NFL 2011 Thread

[SkyDog112046]

Even if Manning can play in week 2 he will have only had a week or so of practice. He has been known to start slow even with a full training camp and considerable work in 4 preseason games.

Manning has never had considerable work in preseason.

The Colts haven't shown anyone shit in the preaseason in years.

He still had reps. They may have played a vanilla offense like most teams but Manning got 4 weeks worth of practice reps and 7 or 8 quarters worth of game time to get into a rhythm.

[bane]

They didn't cut Steve Slayton, who I figured was gone for sure.

That should scare the shit out of you regarding Foster's injury.

Fosters got a hamstring. They can hang around. Worst case, he misses a couple starts. They're pretty deep at running back, so even if he sits, I feel pretty good about it. Both Ward and Tate are capable backs. Wards averages close to 5 yards a pop and Tate looked awesome in preseason. Slayton, not so much. That probably is why the kept him, but I'll be more concerned if they get thin enough for him to actually see the field. Suffice to say that I feel a lot better about Houston's chances without Foster than I do about Indy's without Manning.

[SkyDog112046]

They didn't cut Steve Slayton, who I figured was gone for sure.

That should scare the shit out of you regarding Foster's injury.

Fosters got a hamstring. They can hang around. Worst case, he misses a couple starts. They're pretty deep at running back, so even if he sits, I feel pretty good about it. Both Ward and Tate are capable backs. Wards averages close to 5 yards a pop and Tate looked awesome in preseason. Slayton, not so much. That probably is why the kept him, but I'll be more concerned if they get thin enough for him to actually see the field. Suffice to say that I feel a lot better about Houston's chances without Foster than I do about Indy's without Manning.

I agree. In today's league even one of the top RBs in the game is not nearly as important as one of the top QBs. A lot of times a system can make a a good RB dominant for a short period of time(see Denver with their RBs in the late 90's & early 00's). It's the opposite with a QB - a good QB makes the system. Houston can go 2 or 3 games without Foster and may even benefit from more of a rotation it if he is fresh in December when the running game takes on more importance. If Manning is out for 2 or 3 games and then needs a couple of weeks to get in rhythm Indy can forget it. A 3-2 (3 very easy games plus Pitt & N.O.) Houston start combined with a 1-4 Indy start and Indy's season is over before it even gets going.

[SkyDog112046]

So Rex "Wrecks Season" Grossman is going to be the starter in Washington. I thought for sure Beck would be the starter. They could be alright though as they have a cupcake schedule until December other than their divisional games. But their December schedule is brutal. I could see them starting off 8-3 but then ending up 9-7.

[bane]

So Rex "Wrecks Season" Grossman is going to be the starter in Washington. I thought for sure Beck would be the starter. They could be alright though as they have a cupcake schedule until December other than their divisional games. But their December schedule is brutal. I could see them starting off 8-3 but then ending up 9-7.

I had a shot at Cooley in my fantasy draft over the weekend. I thought about it for a second because he's a pretty good TE when he's healthy, and I wanted to draft a TE in that round, then thought, "I wonder if Grossman can even complete a pass to his TE". I took a pass on him.

[Crazy Levi]

So Rex "Wrecks Season" Grossman is going to be the starter in Washington. I thought for sure Beck would be the starter. They could be alright though as they have a cupcake schedule until December other than their divisional games. But their December schedule is brutal. I could see them starting off 8-3 but then ending up 9-7.

The Skins are entering their first true rebuilding year since about 1994. This is a big deal for Washington fans.

Rex doesn't bother me at all. The team has so many holes to fill that I didn't see QB as a priority. Worry about that next year.

Unlike Campbell and McNabb, Rex will at least be entertaining. And they have looked good in the preseason - the running game, the defense, and even Rex. I know for most teams that counts for nothing, but the Skins ALWAYS look awful in the preseason, and then carry that on to the regular season, so this is an encouraging change.

I'm picking them to go 7-9 and show real improvement.

I also don't put any credence or concern in "strength of schedule." More than any other league you have no idea who is going to be good and who isn't - it can change radically every year.

Also, Kerry Collins looks like he's about 50 years old.

I know they didn't have a lot of options, but I can't believe that this is the Colts' backup plan. I can't fathom that they REALLY thought they'd be playing their first games without Peyton since the Clinton years.

[SkyDog112046]

I also don't put any credence or concern in "strength of schedule." More than any other league you have no idea who is going to be good and who isn't - it can change radically every year.

Also, Kerry Collins looks like he's about 50 years old.

I know they didn't have a lot of options, but I can't believe that this is the Colts' backup plan. I can't fathom that they REALLY thought they'd be playing their first games without Peyton since the Clinton years.

