NFL Offseason 2015

[Kingspoint]

The report itself is a little vague, but very damning as well. It makes Brady look really bad, considering his press conference, and makes Belicheck and all those arguing that the balls deflated naturally, look foolish.

Considering the pattern of cheating that has existed under Belicheck's reign, I'm guessing the NFL will come down hard on him and the team.

The report also claims that the Patriots likely deflated balls for many games in both the off season and regular season. Their entire championship season is very tainted.

The NFL has been in cheat mode since it's inception. This is small potatoes compared to the shenanigans that goes on from the Commissioner's Office.

[Razor Shines]

So reports are out that Goodell is going to announce a suspension of Brady next week. I think I would have preferred a fine, I certainly hope it's only a game or two suspension.

[Chip R]

So reports are out that Goodell is going to announce a suspension of Brady next week. I think I would have preferred a fine, I certainly hope it's only a game or two suspension.

I think this could be the end of Goodell. Kraft was his big supporter and when this came out Kraft acted like a scorned lover. Kraft is going to do everything in his power to get Goodell fired.

[blumj]

Literally the only thing more ridiculous than purposely deflating footballs to gain a competitive advantage is taking 103 days to write a 243 page report that states it's "more probable than not" that the Patriots deflated the balls, and that Brady was "generally aware".
Only 243 pages? The SoSH thread on this hit 350 today and it's still going.

[Todd Gack]

LOL @ The NFL

[Razor Shines]

He'll be back just in time for the Colts on Sunday Night Football.

[Stray]

4 games is about what I expected.

Losing two draft picks including next year's 1st rounder is rough tho.

[WVRed]

He'll be back just in time for the Colts on Sunday Night Football.

This and the Greg Hardy suspension length (coming back Thanksgiving Day against his former team) is why the NFL is a joke anymore.

It'll probably be reduced to two games. Brady appeals, Goodell tries to save face and get back in good graces with his buddy Kraft, and the only winners now are the Steelers who get a more even playing field after losing LeVeon Bell.

[BuckeyeRed27]

4 games is about what I expected.

Losing two draft picks including next year's 1st rounder is rough tho.

I could be wrong, but didn't the report basically say that the organization and coaches didn't know anything. If so than why is this part included in the penalty?

[blumj]

This and the Greg Hardy suspension length (coming back Thanksgiving Day against his former team) is why the NFL is a joke anymore.

It'll probably be reduced to two games. Brady appeals, Goodell tries to save face and get back in good graces with his buddy Kraft, and the only winners now are the Steelers who get a more even playing field after losing LeVeon Bell.
Maybe Jimmy Garoppolo?

[757690]

I could be wrong, but didn't the report basically say that the organization and coaches didn't know anything. If so than why is this part included in the penalty?

While the independent report said they didn't find any proof that the organization and coaches knew anything, the fine and loss of picks tells me that the NFL thinks they did, even if they can't prove it.

[BuckeyeRed27]

While the independent report said they didn't find any proof that the organization and coaches knew anything, the fine and loss of picks tells me that the NFL thinks they did, even if they can't prove it.

Yeah I just don't see how any of this is going to hold up on appeal. It's just going to make Goodell and the NFL look stupid again.

[WVRed]

Yeah I just don't see how any of this is going to hold up on appeal. It's just going to make Goodell and the NFL look stupid again.

And keep the Patriots conspiracy theories alive and well.

[RedsBaron]

While the independent report said they didn't find any proof that the organization and coaches knew anything, the fine and loss of picks tells me that the NFL thinks they did, even if they can't prove it.
The above is part of what bugs me about this decision. I know it isn't a court of law and that these are not accusations which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but the standard of "we can't prove it but we will assume you are guilty and punish you anyway" just doesn't sit right with me.

[757690]

The above is part of what bugs me about this decision. I know it isn't a court of law and that these are not accusations which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but the standard of "we can't prove it but we will assume you are guilty and punish you anyway" just doesn't sit right with me.

Honest question. Who here thinks that Belicheck knew nothing about this?

[Slyder]

Honest question. Who here thinks that Belicheck knew nothing about this?

If anyone does... I've got ocean front property in WV..

Belicheat is a complete and total control freak. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING happens at that place without Bellicheat's knowledge.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Honest question. Who here thinks that Belicheck knew nothing about this?

I'm not completely convinced there is a this.

[IslandRed]

I think this could be the end of Goodell. Kraft was his big supporter and when this came out Kraft acted like a scorned lover. Kraft is going to do everything in his power to get Goodell fired.

I don't know... at this point, the other 29 owners might not have a problem with someone breaking a chair over Kraft's head, so to speak. I don't know if it'll get Goodell fired or consolidate his power, but it's likely to accomplish one or the other.

[bucksfan2]

I don't have a problem with this. You don't need the evidence to punish in the NFL that you would to convict in a court of law. While they may not have a picture of Brady tapering with the footballs, they have enough circumstantial evidence to prove he had a hand in it. To add to that, Brady was not cooperative with the NFL and was actually an impediment to this process. I don't think the tampered balls played much if any factor in the outcome of the game. I do however think that Brady cheated, he deliberately broke the rules. If you break the rules you deserve to get punished. If you are playing with a corked bat but do not hit a HR and your team wins 10-2, should you still get punished?

I think Goddell had to punish the Pats harshly for two reasons. First of all many thought that Kraft was a "privileged owner" and had Goddell's ear and was a confidant. Secondly this was the second time the Pats got caught cheating. They don't get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to getting caught cheating.

[improbus]

This story is the perfect storm of sports soap opera-ness/hot take culture. Brady, The Pats, two Bostonians named Yazstremski and McNally, a defending champ, deflated ball jokes, Goodell, there is almost no end to what you could talk about.

[Stray]

The season needs to hurry up and get here. Deflategate is beyond ridiculous at this point.

[Todd Gack]

He'll be back just in time for the Colts on Sunday Night Football.

This isn't an accident.

[Razor Shines]

This isn't an accident.

The Deflate-gate game rematch....absolutely no way the league was gonna have Brady not be part of that.

[Todd Gack]

The Deflate-gate game rematch....absolutely no way the league was gonna have Brady not be part of that.

They knew well before-hand what the punishment was going to be and purposefully put this as the Patriots 5th game. Obviously, it's a conspiracy theory but that's the way the NFL seems to work nowadays.

[757690]

Extra points will no longer be ceremonial. NFL changes the rule, so now, extra points are snapped at the 15 yard line, not the 2.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12915634/nfl-change-extra-point-kicks-longer-distance

[Hoosier Red]

Do you still get two points if you fake a PAT and run/pass it in?

[Reds Fanatic]

Do you still get two points if you fake a PAT and run/pass it in?

Yes and a regular 2 point conversion try will still be from the 2 yard line. But the defense can now score too. If they return a turnover all the way on an extra point or two point conversion attempt then the defense will score 2 points

[BuckeyeRed27]

Yes and a regular 2 point conversion try will still be from the 2 yard line. But the defense can now score too. If they return a turnover all the way on an extra point or two point conversion attempt then the defense will score 2 points

I believe that was the case before this rule change.

