NFL 2012 Week 17 Thread

billt721 wrote:
Stele wrote:
billt721 wrote:
Stele wrote:

And still, 3-5 on the road. And the only way they're getting a home playoff game is if Minnesota makes the NFC Championship against them. 3 road wins the whole year and they're going to get 3 this month? Yeah right. :p

That's an excellent point. I DID have to go all the way back to 2010 to find a Super Bowl winner who also went 3-5 on the road and then won 3 straight road playoff games.

Are you saying Russell Wilson = Aaron Rodgers? :?

Of course not, though 2010 Rogers and 2012 Wilson were surprisingly similar. I just don't find

3 road wins the whole year and they're going to get 3 this month?

to be that persuasive of an argument. I mean, they won 2 (of 2) road games in December. I suppose going into that month you'd have said they couldn't make the playoffs since they were just 1-5 on the road and obviously weren't going to win 2 road games in one month.

Beating the Bills doesn't count.

Neither does beating the Cards.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

Maybe Tebow could work with MJD in Jacksonville. I expect that would be a waste of the newly emerged Shorts and Blackmon though.

Tebow definitely doesn't fit in a Mike Mularkey offense, assuming Mularkey stays (and there's a good chance of that - the first GM candidate interviewed was Dave Caldwell, who worked with Mularkey in Atlanta).

Also, there may not be much MJD left. He will enter next season coming off the surgery he delayed all year, and it will be his last year under contract in Jacksonville. I fully expect the Jaguars to begin preparing for life after MJD, much like they did with Fred Taylor by drafting MJD. (Taylor, of course, ended up sticking around a while longer in a two-back rotation, but that was far from guaranteed at the time).

There's no question that Shorts and Blackmon are the future of the Jaguar offense, much like Mularkey had in Roddy White and Julio Jones before leaving Atlanta. It remains to be seen how good Shorts and Blackmon will become, but they're looking good so far.

Paleocon wrote:
billt721 wrote:
Stele wrote:
billt721 wrote:
Stele wrote:

And still, 3-5 on the road. And the only way they're getting a home playoff game is if Minnesota makes the NFC Championship against them. 3 road wins the whole year and they're going to get 3 this month? Yeah right. :p

That's an excellent point. I DID have to go all the way back to 2010 to find a Super Bowl winner who also went 3-5 on the road and then won 3 straight road playoff games.

Are you saying Russell Wilson = Aaron Rodgers? :?

Of course not, though 2010 Rogers and 2012 Wilson were surprisingly similar. I just don't find

3 road wins the whole year and they're going to get 3 this month?

to be that persuasive of an argument. I mean, they won 2 (of 2) road games in December. I suppose going into that month you'd have said they couldn't make the playoffs since they were just 1-5 on the road and obviously weren't going to win 2 road games in one month.

Beating the Bills doesn't count.

Neither does beating the Cards.

Seattle lost to the Cards on the road.

I'm probably biased on all this Seattle talk.

Hate them.

I believe the rumors of them pumping crowd noise back into the stadium.

Pete Carroll is a jerk. See: throwing passes up 50-0 against Arizona. See: faking a punt up 40 points on the Bills.

And about a dozen pass interference and holding calls that weren't called against the 49ers 10 days ago that really pissed me off and made me hate them just a little more. They cheat at home and get away with it.

And of course without replacement refs, their asses would be home where they belong, watching the playoffs.

I will be the biggest Redskins fan ever this weekend. Somebody let me borrow an RGIII jersey and I'll wear it.

You say PI calls, I say using large db's.

Stele wrote:

I'm probably biased on all this Seattle talk.

Hate them.

I believe the rumors of them pumping crowd noise back into the stadium.

Pete Carroll is a jerk. See: throwing passes up 50-0 against Arizona. See: faking a punt up 40 points on the Bills.

And about a dozen pass interference and holding calls that weren't called against the 49ers 10 days ago that really pissed me off and made me hate them just a little more. They cheat at home and get away with it.

And of course without replacement refs, their asses would be home where they belong, watching the playoffs.

I will be the biggest Redskins fan ever this weekend. Somebody let me borrow an RGIII jersey and I'll wear it.

Without replacement refs .... they'd be in the exact same position - 5 seed, going to WAS. In fact, the team that actually benefited from the GB game was the 49ers, who otherwise would be playing this weekend instead of getting a bye.

*Legion* wrote:

Tebow definitely doesn't fit in a Mike Mularkey offense, assuming Mularkey stays (and there's a good chance of that - the first GM candidate interviewed was Dave Caldwell, who worked with Mularkey in Atlanta).

Also, there may not be much MJD left. He will enter next season coming off the surgery he delayed all year, and it will be his last year under contract in Jacksonville. I fully expect the Jaguars to begin preparing for life after MJD, much like they did with Fred Taylor by drafting MJD. (Taylor, of course, ended up sticking around a while longer in a two-back rotation, but that was far from guaranteed at the time).

