NFL Football 2010/2011 Season

[MacDawg]

I don't know why this is even a discussion
Favre is an embarrassment to the league and to himself
No, his exit wasn't handled well from Green Bay, but that had more to do with him than GB

He needed to have played it straight with GB about his plans, or he needed to **** and go to the farm, and at the time, I was a Favre fan

Yes, congrats to the Bears, although GB would have given them a better run if Rodgers hadn't been hurt

 

[rhett7660]

I don't know why this is even a discussion
Favre is an embarrassment to the league and to himself
No, his exit wasn't handled well from Green Bay, but that had more to do with him than GB

He needed to have played it straight with GB about his plans, or he needed to **** and go to the farm, and at the time, I was a Favre fan

Yes, congrats to the Bears, although GB would have given them a better run if Rodgers hadn't been hurt

Well said, and yup without Rodgers GB isn't looking like the GB that might win a few games if they make it to the playoffs. I have a feeling he will be back soon enough thou.

 

[MacDawg]

Interesting stats on Matt Ryan v. the Blitz

Strength vs. strength: Ryan against the blitz

It’s never too early to start talking about the "Monday Night Football" game between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons, so let’s go ahead and get it started.

While coaches don’t go around handing out game plans in advance, I think there is one thing we might be safe in assuming. The New Orleans defense is probably going to come after Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan hard.

That makes sense because no team has blitzed more than the Saints this season and it’s pretty unlikely defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, a creature of habit, is suddenly going to change his whole defensive philosophy.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Saints have sent five or more pass rushers on 50.7 percent of the drop backs by opponents this season.

But there is a flip side to that. Ryan has seen plenty of blitzes this season and handled them quite well. Ryan has faced five or more rushers on 179 of his drop backs. Only St. Louis rookie Sam Bradford (214) and Denver’s Kyle Orton (180) have faced more blitzes.

Those situations have not thrown Ryan off his game. He has completed 64.2 percent of his passes against the blitz for 1,262 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. Ryan’s 99.9 passer rating against the blitz ranks sixth in the league.

 

[furcalchick]

i think atlanta is going to be in for a rude awakening on monday night. we're going to show that matt ryan isn't invisible at home. we only lost last time because our kicker can't get the easy ones (but the hard ones are simple for him).

 

[MacDawg]

i think atlanta is going to be in for a rude awakening on monday night. we're going to show that matt ryan isn't invisible at home. we only lost last time because our kicker can't get the easy ones (but the hard ones are simple for him).

The Saints certainly have the firepower to beat the Falcons, even at home
Should be a great game
I'm looking forward to it
Of course, the loss to the Ravens took a teeny bit of the luster off it

 

[63dot]

i think atlanta is going to be in for a rude awakening on monday night. we're going to show that matt ryan isn't invisible at home. we only lost last time because our kicker can't get the easy ones (but the hard ones are simple for him).

This is going to be the biggest regular season game in all of football. I won't be surprised if it gets the highest Monday night ratings this year. It's pretty much the matchup between last year's Super Bowl winner and what appears to be the hands down favorite for the NFCs side of the big game.

Atlanta has seven games in a row, they have the NFL MVP of November and October, and they beat a lot of great teams. But Monday night is just another game and any team in the NFL could beat any other team in this sport. The best could have an off day, and unlike baseball where you have a series in the playoffs, off days are not allowed in football at any time except for the regular season. Also a single loss can bring down a team's morale that won't get recuperated from anytime soon. The Jets taking out the Steelers was a tough loss for one team and a big win for the other. Had Green Bay pulled off their last drive, the win would have been huge for them and terrible for the Patriots. Some have suggested that this game showed a possibly vulnerability in the Pats game plan even though the Patriots won.

So if there's any consolation if Atlanta loses on Monday night, which is possible from anybody but probably especially the Saints (and maybe two others like Eagles or Pats), the Falcons are not out of contention. They have already grabbed a playoff spot.

