2005 NFL Season

[LethalWolfe]

Am hoping that Marco Rivera (who's being carted off on a backboard as we speak) is OK. He played in Scotland for the Scottish Claymores during their championship season. Never like to see them going down but it feels worse somehow when you've met the guys

I heard at the end of the game that it was a "neck burner" (temporarily pinched nerve I think) and was doing much better even after just a few minutes. Thankfully it looked worse than it was.


Lethal

 

[Josh396]

All I can say is that was an awesome game to be at. What made it even better was the ovation that Rex got when he came in(and being on national television wasn't to bad ). It looked to me that he's been playing all season, minus the interception at the end of the first drive. What's really impressive to me is both of his first two drives were for 11 plays, something that will help the defense almost as much as scoring points. I feel bad for Orton though, especially after listening to his interview after the game, but I think it's clear Rex gives them the better shot to win.

 

[Bubbasteve]

I feel bad for Orton though, especially after listening to his interview after the game, but I think it's clear Rex gives them the better shot to win.

Very true about Orton... when he spoke with the media after the game I thought he talked with alot of class. Regardless, Rex brought the much needed spark for that Bear's non existent offense. Rex was lucky on that interception though, but like they say -- It's sometimes better to be lucky than good.

 

[Dave00]

San Diego is not going to make the playoffs. Here's their next 3 games.

At Indy
At Kansas City
Home against Broncos (Broncos will probably have division wrapped up but will still be fighting for the #2 seed)

No way they win all those games. Pittsburgh also has the head to head tie-breaker because they beat the Chargers a couple months ago.

Well, they solved the hardest game of the bunch. I'm hoping they do lose one of those final two, because I'm a Steeler fan. But, supposing they do win out, and the Steelers as well, then a quirk in the system allows Jacksonville to decide who goes to the playoffs. If Jacksonville wins out, the Steelers are the 6th seed. If Jacksonville manages to lose their last two games to Houston and Tennessee (fat chance) then San Diego and Pittsburgh are the wild cards. If, however, Jacksonville goes 1-1, then there's a 3-way tie and Jacksonville and San Diego would go based on conference records. My biggest worry is that Jacksonville wins against Houston, then their last game against Tennessee becomes meaningless and they rest their starters and go 1-1. So, I'm holding my breath until San Diego loses another game.

Dave

 

[yellow]

All Panthers fans can now officially step up and kiss me (as the resident Pats fan). You're welcome!

 

[iRachel]

Well said, Josh and Bubbasteve. I've been an Orton supporter all season, but I think Lovie made the right decision last night. It's clear KO is hitting the wall at this point in the season. Kudos to him for showing a lot of class in his interviews after the game.

Josh, I was cold just watching it on TV...I hope you've thawed out...


Welcome back Rex,
Thank you, Kyle, for keeping us in the hunt,
and LET'S GO BEARS!

 

[jefhatfield]

bears beat atlanta fair and square

...and would have even if the far reaching 4th quarter drive of atlanta wasn't ruled a fumble (in favor of the bears who "recovered" it and ran it back a few yards after the play) and vick and company scored on that drive

atlanta coach mora was pissed

and i was too even though i show no preference for either team

but i was shocked because of the bad call with instant replay exonerating the falcons...it was a complete pass and 1) receiver had possession of the ball (though very briefly) and 2) opposing team made contact when he was down so the ball should have been called down and complete right then and there for atlanta

mora, the announcers, and much of the nation were probably equally appalled at the terrible call, but the coach, the team, and everybody else who followed that game knew that atlanta was off that day and nothing could happen in that extreme cold where they were reduced to a frozen team from the south not adjusting to cold chicago weather...the clock was ticking down and atlanta had no timeouts and chicago had 3

i don't like it when a bad call is made, then the coach yells at the ref, and the refs get together in a weird solidarity, and make the bad call stand (even if the instant replay clearly shows the refs were at fault)

mora shouldn't have gone ballistic though and if he had kept his cool, the refs would have definitely called in atlanta's favor...but how does a ref call in favor of a team when that coach of the team that got called against is in your face and the face of your fellow refs

i would, as a ref, called the ball a complete pass, but would have called it back to the line of scrimmage for unsportsmanlike conduct on the coach...funny how hindsight, and watching play over and over in instant replay, makes that hindsight 20/20

it was a heat of the moment call and atlanta suffered and probably lost out on a touchdown or field goal

but being considerably down in a slow, cold game, it just didn't matter beyond the principle of the thing...even if i was down 40 points with the two minute warning in the 4th and the refs made a bad call, i would, as coach, contest it but not do a "billy martin"

 

[Cfg5]

The Packers should be ASHAMED of themselves for allowing the Ravens to put up 48 points on them.

