NFL 2010 - Wild Card Playoffs

garion333 wrote:

Hey Stele:

Following reports that the Dolphins are making a major push to hire Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have started to work on another possible coaching option. And it probably won’t excite 49ers fans much.

The 49ers have reportedly had “initial discussions” with Josh McDaniels ....

Bwaahahaahaahahaaaahaahahhaaaa!!

Sorry.

From here.

As soon as Miami got into the picture, I knew San Francisco was out of the running. Rumors suggested that the Niners' other backup choices were Hue Jackson (the now shoe-in for the Raiders' job) Jeff Fisher (who might stay at Tennessee if VY's out) and Marvin Lewis (who just re-upped with the Bengals). I'd say go after Tom Cable, but apparently Jed York thinks the best complement to his youth and inexperience to have a head coach with about as much youth and inexperience.

Edit: Vince Young sure sounds paranoid.

Tebow for Alex Smith straight up! A perfect trade!

But hey, this is perfect for SF. They get rid of a loudmouthed, obnoxious pain-in-the-butt coach with a tendency to alienate his players and replace him with . . . wait, what was I saying again?

Oh, and by the way, Tony Sparano is still the head coach in Miami. Even if somehow Miami's dump truck full of money doesn't sway Harbaugh, I bet Sparano's already packing up his office.

Edit: And...wait, what about the Rooney Rule? What's going on here?

I'm glad I didn't start a drinking game for every time somebody says Oliver Luck instead of Andrew Luck.

A Jets-Colts preview of sorts with NSFW-ish aspects.

I suggest reading the first story linked in the second graf and then returning to the matter at hand.

NFL Network's reporting Miami's offering Harbaugh upwards of $8 million. Obviously if he goes there, it's all about the money; tough division to win, tough conference to get a wild card spot, though it'd be interesting if a playoff berth rested on a battle of the Harbaughs.

Since when did Bud Adams become a reasonable man? That is not the owner I know.

I know Fisher is still on the hot seat somewhat, but it is relief to be done with VY. We (Titans fans in general) were always waiting for him to take the next step as a QB and leader. It just never happened, but I do see VY continuing to start for somebody. Maybe Jacksonville. On the serious side, I could see him going to the west coast. Several teams are desperate for at least something at the QB position, and VY has always seemed to do good against the lesser half the league.

Now we get to wait and see about our coaching staff and who the next QB will be.

Luck is staying in college.

Smart kid. Stupid labor crap.

PFT: Andrew Luck to stay at Stanford

The hits just keep on comin' for Carolina, don't they?

Now Harbaugh's choice gets interesting. Stay at Stanford and maybe have a shot of taking the Pac-10 title or go to the NFL with a boatload of cash, but no certainty about there being any games played next season.

I'm calling it now. Vince Young is going to be a Raider.

garion333 wrote:

Luck is staying in college.

Smart kid. Stupid labor crap.

I totally did not just thrust my hands into the air and yell, "YESSSSSS!!!!!!" And yes, I am a bastard.

Hey, Carolina fans, don't feel bad. There's a pretty good chance you'll have the first overall pick next year as well.

garion333 wrote:

Luck is staying in college.

Smart kid. Stupid labor crap.

Yeah might as well play in college in case the NFL doesn't play.

Hey it just scrolled across ESPN that McDaniels is not interested in the 49ers job. Whew.

I would probably still come out if I were Andrew Luck. A work stoppage could slow things down, but once things start up again, I'm still getting paid. A delay won't hurt my stock. Only having anything short of a stud senior season can hurt my income. And with Harbaugh leaving, things at Stanford could get worse even if I'm still just as good as I have been.

Injury would worry me a lot more than work stoppage.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Hey, Carolina fans, don't feel bad. There's a pretty good chance you'll have the first overall pick next year as well.

Win.

Stele wrote:

Hey it just scrolled across ESPN that McDaniels is not interested in the 49ers job. Whew. :D

They should fight harder for Harbaugh. I think the effect of head coaches on NFL teams is somewhat overrated (funny how winning coaches tend to be the ones with the best personnel), but Harbaugh would be great for the 49er fanbase. He's been here in California since 2004 (Raiders QB coach, then U of San Diego coach and then Stanford). I think it would help re-energize a fanbase that has been pretty dour with its last few coaches.

Stele wrote:

Hey it just scrolled across ESPN that McDaniels is not interested in the 49ers job. Whew. :D

Yeah, I purposely didn't post about that ... er, I mean I heard about that on my way home from work and couldn't post it.

*Legion* wrote:

I would probably still come out if I were Andrew Luck. A work stoppage could slow things down, but once things start up again, I'm still getting paid. A delay won't hurt my stock. Only having anything short of a stud senior season can hurt my income. And with Harbaugh leaving, things at Stanford could get worse even if I'm still just as good as I have been.

Injury would worry me a lot more than work stoppage.

Maybe he really wants that Communication degree.

(Btw, I have no idea what he's studying.)

garion333 wrote:
Stele wrote:

Hey it just scrolled across ESPN that McDaniels is not interested in the 49ers job. Whew. :D

Yeah, I purposely didn't post about that ... er, I mean I heard about that on my way home from work and couldn't post it.

*Legion* wrote:

I would probably still come out if I were Andrew Luck. A work stoppage could slow things down, but once things start up again, I'm still getting paid. A delay won't hurt my stock. Only having anything short of a stud senior season can hurt my income. And with Harbaugh leaving, things at Stanford could get worse even if I'm still just as good as I have been.

Injury would worry me a lot more than work stoppage.

Maybe he really wants that Communication degree.

(Btw, I have no idea what he's studying.)

Architectual Design. Not exactly basket-weaving.

