2011 NFL Playoffs Thread

[FlamingLonghorn]

Congrats Steelers!!! Utterly dominated the first half. Jets couldn't tackle Mendenhall to save their lives. Jets had a good run in the 2nd half to but once again Schottenheimer's bad playcalling pops up on the goalline. I think Pack win the SB. They have speed the Jets don't to help contain Rothlisberger.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Cutler still sucks.

Say what you want about Josh McDaniels but he knew that Cutler wasn't a winner or a leader. He's just another athlete with elite physical skills and poor mindset. He's pretty well the reincarnation of Jeff George.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

I think Big Ben can do a lot for a team, especially with his feet, and is a good quarterback but he's not in the Manning/Brady league. Once again I felt in these playoffs, it's shown how much of this is a team game, and all the power to him if he gets his 3rd ring this season but I'm not going to buy into the comparisons being made of him to Brady and Manning.

Roethlisberger is now 10-2 in his playoff career, good for 2nd all-time in winning % behind only Bart Starr. Sure he doesn't have the MVP's that Manning or Favre do, but he doesn't implode in key games either. The guy just doesn't get the respect he deserves. He's better than Brees or Rivers IMO.

[merlin]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Roethlisberger is now 10-2 in his playoff career, good for 2nd all-time in winning % behind only Bart Starr. Sure he doesn't have the MVP's that Manning or Favre do, but he doesn't implode in key games either. The guy just doesn't get the respect he deserves. He's better than Brees or Rivers IMO.

I think Roethlisberger is alot like Chris Osgood, He's never going to get the respect because of the team he plays for. When people look back at his career they will see at least 3 Super Bowl victories and no MVP's. Osgood, 3 stanley cups and no MVP's.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

He's better than Brees or Rivers IMO.

I don't know if he's better. He's really good at making enough plays to win behind annually one of the best defenses in the league. How many passes did he need to complete yesterday? Not going to argue that he's a winner but on a team with a lesser defense where he has to do more than just manage games I'm willing to bet you would see lots more mistakes and mediocre play from him.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by browna

Like your optimism, but last time Bears got into the playoffs was 4 years ago. Lovie has to go now or get extended, otherwise he's a lame duck next year.
As far as the team, in addition to now having a 1st place schedule, they suddenly have a fairly big issue at hand with Cutler.

There were questions coming into the playoffs about his mental ability to handle the pressure. He got lucky a few times last week on plays which could have had him implode confidence wise, but he managed to scrape by. Today though, did nothing while he watched the Packers go up by 14. He pulled it back a little bit, but then got hurt. He doesn't even know when or how he got hurt, suddenly he's out of the game...a try to ride the bike, but that was it, he was done. I was watching at the gym, couldn't believe it...just standing there...no physio, no nothing, he was done in an NFC championship game.

The question marks are already surrounding him, not from emotional fans, but from colleagues. There's a chance he's fairly hurt, but then others point to Rivers completing one game and starting another with a torn ACL a few years back. However it turns out in the next couple days, the optics of everything don't look good from today and there will always be question marks and whispers.

Regardless, until Cutler can win the big game, he's going to be under a huge microscope...and with the events of today, that scrutiny is going to be more intense, fairly or not, as to if he's got the mental ability to match his physical ability. For a guy that doesn't really seem to enjoy the spotlight or questions, it could be difficult on him to have to deal with all next year and before next years playoffs, if he reaches them.

The Bears were able to do it with Orton last time, and Cutler's a better Qb when he's on, but when he's off, he's really off. A game like this won't silence his critics or raise the confidence of anyone, or maybe even he has in himself, and it will be a distraction for the Bears all offseason and into next season, whether they like it or not.

Im really not going to argue with any of that.

I would like to see what is wrong with his knee before making any judgementsm, but if its not something that would require surgery or somthing equally as serious I can see some members of the team, namely leaders, being pretty upset.

I thought Caleb Hanie did a great job stepping in last night and was wondering why he wass 3rd on the QB depth chart. Hopefully we get to see him get a legitimate shot next season at a backup role

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Roethlisberger is now 10-2 in his playoff career, good for 2nd all-time in winning % behind only Bart Starr. Sure he doesn't have the MVP's that Manning or Favre do, but he doesn't implode in key games either. The guy just doesn't get the respect he deserves. He's better than Brees or Rivers IMO.

The Osgood comparison is a very good one. I don't think Brees, Brady, Manning being the level of quarterbacks they are, make Roethlisberger any less of a quarterback. He has made some big plays in the regular season and in the playoffs for the Steelers. But he has been fortunate to play for a team with great defenses year after year, and an ability to pound the ball on the ground.

You put him on the Colts this year, and there's no way that team makes the playoffs and the same could probably be said about the Patriots. He may not get the respect he deserves, but he's not held to the same standards, or even close, to the elite quarterbacks of this league. Had either Brady or Manning came out and had a quarterback rating of 35.5 at home in an AFC Conference Championship game, they would be grilled in the media, even if their team won.