 

[Cfg5]

All Panthers fans can now officially step up and kiss me (as the resident Pats fan). You're welcome!

Yeah I know man you really put forth a good effort in the Patriots victory.

They wouldn't have won the game without you.

 

[Cfg5]

and would have even if the far reaching 4th quarter drive of atlanta wasn't ruled a fumble (in favor of the bears who "recovered" it and ran it back a few yards after the play) and vick and company scored on that drive

It was the right call, and it was actually ruled an interception (which it was).

He never had the possession of the ball (made a football move after he caught it) before it bounced up.

I think an NFL official knows a little more about football than everyone else.

 

[jefhatfield]

It was the right call, and it was actually ruled an interception (which it was).

He never had the possession of the ball (made a football move after he caught it) before it bounced up.

I think an NFL official knows a little more about football than everyone else.

they definitely know more than we ever will, that is unless one of us gets off our couch and becomes a ref...you know i am an armchair ref, myself

over the years when i see a bad call, i notice that instant replay usually does not stand an even chance in reversing a call, since most bad calls stand...i don't know if this is tradition, pride, or a call in the heat of the moment where decisions have to be made quickly

at least our footballs refs, as yelled at as they are by fans, players, and coaches don't have to endure what japanese baseball refs have to getting attacked by fans and sometimes by players and coaches...to make matters worse, the assaulting party is not always charged...no, they don't have gun violence in japan but they sure give the refs a hard time

 

[gwuMACaddict]

The Packers should be ASHAMED of themselves for allowing the Ravens to put up 48 points on them.

agreed... what a lousy game

 

[freeny]

With the slightest chance of making the playoffs I'm going out on a limb to say "GO SKINS!!". Or at the very least beat the crap out of the Giants this weekend!!

 

[e²Studios]

agreed... what a lousy game

And just when i thought that that Niners could lose by the worst margins... I don't feel so lonely now over here being stepped on.

I wonder if this will be Farve's last season? I think if he had 1. a better offensive line and 2. more skilled/experienced WR's that GB would be able to shine. Farve in my opinion is a great QB.

Ed

 

[jefhatfield]

And just when i thought that that Niners could lose by the worst margins... I don't feel so lonely now over here being stepped on.

I wonder if this will be Farve's last season? I think if he had 1. a better offensive line and 2. more skilled/experienced WR's that GB would be able to shine. Farve in my opinion is a great QB.

Ed

i hope he catches those records of marino and elway (he is close to three of them) and keeps on for at least one more season

i just hope he doesn't beat any california teams on the way to those records ...this year, i can root for the chargers and they surprised me when they beat the colts in indy and made manning look like a rookie...ouch

but brett favre still a good qb for gb and i think the team is just having an exceptionally bad year and it's not all the fault of favre

if gb wants him out, i hope the raiders take him in, like past old qbs like schroeder, collins, plunkett, and many others who got some more life in the nfl with the silver and black

 

[Applespider]

but brett favre still a good qb for gb and i think the team is just having an exceptionally bad year and it's not all the fault of favre

Losing half his established offensive line in free agency, his running back and back up to injured reserve along with a couple of receivers was never going to make it an easy season for the Packers.

I think Favre thought that while there was still a small chance that the team might win (they do play in the NFC North after all), he should keep playing rather than force them to put in the rookie (or Nall, much as I like him after getting to know him in Scotland) when they'd have little chance of winning.

I always think that in the past few years with Brett, he takes too much on himself. You kind of know if he throws one pick that he'll probably throw more in the effort to get the team out of a hole... and dig them a deeper one. It's one of my few regrets that on the night I finally made it to a MNF at Lambeau, it was the Packers worse loss at home on MNF

 

[trebblekicked]

how did aaron rogers look?

 

[Cfg5]

how did aaron rogers look?

Not that good obviously. He completed some passes, but the Ravens were playing prevent when he was in there. He got 'em down to the redzone but threw a pick. He fumbled twice, both recovered by the Ravens, with one of them being returned for a TD. (One of them should've been an INT because he was hit when he went to throw it and it popped up and Adalius Thomas caught it in there, i'm pretty sure)

 

[e²Studios]

Maybe a bit off topic but does anyone know/use any legitimate online sports books? A few of us at work really didn't want to drive to Nevada to place a bet and were wondering if there are legitimate sports books on the net or if we really would have to trek out to Nevada to place our bets...