[bucksfan2]

I believe that was the case before this rule change.

In college it was, but in the NFL the defense could not score on a blocked PAT or 2pt conversion attempt.

[RichRed]

It'll be kind of weird that any FG under 32 yards will still be three points, while a PAT from a longer distance out will be worth only one. Let's shake things up a little more and make all FGs shorter than the new PAT distance worth one point instead of three, and encourage coaches to go for it more on 4th down.

[blumj]

Some fans have organized a "Free Tom Brady Rally" at Gillette Stadium tomorrow: "a peaceful rally to protest the unjust football arrest of half God half man Tom Brady". :laugh:
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/05/23/new-england-patriots-fans-free-tom-brady-rally?xid=si_social

[Chip R]

Browns petition NFL to opt out of HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

http://es.pn/1SsYlOF

[Kingspoint]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul had his right index finger amputated on Wednesday.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter


For those of you who haven't heard, he was playing with fireworks.

Also, the Giants immediately pulled their long-term contract offer off the table two days ago after learning of the incident, while Pierre-Paul has yet to sign his $14M tender. (I'm surprised they didn't pull that, too.)

[Chip R]

C.J. Wilson also has been involved in a fireworks accident and lost two fingers.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13221663/cj-wilson-tampa-bay-buccaneers-injured-fireworks-accident

[Slyder]

Taking bets on the last words spoken before those events...

A) Hold my beer
B) Hey Watch this!

Although it could always been worse for both....

http://sostrenews.com/man-instantly-dies-after-launching-firework-off-his-head/

[Stray]

Adam Schefter tweeting out a picture of JPP's medical chart is so far across the line I'm shocked that an E!SPN reporter even went there. Not even about the legal stuff where the liability falls on the leaker's shoulder, but that Schefter would even tweet that is beyond absurd. He is THE man to follow on social media for breaking NFL news. He literally has years of working (paying) sources for the right to post a tweet seconds before the CBS/FOX guys, anything he tweets, people believe.

Why in the world would he tweet a picture of JPP's medical record, which also showed bits and pieces of another random dude's info, when all he had to do was tweet that according to his sources JPP's finger got amputated?

I hate that we are in a crazy need to know sports world where that is even something people care about knowing before a release, but there has to be a line somewhere. Guys can't be working sources (even if it's from JPP's camp) to get pictures like that. That's gross.

[Kingspoint]

Adam Schefter has always seemed like a little weasel. This confirms it.

[Donder]

NFL upholds Brady's 4 game suspension. Will there be a lawsuit?

[bucksfan2]

NFL upholds Brady's 4 game suspension. Will there be a lawsuit?

Brady has threatened. One point that was brought up at the beginning of this was Brady was not required to turn over any information. This led to the debate over Brady's cell phone records. In a lawsuit Brady would be forced to hand over that information, would he want to?

In the grand scheme of things I don't think the deflated footballs played a roll in the game. However manipulating a piece of equipment, in football, really the only piece of equipment that you can manipulate is pretty serious. There is really nothing you could manipulate on the field in football that could give you a strategic other than the football. In baseball if you get caught with a corked bat or a scuffed up ball your in big trouble, it should be the same in football.

[indyscott]

Brady demolished his phone. Says he does it with every phone for security reasons.
I would say he's not dumb enough to sue th NFL but after the advice he's gotten from his advisors or done on his own I put nothing past him.

[Chip R]

Brady has threatened. One point that was brought up at the beginning of this was Brady was not required to turn over any information. This led to the debate over Brady's cell phone records. In a lawsuit Brady would be forced to hand over that information, would he want to?

He may have been bluffing to get a reduced suspension. If he's not, he's going to have to get an injunction to play in the games where he is suspended. Then the legal process begins and while Brady is wealthy and can afford good lawyers, the NFL has a battery of lawyers at their disposal on retainer. So the process begins and soon it's October and maybe November before the case gets tried. I suppose this would be a jury trial and if it is, is a New York jury going to be sympathetic towards a guy who plays for New England and has a fashion model for a wife? But what if it drags into late in the regular season and the suspension is upheld? If you're the Patriots, are you going to be comfortable without Brady at QB down the stretch? Maybe it goes into the playoffs. I doubt Brady's teammates are going to look kindly upon him missing playoff games just to prove a point. It's going to hang over the team all season if he fights it. The best thing for Brady to do is to serve the suspension and continue to proclaim his innocence. He'll be back in October and after his first game, everyone will forget about it.

[Assembly Hall]

He did it 'nuff said.

[Dom Heffner]

I stood up for the Pats, I was wrong. Really, really wrong.

And Robert Kraft is a whiney baby.

Brady should be thankful it wasn't more.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I stood up for the Pats, I was wrong. Really, really wrong.

And Robert Kraft is a whiney baby.

Brady should be thankful it wasn't more.

I guess. If the best the NFL could do to uphold the suspension is say he destroyed the cell phone than I still think they look like idiots. They have a bunch of circumstantial evidence that could mean a lot of things and they are trying to look all tough and show they handled this better than the Ray Rice situation. They didn't. They just made everyone look stupid.

[bucksfan2]

I guess. If the best the NFL could do to uphold the suspension is say he destroyed the cell phone than I still think they look like idiots. They have a bunch of circumstantial evidence that could mean a lot of things and they are trying to look all tough and show they handled this better than the Ray Rice situation. They didn't. They just made everyone look stupid.

I think the cell phone is the crux of the angst between the NFL and Brady. The NFL knows that there were a string of text messages exchanged between Brady and the locker room attendant shortly after it became public that the footballs were deflated. The NFL also has evidence that Brady stonewalled them with that said phone during their investigation and also that Brady just so happened to destroy the phone where you can not get any records off of it. The NFL was also preemptive in starting a lawsuit in New York as opposed the the player friendly judge in Minnesota. I think they have Brady dead to rights and think now the suspension will hold.

[Dom Heffner]

He did it.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I think the cell phone is the crux of the angst between the NFL and Brady. The NFL knows that there were a string of text messages exchanged between Brady and the locker room attendant shortly after it became public that the footballs were deflated. The NFL also has evidence that Brady stonewalled them with that said phone during their investigation and also that Brady just so happened to destroy the phone where you can not get any records off of it. The NFL was also preemptive in starting a lawsuit in New York as opposed the the player friendly judge in Minnesota. I think they have Brady dead to rights and think now the suspension will hold.

I could be wrong about this part, but don't they have the messages from the locker room guys phone? There were phone calls as well, but obviously no recordings so that isn't going to prove or disprove anything.

Brady is under no obligation to give up his phone and despite the fact he destroyed it, I believe I read he still gave pretty detailed records about who he called and when based on the information that was available.