That being said, this matchup feels like a sudden death playoff game and can have psychological implications. Atlanta has to play this one like it's a playoff game and it's the game where they can not only separate themselves from the rest of the NFC, but the NFL. Atlanta not only has to win, but by big points while at the same time holding New Orleans to very few yards. We all know the birds have an offense and this is the time to show the country if their defense is there, and there right now. So a 28-6 type of game on Monday will have Vegas put the Falcons as the favorite by a mile for teams to get to and win the Super Bowl.

If the score is the other way, and in favor of New Orleans, there can be a good case calling the Pats the best team in the NFL, and Atlanta being #2.

Anyway, it's fun to see how the betting odds change from week to week and how the so-called experts call it. A team can go from the one to watch, like the Jets, to bums overnight, and then become heroes again. The stakes are no higher than for this Monday night game showcasing last year's best with this year's best.

My prediction? Falcons 31-28 and big yards for both QBs, and mediocre showings defense from both. And yes, both teams will get good numbers on the ground.

 

[MacDawg]

ESPN Headline
Jets' Ryan: Foot-fetish report personal matter

I agree, it is a personal matter... but it makes for a good time to poke fun at Ryan

Rex Ryan won't address video report

The New York Jets are on the verge of making the playoffs, but the focus once again is off the field as coach Rex Ryan is being asked whether his wife, Michelle, posted foot-fetish videos on the Internet.

In a conference call with Chicago reporters leading up to Sunday's big game with the Bears, Ryan didn't deny a Deadspin.com report that shows a number of videos of a woman who looks very much like his wife showing off her feet while a cameraman -- who sounds like Ryan -- talks to the woman.

"To be honest, and I get it, I know you need to ask and all that stuff," Ryan told reporters when asked if the situation could snowball into a distraction. "But it's a personal matter and I'm really not going to discuss it, OK?"

Ryan said it was between him and his wife and he would not elaborate beyond that.

The Jets already had issued a statement: "This is a personal matter and Rex will have no comment."

The story made the front page of the New York Daily News. Ryan is scheduled to meet with the New York media Wednesday afternoon.

This is just the latest controversy for the Jets. They recently suspended strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi indefinitely after he tripped a Dolphins player during a punt return. The NFL is investigating.

Earlier this season, the league also investigated the team after it was reported that female reporter Ines Sainz was harassed at Jets practice.

Ryan himself came under fire for using profanity repeatedly during HBO's "Hard Knocks" show on the team.

And wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been dealing with a drunken-driving charge that could affect another case stemming from an altercation in Ohio.

The Jets are 10-4 and can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Bears in Chicago.

Michelle Ryan, wife of Jets coach Rex Ryan, models Jets apparel for the NFL in InStyle Magazine.

FWIW... what the hell is she doing with Rex Ryan to begin with??

 

[rdowns]

Funniest thing I've seen on this (from Twitter)

RT @theDAshow: I can totally understand why Rex has a foot fetish with his wife. Her toes do look like popcorn shrimp and funnel cake.

 

[MacDawg]

Funniest thing I've seen on this (from Twitter)

RT @theDAshow: I can totally understand why Rex has a foot fetish with his wife. Her toes do look like popcorn shrimp and funnel cake.

That's awesome!
In that case, I'm surprised she has any toes left!!

 

[63dot]

That's awesome!
In that case, I'm surprised she has any toes left!!

Hey don't ask, don't smell.

I say give the Jets coach the boot.

 

[MacNut]

You really can't make this stuff up, the Jets really are a traveling circus.

 

[zioxide]

This is going to be the biggest regular season game in all of football. I won't be surprised if it gets the highest Monday night ratings this year.

That was supposed to be Patriots/Jets 3 weeks ago, but since that was just the Tom Brady show and the Jets never showed up, it ended up coming in #4.

Had Green Bay pulled off their last drive, the win would have been huge for them and terrible for the Patriots. Some have suggested that this game showed a possibly vulnerability in the Pats game plan even though the Patriots won.

I love when people pull out this talking point. Guess what? They did what a good team would do in that situation: they won the game. **** teams lose games like that. Good teams find a way to win no matter what. Everyone goes and says "they're vulnerable". Well no ****. So are the other 31 teams in the league. Any given sunday. The best teams are the ones that find ways to win even when they don't play their best.