It's not like his family is desperate for money; they're quite well-off. Also, he's assumably confident enough that he believes he'll succeed regardless of when he comes out. He likes college, and it's his last chance to even vaguely be a kid. I always like seeing people make this decision, just because he's clearly doing what he wants.

Harbaugh met with Stanford today and according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network (well, his Twitter feed):

Stanford's proposal to keep Harbaugh eclipsed the 49ers offer including all bonuses. Stanford, MIA, SF and Denver all still in the hunt

Better deal than what he'd get with the 49ers and Andrew Luck's coming back for his senior year? Harbaugh's not going anywhere.

Have seen lots of talk tonight about Gabbert possibly being the first pick. I watched that guy in the Insight Bowl. He started off just phenomenal, hitting everyone in stride, making every throw perfectly. He was AMAZING. Then Iowa started bringing some heat on defense, and the moment Gabbert had to move? He was utterly terrible. His passes sailed, he missed open receivers, and he even threw a game killing TAINT to an Iowa CB who was standing five yards in front of him, just a gentle little toss (it was literally one of the singly worst throws I've seen in my entire life, and I lived through the Gruden Bucs QB years and young Bruce Gradkowski).

I went from being really impressed by Gabbert to being convinced he's going to suck, all in about three quarters. The worst-case scenario for Panthers fans is that they draft somebody like Gabbert or Mallet who have loads of question marks, and then get the first overall pick and actually have to pass Luck next year.

Jay Glazer says that the 'Fins are keeping Sparano. As a certain pointy-ear hobgoblin might say, "Fascinating."

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I totally did not just thrust my hands into the air and yell, "YESSSSSS!!!!!!" And yes, I am a bastard.

Hey, Carolina fans, don't feel bad. There's a pretty good chance you'll have the first overall pick next year as well.

Yes, you're a bastard.

And if there's a labor stoppage, Carolina will still have the first pick in '12.. Stew on that all spring, why doncha.

Rat Boy wrote:

Jay Glazer says that the 'Fins are keeping Sparano. As a certain pointy-ear hobgoblin might say, "Fascinating."

He must feel so happy and secure in his job.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Have seen lots of talk tonight about Gabbert possibly being the first pick. I watched that guy in the Insight Bowl. He started off just phenomenal, hitting everyone in stride, making every throw perfectly. He was AMAZING. Then Iowa started bringing some heat on defense, and the moment Gabbert had to move? He was utterly terrible. His passes sailed, he missed open receivers, and he even threw a game killing TAINT to an Iowa CB who was standing five yards in front of him, just a gentle little toss (it was literally one of the singly worst throws I've seen in my entire life, and I lived through the Gruden Bucs QB years and young Bruce Gradkowski).

I went from being really impressed by Gabbert to being convinced he's going to suck, all in about three quarters. The worst-case scenario for Panthers fans is that they draft somebody like Gabbert or Mallet who have loads of question marks, and then get the first overall pick and actually have to pass Luck next year.

In his defense, people from Iowa are awesome.

I'm all excited about the playoff games this weekend, and I come here to find talk of labor negotiations, coaching changes, and the draft. C'mon people!! It's 1 day to the playoffs!!!

My very tentative picks so far (including over/under since my pool uses it)

Saints at the Seahawks: I would love to see the huge underdog upset the big guys... but I just don't see it happening here. I think the Saints get a big lead early and sit on it all game. Saints and the under (44.5).

Jets at the Colts: I had the hardest time picking this game. Both are very good teams with issues lately. In the end I think Manning's problems continue and the Jets pull out the surprise win, but both teams struggle. Jets and the under (44.5).

Ravens at the Chiefs: Didn't put all that much thought into this one. Ravens and Over (41.5). Educated guess.

Packers at the Eagles: As an Eagles fan I consider this one a toss-up. I think after Tuesday's poor showing the other week, the fans are going to come back in force for the first playoff game. Home field helps provide the victory. I picked Eagles and Over (46.5).

Wow, the Chiefs only beat one team with a winning record ... the Chargers in week 1. I didn't realize how much SOS helped them. People talked about the Bucs all season about their SOS, but I don't recall as much about the Chiefs ... clearly, because otherwise I wouldn't be surprised.

garion333 wrote:

Wow, the Chiefs only beat one team with a winning record ... the Chargers in week 1. I didn't realize how much SOS helped them. People talked about the Bucs all season about their SOS, but I don't recall as much about the Chiefs ... clearly, because otherwise I wouldn't be surprised.

Yep, that's why I was still predicting a 9-7 finish when the were 6-2. But they really had Indy beat, but Bowe had yet to break out. he dropped what would have been the go-ahead TD. Earlier, Haley passes up on an an easy FG, and called a pass when the Chiefs were running the ball down Indy's throats. That was the kind of stuff that did stop happening.

But I would not completely count them out at home. Baltimore may shut the Chiefs down, but I like the match-up for the Chiefs defense, too. I think Jolly Bill's prediction of the over is the real mistake. I think the game will come down to some big plays and turnovers. But don't they all?

I'm not so sure Baltimore is a lock either. They're playing in Arrowhead and Flacco just isn't the same on the road.

Of course, I want Baltimore to win, so going in with some pessimism is probably healthy.

garion333 wrote:

Wow, the Chiefs only beat one team with a winning record ... the Chargers in week 1. I didn't realize how much SOS helped them. People talked about the Bucs all season about their SOS, but I don't recall as much about the Chiefs ... clearly, because otherwise I wouldn't be surprised.

Both got to play the NFC West. No surprise that NO and Atl got +11 wins either.

There hasn't been five hundred tweets over what Jim Harbaugh's doing. No wonder this feels like a slow day.