Normally I'd agree with you on the schedule issue except with the lockout this year a lot of the rebuilding teams aren't going to have time to improve until later in the year. Washington is going to be facing a lot of teams that have either had coaching changes or have QB issues.

I think Indy is screwed too. Manning is worse off than they initially thought. One missed start and then rusty for a week or two and it would be no big deal to overcome a 1-2 start with Manning sharp for 13 games. But if they are 1-4 before he even sees the field and then he needs a couple of weeks to get into rhythm Indy can kiss 2011 goodbye.

[bane]

Also, Kerry Collins looks like he's about 50 years old.

I know they didn't have a lot of options, but I can't believe that this is the Colts' backup plan. I can't fathom that they REALLY thought they'd be playing their first games without Peyton since the Clinton years.

I think Collins is a good pick up for them. He's old but he's still a solid veteran QB. What I can't understand is them picking up a Dan Orlovsky to start camp. That guy has always been awful. They'd have been much better off getting somebody like Collins in the beginning. I could see him struggling early then playing pretty credible football a few weeks in once he has time to grasp the system and get his timing down. They still aren't going anywhere without 18, but they're a better team with Collins under center than they'd be with either of those other scrubs.

[johnk5150]

Rex doesn't bother me at all. The team has so many holes to fill that I didn't see QB as a priority. Worry about that next year.

As a Bears fan that had to ride the Rex-ercoaster I can tell you that you will see him throw some absolutely BEAUTIFUL deep passes.

You will see other things that won't make you nearly as happy. They will end up costing your team games.

[Tenacious_Dio]

Colts should put Peyton on IR. They would be a lock to win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

[poizond13]

Terrible news about Peyton, obviously. At this point I see him being out 3-4 weeks, maybe more. It's just so uncertain at this point that it's impossible to predict. The team has to be ready to go without him. If he's out longer than that or doesn't return at all, obviously it's a lost season. If he returns in 3-4 weeks, I think Kerry Collins is a solid veteran who can hold down the fort. We do still have our other offensive weapons in tact, and Collins will have them at his disposal. Collins is a professional who will be ready to play well this Sunday. I still like our chances to beat an overrated Texans team.

It won't be easy, but now is the time to overcome adversity and prevail in the face of an immense challenge. Peyton is out, but that doesn't mean we don't have to win the games at hand. No excuses, no explanations!

[Tommy]

No excuses, no explanations!

Until December anyway.

[bane]

No excuses, no explanations!

Until December anyway.

Without Manning, they'll be out of it before Thanksgiving. Any team is in trouble if their starting QB goes down, but Indy is particularly vulnerable.

[Tommy]

No excuses, no explanations!

Until December anyway.

Without Manning, they'll be out of it before Thanksgiving. Any team is in trouble if their starting QB goes down, but Indy is particularly vulnerable.

Oh I totally agree. I'm just predicting p13's excuses in a few months.

[Tommy]

Jags cut David Garrard. Surprising this close to the first game.



http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/davi ... ack-090611

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a surprising move on Tuesday, letting go of their starting quarterback, veteran David Garrard, FOXSpots.com has learned.

It’s unclear what led to the release, but the team now plans to start Luke McCown in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.

Sources told FOXSports.com that the team is going in a “different direction” by moving away from Garrard, who is 34 with a history of back problems. Both he and rookie Blaine Gabbert, the Jaguars’ No. 1 (10th overall) draft pick from Missouri, both came away from the preseason with the same passer rating (60. in three game appearances, and coach Jack Del Rio had said Garrard would be the starter entering the regular season.

McCown was previously No. 2 on the depth chart and Gabbert – whom the Jags intend to be the face of a franchise that has had one playoff appearance since 1999 – was No. 3.

[Crazy Levi]

Rex doesn't bother me at all. The team has so many holes to fill that I didn't see QB as a priority. Worry about that next year.

As a Bears fan that had to ride the Rex-ercoaster I can tell you that you will see him throw some absolutely BEAUTIFUL deep passes.

You will see other things that won't make you nearly as happy. They will end up costing your team games.

Well, like I said, it will at least be entertaining after years of watching guys like Brunell, Campbell, and McNabb thow 4 yard check down passes on 3rd and 11.

[SkyDog112046]

Well, like I said, it will at least be entertaining after years of watching guys like Brunell, Campbell, and McNabb thow 4 yard check down passes on 3rd and 11.

A mixture of 40 yard bombs, 30 yard INTs, and Pick-6's will certainly be entertaining.


My cousin and aunt are/were big Skins' fans going back to the 60's so I've been following that team forever through proxy. They live in MD and came up here to watch a Pats vs Skins back in 1990 (25-10 Wash) because the Patriots sucked and it was easier and cheaper for them to see the game here. That was the last time I saw my aunt because she passed away suddenly 6 months later. My cousin and I still talk football all the time and when I posted "Rex Grossman is your starting QB" on her Facebook page she answered "I know. CRAP!!"

