NFL chat thread

[JSngry]

Yep, the Giants were not consistently focused enough to get it done, and the Patriots were too consistently focused enough to not get it done. Story of the season.

I'm not a "fan" of this team, but I'm defintely an admirer. DAMN are they good. And I wish that more organizations, especially businesses, would take note that quality is achievable if you set standards, expect/enforce them, and don't make excuses when they aren't met. Businesses love their sports metaphors and parallels, but I don't think there's too many with the cojones to ante up for this level of game.

Hats off to one of the all-time great teams, THE greatest if they go all the way.

Edited December 30, 2007 by JSngry

[connoisseur series500]

Kind words, Jim. I was on live chat during the second half and was telling Free that the second half distinguishes the good teams from the bad. Pats found a way in the second half.

I guess they are favorites for the Super Bowl, but i'll be sweating every game along the way! It's a curse to be undefeated.

Edited December 30, 2007 by connoisseur series500

[Big Al]

Wow! What a game! 16-0! How cool is that?

Well, really, it's only as cool as the next game, the next game, and so on. At this point, anything less than a Super Bowl trophy will mark this season as a failure. You're right, Conn: the pressure on the Pats now is tremendous. But like Jim said, DAMN they are good indeed! If any team can take it all the way, it should be the Patriots!

[Van Basten II]

Great game, probably a little bit too exciting for the Patriots fans. They flirted with danger a few time, lacked discipline and made mental mistakes. For a while i thought that the dumb Moss penality for spiking the ball which lead to the Giants kickoff return for a touchdown would be their demise.

Despite all that they found a way to prevail at the end. Truly a great team, kudos to the whole organisation to be able to stay on top such a long time despite all the dificulties managing a team in this current era.

Oh yeah, up yours 72 Dolphins you're no longer special, no more celebrating for you guys.

[Bright Moments]

Kind words, Jim. I was on live chat during the second half and was telling Free that the second half distinguishes the good teams from the bad. Pats found a way in the second half.

I guess they are favorites for the Super Bowl, but i'll be sweating every game along the way! It's a curse to be undefeated.

ugh!

well congrats paul.

at least the fins can still say that they did it first.

of course it isn't a perfect season until the pats win the superbowl!

[Tim McG]

16 and OH!!!

How 'bout them Pats?!?

[T.D.]

Great game. I haven't carefully watched much football this year, but last night's was a lot of fun to watch.

Patriots did a good job of locking on to some weird/bad Jint pass coverage. Example 1: In the first half (iirc), LB Wilkinson (a fast guy, as evidenced by his stuffing of a running play in the Pat backfield, but c'mon...) was covering Moss (!) in the end zone. Fortunately for the Jints, the ball ticked off his helmet as he was attempting to face-guard Moss, and the pass fell incomplete. But later in the game, the Pats were able to provoke the exact same coverage (?!) with the predictable TD result. Example 2: In the second half, Moss was open on a long route toward the right sideline, but Brady threw a dying quail and Moss couldn't make a shoestring "Willie Mays" catch. Either on the very next play, or within the same series (I forget), Brady hit a wide-open Moss on a bomb down the right sideline for a sensational long TD.

The NFL Network dynamic was also interesting. I thought their coverage was pretty good. Publicity-wise, the NFLN seemed like they were able to make chicken salad out of chicken s**t. They were almost forced to open the game up to free TV, because too few cable networks (OK, a pretty greedy crowd themselves) anted up for the NFLN surcharge. But the telecast wound up as very effective advertising for the NFLN. Personally, I can't see forking over 12 months of fees for a full-time pro gridiron network, but then I don't even have cable/dish...

[Tim McG]

Great game. I haven't carefully watched much football this year, but last night's was a lot of fun to watch.

Patriots did a good job of locking on to some weird/bad Jint pass coverage. Example 1: In the first half (iirc), LB Wilkinson (a fast guy, as evidenced by his stuffing of a running play in the Pat backfield, but c'mon...) was covering Moss (!) in the end zone. Fortunately for the Jints, the ball ticked off his helmet as he was attempting to face-guard Moss, and the pass fell incomplete. But later in the game, the Pats were able to provoke the exact same coverage (?!) with the predictable TD result. Example 2: In the second half, Moss was open on a long route toward the right sideline, but Brady threw a dying quail and Moss couldn't make a shoestring "Willie Mays" catch. Either on the very next play, or within the same series (I forget), Brady hit a wide-open Moss on a bomb down the right sideline for a sensational long TD.