That being said, this matchup feels like a sudden death playoff game and can have psychological implications. Atlanta has to play this one like it's a playoff game and it's the game where they can not only separate themselves from the rest of the NFC, but the NFL. Atlanta not only has to win, but by big points while at the same time holding New Orleans to very few yards. We all know the birds have an offense and this is the time to show the country if their defense is there, and there right now. So a 28-6 type of game on Monday will have Vegas put the Falcons as the favorite by a mile for teams to get to and win the Super Bowl.

I don't see it being this big of a game. Atlanta already clinched the playoffs. If they lose, it's not the end of the world. Definitely not "sudden death playoff" atmosphere.

Anyway, it's fun to see how the betting odds change from week to week and how the so-called experts call it. A team can go from the one to watch, like the Jets, to bums overnight, and then become heroes again. The stakes are no higher than for this Monday night game showcasing last year's best with this year's best.

It's just proof that these "experts" are clueless.

 

[MacDawg]

I don't see it being this big of a game. Atlanta already clinched the playoffs. If they lose, it's not the end of the world. Definitely not "sudden death playoff" atmosphere.

I think it is a big game, but not "sudden death" urgency
The Falcons can lose and still carry home field by beating the Panthers the next week

Do the Falcons want to win? Of course
But the bigger win will be in the playoffs
Does a loss this Monday night crush their confidence?
I don't think so, not this team, it mirrors the Head Coach too much for that
Does a win give them more confidence?
Maybe, but I think the Coach will keep them level headed regardless
Not to high, not to low... this team is methodical and not prone to swings

Should be a great game, and I look forward to it
I know the Falcons can lose, they are not unbeatable

 

[63dot]

So are the other 31 teams in the league. Any given sunday. The best teams are the ones that find ways to win even when they don't play their best.

This is exactly what makes the Patriots a tough team to beat. In the Super Bowl, they may not have destroyed their competition, but each time they found a way to win. Nobody will remember the scores many years from now, but nobody will forget they won three times in four years.

Yes, everyone is vulnerable, but the Pats less so.

 

[Apple OC]

I think it is a big game, but not "sudden death" urgency
The Falcons can lose and still carry home field by beating the Panthers the next week

Do the Falcons want to win? Of course
But the bigger win will be in the playoffs
Does a loss this Monday night crush their confidence?
I don't think so, not this team, it mirrors the Head Coach too much for that
Does a win give them more confidence?
Maybe, but I think the Coach will keep them level headed regardless
Not to high, not to low... this team is methodical and not prone to swings

Should be a great game, and I look forward to it
I know the Falcons can lose, they are not unbeatable

Man you are humble MacDawg ... I see the Falcons winning this game at home on MNF ... the way they have played this season, this is a chance to prove they are getting stronger going into the playoffs.

I just cannot see them losing this on such a big stage.

 

[63dot]

Man you are humble MacDawg ... I see the Falcons winning this game at home on MNF ... the way they have played this season, this is a chance to prove they are getting stronger going into the playoffs.

I just cannot see them losing this on such a big stage.

I have a feeling Macdawg does not want to curse them.

A few times in football there are teams that are good from beginning to finish, and among them are the '72 Dolphins and the '85 Bears. Teams like these are there to win with only themselves able to blow it. To me, it looks like Atlanta's to lose.

 

[MacDawg]

Man you are humble MacDawg ... I see the Falcons winning this game at home on MNF ... the way they have played this season, this is a chance to prove they are getting stronger going into the playoffs.

I just cannot see them losing this on such a big stage.

Too many crazy things can happen (Giants/Eagles) to believe that any team is invincible. I would have thought the Pats a few years ago couldn't be beat till the Giants won in the SB. Upsets happen. Teams have off nights. Teams catch fire. Anything can happen. Every team in the NFL can look back on games they should have won and didn't for whatever reason. You can't explain the way the Pats looked against Cleveland and then against the Jets. Any given Sunday.

