NFL chat thread

[connoisseur series500]

Dungy's strategy of resting his players arguably led to their playoff loss to the Steelers in 2006 when the Colts were clearly the best team in the NFL. Indy's Super Bowl victory last year should have been their second straight.

[connoisseur series500]

Here's Florio's angle of it (from PFT):

2. Colts should have gone for the kill.

Two years ago, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning played only one series in the team's regular-season finale. Two weeks later, the Colts lost to the Steelers, 21-18, in the divisional round of the playoffs.

On Sunday, Manning played roughly a quarter and a half. Regardless of whether Manning and the others starters who got extra rest will be sharp when the Colts play again, Indianapolis could eventually rue its decision not to knock the Titans out of the tournament when it had the chance.

With the Titans' victory putting them in the playoffs, two of the other five teams in the AFC field are division rivals of the defending Super Bowl champions. And teams that play in a team's division are less likely to be awed or intimidated by a gaudy record or an eye-popping resume.

The only potential benefit for the Colts is that the Titans might knock out the No. 3 seed Chargers, who could possibly give the Colts the same type of challenge they'd face from Tennessee or Jacksonville.

Still, the smartest move is to keep a home-and-home rival out of the playoffs, because that's the kind of team that will give a favorite fits in January.

[connoisseur series500]

To our Cowboy fans on this board: Watch out! Looks like Parcells is going to rape the Cowboys. I'll post some news here shortly.

I hate Parcells for this reason. I give him props for being a superb judgment of talent. He can build a team and make them good very fast. As a coach, he is only slightly above average and hasn't had a sniff of the Super Bowl when Bill Belichick wasn't working with him. But he knows talent! He's every bit as good as Belichick and Scott Pioli when it comes to identifying good football players. Cowboys better watch their pockets!

But I don't like Parcells and his ways. He never sticks around and leaves his teams ripe for a good pillaging afterwards.

[connoisseur series500]

Here is the first blow....

POSTED 11:14 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:18 a.m. EST, December 31, 2007

TUNA LEANING SPARANO?

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that Dolphins football poobah Bill Parcells has told owner Wayne Huizegna that Parcells wants to hire Cowboys offensive line coach Tony Sparano to be the next coach of the Fins.

Actually, the guy at the top of the Tuna's wish list is Browns coach Romeo Crennel, but there's a growing sense that there's no way that Parcells will be able to pull off the move, given that Crennel is under contract in Cleveland for two more years.

But reports of Parcells' desire to hire Sparano could create problems under the Rooney Rule, which requires at least one minority candidate to be interviewed for each head-coaching vacancy. If word gets out that Sparano is the guy, the Tuna might not be able to persuade any minority candidates to sit for the job.

Complicating matters is that Huizenga didn't follow the spirit of the Rooney Rule in hiring Parcells, and Parcells apparently won't be adhering to the spirit of the Rooney Rule in chasing down Jeff Ireland, his former right-hand man in Dallas, to be the G.M. in Miami.

As to the G.M. position, the current Herald report contains a factoid that supports the rumor (as we heard it on Sunday) that current G.M. Randy Mueller already has been fired. Per the Herald, Mueller was seen driving away from the stadium with two minutes left in the season-ending game -- and he was nowhere to be seen in the locker room after the game ended.

[connoisseur series500]

Another one....

POSTED 1:16 p.m. EST, December 31, 2007

COWBOYS PERMIT TUNA TO INTERVIEW IRELAND

Though some league insiders believed that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would fight, Jones in the end opted not to.

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that the Cowboys have given the Dolphins permission to interview V.P. of college and pro scouting Jeff Ireland.

Per Glazer, Fins football poobah Bill Parcells is expected to offer the G.M. job to Ireland, and Ireland is expected to accept it.

[connoisseur series500]

Expect him to go after your players this offseason as well.

I'll never forget it when the Pats were about to play a terrific Packers team in the Super Bowl and Bill Parcells was on the phone wrapping up his departure to the NY Jets.

He does this kind of crap just as your team is focused on the playoffs. He did it to us.

Edited December 31, 2007 by connoisseur series500

[Big Al]

Ah, I'm not worried. The Cows are so unfocused right now, one more distraction isn't going to make much of a difference.

[Tim McG]

Ah, I'm not worried. The Cows are so unfocused right now, one more distraction isn't going to make much of a difference.

Good.

Now go Pack!

[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]

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!!

Fair enough.

