NFL chat thread

[T.D.]

Yeah, I can accept the fact that guaranteed money is unusual, mostly confined to star players, and a matter of individual negotiations (recent QB contracts, eg Tony Romo's, have a goodly amount of guaranteed bucks).

However, I've seen plenty of cases where players under nominal (non-guaranteed) multi-year contracts (a) take salary cuts "for the good of the team" or (b) play through debilitating and career-shortening injuries, only to be waived at the end of the season. So why shouldn't loyalty be a two-way street?

[connoisseur series500]

Media is not letting this die. I don't think they should. We should expect that such a lousy botched job doesn't happen to any team in the future.

POSTED 1:22 p.m. EST, November 11, 2007

COMMISH TOOK KEEN INTEREST IN PATS-COLTS OFFICIATING

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had a closed-door one-on-one with NFL director of officiating Mike Pereira to review all of the calls from last weekend's greatest . . . game . . . ever.

The Patriots-Colts contest featured numerous bad calls against New England. Curiously, however, there has been little mention of the horrendous calls in the media. (Some Internet hack who also writes for SportingNews.com mentioned it last Sunday.)

Among other things, Pats receiver Randy Moss was called for offensive pass interference on a play in which he apparently didn't even touch the defender. Also, New England cornerback Ellis Hobbs was flagged for defensive pass interference after he was tackled by Colts wideout Reggie Wayne.

League insiders have attributed the phenomenon to one of three dynamics. First, the zebras simply got the calls wrong. Second, the officials were subconsciously influenced by the reputation of Colts G.M. Bill Polian for going bonkos when calls don't go his team's way. Third, the guys in black and white were subconsciously influenced by all of the criticism of the Pats for cheating and running up the score.

If the real explanation is the last one, the Pats might want to be ready for more bad calls moving forward. Their recent actions and decisions are making the Patriots into a team that is perceived by some as "bad guys," and the end result could be a chronic case of some of the same bad calls that teams like the Raiders have seen over the years.

You know, like the tuck rule play, from the game that arguably spawned the Patriots' dynasty.

Still, the point here is that the Commish seems to be intent on keeping factors like that from influencing the outcome of games.

I suspect that a greater stink would have been made if the Patriots had lost the game. It shrinks to virtual irrelevance now, but it shouldn't as any team could be similarly victimized.

Edited November 11, 2007 by connoisseur series500

[connoisseur series500]

I get a kick out of Emmitt Smith and I hope he sticks around in his current position. He truly is an awful announcer, but he is so funny as a result.

FUN WITH EMMITT, WEEK TEN

Our pal Emmitt Smith, donning an Adrian Peterson jersey for a segment on how the Vikings rookie performs like Emmitt never did, provided his first verbal gem of the weekend.

Said Emmitt regarding the possibility of holding Peterson to 70 or 80 yards, "That would be a definitely slow down."

Edited November 11, 2007 by connoisseur series500

[Dan Gould]

I get a kick out of Emmitt Smith and I hope he sticks around in his current position. He truly is an awful announcer, but he is so funny as a result.

FUN WITH EMMITT, WEEK TEN

Our pal Emmitt Smith, donning an Adrian Peterson jersey for a segment on how the Vikings rookie performs like Emmitt never did, provided his first verbal gem of the weekend.

Said Emmitt regarding the possibility of holding Peterson to 70 or 80 yards, "That would be a definitely slow down."

Emmitt is a proud graduate of the University of Florida, so it can hardly be held against him that he's functionally illiterate.

[connoisseur series500]

I really like Emmit Smith. He's a really good guy, but he absolutely SUCKS as a color commentator for ESPN on Monday Night Football. Pro Football Weekly keeps a running tab of his errors, mistatements and malapropisms.

Here is a selection:

Emmitt: "You will get blowed out. And if you get blowed out, it is your fault."

Here's a screamingly funny live version: http://www.profootballtalk.com/emmitt.mp3

It is so funny that it is worth reposting. Up.

[Aggie87]

Emmitt's gotta be the worst analyst out there right now. He speaks like the Dubya of sports announcers.

I enjoyed the Cowboys/Giants game today. Tied at the half, the Cowboys played better in the second half than the Giants. Eli had 3 delay of game penalties for not getting the snap off in time, and Aikman and Buck hammered on him about that.

