2009 NFL Regular Season Thread

[OILFAN #81]

Even though the Ravens didn't play amazing..........I still think they will pose a very tough challenge for the Colts this week.

[Bobblehead]

That was a horrible game. I think Browns games are pretty bad to watch. They have a good enough defense to give the opposition trouble, and such an inept offense that it is a pain to watch that, too.

[troutman]

My new headgear:

[mykalberta]

Orton will be back vs SD.

I dont think I could handle another 1/2 of -8 yards passing by Simms.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

And it is very unlikely that Brown will play. Apparently lots of swelling but no broken bones anywhere. Hilliard is expected to get some carries vs the Panthers.

I know this is bad news for you guys, but it's pretty exciting for me. Look forward to watching Lex get a few carriers and here's hoping he makes the most of the opportunity!

[transplant99]

Monday, Denver Josh McDaniels coach said Orton is questionable to play against the Chargers. He said he is not sure when or if Orton will be able to practice this week.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post...s-availability

[Sylvanfan]

Josh Cribb's agent is furious that his client was exposed on the last play of that Browns game. I can see the point that a hook and ladder on the last play of a game that you can't win does put your players in a bad position. As much as my Chiefs make me cringe....I feel sorry for Browns fans right now.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by transplant99

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post...s-availability

Get Jeff Garcia in there.

[Sylvanfan]

Dwayne Bowe to be suspended 4 weeks for using some type of banned performance substance! Breaking news on the Red zone from Sirius 124.

Yikes. Bowe's head is like 50% into the game it seems. The guy has talent, but there still are some issues where he's at upstairs. Another talented player who doesn't always get it.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Dwayne Bowe to be suspended 4 weeks for using some type of banned performance substance! Breaking news on the Red zone from Sirius 124.

Yikes. Bowe's head is like 50% into the game it seems. The guy has talent, but there still are some issues where he's at upstairs. Another talented player who doesn't always get it.

The Chiefs did not need this.

It kind of felt like a fresh start after getting rid of sideshow LJ, they get a win, run the ball well....

Todd Haley must be banging his head on a wall right now.

[rubecube]

Lots of rumours circulating that Brian Westbrook's career is done. The Eagles will likely put him on IR this week, and he's stated that he's not willing to continue a career if it risks his personal life too much.

[Sylvanfan]

Latest news is that Dick Jauron to be fired by the Bills. Eventfull morning so far.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Lots of rumours circulating that Brian Westbrook's career is done. The Eagles will likely put him on IR this week, and he's stated that he's not willing to continue a career if it risks his personal life too much.

So sad.

Such a great talent.

[kevman]

As the Pat's were lining up to go for it on 4th & 2, before the snap, I already started to think about what TMQ would say about this play come Tuesday... As to be expected, from reading his weekly column, he loved it...

TMQ: Hail Belichick!

Bottom line is, Bill Belichick was right

Indianapolis had only one timeout, so a first down would have all but won the game. On the night, the Patriots had averaged 6.6 yards per play, so the chance of gaining 2 yards was auspicious. As Tim Graham of ESPN.com has noted, since Tom Brady became New England's starting quarterback, the Patriots have converted 76 percent of their fourth-and-short attempts. A 3-in-4 chance to win is a pretty inviting opportunity.

Which seems like a better gamble -- 2 yards to win the game, or two minutes to shut down Peyton Manning when the Colts are hot? In 2007, AccuScore did thousands of computer simulations of the punt-or-go-for-it question for TMQ. One finding was that between your own 21-yard line and your own 35, you should go for it on fourth-and-2 or less. In test after test, doing this improved a team's chance of victory -- though, of course, there is no guarantee. No coach can control what happens on the field. Had New England punted, Indianapolis might have run the kick back for a touchdown, for instance. All the coach can do is make a decision that improves the team's odds. Belichick made such a decision.

"Belichick's Blunder" read the main headline on NFL.com on Monday. Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, now an ESPN analyst, denounced Bill Belichick for "failing to show faith in his defense." So it's wrong to show faith in your offense? "Belichick's Arrogant Decision" was the headline of Michael Wilbon's column in The Washington Post, which essentially scolded Belichick for trying to win outright rather than playing to avoid losing. Part of being treated by the media as great -- whether in sports, politics or culture -- is taking pains to shift blame to others. Belichick didn't shift the blame -- what's the matter with him? A core reason coaches order short-yardage punts is that if a fourth-down try fails, they will be criticized -- whereas, if the ball is punted and then the defense surrenders a score, players get the criticism.

[Pagal4321]

That's too bad to hear about Westbrook. But glad to see he's putting life before his football career, that should be a no brainer.

Also, the Ravens have released Steve Hauschka.

[corporatejay]

Listening to Dameshek's podcast with the Blue Horseshoe yesterday made me rethink my position that it wasn't that stupid. I don't agree with the call, but if it worked, people would have praised him for being a genius and having nuts the size of grapefruits.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Also, the Ravens have released Steve Hauschka.

I haven't watched Berman at all this year but surely he came up with this before I did?

Steve Hauschka'd you miss that kick?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by kevman

As the Pat's were lining up to go for it on 4th & 2, before the snap, I already started to think about what TMQ would say about this play come Tuesday... As to be expected, from reading his weekly column, he loved it...

TMQ: Hail Belichick!

I like that argument, but I still think a punt was the right call. All NE needed was a sack, or a holding penalty, or a turn-over, and game over.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

So sad.

Such a great talent.

Probably one of the best dual threat RBs in history (Ricky Watters and Roger Craig being others). He's obviously not HOF material, but he might be the best Eagles RB of all-time. I think his career reads a bit like Gale Sayers. All-world talent but could never stay healthy.

[LockedOut]

Did anyone post this yet? Thanks to Conan for bringing it to my attention.

TITANS OWNER FINED $250,000 FOR OBSCENE GESTURE TO BILLS FANS

http://tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=298617