Randy Moss is talented...but he sure as hell ain't no Jerry Rice.

THE Best, all-time:

[alocispepraluger102]

the joke is on parcells. he left the cowboys right when they were becoming good and hasnt been able to live with himself.

[connoisseur series500]

Ah, I'm not worried. The Cows are so unfocused right now, one more distraction isn't going to make much of a difference.

Good.

Now go Pack!

The Pack just might be favorites to reach the Super Bowl. Favre still has to learn how to win in Dallas first.

[alocispepraluger102]

would make the best tv. he will get the calls.

[Tim McG]

Ah, I'm not worried. The Cows are so unfocused right now, one more distraction isn't going to make much of a difference.

Good.

Now go Pack!

The Pack just might be favorites to reach the Super Bowl. Favre still has to learn how to win in Dallas first.

Um.

Aren't we assuming an awful lot here? The Ca'boyz still have to get to the NFC Championship game.

Besides, Favre didn't play past the 1st quarter the last time they met.

[T.D.]

the joke is on parcells. he left the cowboys right when they were becoming good and hasnt been able to live with himself.

In terms of ego/reputation, not necessarily so. Parcells can still claim some credit for the Cowboys' renascence. And if he manages to get the Fish to 9-7, say, it'll further burnish his genius tag. Granted, if the Pokes reach or win the Super Bowl this year or in the next couple, B. P. will have missed out.

Gee, I wonder if the Dolphins will try and trade for T. O...

[Aggie87]

Um.

Aren't we assuming an awful lot here? The Ca'boyz still have to get to the NFC Championship game.

Besides, Favre didn't play past the 1st quarter the last time they met.

No guarantees the Cowboys will get to the NFC title game for sure. Especially with how they've played the last 3-4 games.

But, if you actually watched the Packers/Cowboys game, you'll know that Favre played terribly while he was in, and the Packers only responded and turned it into a game after he left with his injury. Rodgers played exceptionally well for someone with as little playing time as he had. Case of rallying around the backup or something.

[Shawn]

The Redskins/Seahawks game should be a good one. The Skins are on a roll at the moment...and Seattle probably has the best home field advantage in the country...so I'm hoping for a real slug fest.

[connoisseur series500]

...and Seattle probably has the best home field advantage in the country...

Why do you say that?

[Son-of-a-Weizen]

The Redskins/Seahawks game should be a good one. The Skins are on a roll at the moment...and Seattle probably has the best home field advantage in the country...so I'm hoping for a real slug fest.

I'm really torn here. Hate to see Dan Snyder in a jovial mood...but I do like Gibbs. Haven't yet decided if I want to see the Seahawks knock the Skins senseless...or not.

[Tim McG]

Um.

Aren't we assuming an awful lot here? The Ca'boyz still have to get to the NFC Championship game.

Besides, Favre didn't play past the 1st quarter the last time they met.

No guarantees the Cowboys will get to the NFC title game for sure. Especially with how they've played the last 3-4 games.

But, if you actually watched the Packers/Cowboys game, you'll know that Favre played terribly while he was in, and the Packers only responded and turned it into a game after he left with his injury. Rodgers played exceptionally well for someone with as little playing time as he had. Case of rallying around the backup or something.

Even Unitas and Montana had bad games, Aggie.

[Edward]

Um.

Aren't we assuming an awful lot here? The Ca'boyz still have to get to the NFC Championship game.

Besides, Favre didn't play past the 1st quarter the last time they met.

No guarantees the Cowboys will get to the NFC title game for sure. Especially with how they've played the last 3-4 games.

But, if you actually watched the Packers/Cowboys game, you'll know that Favre played terribly while he was in, and the Packers only responded and turned it into a game after he left with his injury. Rodgers played exceptionally well for someone with as little playing time as he had. Case of rallying around the backup or something.

Favre played terribly in large part because the Packers (for heaven knows what reason) strayed from what had been working for them all year offensively and continually tried to go deep against the Cowboys. Collinsworth noted as much. Once Brett got hurt, Aaron Rodgers came in and the Packers returned to what had been working so well all season: 4 and 5 wide receiver sets utilizing short, quick, slant routes.

Before that game was played, I firmly believed that anything other than a blowout would provide little insight as to how a playoff meeting between the Packers and Cowboys might play out. The Packers were driving and down by less than a touchdown in the fourth quarter before eventually losing by 10 points. And, yes, injuries are part of the game, but the Packers were without two key defensive starters (KGB and Woodson, who, despite the accolades given to Harris, is THE lockdown corner for the Pack) as well as a promising young safety who could be starting in Aaron Rouse.

