2014 NFL Season Thread

[vicfurth]

Someone has to win the Super Bowl in February. The bad thing is that the other team has to lose. It is what it is.

Keep this hard hitting reporting up, man. Your posts are an inspiration!

[GriffinM6]

I'd love to see Winston screw up in Tampa. Mariota is so much more deserving of success than dirtbag Winston.

[BBTV]

with all the recent talk (locally) about how bad the Eagles QB situation is, and how (other than the obvious hole at DB) that's the most important offseason improvement area, and how the owner today didn't give any indication that he was OK with Foles and/or Sanchez coming back next season, don't be shocked if the Eagles stupidly pull a Washington and trade their next 30 drafts for the top pick. Everything is pointing to them trying to solve all their defensive issues through free agency and fixing QB through the draft... and there's only one player they'd be interested in (hint - he has a connection to Chip Kelly.)

[JayMac]

with all the recent talk (locally) about how bad the Eagles QB situation is, and how (other than the obvious hole at DB) that's the most important offseason improvement area, and how the owner today didn't give any indication that he was OK with Foles and/or Sanchez coming back next season, don't be shocked if the Eagles stupidly pull a Washington and trade their next 30 drafts for the top pick. Everything is pointing to them trying to solve all their defensive issues through free agency and fixing QB through the draft... and there's only one player they'd be interested in (hint - he has a connection to Chip Kelly.)

I will know many of my friends will be furious about that. That will set the franchise back just like the situation in Washington DC.

[BBTV]

with all the recent talk (locally) about how bad the Eagles QB situation is, and how (other than the obvious hole at DB) that's the most important offseason improvement area, and how the owner today didn't give any indication that he was OK with Foles and/or Sanchez coming back next season, don't be shocked if the Eagles stupidly pull a Washington and trade their next 30 drafts for the top pick. Everything is pointing to them trying to solve all their defensive issues through free agency and fixing QB through the draft... and there's only one player they'd be interested in (hint - he has a connection to Chip Kelly.)

I will know many of my friends will be furious about that. That will set the franchise back just like the situation in Washington DC.

Definitely - but if I'm Tampa's GM, I'm on the phone with Chip and Howie right f.cking now.

[JayMac]

Oh absolutely. Would Howie be dumb enough to do something like that? Chip may want to pull the trigger on a deal like that because his job may depend on it next year. Roseman needs to be a little more mindful (unless he will be on the hot seat as well).

[BBTV]

Oh absolutely. Would Howie be dumb enough to do something like that? Chip may want to pull the trigger on a deal like that because his job may depend on it next year. Roseman needs to be a little more mindful (unless he will be on the hot seat as well).

It's debatable who really has the final say. In the draft, I think it's Chip. In FA, I think it's still Chip, but Howie has to make the $ work, so he could veto.

Either way - I don't think either have anything to worry about as far as jobs are concerned. Lurie has shown to be loyal to a fault (Reid should have been gone 5 years before he was, and he should never have let Banner get as much power as he got) and these are his guys. That's not changing until contract renewal time at earliest.

Also - Chip Kelly doesn't care about his job. If he's let go, he simply chooses which college job to take. If anything, it's the Eagles that need to worry about his interest in them - not the other way around.

[NJTank]

It is officiall Mike Wallace is the NFL's version of Bobby Bonilla.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/report--mike-wallace-quit-on-dolphins-teammates-014515065.html

The Miami Dolphins are headed toward their offseason golf dates carrying more baggage than just their clubs.

After finishing another playoff-free year with a loss to the lowly New York Jets, the Dolphins now have to deal with another issue from oft-upset Mike Wallace. The big-money wide receiver did not catch a pass in Sunday's 37-24 home loss and did not play in the second half. Wallace's absence was initially explained by coach Joe Philbin as a "coaching decision" but Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network later reported that Wallace committed arguably the worst sin in professional sports.

What a disgrace, Joe Philbin has no control on his team. This team needs to hit rock bottom I guess. Because nothing ever changes.

[BBTV]

Also, LeSean McCoy will have to restructure his contract to avoid being released.

If he's cut, I can only imagine the line that will form to take him. He said he knows something has to happen in order for him to stay, and he's open to a "restructure", but that doesn't mean he's open to the pay cut that will likely be required.

[IceCap]

Wow, wow, wow. I'm so proud of the Panthers and the way they have bounced back. This may turn out to be one of my favorite seasons as a fan. Now I'm mad they didn't shut the Dirty Birds out.

IceCap, I really wanted the Chargers to win. I even made this roundel:

Oh yeah, Headley, remember what I said about fame fleeting after the first game?

Oh yeah, #KeepPounding.

Seriously though, I love that roundel

Arizona's my #2 team but let's be honest. Short of a Carson Palmer faith healing? They're not going anywhere. So go Panthers!

So Chargers, what's the excuse this time? All needed was a win-and-you're-in and with no Alex Smith for the Chiefs...and you still find a way to derp those postseason hopes away.

