2009 season

[EastStandBlue]

So you hate New England but love Tampa. Going to Wembley in October?

Honestly speaking, I don't have any real affiliation with any NFL team... I'll root for Tampa purely on the basis that I've been to see them a handful of times when I've been stateside. I would've loved to have gone in October, but without being a member of NFL Uk, Tickets aren't exactly easy to come by.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

ps Sort of related, although not NFL, anyone else watching Friday Night Lights?

It follows the fortunes of a fictional Texan high school team and football's role in small town America (esp the South). It's hidden away in the ITV4 schedules and you'll need to be either an insomniac or Sky+ it.

 

[EastStandBlue]

ps Sort of related, although not NFL, anyone else watching Friday Night Lights?

It follows the fortunes of a fictional Texan high school team and football's role in small town America (esp the South). It's hidden away in the ITV4 schedules and you'll need to be either an insomniac or Sky+ it.

Truely amazing TV, Has won countless awards but doesn't get anywhere near the coverage it deserves. I'm up to date with it, watching it online via the video hosting websites, but it really does make for gripping television.

Obviously the Film and Book is based on a true story, whereas the show isn't. While I was in America it was the anniversary of the unbeaten season Odessa(?) had, and they tried to bring back the squad together, and American Weekly ran a feature on it. The Wide Reciever who was injured, the star of the squad, is unemployed and now facing jail time on an assault charge.

Way to fall for a childhood prodigy destined for the NFL... Harsh indictment for the way that society chewed him up and spat him out.

 

[Benji91]

ps Sort of related, although not NFL, anyone else watching Friday Night Lights?

It follows the fortunes of a fictional Texan high school team and football's role in small town America (esp the South). It's hidden away in the ITV4 schedules and you'll need to be either an insomniac or Sky+ it.

Based on a great book which im reading now - if you can get hold of a copy its a really good read as to how this real life town live and breath high school football (albeit from the 80's). If not let me know and ill send you my copy when im done.

As for Bernard Scott he didnt feature too much on what ive seen... he got some camera time in the Rams game as he fumbled on his first carry - then later on in the game they give him the ball as they are backed up on their own goal line and he breaks a run for a first down.... then they cut to a clip with Carson give him some words of advice along the lines of "everyone makes a mistake, its how you react and in a real game, that play was a game changer" .
Obviously Andre Smith got a lot of tv time... the frustrations of getting him to sign a contract.... his agent was all about making him a millionaire... as soon as he signed the contract it wasnt "great, your a Bengal, go get 'em"... the first words out of the agents mouth were "congratulations, you're now a millionaire"

Back of my head all i could hear was "1st round draft bust"

 

[Pubey]

Friday Night Lights is fantastic, one of my top 3 film soundtracks too

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Based on a great book which im reading now - if you can get hold of a copy its a really good read as to how this real life town live and breath high school football (albeit from the 80's). If not let me know and ill send you my copy when im done.

As for Bernard Scott he didnt feature too much on what ive seen... he got some camera time in the Rams game as he fumbled on his first carry - then later on in the game they give him the ball as they are backed up on their own goal line and he breaks a run for a first down.... then they cut to a clip with Carson give him some words of advice along the lines of "everyone makes a mistake, its how you react and in a real game, that play was a game changer" .
Obviously Andre Smith got a lot of tv time... the frustrations of getting him to sign a contract.... his agent was all about making him a millionaire... as soon as he signed the contract it wasnt "great, your a Bengal, go get 'em"... the first words out of the agents mouth were "congratulations, you're now a millionaire"

Back of my head all i could hear was "1st round draft bust"

Andre Smith's agent was apparently well out of his depth. I've still high hopes for Smith. Before all the draft ******** he was considered the standout O-lineman in college and a possible first overall pick. None of the criticisms of him had anything to do with the what people saw on the extensive game tape of him. He produced at a high level for IIRC 3 years at College. There seem to be concerns over whether he has the hunger (or rather the right hunger, given his size) but his contract apparently stipulates that if he's overweight he only gets paid half as much. He sounds as if he's very money orientated (apparently the reason he started playing left tackle is that someone told him that after QBs, the LT gets paid the most) but as long as he realises the way to make money is to perform on the field, then he should be a solid pick.

Will have to check out the Friday Night Lights book, because I'm hooked to the TV series.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Just backed Atlanta to win the Super Bowl at 31/1 (on Betfair, so with a view to trading it) and 5/2 with Paddy Power to win the ultra-competitive NFC South. Let's see...

 

[Pubey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWGoSc28B1M&feature=related

 

[jassyfa1]

Im a huge Eagles fan, and managed to watch them at the old wembley in a pre-season match in the 90's. I have also been to Candlestick Park to watch the 49ers lose to the Redskins in Jan 2000. I have seen a host of teams at Wembley when the NFL had a pre-season game there.
Im also hoping that I get my stewarding badge from Wembley for the Buccs vs Pats game in October.
i have a bet on Pats, Steelers, Chargers and Bears to win their divisions althoughthe odds are crap its always fun to see how well you do.

 

[Uncle Leo]

A little NFL thought for the day, courtesy of ESPN's Bill Simmons:

"The following coaches are now out of the NFL: Tony Dungy, Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Marty Schottenheimer. Combined record: 4,512-175 (approximate). Meanwhile, the following coaches are still in the NFL: Dick Jauron, Brad Childress, Tom Cable, Wade Phillips. Combined record: 109-978 (approximate)."