[cantstopthemusic]

Collins is a professional who will be ready to play well this Sunday. I still like our chances to beat an overrated Texans team.

Overrated?

That team is going to DRUB the Colts.

[SkyDog112046]

Collins is a professional who will be ready to play well this Sunday. I still like our chances to beat an overrated Texans team.

Overrated?

That team is going to DRUB the Colts.

Yup. The biggest line of the week is 8.5 points for two games: SD over MN, and surprise, surprise - Hou over Indy (with an O/U of 43).

The lines makers aren't stupid, they are trying to get money placed on Indy and nobody is biting. With this being a divisional rivalry I wouldn't be surprised if the margin is closer to 3 TDs.

[bane]

Jags cut David Garrard. Surprising this close to the first game.the same passer rating (60. in three game appearances, and coach Jack Del Rio had said Garrard would be the starter entering the regular season.

3.

[/quote]

He may come out of this thing looking like a genius , but it sure looks like Del Rio has lost his mind.

[bane]

Collins is a professional who will be ready to play well this Sunday. I still like our chances to beat an overrated Texans team.

Overrated?

That team is going to DRUB the Colts.

I sure hope so. I think they'd beat the Colts at home with or without Manning, but as it stands, I think the Texans probably blow them out.

[Tommy]

Doug Flutie's daughter is a Pats cheerleader.

http://www.businessinsider.com/doug-flu ... ter-2011-9

[Crazy Levi]

Well, like I said, it will at least be entertaining after years of watching guys like Brunell, Campbell, and McNabb thow 4 yard check down passes on 3rd and 11.

A mixture of 40 yard bombs, 30 yard INTs, and Pick-6's will certainly be entertaining.


My cousin and aunt are/were big Skins' fans going back to the 60's so I've been following that team forever through proxy. They live in MD and came up here to watch a Pats vs Skins back in 1990 (25-10 Wash) because the Patriots sucked and it was easier and cheaper for them to see the game here. That was the last time I saw my aunt because she passed away suddenly 6 months later. My cousin and I still talk football all the time and when I posted "Rex Grossman is your starting QB" on her Facebook page she answered "I know. CRAP!!"

Look, I understand that Sexy Rexy is considered something of a joke in Chicago and beyond...but the fact is he has really NOT been bad for the Skins. He played some decent football last year, outplaying McNabb, and he's looked good this preseason.

He's earned the chance to play for them and he does it at no cost for the Skins. He's the perfect QB for him them in this rebuilding year. The Skins would be way ahead of the game if they'd just gone with him last year instead of wasting those picks on McNabb.

I remember that Pats game by the way. The Pats were in the middle of a disastrous 1-15 season, it was raining, hard all game on that shitty foxboro stadium astroturf. Skins were finishing the season heading to the playoffs.

Was that a Steve Grogan game?

[poizond13]

Collins is a professional who will be ready to play well this Sunday. I still like our chances to beat an overrated Texans team.

Overrated?

That team is going to DRUB the Colts.

I sure hope so. I think they'd beat the Colts at home with or without Manning, but as it stands, I think the Texans probably blow them out.

You better hope they win that game. If they can't beat the Colts without Peyton, their season will be over before it began. It will be the ultimate sign that the Colts are just a better franchise than Houston, period.

[SkyDog112046]

Look, I understand that Sexy Rexy is considered something of a joke in Chicago and beyond...but the fact is he has really NOT been bad for the Skins. He played some decent football last year, outplaying McNabb, and he's looked good this preseason.

He's earned the chance to play for them and he does it at no cost for the Skins. He's the perfect QB for him them in this rebuilding year. The Skins would be way ahead of the game if they'd just gone with him last year instead of wasting those picks on McNabb.

I remember that Pats game by the way. The Pats were in the middle of a disastrous 1-15 season, it was raining, hard all game on that shitty foxboro stadium astroturf. Skins were finishing the season heading to the playoffs.

Was that a Steve Grogan game?

Tommy Hodson was QB and John Stephens was the RB. It was barely above freezing and raining like hell to the point where there were puddles on the field. We brought a tarp in that we used for tailgating to cover ourselves. Foxboro Stadium had those crappy aluminum benches to sit on. It was raw as hell and my aunt kept sending me to get her hot chocolate. It was 19-0 Skins before the Pats scored and then Lohmiller tacked on a couple of field goals to ice the game. Bad weather and bad game but I'm glad I went because it's the last time I saw my aunt.