[FiddySicks]

I would love to see this on the front page of SF Chronicle tomorrow morning, because it's absolutely spot on.

http://deadspin.com/the-niners-are-:censored:ing-stupid-1675908516?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

[ninersdd]

Steelers-Ravens Saturday Night. Can't wait to see the endless dick measuring contests after the play between those two.

Anyway it's also:

AZ-CAR Saturday at 1:30

CIN-IND Sunday at 10

DET-DAL at 1:40

Go Cards!

[GriffinM6]

I would love to see this on the front page of SF Chronicle tomorrow morning, because it's absolutely spot on.

http://deadspin.com/the-niners-are-:censored:ing-stupid-1675908516?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Great read right there. Really solid points.

And the Steelers are division champs again! Great play all around, but especially great job by the linemen giving Ben loads of time tonight.

Bell getting hurt isn't good, but if we can pull out a win at home without him, I think he'll come out strong in the divisional round. Can't wait to take on the disgusting Ravens next week.

[dbadefense1990]

The 2014-15 NFL Postseason is all-set:

AFC

1. New England

2. Denver

3. Pittsburgh vs. 6. Baltimore

4. Indianapolis vs. 5. Cincinnati

NFC

1. Seattle

2. Green Bay

3. Dallas vs. 6. Detroit

4. Carolina vs. 5. Arizona

[Mac the Knife]

I so want to see the Panthers make it to at least the NFC title game now... and Baltimore go to the AFC title game. Let's have a 7-8-1 team in the Super Bowl!

[Unocal]

Andy Dalton is no Jeff Blake or Carson Palmer. Hell, he's not even Jon Kitna.

[Still MIGHTY]

This was really the best case scenario for the Colts. They can beat the Bengals. (Hell, they already shut them out.) I'll enjoy Sunday's game, and wait for next week's beat down loss at New England or Denver.

[DaRadniz29]

Also the Lions dont sleep on them, they have a chance to win in Dallas.

Even if the league drops the banhammer on Suh like they should?

Yeah without Suh the Lions still can beat the Cowboys because of the Lion's Defense.

Also what's with it with the Lions players stomping on other players? Suh has know done this twice from my count, not to mention the groin kick, and then last week I think it was someone on the Lions that stomped on one of the Bears.

Then tonight Suh does the stomp again tonight. While the first one tonight may have been incidental, there's absolutely no way the left-foot-pressing down on Rodgers ankle was completely intentional.

[Sport]

Andy Dalton is no Jeff Blake or Carson Palmer. Hell, he's not even Jon Kitna.

He's better than Blake and Kitna. He's arguably better than Palmer's last couple seasons with the Bengals. Palmer was terrible those years. If AJ Green doesn't fumble the Bengals win the game tonight. Wasn't Andy Dalton's fault. So Bengals like to bite themselves in the ass against Pittsburgh.

The Bengals played like garbage in Indianapolis earlier this year. I don't expect a repeat of that performance. It'll be a closer game.

oh and my personal playoff losing streak (Blue Jackets, Reds, Bengals) is currently at 12. Please don't go 13 so I can stop thinking about it.

and if you're a Steelers fan with no connection to the city of Pittsburgh then congratulations you're the worst person in sports. Go fall in a hole.

[BigEd76]

Oh absolutely. Would Howie be dumb enough to do something like that? Chip may want to pull the trigger on a deal like that because his job may depend on it next year. Roseman needs to be a little more mindful (unless he will be on the hot seat as well).

It's debatable who really has the final say. In the draft, I think it's Chip. In FA, I think it's still Chip, but Howie has to make the $ work, so he could veto.

Either way - I don't think either have anything to worry about as far as jobs are concerned. Lurie has shown to be loyal to a fault (Reid should have been gone 5 years before he was, and he should never have let Banner get as much power as he got) and these are his guys. That's not changing until contract renewal time at earliest.

Also - Chip Kelly doesn't care about his job. If he's let go, he simply chooses which college job to take. If anything, it's the Eagles that need to worry about his interest in them - not the other way around.

1. Can we PLEASE stop this bull*** about Chip wanting to go back to college any chance he gets? In two REBUILDING years, he's gone 10-6 and shown that his system works in the NFL. How many times does he have to say that he's not interested in available coaching jobs (Texas, Florida, Michigan, whatever) before people get the hint that he's not interested in coaching college anymore when he's shown to be successful at the highest level of football in the world?

2. To go from #20 to #1, it would take three #1s PLUS. Not going to happen. Fans need to give up on this stupid Mariota dream....he's not coming here! Despite what Lurie said today, I expect Foles to be the starter again next year (without a $100M extension), with Sanchez re-signing a 1-yr deal as the backup (nobody is going to pay him starter money), and I think they're going to look long and hard at Brett Hundley as a potential development QB. The other option is trading for someone's bust, like RGIII, EJ Manuel or Geno Smith. Kaepernick is another name I've seen recently, but after he got that new deal, I think it's 99.9999999999% guaranteed he'll be back as SF's starter.

3. I was surprised to read the stuff about Shady after the game today, but I think this gets worked out and he'll be back. Chip loves the guy and this isn't the DeSean situation again.