2012 NFL Season Thread

[habernac]

I worked tonight, sad I missed the slaughter. Pats are getting better as the season goes along. They need to prove it in the playoffs, tho. Seems like a long time since they've won the big one.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by moon

Only watching this game in passing after the rout was one but last week against the Dolphins there were a lot of open receivers. I know the defense has been better of late but I still think that is a defense that can be very easy to pass on and a very weak defensive secondary with a pass rush that can be weak at times. That is the weakness I was talking about.

I think the Patriots occasionally play down to the level of their competition. The games against Miami and Buffalo, were games that they never were in danger, but they also struggled to put those teams away. The game against Arizona where they just were not sharp all game. When they play on a bigger stage, the players seem to ramp up the intensity. Even their loss in Baltimore was aided by a replacement official call that kept the Ravens drive alive. The defence has some newer pieces,and seems to be coming together as the season progresses. Right now they look like the best team in the NFL to me, but there is still a fair bit of football to be played.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I think the Patriots occasionally play down to the level of their competition. The games against Miami and Buffalo, were games that they never were in danger, but they also struggled to put those teams away. The game against Arizona where they just were not sharp all game. When they play on a bigger stage, the players seem to ramp up the intensity. Even their loss in Baltimore was aided by a replacement official call that kept the Ravens drive alive. The defence has some newer pieces,and seems to be coming together as the season progresses. Right now they look like the best team in the NFL to me, but there is still a fair bit of football to be played.

Could be I haven't focused on them that much and only watched the second half of the Dolphins game but it did look like they were in danger of losing that game and a lot of easy receptions dropped by Dolphins receivers helped.

I just seem to see them on TV in passing a lot and see a ton of wide open receivers and terrible plays by their secondary. Could selective veiwing from a guy that hates the Pats though.

[KelVarnsen]

This thread is really fun to read when people take the Internet seriously. Thanks Al Gore!

[OILFAN #81]

Just realized Bowe probably just played his last game as a Chief. Grigson should go hard after him for next season. Bowe would be another great target for Andrew Luck.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Just realized Bowe probably just played his last game as a Chief. Grigson should go hard after him for next season. Bowe would be another great target for Andrew Luck.

Bowe as a Colt would definitely be nice, but I can't see the Colts going hard after a free agent WR especially with the help they need on the line and on defence.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Bowe as a Colt would definitely be nice, but I can't see the Colts going hard after a free agent WR especially with the help they need on the line and on defence.

Agreed. Defense is where they need the most help. Was just thinking Bowe would be the perfect reciever for Luck.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Agreed. Defense is where they need the most help. Was just thinking Bowe would be the perfect reciever for Luck.

Definitely agree with you there. Don't know anything about NFL salary cap/Colts cap situation so maybe they could swing it.

[TitovFTW]

The key for the Colts will be not rushing the process along after this season. They are playing a last place schedule and have had a ton go right for them this year. The Colts remain a team full of holes and in desperate need of protecting Andrew Luck better, to make sure he's healthy for a long time. Keep drafting smart, build a foundation and don't try to accelerate the process by bringing in free agents that are going to eat a lot of money.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Drake

Typical Tom Brady right there. Gets hit and whines to the referee. Go put on a skirt you baby.

You know whiners.

[ResAlien]

Tagliabue vacates all Saints players suspensions but would allow for fines (per ESPN).

[Senator Clay Davis]

So there was a bounty program...but no one should be punished for it? Well at least this is (God willing) finally over. One way or another, please let this be it.

[ResAlien]

Payton and Williams still suspended and the league can fine the guilty players. That's not "no one" and is punishment. Or are you saying it's not punishment enough for you?

[rubecube]

This is pretty consistent with how Tagliabue used to "punish" players while he was commissioner.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Payton and Williams still suspended and the league can fine the guilty players. That's not "no one" and is punishment. Or are you saying it's not punishment enough for you?

Well no....if the players engaged in the program, they deserve the be suspended. But this is an about face to save everyone: The NFL can claim it was right, there was a bounty...and the players don't have to suffer because of it. Suspending the organizers, but not the participants of the program is ridiculous, but as I said this crap is finally over so lets let it die and move on. Lords know we're all sick of talking about it.

[themedicineman]

"Adding to the complexity, there is little evidence of the tone of any talk about a bounty before the Vikings game. Was any bounty pledged serious? Was it inspirational only? Was it typical "trash talk" that occurs regularly before and during games? The parties presented no clear answers. No witness could confirm whether Vilma had any money in his hands as he spoke; no evidence was presented that $10,000 was available to him for purposes of paying a bounty or otherwise. There was no evidence that Vilma or anyone else paid any money to any player for any bounty-related hit on an opposing player in the Vikings game.

I don't think this part of Tag's statement should be overlooked. No evidence of bounty's prior to the Vikings game and no evidence of one in the Vikings game. No bounty program. Our coach was suspended for nothing now, and his contract voided.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Umm, or they did say the program existed...

“We respect Mr. Tagliabue’s decision, which underscores the due process afforded players in NFL disciplinary matters,” Aiello said. “This matter has now been reviewed by Commissioner Goodell, two CBA grievance arbitrators, the CBA Appeals Panel, and Mr. Tagliabue as Commissioner Goodell’s designated appeals officer. The decisions have made clear that the Saints operated a bounty program in violation of league rules for three years, that the program endangered player safety, and that the commissioner has the authority under the CBA to impose discipline for those actions as conduct detrimental to the league. Strong action was taken in this matter to protect player safety and ensure that bounties would be eliminated from football.”

So yeah...right there, for 3 years the ran it. Thats whats bizarre (or predictable) here: A decision that says they did it, but effectively allows the players to walk. An everyone wins (now anyways) situation.

[themedicineman]

It's more like nobody wins. The league doesn't win. goodell doesn't win. The team doesn't win. The only one that wins from this mess is Payton to be quite honest because of the payday he's about to get, even then there's a possibility that it won't be with the Saints. This year could cripple us for a decade if we lose him.

Also, why would you take anything that Aiello to say as true at this point? It's pretty clear all him and goodell do is spin every bit of wording in their favor. I quoted directly from Tagliabue's released statement.

[OILFAN #81]

Colts lose running back Donald Brown for the year and sign Mewelde Moore.

Vick Ballard as been the primary RB for the Colts lately and has done a great job.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Well no....if the players engaged in the program, they deserve the be suspended. But this is an about face to save everyone: The NFL can claim it was right, there was a bounty...and the players don't have to suffer because of it. Suspending the organizers, but not the participants of the program is ridiculous, but as I said this crap is finally over so lets let it die and move on. Lords know we're all sick of talking about it.

You only listen to what you want to hear on this topic. There wasn't sufficient evidence to suspend them. If Goddell says suspend them they are guilty, if Tag. says don't suspend them you think he's full of %$#%.

Of everyone on here, including those who have saints logos as avatars, you have had the most biased, blind, one sided, non negotiating viewpoint out of anyone.