect...

I know most running backs would be more cautious with a surgically repaired knee and NO ONE expected him to be that great, BUT... Peyton is the face of the NFL right now.

[NeverSurrender]

What AP has done is incredible, no doubt. I don't want to take anything away from him. But his injury is something that's fairly routine nowadays in sports. There was a well documented path to recovery and rehab, and very little doubt that he could play again. Peyton, on the other hand, was dealing with a much more serious injury. There was real doubt and debate as to whether he could ever play again. Since the injury was so rare, there was no real consensus on any timetable for when or if he could return, as well as his rehab regimen. It was uncharted territory, and the whole situation was filled with uncertainty. Peyton basically had to just work his ass off day in and day out, without knowing for sure whether he could play again. There were multiple surgeries to recover from and the risks of a neck/shoulder injury far outweigh those of a knee injury.

Therefore, while they are both impressive, there's no doubt that Peyton had a much harder road to go through, and thus deserves the comeback player of the year award. When you look at his stats this year, they are pretty much comparable to his last season before the injury, which is just incredible.

WEll, AD is on Pace for about 700 more yards than he had last season, so if that's your barometer..........

[SkyDog112046]

I think Manning will get Comeback Player. Both he and Peterson have dome a remarkable job this year and both of them deserve to win it. But the NFL is a quarterback's league at this point and Manning is the NFL's golden boy. Peterson would have had to have had both legs amputated & surgically reattached and then rush for 8,000 yards to get picked over Manning.

[veritas]

I think Manning will get Comeback Player. Both he and Peterson have dome a remarkable job this year and both of them deserve to win it. But the NFL is a quarterback's league at this point and Manning is the NFL's golden boy. Peterson would have had to have had both legs amputated & surgically reattached and then rush for 8,000 yards to get picked over Manning.

and even then, he would just squeak by Manning in the votes.
Manning will win this, barring some historic collapse by the Broncos in the next 4 weeks.

[poizond13]

Time sit back and watch the greatest of all time, Peyton Manning, play some football. Enjoy it folks, he aint gonna play forever.

[bane]

I think Manning will get Comeback Player. Both he and Peterson have dome a remarkable job this year and both of them deserve to win it. But the NFL is a quarterback's league at this point and Manning is the NFL's golden boy. Peterson would have had to have had both legs amputated & surgically reattached and then rush for 8,000 yards to get picked over Manning.

I think Peterson might get it if Manning gets MVP, otherwise, yeah, it's another trophy for Peyton's shelf .

[NeverSurrender]

Time sit back and watch the greatest of all time, Peyton Manning, play some football. Enjoy it folks, he aint gonna play forever.

Ehhh, the game will go on. There were better before him, and there will be better after him. Dude couldn't hold Montana or Elway's jock. And those guys didn't get babied by the refs and the NFL.

You're a homo.

[bane]

Time sit back and watch the greatest of all time, Peyton Manning, play some football. Enjoy it folks, he aint gonna play forever.

Ehhh, the game will go on. There were better before him, and there will be better after him. Dude couldn't hold Montana or Elway's jock. And those guys didn't get babied by the refs and the NFL.

You're a homo.

Come on dude. I agree that those are two of the greatest, but "couldn't hold their jock"? Manning is a bad ass. Elway would be happy to tell you that. If I'm not mistaken, he's already broken Elway's franchise single season TD record with 4 games left. Different era and different rules play into it, but Manning would have been great in any era.

[poizond13]

Time sit back and watch the greatest of all time, Peyton Manning, play some football. Enjoy it folks, he aint gonna play forever.

Ehhh, the game will go on. There were better before him, and there will be better after him. Dude couldn't hold Montana or Elway's jock. And those guys didn't get babied by the refs and the NFL.

You're a homo.

No. Peyton Manning is the greatest of all time, period. The stats say that I am right.

Montana is in the conversation, no doubt. Elway? Not even fucking close.

You don't know shit about football.

[bane]

No. Peyton Manning is the greatest of all time, period.

Bullshit. He's in the discussion, but there is no "period" to it.

[Crazy Levi]

How can Peyton Manning be the best of all time, when he's only got one measly Super Bowl ring?

The same amount as Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson...you know, game managers.

Even ELI has won more.

[NeverSurrender]

Time sit back and watch the greatest of all time, Peyton Manning, play some football. Enjoy it folks, he aint gonna play forever.

Ehhh, the game will go on. There were better before him, and there will be better after him. Dude couldn't hold Montana or Elway's jock. And those guys didn't get babied by the refs and the NFL.

You're a homo.

No. Peyton Manning is the greatest of all time, period. The stats say that I am right.

Elway? Not even fucking close.

You don't know shit about football.