There's no question that Shorts and Blackmon are the future of the Jaguar offense, much like Mularkey had in Roddy White and Julio Jones before leaving Atlanta. It remains to be seen how good Shorts and Blackmon will become, but they're looking good so far.

I wasn't clear on anything about the MJD injury. I guess Jacksonville was just a convenient mold, no established QB but a high-caliber RB. I'd like to see him come back strong next year, but foot-injuries for RB's worry me.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

I wasn't clear on anything about the MJD injury. I guess Jacksonville was just a convenient mold, no established QB but a high-caliber RB. I'd like to see him come back strong next year, but foot-injuries for RB's worry me.

Because he waited so long for surgery, he won't step on to a field again until at least May, possibly later, and the team isn't happy about it.

They're also not happy about his failed holdout attempt this past offseason.

I really have no idea what his future in Jacksonville will be, given that he'll be in the last year of his deal, he's hunting for another big payday, and the Jaguars don't seem to feel a high level of urgency to sign him to a new big contract that he'll be 29 at the start of.

I won't be surprised to see the team dip into the RB pool either this April or next.

I would love to see him play out a good year next year, and return to Jacksonville for a contract that would be expected for 30-year-old running backs, and extend his career paired with a young back, in the same way Fred Taylor did with him. But, it's just as likely that, if he has a good season this year, he'll chase a FA contract elsewhere.

But who knows who the GM in Jacksonville is going to be and what he thinks about Maurice Jones-Drew. So much up in the air on this subject. There's been some speculation that the team won't even keep him at his current salary, although given how much cap space the Jags need to fill to get above the salary floor, I'm skeptical that they'd be making a cap cut move with MJD.

*Legion* wrote:

Because he waited so long for surgery, he won't step on to a field again until at least May, possibly later, and the team isn't happy about it.

They're also not happy about his failed holdout attempt this past offseason.

I really have no idea what his future in Jacksonville will be, given that he'll be in the last year of his deal, he's hunting for another big payday, and the Jaguars don't seem to feel a high level of urgency to sign him to a new big contract that he'll be 29 at the start of.

I didn't realize it was his choice to wait on the surgery. I listened to all the ESPN Fantasy Football podcasts this year* and the injury gal there didn't mention that.

*Up to my week 17.

I totally forgot about his holdout.

Maybe the panthers have about $15M for him?

S0LIDARITY wrote:

Maybe the panthers have about $15M for him?

Carolina acquires running backs as if their offensive depth chart were all flex positions.

Apparently the Panthers are about $16 million over next year's cap already.

*Legion* wrote:
S0LIDARITY wrote:

Maybe the panthers have about $15M for him?

Carolina acquires running backs as if their offensive depth chart were all flex positions.

Apparently the Panthers are about $16 million over next year's cap already.

Carolina was way under after last season and had to (by the terms of the CBA, I think) spend a good chunk of it. I'm not sure why Marty Hurney spent it like a drunken sailor during Fleet Week. That might explain in part why he's no longer there.

Sure, the Panthers will take MJD. We'll need him for Ron Rivera's new wishbone offense.

Enix wrote:

Carolina was way under after last season and had to (by the terms of the CBA, I think) spend a good chunk of it.

The CBA doesn't enforce any spending minimum until this upcoming season. If there is any other spending minimum in force, I am not aware of it.

(That said, not all teams were waiting around for the salary floor to come into effect. Just ones like Jacksonville. )

David Wilson highlight reel:

I think he has great potential for next year and feel an Andrew Brown/ David Wilson combo will be awesome. As much as I like Bradshaw im not sure how much gas he has in him.

Also, Pendulum.

He does look pretty shifty but a ton of those highlights are from the Eagles and the Saints blowout game

Andy Reid looking like a near-lock in Kansas City. Just what they need, another coach that ignores their star running back.

Arizona asks for permission to interview Todd Haley. Seriously? And the Cardinals remain the Cardinals...

*Legion* wrote:

Andy Reid looking like a near-lock in Kansas City. Just what they need, another coach that ignores their star running back.

Arizona asks for permission to interview Todd Haley. Seriously? And the Cardinals remain the Cardinals...

Seems like a terrible choice. The Steelers offense looked a lot worse with him at the helm this year. The O-line problems there have been a big hindrance, but I still expected a lot more from the WR crew.

The Bills are trying to get Lovie Smith to interview. I would be happy with that, so it clearly won't happen.

That article also goes on to say that the Bears GM Emery is talking to several candidates.

can haz Wildcard Pickem's tiem, pwese? (Don't shoot me)

S0LIDARITY wrote:

Seems like a terrible choice. The Steelers offense looked a lot worse with him at the helm this year.

I was thinking back to his time as head coach in Kansas City. His leadership there was repeatedly described as "toxic". He clashed with damn near everyone, from the GM down to other coaches and to his players.

