What NFL story lines are you guys most interested in? Besides the usual Rex, Brady, Pats?

[Elias]

What NFL story lines are you guys most interested in? Besides the usual Rex, Brady, Pats?

For me it's:

Andrew Luck. Will he take the next step and be successful in the playoffs? Here are some notable feuds to look into this season:

We are at the All-Star break for Major League Baseball and that only means one thing: We're getting closer to football season.

I can't wait.

Excitement's building. Training camp and preseason games are right around the corner. Something is missing, though. And I think I know what it is ...

Hate.

I miss the pure loathing.

OK, truth be told, I miss Jim Harbaugh and the venom he brought to a matchup that became football's best rivalry in recent years: 49ers vs. Seahawks, a blood feud fueled by sheer disdain. I yearn for some Harbaugh-vs.-Pete Carroll offseason shenanigans, setting up two (or three) incredible gridiron clashes. But this offseason, the 49ers foolishly said goodbye to one of the best coaches (and most unique personalities) in football. And that was just the beginning of an astounding offseason of attrition in San Francisco. Consequently, the juice is gone from Niners-'Hawks. With Harbaugh now off in Ann Arbor, the rivalry's rancor recedes.

So I find myself spanning the NFL globe, seeking bad blood to appease the dark part of my heart. Fortunately, it appears strife does exist elsewhere.

Heading into the 2015 season, here are nine feuds I will look to love, based upon the hate:

1) DeSean Jackson vs. NFC East

I think there's a very realistic chance all four teams in the NFC East fall in the range of 7-to-10 wins. Divisional bouts are going to be intense and fun. And when it comes to players who can breed contempt among rival teams, DeSean Jackson's a man worth watching.

Last month, on his BET reality TV show, "DeSean Jackson: Home Team," the Washington Redskins wideout didn't pull any punches when discussing his NFC East rivals: "They call me the Cowboy killer. I'm a Giants killer, I'm a Cowboys killer -- now I'm an Eagles killer, too."

Last season, DJax did indeed kill Philly, the team that released him in the 2014 offseason and, according to Jackson, "tried to blow me up." In his first two games against the organization that drafted him, Jackson piled up 243 yards on just nine catches. He had his way with the Cowboys, too, on Monday Night Football last October, helping fuel a Redskins win at Jerryworld with six catches for 136 yards. And while Jackson didn't do much in either game against the Giants last season, something tells me that fan base hasn't quite forgotten about this play.

What will this year hold for Jackson in his six matchups against these familiar foes? Can't wait to see. And by the way, Washington finishes the regular season with consecutive road games at Philadelphia and Dallas. I'm foaming at the mouth just writing this!

Speaking of NFC East beef ...

2) DeMarco Murray vs. Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo had the most efficient year of his career -- see: his NFL-leading 113.2 passer rating -- thanks in large part to the offensive balance provided by a prolific ground game. Dallas got over the 8-8 hump, won the NFC East, won a playoff game ... and then haphazardly let Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray leave via free agency.

Oh, and Murray didn't just go anywhere -- he went to the rival Eagles. You can make the case that Murray is suddenly the single most important player in the division, a case that will be strengthened if the running back wins back-to-back NFC East titles on two different teams.

I think Murray is going to dazzle this year in Chip Kelly's offense, and the Cowboys, even with the best offensive line in football, will miss him greatly.

3) LeSean McCoy vs. Chip Kelly
Play NFL Fantasy Football!

As I've written previously, McCoy's vague charge against his former coach of racism was irresponsible and just plain wrong. By trading McCoy, Kelly upgraded his defense with the addition of Kiko Alonso and saved money (... which allowed him to acquire valuable free agents, like cornerback Byron Maxwell and the aforementioned Murray). Not to mention, McCoy's shifty running style wasn't the best fit in Kelly's north-south scheme.

Kelly, the most fascinating person in the NFL, has handled the whole situation with aplomb, saying he has "great respect for LeSean" while kindly disagreeing with the tailback's inflammatory -- and senseless -- claim.

Still, it's pretty clear McCoy does not like Kelly, is angry the coach shipped him to Buffalo and can't wait to play against him in Week 14.

