Some thoughts: around the NFL

[Elias]

we don’t discuss what’s happening around the league much but this year has been pretty interesting for sure:

1. Giants are a circus - Eli Apple has proven to be a divisive player. Landon Collins went on the air on sports radio and blasted his teammate by calling him a cancer. Collins quote is below. You don’t see players call each other out like this.

"There's one corner that ... he needs to grow up, and we all know who that is," Collins said, according to NJ.com. He didn't need to specify about whom he was speaking, in part because during the previous week on the same radio show, Collins had said that Apple "has to grow up."

"That would be the only person I would change out of our secondary group," Collins said Thursday. "The other two guys, [cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie] and [Janoris Jenkins], I love those guys. They play hard, they love what they do.

"But that first[-round] pick ... he's a cancer."

2. San Francisco 49ers - seems like they have found their franchise qb. Since Jimmy Garrapolo became the starter the 49ers have won four straight. The young QB has looked good doing it. With Mike Shanahan as his play caller he has looked very good. He will probably get a decent sized contract at year end. Is this a fluke or is he the real deal?

3. Mariota or Winston - it’s safe to say that after two full seasons under their belt neither qb has lived up to the hype. I remember the debates on here on who you would draft one or two. Although Mariota is better and has his team in charge of their playoff destiny, I’m not sure he has impressed or lived to his draft position. On the other hand, Winston is mentally unstable and is an awful qb. Every time I have watched him, he has looked terrible.

4. The Bills may be a force to be reckoned with in 2018. Sean McDermott has the team playing well and next year they have the capital to trade up and select a franchise QB or add more talent to a solid roster. As of right now, Buffalo has two first-round picks and two second-round picks. They also have picks in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds. The Bills have conditional picks in the sixth and seventh rounds, as well.

5. Coaches on the hot seat: Marvin Lewis, Chuck Pagano, Jack Del Rio, Jim Caldwell, John Fox, Vance Joseph, Bruce Arians. Lots of job openings this season but not sure if there are any sure candidates that can fill these positions.

6. The catch rule will need to be evaluated as will the centralized replay system. In my opinion both have been a disaster this season. No one knows what a catch is and it’s embarassing the league when the announcers are bad mouthing the league.

7. Dysfunction between the owners. Goodell getting an extension has created some tension between the owners with some supporting him and others going against him. Should be interesting to see all these egos go at it.

8. Dak Prescott has fallen down to earth. Since Zeke was suspended he hasn’t played well and may be the sole reason why the Cowboys are not in the playoffs this year. I am not sure if Prescott is a franchise QB anymore. Dez Bryant has also regressed to the point he his now more of a liability and a ticking time bomb than anything else.

Let me know if I missed anything but this has been a very interesting season indeed.

 

[LIJETFAN]

I would just add that for number 6, we've seen 3 games where the Patriots were beneficiaries of terrible calls by the officials related to the catch rule. That's the difference between making the playoffs and being a number 1 seed, and playing on the road.

Side note - There is perception amongst fans of favoritism by the league towards certain teams - starting with the Patriots. It's a love fest on every station, by every announcer. The NFL Network might as well be the Patriots/Steelers network. This is not just me speaking as a Jets fan that can't stand the Patriots, but I've heard this from fans all over the country, who are fans of different teams. After watching the calls this year, there is evidence to suggest bias by the league and the officials towards certain teams. It's unfortunate and it needs to stop.

I would also add that the league needs to cool it with the illegal contact, defensive holding and PI penalties on seemingly every pass play. I would love to know the ratio of those penalties to pass plays over the course of a season. I would guess it is very high. IMHO, it's ruining the game. After every incompletion, the receiver wants a flag. The QB asks for a flag every time they're hit. Officiating has always been bad. But now, it's dominating the sport. And in my estimation, ruining the sport. The games have become almost unwatchable at times.

 

[butterscotch]

Elias When you say BA is on the hot seat you mean he may retire or do you know something that I don't ? I was a little worried that the Cards may want to make a change but everything I read it is up to BA.