I delete almost every text message I send usually within a couple days of sending it. I'm not trying to hide anything, I just text a lot and uses up a lot of data. I read some place that Brady had over 10,000 text messages in a billing cycle and also is likely deleting them pretty frequently. Not that any of this matters because if the NFL's whole case was relying on some text that Tom Brady may or may not have sent, they didn't have a case to begin with. If they are giving a 4 game suspension because he didn't provide his phone, well that apparently is against the CBA and I hope Brady sues.

[villain612]

Brady is under no obligation to give up his phone and despite the fact he destroyed it, I believe I read he still gave pretty detailed records about who he called and when based on the information that was available.



He did it, bro.

[BuckeyeRed27]

He did it, bro.

Yep he probably knew something. For me, there is too much circumstantial evidence and too much of the NFL trying to save face. If this was a court case Brady would win every time.

[bucksfan2]

I could be wrong about this part, but don't they have the messages from the locker room guys phone? There were phone calls as well, but obviously no recordings so that isn't going to prove or disprove anything.

Brady is under no obligation to give up his phone and despite the fact he destroyed it, I believe I read he still gave pretty detailed records about who he called and when based on the information that was available.

I delete almost every text message I send usually within a couple days of sending it. I'm not trying to hide anything, I just text a lot and uses up a lot of data. I read some place that Brady had over 10,000 text messages in a billing cycle and also is likely deleting them pretty frequently. Not that any of this matters because if the NFL's whole case was relying on some text that Tom Brady may or may not have sent, they didn't have a case to begin with. If they are giving a 4 game suspension because he didn't provide his phone, well that apparently is against the CBA and I hope Brady sues.

I believe in discovery the NFL can request Brady's phone records and Brady would have to turn them over. I think the phone was destroyed on purpose with Brady knowing that the NFL could not get their hands on the phone without a court order. Now that it goes to the courts I think Brady is hoping that without that evidence they will reduce the suspension.

[OldRightHander]

Just bumped into Domata Peko in the Speedway in Covington. That's my NFL offseason news, for what it's worth.

[Chip R]

In a reversal of policy, the NFL, errrrrr, HOF will let Sidney Seau speak at her late father's induction.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/sydney-seau-will-get-chance-to-speak-for-father-at-hall-of-fame-induction-211926203.html

[Kingspoint]

Just bumped into Domata Peko in the Speedway in Covington. That's my NFL offseason news, for what it's worth.

Did he turn aside and let you pass unimpeded?

[OldRightHander]

Did he turn aside and let you pass unimpeded?

Not exactly. He was in line in front of me. We had a brief chat. So soft spoken for such a big guy.

[Kingspoint]

If you hate the 49er's (I don't, but I certainly don't have any good feelings for them), you've got to be loving this off-season.

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

49ers released OLB Aldon Smith.

The 49ers' Offseason From Hell continues. They've lost Smith, ILB Chris Borland, DE Justin Smith, RB Frank Gore, coach Jim Harbaugh, both coordinators and most of the coaching staff, ILB Patrick Willis, LG Mike Iupati, CBs Perrish Cox and Chris Culliver, WRs Michael Crabtree and Stevie Johnson, OLB Dan Skuta, and RT Anthony Davis. Smith has been popped for three DUIs since 2012, in addition to multiple other alcohol-related incidents. Smith needs to get help, but the 49ers aren't going to be involved in that. They'll move forward with a depleted outside linebacker corps consisting of declining Ahmad Brooks, promising-but-enigmatic sophomore Aaron Lynch, special teamer Corey Lemonier, and rookie Eli Harold. Keep banging the under on San Francisco's 6.5-game Vegas Win Total.

Source: Jim Trotter on Twitter

[Slyder]

If you hate the 49er's (I don't, but I certainly don't have any good feelings for them), you've got to be loving this off-season.

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

49ers released OLB Aldon Smith.

The 49ers' Offseason From Hell continues. They've lost Smith, ILB Chris Borland, DE Justin Smith, RB Frank Gore, coach Jim Harbaugh, both coordinators and most of the coaching staff, ILB Patrick Willis, LG Mike Iupati, CBs Perrish Cox and Chris Culliver, WRs Michael Crabtree and Stevie Johnson, OLB Dan Skuta, and RT Anthony Davis. Smith has been popped for three DUIs since 2012, in addition to multiple other alcohol-related incidents. Smith needs to get help, but the 49ers aren't going to be involved in that. They'll move forward with a depleted outside linebacker corps consisting of declining Ahmad Brooks, promising-but-enigmatic sophomore Aaron Lynch, special teamer Corey Lemonier, and rookie Eli Harold. Keep banging the under on San Francisco's 6.5-game Vegas Win Total.

Source: Jim Trotter on Twitter

Secretly recorded video from Aldon Smith's agent and lawyer's office.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx40udwQvZI

[Stray]

Geno Smith getting his jaw broken by a rookie LB's sucker punch and being out 6-10 weeks is one of the Jets-ier things that could happen.

[Chip R]

Here is NFL.Com's scouting report on IM Enemkpali. Turns out it was very accurate.

9621

[Kingspoint]

He'll be punching his name at the employment line for quite a while (without qualifying for unemployment since he was legally fired).

[Kingspoint]

Bruce Arians is a reporter's dream....

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians calls first-round OT D.J. Humphries "knee deep," because that's "how far coaches have put a foot up his rear to motivate" him.

Arians also chided Humphries' maturity in OTAs before noticing an improvement in minicamp. Arians is an old-school coach, one who might be hard for the 21-year-old Humphries to win over. We would say Humphries was falling behind in his quest to overtake Bobby Massie at right tackle, but the job is now his after Massie earned a three-game suspension on Tuesday. Arians will spend the rest of camp trying to motivate his rookie.

Source: Kent Somers on Twitter

[Stray]

So it was over a 600 dollar plane ticket that the LB bought Geno. Geno was supposed to attend this guy's football camp and didn't show, guy wanted paid back for the money he spent on Geno's travels. Confrontation happens, Geno puts his finger in dude's face, then gets socked in the jaw.

Odd that all the reports are that it was a sucker punch. If you go putting your fingers in some freakishly huge NFL LB's face, what do you think is gonna happen?

Not that he was justified in breaking the starting QB's jaw or anything, but yea doesn't really sound like a sucker punch either.

[Caveat Emperor]

I just think it's funny that no one has (seemingly) adjusted their expectations for the Jets season because of this.

[redsfanmia]

He'll be punching his name at the employment line for quite a while (without qualifying for unemployment since he was legally fired).

All of one day, this incident speaks poorly of Smith, he is the leader of a football team and he lets a $600 plane ticket escalate to this? He spends that on dinner on a Tuesday night, he should be embarrassed.

[dabvu2498]

Buy non-refundable plane tickets for Geno Smith? You sucker-punch yourself.

[dabvu2498]

FWIW, Enemkpali was also claimed by the Bills today. Gotta love Rex.

[Razor Shines]

Anyone watch Hard Knocks this week?