The NFL Network dynamic was also interesting. I thought their coverage was pretty good. Publicity-wise, the NFLN seemed like they were able to make chicken salad out of chicken s**t. They were almost forced to open the game up to free TV, because too few cable networks (OK, a pretty greedy crowd themselves) anted up for the NFLN surcharge. But the telecast wound up as very effective advertising for the NFLN. Personally, I can't see forking over 12 months of fees for a full-time pro gridiron network, but then I don't even have cable/dish...

It was a great game to watch [even though Chris Collingsworth has become a real jerk to listen too]...both teams were fired-up!

But, I have to say as a dyed-in-the-wool 49er's fan, Jerry Rice got his record in 12 games. Moss in 16. Rice is still the best, IMO.

[BruceW]

PATS 16 and Oh

I love Jerry Rice and he was the greatest; 12 games BUT Jerry Rice had Joe Montana and Rice was THE receiver most of the time especially when it was time to throw for a TD. So let us not forget that Brady shared the ball with a lot of people. When it was time for a TD, Moss was not always the primary receiver nor the intended receiver. The Pats believed in deception and sharing the wealth. So keep it in perspective guys; just spouting off stats is not the whole story.

Long Live Rice

Long Live Moss

PERIOD.

:bwallace2:

Keep your eyes on the Pistons too.

[Tim McG]

PATS 16 and Oh

I love Jerry Rice and he was the greatest; 12 games BUT Jerry Rice had Joe Montana and Rice was THE receiver most of the time especially when it was time to throw for a TD. So let us not forget that Brady shared the ball with a lot of people. When it was time for a TD, Moss was not always the primary receiver nor the intended receiver. The Pats believed in deception and sharing the wealth. So keep it in perspective guys; just spouting off stats is not the whole story.

Long Live Rice

Long Live Moss

PERIOD.

:bwallace2:

Oh, Montana had plenty of other weapons, too.

John Taylor

Dwight Clark

Roger Craig

Freddie Solomon

Among many others....

Rice is the best no matter who threw to him [Jeff Kemp and Steve Young will attest]

Edited December 30, 2007 by GoodSpeak

[connoisseur series500]

Let's make the call when Moss' career is done. I expect him to break all of Rice's records, especially if he stays in NE.

[T.D.]

Let's make the call when Moss' career is done. I expect him to break all of Rice's records, especially if he stays in NE.

Think the Pats will be able to afford Moss after this year? I don't know enough about their cap situation to say one way or the other, but it seems questionable, especially if the club wins the Super Bowl. [Disclaimer: I don't know for sure that Moss signed a one-year contract, but have been under that impression.]

[connoisseur series500]

Let's make the call when Moss' career is done. I expect him to break all of Rice's records, especially if he stays in NE.

Think the Pats will be able to afford Moss after this year? I don't know enough about their cap situation to say one way or the other, but it seems questionable, especially if the club wins the Super Bowl. [Disclaimer: I don't know for sure that Moss signed a one-year contract, but have been under that impression.]

Moss has a one year contract only. Fans and local media believe he'll stick around and sign a 3-4 year contract. Their cap situation is always solid, but they'll have to adjust or let go a player or two to accommodate Moss. Donte Stallworth, for example, is likely to be let go. Rosey Colvin and a couple of other players will have to restructure their contracts, as Colvin's leaps to $8 mil for 2008. Junior Seau is likely to retire. Not sure about Bruschi. Rodney shoud stick around for another year. Asante Samuel might want too much money, so he's likely to depart. He currently has a 1-year franchise tag for $7+ mil. If he gets a contract, it would be more cap friendly. The Pats can definitely pay Moss. The question is whether he'll take a small pay cut over his full value in exchange for staying with a winning team and terrific quarterback. If he does stay, he'll make a run at the receiver records.

[Tim McG]

Let's make the call when Moss' career is done. I expect him to break all of Rice's records, especially if he stays in NE.

We shall see.

[Tim McG]

Let's make the call when Moss' career is done. I expect him to break all of Rice's records, especially if he stays in NE.

Think the Pats will be able to afford Moss after this year? I don't know enough about their cap situation to say one way or the other, but it seems questionable, especially if the club wins the Super Bowl. [Disclaimer: I don't know for sure that Moss signed a one-year contract, but have been under that impression.]

