2013 NFL Off-Season Thread

[HedleyLamarr]

I actually don't watch ESPN that much outside of live sporting events - doesn't mean it's not well-known that they talk about the Patriots a lot.

Your posting history about ESPN's programming (distant and not-so-distant past), not to mention ESPN's online articles, say otherwise. I know....semantics. Keep on backpedaling, though!

[DG_YouKnowWhatThatMeans]

I seldom watch ESPN but I still feel knowledgeable enough about sports. There are plenty of other sources for sports news that you can control the flow of information you receive. Turn off ESPN and you'll be surprised how much more enjoyable sports are.

[NJTank]

I seldom watch ESPN but I still feel knowledgeable enough about sports. There are plenty of other sources for sports news that you can control the flow of information you receive. Turn off ESPN and you'll be surprised how much more enjoyable sports are.

SO true, I have watched less and less Sportscenter and I feel much better.

If I want NHL highlights NHL Network

NBA Highlights NBA Network

MLB Network

and the NFL Network wrap up show Deion Sanders is hillarious.

Plus I have all the phone apps, and they get highlights too,

I stil read ESPN.com, because there sight is the best designed and easiest to find information I need, but I dont have to see the crap that has become Sportscenter.

[FiddySicks]

I was messing around on SB Nation and came across a really strange and tragic article about the death of former Ravens quarterback Cullen Finnerty. It's really kinda creepy, and I don't know just what to make of this story.

http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2013/6/10/4414198/the-mysterious-death-of-cullen-finnerty

Anyone else heard about this?

[Cosmic]

I was messing around on SB Nation and came across a really strange and tragic article about the death of former Ravens quarterback Cullen Finnerty. It's really kinda creepy, and I don't know just what to make of this story.

http://www.baltimore...cullen-finnerty

Anyone else heard about this?

That's very unfortunate... with no cause of death from the autopsy and no drugs in his system, it seems like it's well on its way to becoming a cold case.

[Lights Out]

The Chargers' team doctor (you know, the guy who got caught writing himself prescription drugs) has finally stepped down due to "back problems."

Maybe now they can go 5 minutes without someone getting a serious injury.... I can dream, right?

[ADW77]

Well, the Broncos released McGahee today. I think that means that Moreno is staying, and Ball is probably going to be the #1.

[dfwabel]

FYI, Pro Football Weekly has ceased operations, only a fantasy preview and a season preview, which already went into print, will be sold, but that's most likely it.

Nice writeup from The Houston Chronicle.

[Gothamite]

The Chargers' team doctor (you know, the guy who got caught writing himself prescription drugs) has finally stepped down due to "back problems."

Score one for Deadspin. Good for them.

As for Tebow, Hobo Bill has shown in the past that he's more than willing to sign the players written off by the rest of the league. And he's also willing to cut them the minute he realizes they can't produce for him. I'm still not sure we'll see Tim on an actual roster this year.

[CS85]

The NFL announced a change to its bag policy Thursday and beginning with the 2013 season, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags will be permitted inside NFL stadiums.

Under the new policy, fans will be allowed to bring one bag into stadiums and that bag must be clear and not exceed 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches.

Chanel, Prada and Gucci might not be on board with the new policy, which will prohibit purses from NFL stadiums. Small clutch bags are still permitted, as long they're no bigger than "the size of a hand."

"Our fans deserve to be in a safe and secure environment," NFL vice president and chief security officer Jeffrey Miller said in a statement. "Public safety is our top priority. This will make the job of checking items much more efficient and effective. We will be able to deliver a better and quicker experience at the gates and also provide a safer environment. We appreciate our fans' cooperation."

Here's a list of items from the NFL that you will not be allowed to bring into stadiums: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.

Just to be clear: You can still bring a camera, binoculars or a tablet into the stadium, you just can't bring any of those items in a non-clear bag.

http://www.cbssports...-purses-at-home

[chuckymack]

I think it's a reasonable rule. If I honestly had to guess, I'd say my wife's purse can hold 12 pistols. Considering they now make firearms out of non-metallic materials, one could easily float some buy security with a cooperative female and a large purse. Kinda surprised nothing's happened sooner, to be honest.

[Sport]

The NFL announced a change to its bag policy Thursday and beginning with the 2013 season, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags will be permitted inside NFL stadiums.

Under the new policy, fans will be allowed to bring one bag into stadiums and that bag must be clear and not exceed 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches.

Chanel, Prada and Gucci might not be on board with the new policy, which will prohibit purses from NFL stadiums. Small clutch bags are still permitted, as long they're no bigger than "the size of a hand."

"Our fans deserve to be in a safe and secure environment," NFL vice president and chief security officer Jeffrey Miller said in a statement. "Public safety is our top priority. This will make the job of checking items much more efficient and effective. We will be able to deliver a better and quicker experience at the gates and also provide a safer environment. We appreciate our fans' cooperation."

Here's a list of items from the NFL that you will not be allowed to bring into stadiums: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.

Just to be clear: You can still bring a camera, binoculars or a tablet into the stadium, you just can't bring any of those items in a non-clear bag.

http://www.cbssports...-purses-at-home

I understand safety measures and that you have to have them, but it's just another con to going to an NFL game as a fan.

This is coming from someone who went to 6 games last year (all on gifted tickets, I am the coolest), watching from your couch is so much better and easier than going to the game. I wasn't going to turn down free tickets, but I found myself looking forward to the weeks when the Bengals were out of town so I could stay at home or watch from the nearby watering hole.

[BBTV]

I would disagree nearly every time that watching at home is as good as going to a game. The only exception would be if it was raining. Or if your local team has a lousy stadium or in-game production. There's just something about the energy of the crowd and the different vantage points (yes you're not as close up as on TV, but you still see patterns develop and holes form and things from other aspects). It's an "event", as opposed to a TV show.

[DG_YouKnowWhatThatMeans]

I've been to four Bills games, all of them in wind, rain, snow or a combination of the three. The worse the weather, the drunker and more belligerent the crowd gets. Could just be bad luck for me, but I can't say I enjoy the NFL gameday experience.

[NJTank]

I've been to a few Dolphins-Jets game in the last few years and last year a group of Jets fans dressed like Corba Kai on Halloween and they even did the whole Mercy is not accepted at this dojo and smeared white paint on my hat, but I got the last laugh eventually they got the boot and I was sitting in a near empty stadium in the last five minutes of a Doiphins blowout win the day before Sandy arrived. One Jet fan who was classy complimented me on being a good fan for not reacting, but that is the worse that ever happened.

The year before the Dolphins loss and I got the NA NA NA Hey Hey good bye treamtent when I left with 10 mins left on MNF but that was minor and in good fun.

[FiddySicks]

I've been to too many NFL games that have either featured drives that are WAY too long to get there, crappy weather, awful seats, and/or terrible fans. It's simply not worth the effort it takes to go to an NFL game on a weekly basis. Once, maybe twice a season is cool, but any more than that would feel like a chore.

[Kramerica Industries]

In fairness, both the Oakland Coliseum and Candlestick are bottom-of-the-barrel facilities in today's NFL, and there's a reason both are on the outs. I don't know how many stadiums you've been to, but your general geography would have to place those two in the closest realm.

I don't know if this was posted here earlier, but I heard during the Yankees' recent trip through Oakland that the Mount Davis seats are going to be tarped off this season. Purpose defeated.

[rams80]

Safety? This is about making it even harder to smuggle in booze to the stadium.

[Gothamite]

Which itself can be a safety measure.

[NJTank]

Wow that is a shame, and this was a nice stadium before Mt. Davis