I thought Hopkins having to defend himself on why he doesn't return punts to Brian Cushing was funny.

[Tom Servo]

Ian Rapoport
‏@RapSheet
It’s a torn ACL for #Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin


Well, I hate football.

[Razor Shines]

Ian Rapoport
‏@RapSheet
It’s a torn ACL for #Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin


Well, I hate football.

That sucks.

[Revering4Blue]

That sucks.

It does.

The Panthers are team 1A to me along with the Colts. Nevertheless, the hope on my end is that Funchess quickly develops into a match-up problem for the defense. Rumors abound that the Panthers will now pursue Reggie Wayne, which I'm obviously all for.

[Razor Shines]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/19/44bcdda36edc51662f427abe6d9681b9.jpg he is a match up problem.

[WrongVerb]

Former QB Erik Kramer survived an attempted suicide attempt (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13473520/erik-kramer-former-qb-detroit-lions-chicago-bears-wounded-suicide-try?ex_cid=ESPNFB):


Kramer's former wife, Marshawn Kramer, told NBC News on Wednesday that the 10-year NFL veteran had attempted suicide after suffering from years of depression.

"He is a very amazing man, a beautiful soul, but he has suffered depression since he was with the (Chicago) Bears," Kramer said. "I can promise you he is not the same man I married."

Just speculation, but could he be dealing with the after-effects of multiple concussions?

[Kingspoint]

Former QB Erik Kramer survived an attempted suicide attempt (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13473520/erik-kramer-former-qb-detroit-lions-chicago-bears-wounded-suicide-try?ex_cid=ESPNFB):



Just speculation, but could he be dealing with the after-effects of multiple concussions?
I would say the chances are great.

[bucksfan2]

I would say the chances are great.

I don't think so. Reports are that he suffered from depression back to his playing days. Reading his Wiki page it also notes that he had a son die of a heroin overdose a few years back.

I don't dismiss the long term effects on people who play football due to concussions. I also think that we forget that a large portion of the general population who has never had a concussion suffers from depression. Could football have been a factor, sure, could depression happened regardless of football, absolutely.

[Sea Ray]

And back to the field, RG3 suffered a concussion yesterday and in looking at the highlights you gotta wonder why J Gruden left him in so long. That O-line was horrible and he was taking a beating. You can't allow your franchise to get killed in the 2nd preseason game. Issue #2 is what to do with that O-line. Big problems in DC

[WrongVerb]

And back to the field, RG3 suffered a concussion yesterday and in looking at the highlights you gotta wonder why J Gruden left him in so long. That O-line was horrible and he was taking a beating. You can't allow your franchise to get killed in the 2nd preseason game. Issue #2 is what to do with that O-line. Big problems in DC

Having just moved from DC area after 18+ years living there, you have no idea how much joy their troubles bring me. Not that I wish ill-will on their players, but the owner is horrible (really gouges the fans, then brings in big-name, past-their-prime players for big bucks like Albert Haynesworth) and their fans are insufferable in ways you cannot even begin to fathom. The more the fans are tortured with a loser, the better.

[Kingspoint]

I don't think so. Reports are that he suffered from depression back to his playing days. Reading his Wiki page it also notes that he had a son die of a heroin overdose a few years back.

I don't dismiss the long term effects on people who play football due to concussions. I also think that we forget that a large portion of the general population who has never had a concussion suffers from depression. Could football have been a factor, sure, could depression happened regardless of football, absolutely.Having depression as a player in the pros or in college doesn't take away concussion issues as the major contributor to the comments being made by his spouse, typical comments from spouses of those with concussion-related depression. The research shows that the brain autopsies show as high a degree of concussion-related symptoms in those that died before they entered the pros as those who entered the pros, suggesting that the damage from concussions occurs long before that.

We're talking about a QB here, whose head got snapped to the ground hundreds of times over his career. Concussions are just part of the problem. The autopsies show the same damage for players who ddn't have concussions but played positions where their heads took thousands of hits...O-linemen.

[Kingspoint]

Having just moved from DC area after 18+ years living there, you have no idea how much joy their troubles bring me. Not that I wish ill-will on their players, but the owner is horrible (really gouges the fans, then brings in big-name, past-their-prime players for big bucks like Albert Haynesworth) and their fans are insufferable in ways you cannot even begin to fathom. The more the fans are tortured with a loser, the better.

Gruden made it clear that he has as much faith in RGIII as his Starter as Browns' Coaches have in Manziel as their Starter.

I don't know what's worse...whoever is LT Trent Williams' replacement, or Luke Joeckel. It's a pity Bortles has to have him protecting his blind-side again. And Joeckel beat out a guy who beat out Ogbuehi in College for the LT position. That University did not teach them anything when it comes to pass protection. The Bengals better resign Whitworth because Ogbuehi is going to be absolutely terrible his first three years...his first one having been spent on IR. Fisher is more likely to win the Starting LT job before Ogbuehi ever will. Boling even moreso. Offer Whit $15M for two years and see if he takes it. If by next July he hasn't taken it (no one will offer him more because of his age), up the offer to $18M and hold there.

[Razor Shines]

Reggie Wayne to the Pats. As a lifelong Colts fan but not a Patriot hater, I say good for him. My friends and family however are Florida pissed and think he's a traitor.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000515360/article/reggie-wayne-agrees-to-oneyear-deal-with-patriots

[Dom Heffner]

Is it just me or is the NFL starting late this year? September 13th, good Lord...

[Sea Ray]

Is it just me or is the NFL starting late this year? September 13th, good Lord...

With Labor Day as late as it can possibly be, everything that's based on that holiday is equally late

[Razor Shines]

Peyton Manning hasn't had any feeling in the tips of his fingers since his neck procedure in 2011.

How can he even play let alone at an All Pro level?

http://mmqb.si.com/monday-morning-qb-cris-carter-jordy-nelson-navorro-bowman-nfl

[Revering4Blue]

Reggie Wayne to the Pats. As a lifelong Colts fan but not a Patriot hater, I say good for him. My friends and family however are Florida pissed and think he's a traitor.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000515360/article/reggie-wayne-agrees-to-oneyear-deal-with-patriots

I wish him well, but it brings back memories of Eric Davis in a Dodgers uniform to me. Oh, well, on a somewhat related note, at least his coach - polarizing figure as he is - grew up as a Colts fan, granted, they were in Baltimore at the time. But, I too, was a fan of the Bert Jones/Roger Carr/John Dutton era, as well. So, it softens the situation somewhat.

At least that is what I'll keep telling myself.

[Razor Shines]

I loved ED as a kid and even then I didn't begrudge him going to the Dodgers. I was disappointed he was no longer with the Reds but I thought it was cool he was on the Dodgers.

[Dom Heffner]

With Labor Day as late as it can possibly be, everything that's based on that holiday is equally late

There's my answer, thank you Sea Ray!