I was thinking that if the cards could get luck that might keep BA & Fitz on the team for a year or two. Add in three on the OL & that team would be ready for a SB run. Luck, Peterson, Fitz, & johnson would give them some O

 

[Elias]

Elias When you say BA is on the hot seat you mean he may retire or do you know something that I don't ? I was a little worried that the Cards may want to make a change but everything I read it is up to BA.

I was thinking that if the cards could get luck that might keep BA & Fitz on the team for a year or two. Add in three on the OL & that team would be ready for a SB run. Luck, Peterson, Fitz, & johnson would give them some O

youre right. I’ve read more about him retiring than being fired. I got my hot seat candidates from someone’s Twitter so not sure how credible it is. Arians has done a great job but sometimes teams have to move on. I think that’s where BA is at the moment. My guess is he calls it quits.

 

[butterscotch]

youre right. I’ve read more about him retiring than being fired. I got my hot seat candidates from someone’s Twitter so not sure how credible it is. Arians has done a great job but sometimes teams have to move on. I think that’s where BA is at the moment. My guess is he calls it quits.

my gut tells me is is leaning that way but if bidwell could land luck he & fitz might comeback

 

[TonyFtLaud]

we don’t discuss what’s happening around the league much but this year has been pretty interesting for sure:

1. Giants are a circus - Eli Apple has proven to be a divisive player. Landon Collins went on the air on sports radio and blasted his teammate by calling him a cancer. Collins quote is below. You don’t see players call each other out like this.

2. San Francisco 49ers - seems like they have found their franchise qb. Since Jimmy Garrapolo became the starter the 49ers have won four straight. The young QB has looked good doing it. With Mike Shanahan as his play caller he has looked very good. He will probably get a decent sized contract at year end. Is this a fluke or is he the real deal?

3. Mariota or Winston - it’s safe to say that after two full seasons under their belt neither qb has lived up to the hype. I remember the debates on here on who you would draft one or two. Although Mariota is better and has his team in charge of their playoff destiny, I’m not sure he has impressed or lived to his draft position. On the other hand, Winston is mentally unstable and is an awful qb. Every time I have watched him, he has looked terrible.

4. The Bills may be a force to be reckoned with in 2018. Sean McDermott has the team playing well and next year they have the capital to trade up and select a franchise QB or add more talent to a solid roster. As of right now, Buffalo has two first-round picks and two second-round picks. They also have picks in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds. The Bills have conditional picks in the sixth and seventh rounds, as well.

5. Coaches on the hot seat: Marvin Lewis, Chuck Pagano, Jack Del Rio, Jim Caldwell, John Fox, Vance Joseph, Bruce Arians. Lots of job openings this season but not sure if there are any sure candidates that can fill these positions.

6. The catch rule will need to be evaluated as will the centralized replay system. In my opinion both have been a disaster this season. No one knows what a catch is and it’s embarassing the league when the announcers are bad mouthing the league.

7. Dysfunction between the owners. Goodell getting an extension has created some tension between the owners with some supporting him and others going against him. Should be interesting to see all these egos go at it.

8. Dak Prescott has fallen down to earth. Since Zeke was suspended he hasn’t played well and may be the sole reason why the Cowboys are not in the playoffs this year. I am not sure if Prescott is a franchise QB anymore. Dez Bryant has also regressed to the point he his now more of a liability and a ticking time bomb than anything else.

Let me know if I missed anything but this has been a very interesting season indeed.

On number 3 the debate is still valid. The knock on Mariota was durability , deep ball accuracy and leadership ability. All have been an issue.
Winston's was his accuracy and character off field.
He's had no issues in the off field concerns, accuracy is still very much an issue.
Mariota has a much better supporting cast this year. The off-season talk was all about the talent he was surrounded with and they were said to have the 3rd best roster in the league , we're favorites to win the division , prior to adding Decker.

Who is better...

YDS. TD INT. Rating

3,141

18

8

96.5

3,098

12

15

78.6

neither has lived up to the hype but both have the tools. I think the debate will continue until one makes the necessary steps. As of now both have been overshadowed by much "lesser " prospects.

 

[Elias]

Chuck Pagano was fired