Moss has a one year contract only. Fans and local media believe he'll stick around and sign a 3-4 year contract. Their cap situation is always solid, but they'll have to adjust or let go a player or two to accommodate Moss. Donte Stallworth, for example, is likely to be let go. Rosey Colvin and a couple of other players will have to restructure their contracts, as Colvin's leaps to $8 mil for 2008. Junior Seau is likely to retire. Not sure about Bruschi. Rodney shoud stick around for another year. Asante Samuel might want too much money, so he's likely to depart. He currently has a 1-year franchise tag for $7+ mil. If he gets a contract, it would be more cap friendly. The Pats can definitely pay Moss. The question is whether he'll take a small pay cut over his full value in exchange for staying with a winning team and terrific quarterback. If he does stay, he'll make a run at the receiver records.

Not that it is a mystery....but Randy Moss does have a history with big-headedness. His atttude might get in the way.

So again: We will see.

[BruceW]

PATS 16 and Oh

I love Jerry Rice and he was the greatest; 12 games BUT Jerry Rice had Joe Montana and Rice was THE receiver most of the time especially when it was time to throw for a TD. So let us not forget that Brady shared the ball with a lot of people. When it was time for a TD, Moss was not always the primary receiver nor the intended receiver. The Pats believed in deception and sharing the wealth. So keep it in perspective guys; just spouting off stats is not the whole story.

Long Live Rice

Long Live Moss

PERIOD.

:bwallace2:

Oh, Montana had plenty of other weapons, too.

John Taylor

Dwight Clark

Roger Craig

Freddie Solomon

Among many others....

Rice is the best no matter who threw to him [Jeff Kemp and Steve Young will attest]

Man, can't sneak anything past you guys.

Of Course Rice was the smoothest, slickest, most confident and most capable receiver ever. Rice raised the bar for all receivers. Just trying to give Moss his props!!

[GA Russell]

at least the fins can still say that they did it first.

of course it isn't a perfect season until the pats win the superbowl!

In 1972 season the league made a big deal that the Dolphins were the first to go undefeated. But someone pointed out that Indianapolis in 1928 also went undefeated.

I guess that since nobody cared about pro football in the 20s the league decided that it wouldn't care either.

[Big Al]

There was a quote in the paper this weekend where one of the Dolphins from the '72 team said, to the effect, "Yeah, if the Pats win, we'll let them share the glory with us." [emphasis mine] Yet another reason I hope the Pats go all the way.

Anyone else want to take the bet that the Cows lose in the first round again? Anyone who says yesterday's game was meaningless is deluding themselves. You can still start your backups and come to PLAY. NOBODY wearing a blue star on their helmet showed up to play yesterday. Wouldn't be so bad, but this is a disturbing trend; not just for this season, but for many previous seasons where the Cows begin the annual December swoon. This year is no different, and I see no reason to believe that the Cows will go any further than the first round. ESPECIALLY if they have to face the Skins again.

Gad, it's like re-living the Mavs playoffs this year.

Edited December 31, 2007 by Big Al

[alocispepraluger102]

http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2007/12/n..._go_agains.html

[Van Basten II]

Browns have nobody to blame but themselves, they had their fate in their own hand the previous week and they blew it.

[alocispepraluger102]

Browns have nobody to blame but themselves, they had their fate in their own hand the previous week and they blew it.

they gave that game away.

without their stellar kick returner, the browns are a 6 and 10 team.

[connoisseur series500]

There was a quote in the paper this weekend where one of the Dolphins from the '72 team said, to the effect, "Yeah, if the Pats win, we'll let them share the glory with us." [emphasis mine] Yet another reason I hope the Pats go all the way.

Anyone else want to take the bet that the Cows lose in the first round again? Anyone who says yesterday's game was meaningless is deluding themselves. You can still start your backups and come to PLAY. NOBODY wearing a blue star on their helmet showed up to play yesterday. Wouldn't be so bad, but this is a disturbing trend; not just for this season, but for many previous seasons where the Cows begin the annual December swoon. This year is no different, and I see no reason to believe that the Cows will go any further than the first round. ESPECIALLY if they have to face the Skins again.

Gad, it's like re-living the Mavs playoffs this year.

No need for such pessimism Al. There were quite a few teams who looked like they just packed it in: Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis. Shame on Dungy and his team for playing with a skeleton team: he gets a week off anyway with the bye. I don't know: I prefer Bill Belichick's way of playing every game for the win. People pay hard earned money to watch these teams on the field. Kudos to Tom Coughlin for playing to beat the Patriots. His team will go into the playoffs sharper than some others.

I can understand Pittsburgh and Jacksonville and Tampa Bay packing it in because they have to play next week, but Indy and Dallas? Why?