[kaldaniels]

The lead story on ESPN.com (mobile) is about what players got 99 ratings on Madden.

[Kingspoint]

Peyton Manning hasn't had any feeling in the tips of his fingers since his neck procedure in 2011.

How can he even play let alone at an All Pro level?

http://mmqb.si.com/monday-morning-qb-cris-carter-jordy-nelson-navorro-bowman-nfl

He doesn't play at an all-pro level. He was one of the worst QB's in the league last season.

[Razor Shines]

He doesn't play at an all-pro level. He was one of the worst QB's in the league last season.

I said since his neck procedure in 2011 so clearly I was referring specifically to his first two years in Denver.

You're gonna have to define "one of the worst", how many and who were the QBs better.? It was a down year for him and I see another drop in level of play this season but I can't see anyway he was one of the worst last year.

[RedTeamGo!]

Ian Rapoport
‏@RapSheet
It’s a torn ACL for #Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin


Well, I hate football.

Yeah, that was brutal news. With the addition of funchess I was really excited about the offense this season.

Well, at least Shaq Thompson, Thomas Davis, and Luke Keuchly are going to be a blast to watch on D.

[Sea Ray]

What's the scoop with RGIII? Is he really so concussed that he has to take next week off too?

[RedTeamGo!]

What's the scoop with RGIII? Is he really so concussed that he has to take next week off too?

This thinking is the reason concussions in football are such a serious matter.

[Stray]

What a circus in Washington.

[Dom Heffner]

He doesn't play at an all-pro level. He was one of the worst QB's in the league last season.

I kept waiting for him to snap out of it, he really took a dive there mid season or so.

[RichRed]

Having just moved from DC area after 18+ years living there, you have no idea how much joy their troubles bring me. Not that I wish ill-will on their players, but the owner is horrible (really gouges the fans, then brings in big-name, past-their-prime players for big bucks like Albert Haynesworth) and their fans are insufferable in ways you cannot even begin to fathom. The more the fans are tortured with a loser, the better.

Take it easy...some of us are already self-loathing enough without your help. If I had it in me to switch teams, I would've done it more than a decade ago. Been a fan since the late '70s, same as the Reds, and I'm afraid my condition is terminal.

I despise Dan Snyder with the white hot intensity of a thousand Jack Kent Cookes.

[Sea Ray]

Jay Gruden named Kirk Cousins the starter and went so far as to call them "Kirk's team". That doesn't bode well for RG3. I doubt he's going to take this well but unless getting Trent Williams back shores up their O-line, Wash is going to go through a few QBs this yr.

[Kingspoint]

I kept waiting for him to snap out of it, he really took a dive there mid season or so.

That's actually when it happened, and it happened fast. He's still the smart Quarterback that he's always been while he's going to try to find the mismatch and exploit it. It's just whether or not there's much left there for him to take advantage of the vast knowledge that he has at his disposal.

[Razor Shines]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/06/10576c117cfc66c3d2faf96980fbc7ec.jpg

[Chip R]

Former Giant and Iowa Hawkeye Tyler Sash passed away at 27. He was from Oskaloosa, IA a town about 10 miles from where I grew up.

http://es.pn/1QmWfxt

[Kingspoint]

Has Oakland Raider Management had their head in the sand?

Did they not just witness first-hand the self-destruction of their Bay Area counterparts, the San Francisco 49ers?

Apparently, they are as obtuse as a rock, for they just signed Aldon Smith to a contract.

[Slyder]

Has Oakland Raider Management had their head in the sand?

Did they not just witness first-hand the self-destruction of their Bay Area counterparts, the San Francisco 49ers?

Apparently, they are as obtuse as a rock, for they just signed Aldon Smith to a contract.

I would offer my services to be Aldon's personal driver. If he can stay out of trouble he keeps the double teams off of Mack. Thats IF he can stay out of trouble. I like this risk, it's very un-Reggie like. I wonder if Reggie realizes its do or die time for him.

Its a 1 year deal, if he can't stay out of trouble he's out the door. If he can he can be an absolute freak in this defense.

[Slyder]

Plus what does the fact that they let Gore go, let Harbaugh go because he wasn't a yes man, and half their team retired have to do with the Raiders? I don't see Amari Cooper, Khalil Mack, and half the team retiring after this year.

[Kingspoint]

Plus what does the fact that they let Gore go, let Harbaugh go because he wasn't a yes man, and half their team retired have to do with the Raiders? I don't see Amari Cooper, Khalil Mack, and half the team retiring after this year.
There was a climate of what's in it for me and dysfunction in SF. Why bring a guy in who was as bad as any of them. You need players who will do what's best for the team, not themselves.

[Joseph]

There was a climate of what's in it for me and dysfunction in SF. Why bring a guy in who was as bad as any of them. You need players who will do what's best for the team, not themselves.

Aldon has to do something to re-establish worth. I bet he tows the line a lot better than expected.

[Kingspoint]

Aldon has to do something to re-establish worth. I bet he tows the line a lot better than expected.

We'll see. We're talking major alcohol issues. You just don't turn that type of behavior on and off. Without a major change of personality, he's more apt to be nothing more than a dry drunk...a ticking timebomb...that will go off within a year...the first time "he thinks" he can get away with something. He can tow the line for 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. But, it's a matter of when, not if, he hass his next incident. In the meantime, he won't be a pleasant person to be around, which is why I wouldn't want him on the team.

[Sea Ray]

Kingspoint has talked before about coaches and how they age too. I think we saw an example of that last night in Dallas. Coughlin is going to the Hall of Fame but I think he's losing it. He made an inexcusable mistake by throwing on 3rd down. Not only was the call bad but his players weren't even prepared to execute it. There was "maybe" one receiver for Eli to choose from and even he didn't look like he was expecting to be thrown to. Now Eli does get some blame for not falling down and taking the sack and the Giant D sure didn't perform well after giving Dallas the ball but 90% of that is on Coughlin. This will kill any chance the Giants may have had for a decent season

[Kingspoint]

Kingspoint has talked before about coaches and how they age too. I think we saw an example of that last night in Dallas. Coughlin is going to the Hall of Fame but I think he's losing it. He made an inexcusable mistake by throwing on 3rd down. Not only was the call bad but his players weren't even prepared to execute it. There was "maybe" one receiver for Eli to choose from and even he didn't look like he was expecting to be thrown to. Now Eli does get some blame for not falling down and taking the sack and the Giant D sure didn't perform well after giving Dallas the ball but 90% of that is on Coughlin. This will kill any chance the Giants may have had for a decent season
Eli blamed himself for not knowing that Dallas had a timeout left. It cost me a FFB victory.

[Sea Ray]

Eli blamed himself for not knowing that Dallas had a timeout left. It cost me a FFB victory.

When? Dallas had no TOs left when the play in question happened

[Stray]

I didn't have a problem with the 3rd down call. Eli has to know he can't throw the ball away there.

[Razor Shines]

Eli blamed himself for not knowing that Dallas had a timeout left. It cost me a FFB victory.