The Falcons could come in to Monday night with something to prove to the league about belonging. I don't think this team works that way though. I think they come in and play the same game they have played all year... keep the ball, pound the run, play action, convert 3rd downs, methodically run the clock with 10+ play drives and protect their defense. They will try to protect the ball and not beat themselves with penalties. I think they approach this game like every other game this year and not get caught in the hype. The closest thing to a trap game they have lost all year was the Eagles, even though every week people have bet against them (Ravens, Packers, even Seattle). However, there is a chance, this is the week they are flat. There is always that chance.

The Saints on the other hand, are smarting from their loss to the Ravens. It cost them a real shot at the division unless they win out and the Falcons lose to Carolina. They are the ones with something to prove... prove they can beat the Falcons, since they have already lost to them (and will likely have to play them in the playoffs to make the SB), prove they can win in the Dome, which nobody has done lately (Ryan is 19-1) and where they will have to meet again in the playoffs, prove they are the best in the NFC by beating the best. Do they come in motivated and on fire? And will that be enough? Or do they come in flat after their loss?

Games like this are hard to predict. I believe if the Saints lose and then lose to Tampa, then the Bucs will jump them in the Wild Card (assuming the Bucs win out). That should be motivation enough. The Falcons can likely lose to the Saints and beat Carolina and still have home field. Does that mean they are less focused?

Either team is capable of winning this game. Either team is capable of winning the NFC and the SB. I would love to see the Falcons win. But I won't be devastated if they lose. They aren't in "one and done" territory yet. I would rather lose this one and win the next one with them, than win this one and lose in the playoffs to them. It is tough to beat any team twice in one season, much less beat a playoff team three times.

Should be a helluva game

Speaking of games this week... here is the schedule
What games interest you??

 

[fotografica]

^^^In addition to the games you have highlighted, I'll obviously watch the Pats. And I will also have a "driving by an accident and hate to but have to look" at TB vs SEA. Mainly because I can't stand Pete Carroll and can't believe he's in position to win a division his first year back. With at best an 8-8 record.

 

[rhett7660]

Well the Dallas game for me! Teehee..... and of course I would love to see the Giants lay another egg...... But we will have to wait till sunday to see if that happens!

 

[Apple OC]

MacDawg ... you have really sound analogy on your team and the situation. However IMO the Saints are not the team that won the Superbowl (even when they did, they were 1 play away from losing in the NFC Championship game) So to me they have No chance of repeating. IMO there are 2 teams to watch in the NFC (besides your Falcons) #1-Philly #2-Chicago. The Falcons seem to have a low key, well rounded game to continue their run right through to the end. As for the AFC ... I am leaning towards Flacco and the Ravens over Brady and the Pats.

The games I am looking forward to most this weekend ... Jets-Bears, Vikings-Eagles, Saints-Falcons ... and because I am a Cowboys fan ...

Saturday Night Football Cowboys-Cardinals ... love the Night Games.

 

[MacDawg]

NFC South batting practice: Brees or Ryan?

Ryan has had a great 3 years, better than the first 3 years for any QB for wins
And I think he is a very good QB who could become a great QB
But what Brees has done in SD and NO is amazing, and he has a ring
Let Ryan win out this year and get a ring, and then we can have this discussion
Until then, I am not willing to say that Ryan is the best QB in the NFC South

Not sure if this is quite Trent Dilfer/Roddy White material, but colleague KC Joyner threw some batting practice for NFC South fans when he wrote that Atlanta’s Matt Ryan has surpassed Drew Brees as the NFC South’s best quarterback.

I’ll let Atlanta and New Orleans fans duke this one out in the comments section. But I will throw in my two cents and admit that in Wednesday’s item about potential NFC South MVPs, I ranked Ryan slightly above Brees. To this point, I think Ryan has had a better season. Like I said in the piece on NFC South MVPs, I think Brees can jump to the top of the list with a strong showing against the Falcons on Monday night.