Shockey had a great game, and Brandon Jacobs ran well, I thought. But they didn't get much help outside of that.

And the Giants took Witten out of the game, but T.O. had two pretty TD receptions. And Crayton and Hurd both came up with timely receptions. Romo looked very good again, with one INT on a bad decision pass. Otherwise he played a solid game.

[Chuck Nessa]

Go Rex!

[Free For All]

If Romo and the Cowboys keep improving as they have been, I will not be at all surprised to see a Dallas/NE Superbowl. And it might be a pretty good game!

Not to imply the Cowboys are "for real" or anything.......

edit: I'd prefer to see the Colts (sorry, conn!) but I just don't know if they're going to pull it off this year (sorry, rachel!). I hope I'm wrong.

Edited November 12, 2007 by Free For All

[Chuck Nessa]

Romo's for real. Don't think the Cowboys are.

[Dan Gould]

Well, IMHO, the Cowboys showed that they are the class of the conference and should be odds-on favorites to win the conference championship and go to the super bowl. And like Paul says, I think it could be a good 'un, against NE or Indy.

[connoisseur series500]

or Indy.

Watch yo mouth!

[connoisseur series500]

Not to imply the Cowboys are "for real" or anything.......

[jlhoots]

In case no one noticed, Packers 34 - Vikings 0.

Green Bay 8 - 1.

Even a good running game today against Vikings (allegedly) excellent run defense.

Go Favre, et. al.

[Free For All]

In case no one noticed, Packers 34 - Vikings 0.

Green Bay 8 - 1.

Even a good running game today against Vikings (allegedly) excellent run defense.

Go Favre, et. al.

Looks like the GB/Cowboys game on 11/29 could be a big one.

Man, the Colts are getting their asses kicked right now. Gut-check time.

[connoisseur series500]

San Diego is laying a good licking on the Colts so far. Yes, the Colts are injured, but NE damaged their psyche as well. They now know that they are not the best team in football.

Yes, Hoots, I have taken note of Green Bay's accomplishments. They are a damned good football team. With what the Cowboys and Packers are doing, it is quite clear that the league is about more than just the NE Patriots right now. There are some darn fine teams out there.

Brett Favre is one of the scariest quarterbacks for an opponent to face. In his prime, he was totally unpredictable and you couldn't prepare a game plan to deal with him. Looks like he's playing like the Favre of old right now. And that defence....

[Free For All]

San Diego is laying a good licking on the Colts so far. Yes, the Colts are injured, but NE damaged their psyche as well. They now know that they are not the best team in football.

Oh, you're just LOVING this, aren't you, conn?

...and BTW, please start spelling "defense" like the rest of the world!

[Free For All]

Wow, that "inadvertent whistle" really screwed the Colts. Very lucky break for the Bolts.

[connoisseur series500]

Wow, that "inadvertent whistle" really screwed the Colts. Very lucky break for the Bolts.

Not necessarily. Those whistles were screaming. Defense didn't try to tackle the guy with the ball.

That's D-E-F-E-N-S-E. okay, Free?

(dick)

[connoisseur series500]

Peyton's favorite receiver tonight is Warren Cromartie.

[Free For All]

That's D-E-F-E-N-S-E. okay, Free?

(dick)

hehehehehe

[Aggie87]

San Diego is laying a good licking on the Colts so far. Yes, the Colts are injured, but NE damaged their psyche as well. They now know that they are not the best team in football.

Oh, you're just LOVING this, aren't you, conn?

...and BTW, please start spelling "defense" like the rest of the world!

You'd think the guy had a British passport or something.

[connoisseur series500]

I'm rooting for San Diego, but I am seriousy wondering "why?" San Diego players are classless assholes. Rivers absolutely sucks and he's always in the face of the umps as if he is a great quarterback. They are a very arrogant team; and they aren't very good to be honest.

go Colts?

I'm Conn-fused!

Edited November 12, 2007 by connoisseur series500

[connoisseur series500]

Colts are down 23-6, but the Chargers are so awful! I really think a dispirited and undermanned Colts might still be better than San Diego.

[Aggie87]

Colts are down 23-6, but the Chargers are so awful! I really think a dispirited and undermanned Colts might still be better than San Diego.

Manning's thrown 5 INTs so far, but they're only down 8 at this point. Still could pull out a win - Romo did that in Buffalo.

[connoisseur series500]

I am now officially rooting for the Dolts.