Timeout? Eli gave them a free timeout by not taking a sack.

[Puffy]

Eli blamed himself for not knowing that Dallas had a timeout left. It cost me a FFB victory.

He was talking about telling Jennings not to score on first or second down because he believed Dallas had used last timeout on the OBJ catch. Dallas was offsides and even though the Giants declined the clock was stopped until next play. Eli thought was a Dallas timeout taken thus he told Jennings not to score.

Coughlin, McAdoo and Eli all deserve blame. McAdoo for calling that freakin play, Coughlin for not overruling him AND for not telling Eli, "hey, if Donnell is covered get down on the ground - don't stop the clock" and Eli for stupidly, moronically, freakin inexcusably throwing that football out of bounds.

[Puffy]

This will kill any chance the Giants may have had for a decent season

Bull. It's one game. They played without Cruz, without Beason, without JPP (although he may be done for year from what I am hearing) and without rookie DE O'Diggy.

If the Giants don't have a decent season its because of lack of talent and injuries. Not because they blew this game

[Sea Ray]

Bull. It's one game. They played without Cruz, without Beason, without JPP (although he may be done for year from what I am hearing) and without rookie DE O'Diggy.

If the Giants don't have a decent season its because of lack of talent and injuries. Not because they blew this game

As a Bengal fan, I know a little about being short on talent. I know that when your margin of error is this thin, a game like this can throw you into a tailspin. You are right that it'll mainly be due to lack of talent. Be that as it may, I think they're in for a bad season

[Stray]

Pretty sure every other commercial I've seen this weekend was either FanDuel or Draft Kings.

[Kingspoint]

When? Dallas had no TOs left when the play in question happened

Just going with what he said in the post-game interview.

[Kingspoint]

Pretty sure every other commercial I've seen this weekend was either FanDuel or Draft Kings.

It was disgusting, along with the pop-ups everywhere on my phone by them.


Football crack.

[Chip R]

Pretty sure every other commercial I've seen this weekend was either FanDuel or Draft Kings.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/gambling-not-daily-fantasy-sports-faces-scrutiny-192341521--nfl.html;_ylt=AwrXnCFeavdVYnAAEIhNbK5_;_ylu=X3oDMT ByNzdqbzZjBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMzBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--

[Razor Shines]

That's actually when it happened, and it happened fast. He's still the smart Quarterback that he's always been while he's going to try to find the mismatch and exploit it. It's just whether or not there's much left there for him to take advantage of the vast knowledge that he has at his disposal.

Well it was the 13th game on when it happened. From game 13 last season up until now Manning being one of the worst QBs in football is an accurate statement. Most of last season he was pretty good.

I wonder what the Broncos are going to do. Ride out his awful play and get a top pick?

[Razor Shines]

Give me Draft Kings or Fan Duel commercials forever if it means I never have to see another "Big Bang Theory" promo.

[Razor Shines]

Too many chicken parms.

[Sea Ray]

I wonder what the Broncos are going to do. Ride out his awful play and get a top pick?

Problem is they're eeking out wins making a top pick unlikely. I still think they'll struggle to make the playoffs. Peyton will likely deteriorate physically as the season goes on

[Tom Servo]

I can't believe the Chiefs lost that game.

[Sea Ray]

I can't believe the Chiefs lost that game.

5 turnovers will do it. That kills you in the NFL

[Razor Shines]

I can't believe the Chiefs lost that game.

That's two Broncos games in a row I've said that now.

[Assembly Hall]

5 turnovers will do it. That kills you in the NFL

0-7 on third downs will as well.

[Sea Ray]

0-7 on third downs will as well.

I didn't realize that. Sure 0% jumps out at you but only 7 third downs is an outlier too. Weird game. Both those teams are dink and dunk. Makes our Andy Dalton led Bengals look like a vertical attack

[Assembly Hall]

I didn't realize that. Sure 0% jumps out at you but only 7 third downs is an outlier too. Weird game. Both those teams are dink and dunk. Makes our Andy Dalton led Bengals look like a vertical attack

Weird to say the least. If you really look at the stats, Denver should have blown them out. But Denver is lucky to have won.

[Kingspoint]

I wonder what the Broncos are going to do. Ride out his awful play and get a top pick?

Elway will do what he's always done. Infuse top talent into the position. In the meantime, he set up a transition period by switching the Offense to be geared to the run, turned the Defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 so he can get a better pass-rush, brought in uber-talented play-makers on Defense, and set up his future QB by locking up Demaryius Thomas. All is good as long as Elway is in charge.

[Kingspoint]

Well it was the 13th game on when it happened. From game 13 last season up until now Manning being one of the worst QBs in football is an accurate statement. Most of last season he was pretty good.



He stunk it up Wk8 against NE, Wk10 against StL and Wk12 against KC. His throws were terrible in those games. He missed Receiver after Receiver on his throws.

- - - Updated - - -

Take a knee and go into overtime, Reid!

[bucksfan2]

Elway will do what he's always done. Infuse top talent into the position. In the meantime, he set up a transition period by switching the Offense to be geared to the run, turned the Defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 so he can get a better pass-rush, brought in uber-talented play-makers on Defense, and set up his future QB by locking up Demaryius Thomas. All is good as long as Elway is in charge.

You can't win in the NFL without QB play. We see it time and time again, teams that have QB's can be successful, teams that don't aren't. There is a reason retreads continue to stick around in the NFL because teams constantly think they can win with Hoyer or Flynn or Josh McCown. In recent memory there have been two top tier QB's who have left their teams to sign with another team and become elite, Brees and Manning. Both if you look at it were very different circumstances. The Colts won the lottery for the second time in two decades and the Chargers had to choose between Rivers and Brees.

I think the Bronco's may find themselves in no mans land. Manning for all intents and purposes is no longer an elite level QB, more like his brother. I think they can make the playoffs but don't trust Manning with 16 games under his belt, I think he will break down. They must get damn lucky drafting a QB or hope for another miracle.

[Tom Servo]

Brock Osweiler has looked pretty good when given the chance. Obviously he's no Peyton Manning, but I think he could be a starting NFL quarterback.

[Kingspoint]

You can't win in the NFL without QB play. We see it time and time again, teams that have QB's can be successful, teams that don't aren't. There is a reason retreads continue to stick around in the NFL because teams constantly think they can win with Hoyer or Flynn or Josh McCown. In recent memory there have been two top tier QB's who have left their teams to sign with another team and become elite, Brees and Manning. Both if you look at it were very different circumstances. The Colts won the lottery for the second time in two decades and the Chargers had to choose between Rivers and Brees.

I think the Bronco's may find themselves in no mans land. Manning for all intents and purposes is no longer an elite level QB, more like his brother. I think they can make the playoffs but don't trust Manning with 16 games under his belt, I think he will break down. They must get damn lucky drafting a QB or hope for another miracle.

Brees wasn't a top-tier QB when he left. He had one season as a starter up to that point.