[connoisseur series500]

From Peter King's column:

Two: America tuned into a game that, with different coaches, might well have been a Cactus League game in the middle of March. Instead, what we saw was the seventh game of the World Series. Bill Belichick's mantra with his team all season has been "60 minutes,'' dating back to last year's AFC Championship Game, when the Patriots blew a 21-3 lead with 31 minutes left and lost to the Colts. That kind of second-half lethargy wasn't going to happen to the Patriots again. And so instead of waltzing through second-half blowouts this year, New England instead kept the foot on the gas, because Belichick felt the team was better prepping for January football by playing full games instead of partial ones. Other than the fourth-quarter stomping of the Redskins, my feeling is the Patriots haven't run up the score on anyone. Rather, they've been most concerned with doing what's best for their team in the playoffs. This storyline has been picked by too few in the media. Anyway, there was no way Belichick was going to change in Week 17, especially with two weeks off before the first playoff game.

Re: the Giants, I can just tell you this: The players badly wanted to play. They wanted to be the ones to knock the Patriots off. Tom Coughlin read this situation. He also has a sense for football history and doing what is right for the game. It certainly would not have been right to be playing a cadre of backups in a game this big. And he wanted his offense to get back in a groove before the playoffs. Injuries? He'd risk them. I loved the call. Loved it. Football players should play football, particularly with so much on the line, and coaches should read their players, which Coughlin did so well. So the time was right for both teams to play hard. The Giants would judge how long they'd go with their first-teamers at halftime; if the game was a new England rout, Coughlin likely would rest as many starters as he could for the wild-card game against Tampa Bay.

and...

As Saturday turned into Sunday, player-turned-telecaster Cris Collinsworth said the game made him proud to be associated with the game. John Madden thought so much of it that he called Coughlin on Sunday to congratulate him on playing his guys and them playing so well. I heard a few Giants fans harp on the injured players, and I thought: Sad. Just sad. Here's art on a sporting canvas, and some people can't appreciate it.

I did. So did a stiff-upper-lipped losing coach and a quarterback we'll one day acknowledge as one of the five best quarterbacks ever to take a snap. Yes, a night like this doesn't happen often in sports. Cherish it.

The more I think about this, the more happy I am to cheer for teams such as these. Colts are a great team but their coach is a lily-livered corporate guy. It's his duty to put the best product on the field each Sunday. Shame! He's a nice guy personally, but thank god he and his ilk don't coach the Patriots or the Giants.

Edited December 31, 2007 by connoisseur series500

[connoisseur series500]

Here's more of this crap. Fans actually pay to see these loafers? It's a huge disrespect for the game. Gruden, Wade Phillips and Dungy: shame!

. Tampa Bay (9-7). In the last six weeks of the season, Jeff Garcia played seven quarters. Against the Giants next week, will he be rested or rusty?

[T.D.]

There was a quote in the paper this weekend where one of the Dolphins from the '72 team said, to the effect, "Yeah, if the Pats win, we'll let them share the glory with us." [emphasis mine] Yet another reason I hope the Pats go all the way.

Anyone else want to take the bet that the Cows lose in the first round again? Anyone who says yesterday's game was meaningless is deluding themselves. You can still start your backups and come to PLAY. NOBODY wearing a blue star on their helmet showed up to play yesterday. Wouldn't be so bad, but this is a disturbing trend; not just for this season, but for many previous seasons where the Cows begin the annual December swoon. This year is no different, and I see no reason to believe that the Cows will go any further than the first round. ESPECIALLY if they have to face the Skins again.

Gad, it's like re-living the Mavs playoffs this year.

No need for such pessimism Al. There were quite a few teams who looked like they just packed it in: Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis. Shame on Dungy and his team for playing with a skeleton team: he gets a week off anyway with the bye. I don't know: I prefer Bill Belichick's way of playing every game for the win. People pay hard earned money to watch these teams on the field. Kudos to Tom Coughlin for playing to beat the Patriots. His team will go into the playoffs sharper than some others.

I can understand Pittsburgh and Jacksonville and Tampa Bay packing it in because they have to play next week, but Indy and Dallas? Why?

It was a very interesting week for point spreads, because the bettors' consensus was that certain clubs would pack it in. For instance, the Skins were favored by 9 to 9.5 points. So you can't say that the Pokes' showing was a surprise! Dungy has a history of resting players in the final week (this seems to have developed in recent years, motivated by many past Dungy-led playoff flops), and the Colts were 6.5 point underdogs to the Titans. And the Seahawks were only favored by 3 against the stinky Falcons, and proceeded to lose.

Many props to Coughlin for having the Jints play hard. Leading up to the game, there was huge debate about him resting the players, but as the game concluded, it became clear that he "did the right thing" 100%.