Buckle up!

4) Rex Ryan vs. New York Jets
Rex can't help himself. Never could.

Fired by the Jets and hired to coach the Bills this offseason, the fiery coach didn't take long to start a war with his old tight end (Jace Amaro) and share his true feelings on the end of his run with Gang Green (in a fascinating Sports Illustrated cover story by Jenny Vrentas).

In Buffalo, Rex's swagger is back, once again captivating the football-watching world. Just like it did early on in New York ... before everything flamed out in dumpster-fire fashion.

In the walk-up to both of this year's Bills-Jets games -- in Week 10 and Week 17 -- there will be plenty of noise, plenty of revisionist history. And I can't wait.

5) Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
This has been a nice rivalry, based upon animosity -- and, actually, mutual respect -- for quite some time. The matchup originally gave us the Peyton Manning-vs.-Tom Brady series. So many epic battles over the years -- in the regular season and the playoffs -- so many living legends and future Hall of Famers facing off. In the new millennium, Colts-Pats has always had a little extra spice and sizzle. And when Peyton's Colts tenure came to an end, Indy brought another transcendent competitor into the fight: Andrew Luck.


Now, in the wake of last season's AFC Championship Game blowout -- and the ensuing Deflategate drama -- this rivalry's already-piping-hot flames just got doused with gasoline.

Safe to say the Week 6 showdown in Indy won't lack hype. Depending on the outcome of his suspension appeal, this could be Tom Brady's first game of the season. Brady and the Pats will be looking to take out months of anger on the Colts, driven to prove last January's result had absolutely nothing to do with football air pressure. And Luck -- who's 0-4 against Bill Belichick's Patriots, having lost each game by 21-plus points -- will aim to prove he can indeed beat the AFC's best.

If the Football Gods shine on us, the mid-October matchup won't be the only Pats-Colts showdown on this season's docket. How about another AFC title game chock full o' legacy implications? Don't think we'd get another 38-point rout.

6) Bruce Arians vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
No matter how you spin it, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers let Arians go. And now, Arians is a two-time Coach of the Year and arguably a better head coach than Tomlin. In fact, personally, I'd take Arians over Tomlin.

Arians is in a fantastic position in Arizona, but you know he still holds a grudge -- and he should. Don't think that it won't be personal when the Cardinals visit the Steelers in Week 6. And you know what? The Cardinals are in better shape than the Steelers heading into 2015.

7) J.J. Watt vs. Zach Mettenberger
Can a rivalry be partially built by a backup?


Sure, why not?

Given that the Titans franchise moved from Houston to Nashville, there's always been some added intrigue -- and aversion -- in duels between the Titans and Texans. But Watt and Mettenberger's odd back-and-forth on the dos and don'ts of social media and letterman jackets infuses this rivalry with some true millennial-style heat.

Don't think Dick Butkus was ever concerned with selfie etiquette. It's a new world. Embrace it.

I do feel bad for eventual starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is going to feel the wrath of Watt's frustration.

8) Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers and Bears have the oldest rivalry in the NFL, but the toxicity between Minnesota and Green Bay is very underrated. And with Adrian Peterson back and the Vikings on the rise, this extreme dislike is going to boil over in 2015.

I love that both Vikes-Pack games are in the back portion of the season: Week 11 in Minnesota and Week 17 in Green Bay.

9) Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

OK, nothing new here. Just a classic smashmouth grudge match every time these two teams take the field. With Seahawks-49ers losing some luster, this rivalry re-emerges on center stage -- if it ever left.

I think Hines Ward put it best to USA TODAY Sports: "It's just pure hatred -- just like two old-fashioned bullies meeting in an alley."

Sign me up!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...vs-chip-kelly-colts-vs-pats-among-spicy-feuds

 

[Golden Rott]

Want to see what the heck Chip Kelly is doing in Philly. Is he a mad genius who is building a winner his way, or is he just out of his mind?

 

[flgreen]

Want to see what the heck Chip Kelly is doing in Philly. Is he a mad genius who is building a winner his way, or is he just out of his mind?