Thanks
Ed

 

[Josh396]

It was the right call, and it was actually ruled an interception (which it was).

He never had the possession of the ball (made a football move after he caught it) before it bounced up.

I think an NFL official knows a little more about football than everyone else.

I never saw a good replay of it because they only showed one at the game and only for a brief moment but I heard people say that he never had total control of the ball and because the ball never hit the ground, Vasher was able to catch it.

I do agree with jefhatfield about the bad calls though. It shouldn't matter wether a team is getting blown out or not, the refs should make every call as if the play depended on the outcome of the game. But mistakes to do happen so it's nothing to get to worked up about.

 

[LethalWolfe]

With the slightest chance of making the playoffs I'm going out on a limb to say "GO SKINS!!". Or at the very least beat the crap out of the Giants this weekend!!

The 'Skins control their own destiny. If they beat NY and PHI they'll be in and will have a chance to win the NFC East. If they go 1-1 these last two games then their only chance is coming in the back door by way of certain teams losing.

I like their chances of winning out though. The D-line is finally healthy again (it was really banged up during their 2-6 stretch but w/their D-line healthy they are 6-0). The offense is playing w/confidence. Although we really need Jacobs to step up and take some of the pressure off Moss. Losing Thomas at right guard is a blow, but Ray Brown (20yr vet) should be able to pick up the slack. He's not as athletic as Thomas, but after 20years in the NFL I'm sure he has a big ol' bag of tips and tricks to use against opposing defenses. Even though they are banged up the secondary did a good job against the Cowboys and Terry Glenn.

LaVar and Thrash should be back and playing in the Giants game so that's good news too. At FedEx field and wanting to revenge from being blown out 36-0 in NY. Yeah, I think this is a very winnable game.


Lethal

 

[Applespider]

Maybe a bit off topic but does anyone know/use any legitimate online sports books?

Not sure if they take 'international' cards though I'd expect so. I use bet365.com who are primarily UK based but have some decent rates on most NFL games; you can go for pre-game bets and for some, in-game bets so 'the next score in the Cowboys@Redskins game will be a Chris Cooley touchdown' type thing.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Applespider,

So, who did you end up playing? Bledsoe or Brees?


Lethal

 

[Applespider]

Applespider,

So, who did you end up playing? Bledsoe or Brees?

Brees which was the right choice. I also had Brunell who would have been a better one but hey, thanks to Chris Cooley's 3 TDs and the performances of Steve Smith and Chad Johnson, I made it through to that league's final

 

[jefhatfield]

I never saw a good replay of it because they only showed one at the game and only for a brief moment but I heard people say that he never had total control of the ball and because the ball never hit the ground, Vasher was able to catch it.

I do agree with jefhatfield about the bad calls though. It shouldn't matter wether a team is getting blown out or not, the refs should make every call as if the play depended on the outcome of the game. But mistakes to do happen so it's nothing to get to worked up about.

the ball didn't hit the ground from the camera angle that the game showed on cable, but what else made the ball fly up with force like that when he hit the ground? it is possible that the receiver's body blocked the tv camera angle and that he never caught the ball but the ball hit him and bounced off of him and then fell at the same rate, always being behind the camera making it look like it could have been in his arms...but the ball did hit the ground, but if the receiver wasn't cradling it, then it would have gone to the bears, like it did anyway

i live in a small northern california town of 1900 people and one of those people, though he would not like me to mention it, is john madden...my whole family knows him, his business partner was my employer in three jobs and was moral support for me when i went to school, and john likes to talk sports to him (or anybody) and hang out...he he...except my mom, who is not a sports fan, doesn't like him since he flirts with her and she doesn't care who he is

i will ask john madden the next time i see him...he's an out of the box thinker and has no qualm questioning ref calls, as a coach or as an announcer in the box, and i will report back to this forum...he travels by bus and not plane so i only see him in the football season if he is covering a west coast (specifically california) game

every minute he is not in football, he spends here in my town and loves to eat food outside the local market and talk to people about sports....he was also a catcher at my alma mater, cal poly...but his big size was perfect for the nfl draft and his eating habits, it judged from what he consumes at the local market table outside, explains his massive size he's a very personable guy and is correct more than most announcers