2018 NFL thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

The Titans 100% would have drafted Winston over Mariota if they had ended up with the #1 pick. Mariota appears to be regressing at this point, or at the very least he's stagnated. Fans will blame Mularkey, which is fine, but I seriously doubt bringing in a defensive HC now will accelerate his development. Mariota's ceiling doesn't look much higher than Tyrod Taylor at this point. He hasn't really developed as a pocket passer at all, and as devo mention he makes a lot of bad throws, and when I watch him he telegraphs some throws pretty badly at times.

Jameis is a scum person, without question, but I think even now most NFL teams would rather have him based purely on football ability. I seriously doubt he ever gets it together off the field, but this is the NFL so if he can bank a Super Bowl or two, he can sexually assault and rape his little heart out pretty much.

[DropIt]

QB controversy in Chicago!

Chase Daniel and the Bears' 2nd/3rd team looked pretty great against a good number of the Chiefs' #1s

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The Titans 100% would have drafted Winston over Mariota if they had ended up with the #1 pick. Mariota appears to be regressing at this point, or at the very least he's stagnated. Fans will blame Mularkey, which is fine, but I seriously doubt bringing in a defensive HC now will accelerate his development. Mariota's ceiling doesn't look much higher than Tyrod Taylor at this point. He hasn't really developed as a pocket passer at all, and as devo mention he makes a lot of bad throws, and when I watch him he telegraphs some throws pretty badly at times.

Jameis is a scum person, without question, but I think even now most NFL teams would rather have him based purely on football ability. I seriously doubt he ever gets it together off the field, but this is the NFL so if he can bank a Super Bowl or two, he can sexually assault and rape his little heart out pretty much.

I want to see how he does under LaFleur. He had shown flashes a couple years ago of being a very good QB. Last year under Robiskie was very frustrating to watch. It seemed he never utilized his strengths. Mariota had the best QB rating when they would use play action, problem is they barely used it.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The Titans 100% would have drafted Winston over Mariota if they had ended up with the #1 pick. Mariota appears to be regressing at this point, or at the very least he's stagnated. Fans will blame Mularkey, which is fine, but I seriously doubt bringing in a defensive HC now will accelerate his development. Mariota's ceiling doesn't look much higher than Tyrod Taylor at this point. He hasn't really developed as a pocket passer at all, and as devo mention he makes a lot of bad throws, and when I watch him he telegraphs some throws pretty badly at times.

Jameis is a scum person, without question, but I think even now most NFL teams would rather have him based purely on football ability. I seriously doubt he ever gets it together off the field, but this is the NFL so if he can bank a Super Bowl or two, he can sexually assault and rape his little heart out pretty much.

IMO Winston is far more talented than Mariota who IMO is very mediocre and I wouldn't be surprised if he's not an NFL starter in a few years. Winston's issue is what's between his ears not his talent. At the end of the day I feel both teams didn't get franchise QB's out of that draft.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by DropIt

QB controversy in Chicago!

Chase Daniel and the Bears' 2nd/3rd team looked pretty great against a good number of the Chiefs' #1s

The Chiefs #1's haven't stopped anyone all preseason. I knew they were in trouble when they started picking up Raiders cast-offs to play in their secondary.

[devo22]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1034069149578719233

[devo22]

Steelers are apparently trading a pick to Oakland for Ryan Switzer. Pretty happy with that, I remember that's a guy I wanted them to pick in the middle rounds back then (obviously they took a receiver earlier instead, drafting Juju Smith-Schuster in the 2nd round). Steelers need a quality return specialist badly, so this makes a ton of sense.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by devo22

Steelers are apparently trading a pick to Oakland for Ryan Switzer. Pretty happy with that, I remember that's a guy I wanted them to pick in the middle rounds back then (obviously they took a receiver earlier instead, drafting Juju Smith-Schuster in the 2nd round). Steelers need a quality return specialist badly, so this makes a ton of sense.

This is a good trade for the Steelers. I have no idea why they are trading Switzer because by all accounts he was great in camp. Don't be surprised if he becomes a nice little slot option for Ben at times this season.

[d_phaneuf]

Switzer has looked good and good practice reports too, think he will be a good pickup for the steelers, we have a bunch of young guys fighting for the last few wr spots so gruden must be a big fan of 1 or 2 of them

Or maybe wants an open spot for chris warren who keeps getting better at rb

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

Switzer has looked good and good practice reports too, think he will be a good pickup for the steelers, we have a bunch of young guys fighting for the last few wr spots so gruden must be a big fan of 1 or 2 of them

Or maybe wants an open spot for chris warren who keeps getting better at rb

I think the fact that Seth Roberts is un-tradeable and un-cuttable (carries $4.5 million dead cap hit) and they like Whalen better as a receiver plays a role in this. I try to not to have irrational dislikes for players but man Seth Roberts drives me nuts.

[devo22]

Switzer and a 6th for a 5th. Not bad.

[ResAlien]

The Raiders can’t possibly think trading the best defender they’ve had in maybe decades is a good idea can they? EE may want to write that cheque to rube now if Mack isn’t playing for them.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

The Raiders can’t possibly think trading the best defender they’ve had in maybe decades is a good idea can they? EE may want to write that cheque to rube now if Mack isn’t playing for them.

Where did you get the idea they were trading Mack? Just because teams are calling doesn't mean he's getting traded just like with OBJr when teams were calling the Giants inquiring. Maybe you haven't been paying attention but the Raiders defensive line has been fantastic in preseason (I know it doesn't mean a lot) as Hurst, Hall, and Key have been fantastic. Honestly if Mack didn't play a down for the Raiders this season I think they still have their best pass rush in years. That said I fully expect Mack to be back with the Raiders before the opener as he's due to make $13.85 million this season and every game he misses is money he will never get back at almost a million per game.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Well here's a new twist on NFL player criminal behavior

https://twitter.com/user/status/1034820006041866241

[Weitz]

I'm putting $20 on the Browns winning their division. This is their year.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I'm putting $20 on the Browns winning their division. This is their year.

Like you've already made the bet, or you're looking for someone to take that bet? Because I absolutely will.

#Gamblor

[Weitz]

Made it already. Not too worried about it. Like to cheer for an underdog every year.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Hue has to finish 3-45 before he gets put out of his misery, so I'm gonna say 2-14 this year for the Browns.

[Weitz]

Hard knocks this year is wildly entertaining too if you haven't checked it out.

[rubecube]

Fair enough. Curious what everyone has prediction-wise this year. I sort of have it as follows:

AFC East

New England 12-4
NY Jets 6-10
Buffalo 6-10
Miami 5-11

AFC North

Baltimore 11-5
Pittsburgh 10-6
Cincinnati 6-10
Cleveland 4-12

AFC South

Jacksonville 12-4
Houston 8-8
Tennessee 8-8
Indianapolis 6-10

AFC West

Chargers 11-5
KC 9-7
Denver 6-10
Oakland 6-10

NFC East

Philadelphia 12-4
Dallas 8-8
Washington 6-10
Giants 5-11

NFC North

Minnesota 11-5
Detroit 9-7
Green Bay 8-8
Chicago 7-9

NFC South

New Orleans 11-5
Atlanta 9-7
Tampa Bay 8-8
Carolina 7-9

NFC West

Rams 12-4
Seattle 9-7
San Fran 7-9
Arizona 6-10

I should add that I generally do my predictions based on various different statistical categories from the previous years, but the stats I prioritize are pythagorean expected wins and records in one-score games.