 

[jassyfa1]

A little NFL thought for the day, courtesy of ESPN's Bill Simmons:

"The following coaches are now out of the NFL: Tony Dungy, Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Marty Schottenheimer. Combined record: 4,512-175 (approximate). Meanwhile, the following coaches are still in the NFL: Dick Jauron, Brad Childress, Tom Cable, Wade Phillips. Combined record: 109-978 (approximate)."

I read that yesterday on ESPN, I think Schottenheimer has ben to the AFC playoff final 3 times and lost them all (Browns and Chargers), although he never got on with the management in any of his teams.
I also think Cowher retired after the Steelers won a superbowl so he could go out on top of his game. There are other top coaches out there who prefer to coach at college level as the money is better and college football is bigger than the NFL.

 

[Uncle Leo]

I read that yesterday on ESPN, I think Schottenheimer has ben to the AFC playoff final 3 times and lost them all (Browns and Chargers), although he never got on with the management in any of his teams.
I also think Cowher retired after the Steelers won a superbowl so he could go out on top of his game. There are other top coaches out there who prefer to coach at college level as the money is better and college football is bigger than the NFL.

I think you're right about Coach Cowher. He was at the helm at Pittsburgh for a long time and is now a TV analyst. Tony Dungy is a very religious man, he has talked about a life dedicated to that as being more important to him than the NFL.

I didn't know money was better at college level. Blimey.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I didn't know money was better at college level. Blimey.

This is Lyle Hitt showing you around the new LSU Football Facility...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLWagEGQvEE

Ridiculous...

 

[jassyfa1]

If you have ESPN watch their American channel on a saturday evening.
Also this is the capacity of some of the college stadiums
Penn State play at Beaver Stadium capacity 107,282
Michagan play at Michagan Stadium capacity 106,201
Ohio buckeyes play at ohio stadium capacity 102, 329
including the above there are 11 stadiums used for college american football with a 90,000 plus capacity and 1 stadium with a 90,000 plus capacity used for the NFL (Washington)
for salerys Pete Carroll of USC earns $4,400,000 per year, with another 68 coaches earning over $1,000,000 a year.
Sources Wikipedia and americasbestonline net

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Hail to the Redskins
Hail Vic-tor-eeeee
Braves on the warpath,
FIGHT! For all D.C.!

Logic dictates a 7-9/8-8 finish and a 4th place in the NFC East but I'm always hopeful. If Campbell can play 16 games the way he played the first 8 last year, Portis and Moss stay healthy and Haynesworth and Orakpo give us a pass rush, the 'Skins could upset the Cowpukes, the Dog killers and the Midgets.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

The Bengals are still the Bungles, having managed the ignominy of losing to Kyle Orton and the Broncos.

The defence seemed to play well, particularly when with about 6 minutes left Odom sacked Orton to take the Broncos out of field goal range. Palmer then orchestrated a 91 yard touchdown drive to finally put some points on the board and put the Bungles 7-6 up with 20 seconds remaining, but the clock was then adjusted to 38 seconds. First play Orton is picked off, but the CB is ruled out of bounds, second play the other CB tips a pass to Brandon Marshall which somehow ends up in the hands of Brandon Stokely who just walks it in 40 yards. Unbelievable stuff, real snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Hail to the Redskins
Hail Vic-tor-eeeee
Braves on the warpath,
FIGHT! For all D.C.!

Grrrrrr!!! :madman:

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Grrrrrr!!! :madman:

Despite the seemingly small 6 point victory for the Midgets over the 'Skins, it was a very one-sided game. Before the final Washington scoring drive, the Redskins' best offensive player was the punter on the fake field goal. Washington has no offense. End of story.

 

[Benji91]

The Bengals are still the Bungles, having managed the ignominy of losing to Kyle Orton and the Broncos.

The defence seemed to play well, particularly when with about 6 minutes left Odom sacked Orton to take the Broncos out of field goal range. Palmer then orchestrated a 91 yard touchdown drive to finally put some points on the board and put the Bungles 7-6 up with 20 seconds remaining, but the clock was then adjusted to 38 seconds. First play Orton is picked off, but the CB is ruled out of bounds, second play the other CB tips a pass to Brandon Marshall which somehow ends up in the hands of Brandon Stokely who just walks it in 40 yards. Unbelievable stuff, real snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

When the Jets game finished CBS cut to the end of the Bronco's game with those 38 seconds left -- it was unreal to watch.... pretty much the only way Orton can get a 30yd+ completion.

Then there was Sunday night..... very dissapointing start from Cutler, a couple of really bad decisions causing INT's... at one point i thought he was throwing to the fudge packers on purpose....
Also lost Urlacher to a dislocated wrist which seemed to open up the run for them..... i was full of optimism before yesterday for the season but having seen the Vikes and Packers not so much now... Vikings looked very strong but there are always the 2 games against the Lions to look forward to for some W's

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Got to be happy with the Saints start and Drew Brees throwing 6 touchdowns. Still worried about the defense but as long as we score more than we concede we'll win (is Kevin Keegan in charge?) Should be a good game next week @ Eagles, and one i'm looking forward to seeing on Sky Sports.