[Machado]

Roger Goodell recently told Time Magazine that he is considering
eliminating kickoffs.
Greg Schiano’s has his very own proposal, after a team scores it would immediately get the ball back and start on its own 30-yard line. That team would have the option to either try and pick up 15 yards and keep the football, or simply punt the ball away and let the defense take over.

Someone tell Greg that he's no longer coaching in the NCAA.
The guy is such a tool and a fool and obviously over his head.
What's next from Greg? The team that fires off the ball the quickest wins the game?


If the NFL and Goodell is serious about player safety, then Goodell should eliminate the idea of an 18 game regular season.
Well he's at it, Goodell should eliminate 2 exhibition games as well.
That would send a very clear message the leage office does indeed care about
the future of player safety!

[Facedown]

Time sit back and watch the greatest of all time

They showing classic games on NFL Network?
The greatest of all time is retired, idiot.

[johnk5150]

Roger Goodell recently told Time Magazine that he is considering
eliminating kickoffs.
Greg Schiano’s has his very own proposal, after a team scores it would immediately get the ball back and start on its own 30-yard line. That team would have the option to either try and pick up 15 yards and keep the football, or simply punt the ball away and let the defense take over.

If the NFL and Goodell is serious about player safety, then Goodell should eliminate the idea of an 18 game regular season.
Well he's at it, Goodell should eliminate 2 exhibition games as well.
That would send a very clear message the leage office does indeed care about
the future of player safety!

How does that help the lineman that hammer their helmets into each other thousands of times throughout their careers?

[johnk5150]

I think Manning will get Comeback Player. Both he and Peterson have dome a remarkable job this year and both of them deserve to win it. But the NFL is a quarterback's league at this point and Manning is the NFL's golden boy. Peterson would have had to have had both legs amputated & surgically reattached and then rush for 8,000 yards to get picked over Manning.

I think Peterson might get it if Manning gets MVP, otherwise, yeah, it's another trophy for Peyton's shelf .

I highly doubt either one of them care about winning anything other than a Super Bowl. They're both great doing it in different ways.

Vikes have to just run him up the middle against an Urlacher-less Bears on Sunday right?

[bane]

I think Manning will get Comeback Player. Both he and Peterson have dome a remarkable job this year and both of them deserve to win it. But the NFL is a quarterback's league at this point and Manning is the NFL's golden boy. Peterson would have had to have had both legs amputated & surgically reattached and then rush for 8,000 yards to get picked over Manning.

I think Peterson might get it if Manning gets MVP, otherwise, yeah, it's another trophy for Peyton's shelf .

I highly doubt either one of them care about winning anything other than a Super Bowl. They're both great doing it in different ways.

Vikes have to just run him up the middle against an Urlacher-less Bears on Sunday right?

I agree. It's not an award either if them would be all that jazzed about. It's just something for the fans to debate. Manning has a pretty good shot at that Super Bowl IMO, Peterson, not so much.

[Facedown]

You don't know shit about football.

Your definition of trolling doesn't fit me. My INTENT is not to get those reactions.

Troll.

[NeverSurrender]

facedown, do you find it as ironic as I do that he told me I know nothing about football, right after saying Elway isn't even close to in the discussion for best qb ever?

[veritas]

Based on where we are today, I would think the MVP award should be down to Manning, Peterson, and Brady. Manning is having a great year, particularly in the second half, without an incredible offense. Peterson is carrying an entire team on his shoulders. And Brady is pretty much carrying his team with a ragtag defense (until recently) and a ton of injuries to the line and receiver group.

I suppose JJ Watt, Luck and RGIII are outside candidates, particularly in Indy and/or Washington run the table the rest of the way.

[johnk5150]

If I were AP's orthopedic surgeon I'd take out full page ads saying how fucking good I am at what I do.

I'd also get new business cards that just said "My name: Adrian Peterson. Nuff said."

[Machado]

Roger Goodell recently told Time Magazine that he is considering
eliminating kickoffs.
Greg Schiano’s has his very own proposal, after a team scores it would immediately get the ball back and start on its own 30-yard line. That team would have the option to either try and pick up 15 yards and keep the football, or simply punt the ball away and let the defense take over.

If the NFL and Goodell is serious about player safety, then Goodell should eliminate the idea of an 18 game regular season.
Well he's at it, Goodell should eliminate 2 exhibition games as well.
That would send a very clear message the leage office does indeed care about
the future of player safety!

How does that help the lineman that hammer their helmets into each other thousands of times throughout their careers?

That is another topic for another day.
I am strictly discussing the proposed rule change regarding kick offs.

[NeverSurrender]

No kickoffs, lol. And you homos thought i was crazy when i made that thread about the NFL losing popularity.

Get the fuck out of here with banning kickoffs. These corporate fucks are getting really annoying.