I'll take door # 2

 

[flgreen]

For me it's:

Andrew Luck. Will he take the next step and be successful in the playoffs? Here are some notable feuds to look into this season:



http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...vs-chip-kelly-colts-vs-pats-among-spicy-feuds

The only non Jets story I'm really following is how Jamis Winston is doing with the Bucs.

As you might remember I was a big fan of Winston's even though I'm a Canes fan. At one point in the draft process it looked like Mariota was the lock #1 , and Winston could fall to the Jets. My concern with Winston wasn't his character, but the big wind up he took when throwing up-field.

If anyone cares, so far he's a hit on the bay. Had a real nice football OTA's, and Mini camp.

Of course it's July

 

[Elias]

The only non Jets story I'm really following is how Jamis Winston is doing with the Bucs.

As you might remember I was a big fan of Winston's even though I'm a Canes fan. My concern with Winston wasn't his character, but the big wind up he took when throwing up-field.

If anyone cares, so far his a hit on the bay. Had a real nice football OTA's, and Mini camp.

Of course it's July

Mariota is also having a great camp. Let's see who has the better year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[flgreen]

Mariota is also having a great camp. Let's see who has the better year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Elias, I'll say something here that people are going to beat me and kick me for, LOL, just kidding...... I hope.

I think Petty is going to be a better NFL QB then Mariota when it's all said and done

 

[NickSINYC]

Elias, I'll say something here that people are going to beat me and kick me for, LOL, just kidding...... I hope.

I think Petty is going to be a better NFL QB then Mariota when it's all said and done

I hope you are right I have a good long term feeling about Petty

 

[NickSINYC]

Too be honest I am more of a Jets fan than a pure football fan. That goes for all the sports and my teams ( Yanks Rangers Knicks ) So if the story is not somehow connected to my team it rarely holds my interest.

 

[flgreen]

I hope you are right I have a good long term feeling about Petty

So do I.

People have been saying this was a very BAD QB draft. I disagree. I think there are 3 QB's coming out of this draft that are going to be pretty good.

1) Winston

2) Petty

3) Mariota

IMO Petty is going to have the advantage sitting behind a very cerebral veteran in Fitz.

I know. It's July.

We'll see

 

[flgreen]

Too be honest I am more of a Jets fan than a pure football fan. That goes for all the sports and my teams ( Yanks Rangers Knicks ) So if the story is not somehow connected to my team it rarely holds my interest.

Same way

for me it's jets Rangers


mets


and who ever that poor excuse for a basketball team that plays in MSG is

 

[jetfan39]

Same way

for me it's jets Rangers


mets


and who ever that poor excuse for a basketball team that plays in MSG is

ditto

 

[Golden Rott]

[/B]

So do I.

People have been saying this was a very BAD QB draft. I disagree. I think there are 3 QB's coming out of this draft that are going to be pretty good.

1) Winston

2) Petty

3) Mariota

IMO Petty is going to have the advantage sitting behind a very cerebral veteran in Fitz.

I know. It's July.

We'll see

I am not as high on the rookie QBs as you are. If all 3 turn out to be solid starters, then you are right, we will look back at this class as being a strong class, but coming out of college, all 3 guys had dome pretty big concerns about transition to the pro game.

Winston has a long windup and threw way too many picks last season in addition to the off field concerns. Mariota could be a system QB who put up numbers throwing to wide open receivers in a simplified one read system. And Petty has a lot of tools, but in addition to the system he played in, everyone seems to have forgotten that he had some pretty significant injuries in college (broken back and concussion).

I will be rooting big time for Petty, and I think he was a great pick in the 4th. The early reports out of minicamps seem to be favorable, but minicamp reports are favorable for pretty much every rookie in the NFL. I will start to get excited when I see what he can do in preseason.

 

[flgreen]

I am not as high on the rookie QBs as you are. If all 3 turn out to be solid starters, then you are right, we will look back at this class as being a strong class, but coming out of college, all 3 guys had dome pretty big concerns about transition to the pro game.