Elway recognizes as much as anyone how important the QB position is, which is why he overpaid for Peyton. But, he's not going to languish as a bottom-feeder or an 8-8 team while he's transitioning from Peyton to whomever he finds for his next QB. He'll get it done.

There was no miracle or luck involved with the acquisition of Peyton. Elway saw what a joke Tebow was and jettisoned him quickly despite public outcry in Denver. It's remarkable what Elway has done in his short time there. The Broncos were a mess when he came in as Executive Vice-President of Football Operations in 2011, while "officially" becoming GM in 2014. He's still in the process of building Denver's foundation, while he's had them in the Super Bowl and deep into the playoffs in the meantime.

There won't be any no-man's land with Elway in charge. He's not passive like Mike Brown, or scared to take a chance like Mike Brown. Denver's D-Line is a mess, but it's trying to be rebuilt. Can only do so much every season. When Elway took over, their Defense was almost non-existent. Now, it's the 2nd best in the NFL next to Buffalo. That Defense will allow any QB to win 10 games every season....even Peyton this year.

Elway would have no problem overpaying and coughing up a 2nd round pick for Mettenberger.

[Stray]

wrong thread

[Razor Shines]

Maybe next time the best defense in football won't call out Brady and perhaps won't give up 40 points.

[Sea Ray]

NFL games are turning into a flag fest. At best it's hurting the flow of the game and in the worst case may very will determine the winner. There's plenty of blame to go around and I'm not suggesting that the blocker at the end of the line who's holding the contain guy leading to a huge run, not get a flag. I want to center on how the rulebook could be pared down.

1)Eliminate the illegal formation. I bet 90% of NFL fans don't even know what an illegal formation is. Why is it a penalty if an O-lineman lines up more than a yard behind the line of scrimmage in obvious passing situations? Why does there HAVE to be 7 men on the line of scrimmage? Why does the tackle eligible HAVE to be covered by a WR? This is nuts. Just line up on your side and be set for a moment before the snap.

2) Eliminate "some" blows to the head for the QB. I've seen QBs get their helmet "graced" by a hand and it turns a 4th and 23 into an automatic first down. Pass rushers have their hands in the air and they can easily grace a helmet. That's why players wear helmets. Game outcomes should not be determined by silly crap like this

3) Give O linemen a little grace on being downfield. Our center was called for being downfield and he was maybe 2-3 yards beyond the LOS. In college linemen have 5 yds grace before getting called. I think that'd be a good rule

4) Work needs to be done on illegal contact downfield. As it is right now, a defender gets called if he touches a WR beyond 5 yds but there's no penalty if a WR runs into a DB 15 yds downfield. Why is that? I think some contact should be allowed but no holding or impeding a receiver...

Some of the yellow on the field is the fault of the players. There's a lot of holding going on and a lot of jumping offsides. I think this is due to lack of preparation in the summer. No 2 a days and starters rarely play in preseason games.

What do you think?

[IslandRed]

On #1, the purpose of all those formation rules is to make it known (to the defense and officials alike) who the eligible receivers are and aren't. Some of those are holdover rules from the days before jersey numbering was formalized and reporting rules instituted, but to eliminate them entirely, some other rules would have to be introduced. Like having exactly five offensive players on the field with numbers in the 50s-70s, no more no less, regardless of situation. That includes special teams, unless you're going to outlaw passes on fake punts and field goals.

#3, I'd expect the college rule to come back to the NFL rule before the reverse happens. It's a huge advantage to the offense for linemen to be able to fire out for a running play and then throw a pass off of it. (Also, the college rule is three yards, but they often get five or more before the official notices.) Coaches will take advantage of whatever the rules give them and right now it's a hot topic in the college game.

[bucksfan2]

NFL games are turning into a flag fest. At best it's hurting the flow of the game and in the worst case may very will determine the winner. There's plenty of blame to go around and I'm not suggesting that the blocker at the end of the line who's holding the contain guy leading to a huge run, not get a flag. I want to center on how the rulebook could be pared down.

1)Eliminate the illegal formation. I bet 90% of NFL fans don't even know what an illegal formation is. Why is it a penalty if an O-lineman lines up more than a yard behind the line of scrimmage in obvious passing situations? Why does there HAVE to be 7 men on the line of scrimmage? Why does the tackle eligible HAVE to be covered by a WR? This is nuts. Just line up on your side and be set for a moment before the snap.

2) Eliminate "some" blows to the head for the QB. I've seen QBs get their helmet "graced" by a hand and it turns a 4th and 23 into an automatic first down. Pass rushers have their hands in the air and they can easily grace a helmet. That's why players wear helmets. Game outcomes should not be determined by silly crap like this

3) Give O linemen a little grace on being downfield. Our center was called for being downfield and he was maybe 2-3 yards beyond the LOS. In college linemen have 5 yds grace before getting called. I think that'd be a good rule

4) Work needs to be done on illegal contact downfield. As it is right now, a defender gets called if he touches a WR beyond 5 yds but there's no penalty if a WR runs into a DB 15 yds downfield. Why is that? I think some contact should be allowed but no holding or impeding a receiver...

Some of the yellow on the field is the fault of the players. There's a lot of holding going on and a lot of jumping offsides. I think this is due to lack of preparation in the summer. No 2 a days and starters rarely play in preseason games.

What do you think?

I disagree with most of what you have said.

#1 There has to be a legal formation that you abide by. I have heard announcers say that when a tackle begins to get further and further off the line they get a warning, and then the flag comes out. I don't mind that, I also don't mind them legislating offenses a little more. Most of the illegal formation penalties will go away as the season progresses and when they are called it is more a lack of attention by the offense.

#2 I would agree with this but I don't think the NFL is going to do it. They are looking to protect the QB's at all costs. One thing I would get rid of, is defenders launching themselves at a sliding QB. Clinton-Dix did that last night, and had Smith not been down as quick as he was he would have been knocked out of the game. Dix should have gotten a 15 yard penalty even though he didn't make contact. Can't have that happen.

#3 I think there should be some leeway in illegal man down field, but most of the time when that happens it is a result of a good play by a defender. I don't want to make it any harder on the D.

#4 Illegal contact is the worst call in sport. I do think that it is used too often instead of PI. I think PI is the most punitive call in sport and think that it should be changed. Most one on one battles can be called illegal contact depending on some interpretation of the rule. How many times have we watched a game where the defender clearly interferes with the WR and it is called illegal contact? If I could change it I would do away with spot fouls, change illegal contact to 10 yard down the field, make PI a spot foul until you get to 15 yards and the it is just a 15 yard penalty. If it occurs in the endzone you get a 1st down. Still have defensive holding before 10 yard but that should be about as blatant as offensive holding.

Now mine
#1 Allow challenges to a certain extent on penalty flags. On terrible calls allow a coach to challenge it, especially on flags that change the game.