Still, I have to admit that Brett's 0-9 (?) record against the Cowboys in Texas is more than a little troubling. Perhaps, though, it only means that Brett will lead the Packers over the Cowboys should the teams meet in the NFC Championship. Neither team should be looking past the next round, however.

[Tim McG]

Um.

Aren't we assuming an awful lot here? The Ca'boyz still have to get to the NFC Championship game.

Besides, Favre didn't play past the 1st quarter the last time they met.

No guarantees the Cowboys will get to the NFC title game for sure. Especially with how they've played the last 3-4 games.

But, if you actually watched the Packers/Cowboys game, you'll know that Favre played terribly while he was in, and the Packers only responded and turned it into a game after he left with his injury. Rodgers played exceptionally well for someone with as little playing time as he had. Case of rallying around the backup or something.

Favre played terribly in large part because the Packers (for heaven knows what reason) strayed from what had been working for them all year offensively and continually tried to go deep against the Cowboys. Collinsworth noted as much. Once Brett got hurt, Aaron Rodgers came in and the Packers returned to what had been working so well all season: 4 and 5 wide receiver sets utilizing short, quick, slant routes.

Before that game was played, I firmly believed that anything other than a blowout would provide little insight as to how a playoff meeting between the Packers and Cowboys might play out. The Packers were driving and down by less than a touchdown in the fourth quarter before eventually losing by 10 points. And, yes, injuries are part of the game, but the Packers were without two key defensive starters (KGB and Woodson, who, despite the accolades given to Harris, is THE lockdown corner for the Pack) as well as a promising young safety who could be starting in Aaron Rouse.

Still, I have to admit that Brett's 0-9 (?) record against the Cowboys in Texas is more than a little troubling. Perhaps, though, it only means that Brett will lead the Packers over the Cowboys should the teams meet in the NFC Championship. Neither team should be looking past the next round, however.

I remember the Niners had the same run of bad luck against the Ca'boyz....until "The Catch".

I'm not worried

[connoisseur series500]

Safety Brandon Meriweather was the Patriots first round pick in the 2007 draft. Unlike the other top safeties drafted (Reggie Nelson of Jax; Leron Landry of Wash and the kid in Tennessee--forgot his name) Brandon hasn't had much playing time beyond special teams. Bill Belichick doesn't like to play rookies and his is a deep squad anyway. There were concerns about Meriweather's maturity at the time of the draft, but he can stick people pretty well. Here's a funny quote from Rodney Harrison about Brandon:

"He still brings us doughnuts and coffee, so he's still a rookie in that sense," said veteran safety Rodney Harrison. "But he's no longer a rookie. He's out there playing football. But he'd better continue with the Dunkin' Donuts or else he'll get tied up."

Watch out rookies on live chat! (just kidding!)

Selected in the first round (24th overall), Meriweather, who set a record for defensive backs at Miami with 293 career tackles, was projected as a hard hitter with the versatility to play safety or cornerback.

Hope he becomes a factor in the playoffs.

Meriweather went through an adjustment period - as is the case with all rookies - but made his mark on special teams, where he has recorded 18 tackles this season, including seven in the last five games.

Edited January 5, 2008 by connoisseur series500

[Shawn]

...and Seattle probably has the best home field advantage in the country...

Why do you say that?

The Seahawks are 7-1 at home in Qwest field this season and 34-7 since 2002. That's a pretty impressive home winning record, it's one of the loudest stadiums in the league (it's basically 2 band shells facing each other) and because of that the amount of false starts by visiting teams is very high (I remember watching the Giants get penalized 4 times on the same drive a few years ago).

Should be an interesting game.

[alocispepraluger102]

this looks like taps for the 'skins.

damn, they had hold of the game.

Edited January 6, 2008 by alocispepraluger102

[connoisseur series500]

...and Seattle probably has the best home field advantage in the country...

Why do you say that?

The Seahawks are 7-1 at home in Qwest field this season and 34-7 since 2002. That's a pretty impressive home winning record, it's one of the loudest stadiums in the league (it's basically 2 band shells facing each other) and because of that the amount of false starts by visiting teams is very high (I remember watching the Giants get penalized 4 times on the same drive a few years ago).

Should be an interesting game.

I didn't know too much about Seattle before watching today's game. What I saw was a pretty good, but definitely not great team. They are better than the Redskins.