Winston has a long windup and threw way too many picks last season in addition to the off field concerns. Mariota could be a system QB who put up numbers throwing to wide open receivers in a simplified one read system. And Petty has a lot of tools, but in addition to the system he played in, everyone seems to have forgotten that he had some pretty significant injuries in college (broken back and concussion).

I will be rooting big time for Petty, and I think he was a great pick in the 4th. The early reports out of minicamps seem to be favorable, but minicamp reports are favorable for pretty much every rookie in the NFL. I will start to get excited when I see what he can do in preseason.

Of course your right on the flaws of all 3 QB's. As much as I liked Winston, during the season I mentioned several times my concern about his wind up. We'll see how that plays out.

On Petty's injuries, concussions are always a concern, as far as I know he's only had one. The back injury I look at as a positive. There is no reason, that I have read, that there is a high risk that it will re-occur. He played through it most of the season. And played well. Some draft pundits were disappointed in his senior year stats. It was actually pretty impressive considering the pain he was playing through. Assuming if his back was healthy he probably would have put up bigger numbers, and been drafted at the top of the draft.

All speculation of course , but it's also July, two weeks before camp. It's the time to be overly optimistic.

 

[Golden Rott]

Of course your right on the flaws of all 3 QB's. As much as I liked Winston, during the season I mentioned several times my concern about his wind up. We'll see how that plays out.

On Petty's injuries, concussions are always a concern, as far as I know he's only had one. The back injury I look at as a positive. There is no reason, that I have read, that there is a high risk that it will re-occur. He played through it most of the season. And played well. Some draft pundits were disappointed in his senior year stats. It was actually pretty impressive considering the pain he was playing through. Assuming if his back was healthy he probably would have put up bigger numbers, and been drafted at the top of the draft.

All speculation of course , but it's also July, two weeks before camp. It's the time to be overly optimistic.

I hear ya and I am counting on 10 wins right now. I usually am very optimistic in the summer and it gets beaten out of me at some point during the season.

 

[Johnny Unite Us]

Interested to see just how bad the 49ers will be.

And, I'm kind of rooting for Tony Romo to finally get over the hump in the NFC...before facing the Jets and being sacked nine times in SB50.

 

[flgreen]

I hear ya and I am counting on 10 wins right now. I usually am very optimistic in the summer and it gets beaten out of me at some point during the season.

LOL

yeah me to

 

[BigDan]

Interested to see just how bad the 49ers will be.

And, I'm kind of rooting for Tony Romo to finally get over the hump in the NFC...before facing the Jets and being sacked nine times in SB50.

This made me smile...

 

[NewMFS62]

C'mon. Admit it.
There is only one NFL story line that is leaving the entire world in breathless anticipation.
When will Russell Wilson finally get laid?

Later

 

[HYATT™]

Brett Favre coming to Camp Randall Stadium, here in Madison, on Sunday - to play a charity flag football game.
Fam will be sitting in the 2nd row on the 50 yard line, for it.
It will be our first time seeing him in person, since we could never justify the cost ($1,000+ for a family of 4, just for seats and another couple hundred $$ for travel, meals, and lodging) of attending live games at Lambeau while he was actively playing.
Packer tickets on the secondary market are REALLY expensive.

 

[Golden Rott]

Brett Favre coming to Camp Randall Stadium, here in Madison, on Sunday - to play a charity flag football game.
Fam will be sitting in the 2nd row on the 50 yard line, for it.
It will be our first time seeing him in person, since we could never justify the cost ($1,000+ for a family of 4, just for seats and another couple hundred $$ for travel, meals, and lodging) of attending live games at Lambeau while he was actively playing.
Packer tickets on the secondary market are REALLY expensive.

Never been to lambeau, or just never been there since they have had Favre & then Rodgers? Great place to see a game -- one of those bucket list items for all football fans.

I went last year to the Jets-Packers game -- my buddy and I met up with Eboozer32 and his friend. Did an impromptu tailgate -- great atmosphere outside the stadium and inside as well. The Packer fans are incredibly welcoming to opposing fans, they seem to take pride in how they treated other fans. Great afternoon all around (at least until the 2 minute warning in the first half).

If you can find a way to swing it while you still have Rodgers, I am sure you would have a blast.