Arizona really thinks that's what they need? They'd be better off staying with Ken Whisenhunt, who really they had little business firing. Whisenhunt will get scooped back up as a head coach, quite possibly this offseason, because he is a good coach.

*Legion* wrote:
Enix wrote:

Carolina was way under after last season and had to (by the terms of the CBA, I think) spend a good chunk of it.

The CBA doesn't enforce any spending minimum until this upcoming season. If there is any other spending minimum in force, I am not aware of it.

The NFL has always had a salary floor, but the numbers were murky and it was never really enforced. It went away in 2010 when the owners torched the old CBA. The new CBA does, as you said, put a hard floor in place in 2013. The hard floor will be round about 90 percent, which is several points higher than the old cap.

I'll revise my earlier statement by saying Carolina was way under the cap (as well as the non-existent floor) heading into the 2012 season (click here for details; Carolina was last in the league in cash obligations) and chose to spend (instead of had to spend) a metric crap ton of money on Jerry Richardson's prized collection of running backs.

Speaking of, I think Marcus Lattimore will look great in blue-and-black. He and Thomas Davis can trade stories about rehabbing their knees.

Enix wrote:

I think Marcus Lattimore will look great in blue-and-black. He and Thomas Davis can trade stories about rehabbing their knees.

See, that? I saw the first sentence, and had my "I didn't know Marcus Lattimore played linebacker" joke and you had to go along and steal it away.

Enix wrote:

I'll revise my earlier statement by saying Carolina was way under the cap (as well as the non-existent floor) heading into the 2012 season (click here for details; Carolina was last in the league in cash obligations) and chose to spend (instead of had to spend) a metric crap ton of money on Jerry Richardson's prized collection of running backs.

That makes more sense.

Speaking of, I think Marcus Lattimore will look great in blue-and-black. He and Thomas Davis can trade stories about rehabbing their knees.

I lol'd.

Thomas Davis is my second favorite chronic injury football player, right after the great Bennie Joppru. Second round draft pick. Career season ending injuries: 3. Career receptions: 0.

OK, I feel old now..............

IMAGE(http://www.buffalobills.com/assets/images/imported/BUF/photos/article-assets/Story-Photos/2013-january/comeback-share-story.jpg)

I hated the Bills back then, and loved Moon. It was a great game until Reich came in.

I miss Kevin Gilbride's run-and-shoot. Back when throwing for 4600 yards was a Huge Frickin' Deal, and not just 7th in the league like the past 2 years.

Kush15 wrote:

OK, I feel old now..............

IMAGE(http://www.buffalobills.com/assets/images/imported/BUF/photos/article-assets/Story-Photos/2013-january/comeback-share-story.jpg)

Revenge was sweet.

IMAGE(http://www.bandjgallery.com/sports/music-city-miracle.jpg)

Seeing that made me realize how much I miss those jerseys.

Kush15 wrote:

OK, I feel old now..............

Oy vey. Talk about bittersweet.

I had moved to Houston about six months earlier. I wasn't an Oilers fan per se but my (about to be live-in) girlfriend was, so I had to root for 'em.

But she also liked shopping, which is why we went out at halftime. (The Oilers won't blow a 28-3 halftime lead, amirite?). We ended up listening to the final play of the game on the radio in her car in a parking lot of a shopping center near West U. (On Sheppard, I think, or thereabouts.)

I said bittersweet because William & Mary hasn't produced many football players, but Steve Christie was one of them. Dude was a jerk by reputation (I didn't know him but heard plenty of stories), but he could kick the hell out of a football.

Extra serendipity: Haywood Jeffires went to high school with my wife in N.C. I think he was a couple of years ahead of her.

Hopefully Gene Smith lands somewhere where he can continue to draft William & Mary players. Derek Cox was a pretty good one.

TempestBlayze wrote:

David Wilson highlight reel:

I think he has great potential for next year and feel an Andrew Brown/ David Wilson combo will be awesome. As much as I like Bradshaw im not sure how much gas he has in him.

Also, Pendulum.

I like a lot of what I saw from Wilson. He has loads of speed and doesn't shy away from contact. Agreed that with Brown back and hopefully healthy, this is a nice duo. Bradshaw, while a very good back, gets injured way too often unfortunately.

I am surprised that Reid isn't giving Arizona a chance to interview with them having a stout defense and an all pro WR in Fitzgerald.

I can see Lovie Smith in Buffalo. They have some very good talent on the defensive side, a serviceable QB and good run game.

The JETS are a complete mess of an organization. Last I heard, Rex was interested in Norv Turner. Where I think it would be a smart choice for O Coordinator, he needs to focus more on the locker room and dissent.

I can't see Lovie Smith going to Buffalo; they only hire retread coaches nobody else wants. Dick Jauron! Chan Gailey!

Norv Turner! Welcome to Buffalo!

Buffalo is no longer run by Ralph Wilson, so things might be a changin.