Joyner takes the argument much further and goes into great detail. I’ll just say I think Ryan has been better to this point this season and that he’s an excellent quarterback. But, all that said, if I had to take an NFC squad and go out and win one game, Brees would be the quarterback.

Oh, by the way, I don’t want to get too far ahead of the game. But I’m also of the opinion that in a couple of years, Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman at least has the potential to be as good or better than Ryan or Brees. He’s not all the way there yet, but Freeman’s upside is incredible.

Anyway, Joyner has thrown the pitch. Go ahead and take your swings in the comments section below.

 

[63dot]

NFC South batting practice: Brees or Ryan?

Ryan has had a great 3 years, better than the first 3 years for any QB for wins
And I think he is a very good QB who could become a great QB
But what Brees has done in SD and NO is amazing, and he has a ring
Let Ryan win out this year and get a ring, and then we can have this discussion
Until then, I am not willing to say that Ryan is the best QB in the NFC South

Thanks for the link. I think Ryan is already a great QB. He's not just a one season fluke. But of course it's way to early to say he will be in the next class of dominating QBs over the next several years to come. I think he will, but so much could happen.

The ones I think who will take the mantle that once belonged to the Warners-Bradys-Mannings in the 2000s, can be Sanchez-Rodgers-Romo-Rivers-Ryan-Vick-Brees with maybe three of that group coming out on top from 2011 onwards and stay on top through 2016 or so. That being said, Manning or Brady can sneak in there after 2011 and get a ring. I also don't count out Flacco or Big Ben, either.

This is what makes football so fun.

Where in baseball, somebody who is really great in a long 162 game season could be relied on most of the time to deliver pretty well the next year. Age catches up with players but its more gradual as in the case of Randy Johnson or Barry Bonds, but in football, the physical skills could decline in one season never to come back. Warner was way on top at one time and looked to be the next Dan Marino, but there was a marked decline and inconsistency once he marched through his 30s. It's possible that we could be seeing an inconsistent streak due to age in Peyton Manning.

Anyway, the aging thing opens up the field for new talent for QBs and other more high profile positions. When an important figure on the offensive or defensive line gets old and replaced, it usually doesn't make big news even though the impact could be just as huge.

I thought the Pats were done when some of their key defense players left, but the Pats could rebuild with a Brady or not and still remain a tough team. It's fun to see the Pats, even with their lowly ranked defense catch fire and become like the Pats D of old. They seem to be headed there very quickly (a evidenced by the last quarter against Green Bay, and they can be the perfect counter to the Atlanta Falcons.

If the Jets go against the Falcons, my gut says that Atlanta will be all over them, but the Jets beat the Steelers in a fashion I didn't think they would and they could come out of nowhere. The Ravens who are under the radar can still take their division, but if not that, have the widespread talent to take Atlanta on in the Super Bowl.

When it's a KC or Raiders that get to the SB, then if it's against Atlanta, I wouldn't think they could beat Atlanta. But the 10-6 Giants beat the 16-0 Patriots in the SB.

The press and talk radio are so into Atlanta, both because of their record, and also because they are new to the top of the NFC leaderboard. I am on the other coast and when I turn on sports, you would swear you were in Georgia.

 

[63dot]

I wake up to the NFL site...

...and I see a story on start them or sit them

Patriots? No, they have yet to win division, same with Jets

Steelers? Nope, they have to get past Ravens and of course Ravens need to bring on starters

49ers/Raiders...they can still get in, so start them

Falcons? Yes, they have NO to worry about and NO should start their top guys

Chicago? they can rest since they have division and there's no chance of home field (or very little)

...and losing teams with no chance of playoffs?, let them try out their 2nds

 

[MacDawg]

Merry Christmas to all you NFL fans

Hope Santa brings your team everything it needs

For the Falcons, that would be...
A stronger pass rush on defense
A healthy offense

 

[63dot]

Merry Christmas to all you NFL fans

Hope Santa brings your team everything it needs

For the Falcons, that would be...
A stronger pass rush on defense
A healthy offense

For my teams in the bay area, it means winning the remaining games or else. It also means that just squeaking into a wild card would be amazing.