That season was terrible, as were most Patriot's seasons. They typically had 2 decent seasons per decade followed by 3 or 4 abysmal ones with a couple of mediocre ones tossed in. The fan base was loyal through that up until around 1990 where they started threatening to move the team every couple of months. The past decade with Belichick has been great but it was an exercise in futility until Parcells came in, and then he put up 2 good seasons and bolted. Do you know that as a franchise they only reached .500 a few years ago?

[SkyDog112046]

You better hope they win that game. If they can't beat the Colts without Peyton, their season will be over before it began. It will be the ultimate sign that the Colts are just a better franchise than Houston, period.

Houston would win in week 1 at home vs Indy even if Manning was playing because he typically starts slow. The only way Indy wins now is if Polian gets to the refs before the game.

Polian's new rule: Designated QB
Manning gets to start under center and nobody is allowed to touch him. He sets the play and runs the play until his receiver gets open, at which time he yells "freeze" and all the players have to stop. The Designated QB comes in and makes the throw for him. As soon as the receiver catches the ball play resumes. If a defender gets within 5 yards of Manning it is an automatic TD and the opponent forfeits receiving the kickoff.

Don't think Polian has tried to get something put in along those lines

[poizond13]

You better hope they win that game. If they can't beat the Colts without Peyton, their season will be over before it began. It will be the ultimate sign that the Colts are just a better franchise than Houston, period.

Houston would win in week 1 at home vs Indy even if Manning was playing because he typically starts slow. The only way Indy wins now is if Polian gets to the refs before the game.

Polian's new rule: Designated QB
Manning gets to start under center and nobody is allowed to touch him. He sets the play and runs the play until his receiver gets open, at which time he yells "freeze" and all the players have to stop. The Designated QB comes in and makes the throw for him. As soon as the receiver catches the ball play resumes. If a defender gets within 5 yards of Manning it is an automatic TD and the opponent forfeits receiving the kickoff.

Don't think Polian has tried to get something put in along those lines

That's REAL funny coming from a pathetic Pats fan. Didn't they steal a couple Super Bowls through use of illegal video taping and steroids?

[bane]

You better hope they win that game. If they can't beat the Colts without Peyton, their season will be over before it began. It will be the ultimate sign that the Colts are just a better franchise than Houston, period.

Houston will beat Indy week one, unless something bizarre happens, like Schaub breaking his leg in the first quarter or something. I think the texans will be very good this year, but they aren't getting far with Matt Leinart under center. The "I hope so" comment referred to how badly Houston will beat Indy. Barring bizarre circumstance, I don't think your team has a chance in hell. In fact, I'll go one further and predict that Collins spends most of the day either running for his life or flat on his back.

[poizond13]

You better hope they win that game. If they can't beat the Colts without Peyton, their season will be over before it began. It will be the ultimate sign that the Colts are just a better franchise than Houston, period.

Houston will beat Indy week one, unless something bizarre happens, like Schaub breaking his leg in the first quarter or something. I think the texans will be very good this year, but they aren't getting far with Matt Leinart under center. The "I hope so" comment referred to how badly Houston will beat Indy. Barring bizarre circumstance, I don't think your team has a chance in hell. In fact, I'll go one further and predict that Collins spends most of the day either running for his life or flat on his back.

You're underestimating Collins. He still has a great arm and can make big time throws. He's got some weapons around him that will make plays. And our players will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, since everybody and their mother have already written them off without Manning. They'll be out to prove something and shock the world. I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

People seem to forget, Houston has a whole new defensive scheme. You don't undergo that kind of change without some errors and mistakes the first few weeks, at least. There will be some confusion on their end, which means they won't be playing fast. They'll be thinking instead of reacting. I have serious doubts about Houston having a good defense at any point during this season.

[Tymaster]

You better hope they win that game. If they can't beat the Colts without Peyton, their season will be over before it began. It will be the ultimate sign that the Colts are just a better franchise than Houston, period.

Houston will beat Indy week one, unless something bizarre happens, like Schaub breaking his leg in the first quarter or something. I think the texans will be very good this year, but they aren't getting far with Matt Leinart under center. The "I hope so" comment referred to how badly Houston will beat Indy. Barring bizarre circumstance, I don't think your team has a chance in hell. In fact, I'll go one further and predict that Collins spends most of the day either running for his life or flat on his back.

You're underestimating Collins. He still has a great arm and can make big time throws. He's got some weapons around him that will make plays. And our players will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, since everybody and their mother have already written them off without Manning. They'll be out to prove something and shock the world. I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

People seem to forget, Houston has a whole new defensive scheme. You don't undergo that kind of change without some errors and mistakes the first few weeks, at least. There will be some confusion on their end, which means they won't be playing fast. They'll be thinking instead of reacting. I have serious doubts about Houston having a good defense at any point during this season.

Kerry Collins has never beaten a defense coached by Wade Phillips.