That being said, your not trying to put him on that pedestal next to those two yourself, and comparing him to Phillip Rivers, who couldn't get the Chargers to the playoffs this season, even with the #1 ranked defense in the league. Looking at a player like Roethlisberger, I think you see how much of a team game football truly is. If Mike Vick punches that ball into the endzone at the end of that GreenBay/Philly game, Rodgers has still not won a playoff game and a lot fans/media alike would be very quick to bring that up right after the game and all through the offseason.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't know if he's better. He's really good at making enough plays to win behind annually one of the best defenses in the league. How many passes did he need to complete yesterday? Not going to argue that he's a winner but on a team with a lesser defense where he has to do more than just manage games I'm willing to bet you would see lots more mistakes and mediocre play from him.

I do agree to a point, but at the same time you've got many people saying Sanchez is starting to become an "elite" QB by knocking out both Brady and Manning in the playoffs. Sanchez doesn't deserve all of the credit either for a great Jets defence, and on that same note if NYJ had Ben I think they'd be in the Superbowl.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

I do agree to a point, but at the same time you've got many people saying Sanchez is starting to become an "elite" QB by knocking out both Brady and Manning in the playoffs. Sanchez doesn't deserve all of the credit either for a great Jets defence, and on that same note if NYJ had Ben I think they'd be in the Superbowl.

That was just annoying to hear all freaking week, especially some of the people interviewing him, just gushing over the fact he had "taken out" Brady and Manning.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

That was just annoying to hear all freaking week, especially some of the people interviewing him, just gushing over the fact he had "taken out" Brady and Manning.

Yeah it was. I can only hope that Sanchez is as humble and hardworking as he appears. I don't think he lets any of that go to his head.

[transplant99]

ESPN reporting that Cutler has a torn MCL. If true, those players that tweeted yesterday all that crap they did, should be ashamed of themselves.

And I dont like Jay Cutler.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Sowa

Yeah it was. I can only hope that Sanchez is as humble and hardworking as he appears. I don't think he lets any of that go to his head.

I don't like the Jets at all, but he is one of the few players that I respect on that team. He seems like a down to earth guy who doesn't get into the garbage that other players do. LT is in the same boat. A good guy.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by transplant99

ESPN reporting that Cutler has a torn MCL. If true, those players that tweeted yesterday all that crap they did, should be ashamed of themselves.

And I dont like Jay Cutler.

Yup. I knew it had to be a major injury. No way is anyone going to quit on their team by not even playing in a NFC Championship game. Someone might not go as hard on the field, but they would not sit on the sidelines.

[North East Goon]

Is it fair to say the Steelers are the Detroit Red Wings of the NFL? Just a fantastic organization that really know's how to build winning clubs. Take note my San Francisco 49ers.

[transplant99]

More on Cutler.

http://www.suntimes.com/3468147-417/...mcl-smith.html

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Tweets from NFL players re Cutlers knee injury..


Hey I think the urban meyer rule is effect right now... When the going gets tough........QUIT..less than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterMaurice Jones-Drew
Jones_Drew32

All I'm saying is that he can finish the game on a hurt knee... I played the whole season on one...less than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterMaurice Jones-Drew
Jones_Drew32

FOX HAVENT SHOWED ANY TRAINERS LOOKING AT CUTLER, UMMMless than a minute ago via webDerrick Brooks
DBrooks55

Cutler is messing up ppls money. Collins may not get invited back next yr. He didn't come to work to work..smh.less than a minute ago via EchofonLeCharles Bentley
LeCharlesBent65

I've hurt my knee playing football 4 times. Never once did I then stand up on sidelines afterwards.less than a minute ago via OpenBeakRoss Tucker
RossTuckerNFL

If my knee was hurt or acl/mcl/pcl sprain, I would not be standing up on the sideline. #jaycutlerless than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterKirk Morrison
kirkmorrison55

If I'm on chicago team jay cutler has to wait till me and the team shower get dressed and leave before he comes in the locker room! #FACTless than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterDARNELL DOCKETT
ddockett

Once again Twitter proves that people type faster then they can think.

[Knut]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_812996.html

Bears fans were burning his Jersey.... Wow.. hope they feel bad now that it has been shown he has a torn MCL.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by Hesla

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_812996.html

Bears fans were burning his Jersey.... Wow.. hope they feel bad now that it has been shown he has a torn MCL.

They are quickly becoming as bad as Philly fans. With absolutely no idea about what his injury actually is they all call for his head on a pike.

When your entire team is defending your starting QB. Urlacher and Kreutz to be specific, I think as fans you should show some respect and defend him before throwing him off the deep end.

[DropIt]

Caleb dubunks the theory that Cutler didn't help/do anything with his QBs on the sideline.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nf...ory?id=6053836

[OILFAN #81]

I just LOVE how Maurice Jones Drew bashed Cutler. MJD, didn't you miss the final 2 games of the regular season due to injury? How dare you not play in Jacksonville's most important games in years?! You were in 1st place in the division with 2 weeks left and didn't play at all and don't put forth an effort to play? Time to burn the MJD jersey's!