#2 Get some new refs in training and get the bad ones who think they are part of the game out. I don't need to see Ed Hochuli call penalty after penalty to get his mug on TV.

#3 Change the way instant replay is done. Get a staff in New York there to determine the timing while the ref looks at the play. They don't need to stay under the hood after determining the ruling in order to get the timing. You should have someone in NY who looks at independently and say ok if this is ruled this is the time, if that is ruled the time is this. Secondly, the ref gets 1 minute to look at the play, in slow mo, with every angle, etc. If he can not make a determination within that minute the call stands.

[Sea Ray]

I disagree with most of what you have said.

#1 There has to be a legal formation that you abide by. I have heard announcers say that when a tackle begins to get further and further off the line they get a warning, and then the flag comes out. I don't mind that, I also don't mind them legislating offenses a little more. Most of the illegal formation penalties will go away as the season progresses and when they are called it is more a lack of attention by the offense.

#2 I would agree with this but I don't think the NFL is going to do it. They are looking to protect the QB's at all costs. One thing I would get rid of, is defenders launching themselves at a sliding QB. Clinton-Dix did that last night, and had Smith not been down as quick as he was he would have been knocked out of the game. Dix should have gotten a 15 yard penalty even though he didn't make contact. Can't have that happen.

#3 I think there should be some leeway in illegal man down field, but most of the time when that happens it is a result of a good play by a defender. I don't want to make it any harder on the D.

#4 Illegal contact is the worst call in sport. I do think that it is used too often instead of PI. I think PI is the most punitive call in sport and think that it should be changed. Most one on one battles can be called illegal contact depending on some interpretation of the rule. How many times have we watched a game where the defender clearly interferes with the WR and it is called illegal contact? If I could change it I would do away with spot fouls, change illegal contact to 10 yard down the field, make PI a spot foul until you get to 15 yards and the it is just a 15 yard penalty. If it occurs in the endzone you get a 1st down. Still have defensive holding before 10 yard but that should be about as blatant as offensive holding.

Now mine
#1 Allow challenges to a certain extent on penalty flags. On terrible calls allow a coach to challenge it, especially on flags that change the game.

#2 Get some new refs in training and get the bad ones who think they are part of the game out. I don't need to see Ed Hochuli call penalty after penalty to get his mug on TV.

#3 Change the way instant replay is done. Get a staff in New York there to determine the timing while the ref looks at the play. They don't need to stay under the hood after determining the ruling in order to get the timing. You should have someone in NY who looks at independently and say ok if this is ruled this is the time, if that is ruled the time is this. Secondly, the ref gets 1 minute to look at the play, in slow mo, with every angle, etc. If he can not make a determination within that minute the call stands.

Figuring out who's eligible ain't so tough that you need ticky tack penalties. If Andrew Whitworth is lined up two yds behind the line of scrimmage, does that make the defense think he's eligible? No way. By his number he's ineligible unless he reports as eligible. What's the point of "covering" a guy like Jake Fisher who's reported as eligible.

I'm trying to cut down on the number of flags here. You may not like Hochuli but I don't see him calling phantom penalties. His job is to protect the QB and as the rules are set up now, that's proper

[bucksfan2]

Figuring out who's eligible ain't so tough that you need ticky tack penalties. If Andrew Whitworth is lined up two yds behind the line of scrimmage, does that make the defense think he's eligible? No way. By his number he's ineligible unless he reports as eligible. What's the point of "covering" a guy like Jake Fisher who's reported as eligible.

I'm trying to cut down on the number of flags here. You may not like Hochuli but I don't see him calling phantom penalties. His job is to protect the QB and as the rules are set up now, that's proper

Whitworth lining up 2 yard off the line gives him an advantage. He makes the defender go further to get to the QB.

[Sea Ray]

Whitworth lining up 2 yard off the line gives him an advantage. He makes the defender go further to get to the QB.

So what if it gives him an advantage? By that line of thinking the shotgun should be outlawed. Doesn't that give the QB an advantage? By that standard all kinds of things could be eliminated. Let's eliminate players in motion...

[Sea Ray]

I've got some more penalties to recommend for abolition:

--Taunting

These guys are big boys. I think we can allow them to trash talk out there. I'm not worried about anyone's feelings getting hurt

--PAT/FG

The NFL's worried about kicks being too automatic? Well instead of moving the PAT back, I suggest allowing the defense to do a little something in order to block it. Why can't they jump over linemen? Or push off a teammate's shoulder pad in order to get up high?

[bucksfan2]

So what if it gives him an advantage? By that line of thinking the shotgun should be outlawed. Doesn't that give the QB an advantage? By that standard all kinds of things could be eliminated. Let's eliminate players in motion...

Why not make the defense wait a second before the rush? Allowing the offensive lineman to play further off the line makes it more difficult for the pass rusher to get to the QB. Its yet another advantage for the offense.

I don't like taunting. The NFL wants to get as close to the game as possible, you can't have overly vulgar language being caught on camera.

I hate the new extra point rule. It is stupid.

[Kingspoint]

The best referees are the best because we don't hear their name a lot. When a ref's name starts to become famous, he's doing something wrong.

[Kingspoint]

I hate the new extra point rule. It is stupid.

Agree. Get rid of the extra point. Keep the 2-point option.

[Sea Ray]

The best referees are the best because we don't hear their name a lot. When a ref's name starts to become famous, he's doing something wrong.

I don't think we have bad referees. I think we need fewer rules. We need a smaller rulebook.

[Sea Ray]

Why not make the defense wait a second before the rush? Allowing the offensive lineman to play further off the line makes it more difficult for the pass rusher to get to the QB. Its yet another advantage for the offense.

I don't like taunting. The NFL wants to get as close to the game as possible, you can't have overly vulgar language being caught on camera.

I hate the new extra point rule. It is stupid.

If that's the case then I would think the owners would be for this rule big time. They are all about doing anything that protects their QBs. Were I to pitch this to the owners, I'd use your point in my advocacy of the rule

[Kingspoint]

I think we need fewer rules. We need a smaller rulebook.

I think that could be applied to everything.

[Hoosier Red]

My first change is to modify the half the distance mark off on penalties. I don't know why it vexes me so but I'm always irritated when a 15 yard penalty from the 15 is less punitive than a 5 yard penalty from the 10.

I'd completely eliminate it from the defense and say offenses get the full weight of the penalty up to a certain yardline.(Say the 2 or the 3)
So if you are called for holding on the 8 yard line, the penalty is walked off to the 2 instead of the 4.

I'm with Bucksfan on illegal formation, but with Sea Ray on taunting/excessive celebrations.

I like the extra point rule.
And though it hasn't been mentioned, I like the overtime rule.
Anything that creates strategic fuzziness in what is too often a copycat league I'm for.

[Tom Servo]

I feel like this thread title needs changing

[Razor Shines]

I feel like this thread title needs changing

Season doesn't start until you get hit in the mou...no no.

Season doesn't start until the home team los...no

Season doesn't start until you create a "season" thread.