If you're a Football Outsider you're a TRUE player and true players don't stick to one passion only, so here's something else to excite you while you're waiting for the game to start. How about a free $30 chip to play slot machine games for as long as you want?
Alright, so we've settled around 475 or so. That's fine.
Posted by: Bill Barnwell on 06 Nov 2009
533 replies , Last at
10 Nov 2009, 5:35am by
t. stocks
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by justme_cd :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:33am
Good to see Keith Brooking getting some face time, he's legit.
It was a shame last week fell on the World Series, last week could have gone over 600 with a good Sunday night game. I do not understand why the schedulers did not take this into account.
2
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mystyc :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:28am
Ty Law signs with the Broncos... can he really be on the field Monday night?
Well, you know, if there's one thing Denver's secondary lacked, it was experience . . .
3
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by BucNasty :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 9:05am
Rookie QB + old creamsicle unis = winning combination.
4
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by John (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 10:21am
Candidate for the weekly list o' quotes:
Dwight Freeney: "We're the hunters. We go out and hunt. They may want to hunt us, but we want to hunt them, so there's going to be a lot of people hunting."
San Diego/NYG is seemingly a very even game, but I say when it's close you go with the best passing offense and I don't think anyone here will argue with me if I say that's San Diego (If you need it, passing offense DVOA for SD is 40.3% while for NYG is 25.0%).
I'm not going to try to convince you to take anyone over Indianapolis. I really think Houston is a decent team, but I still don't see how they beat Indy.
Arizona/Chicago is tough. You could use the same logic as San Diego/NYG and go with Arizona based on passing offense (19.6% to -10.3%) or just trust total DVOA (2.5% to -21.1%). I think it's just a question of whether to trust Arizona.
Cris Carter just picked Houston--I think that means you shouldn't do it.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Shane S. (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 1:36pm
yeah, I don't know what to make of any of those three games, if houston of arizona were home teams, I could make a better case for them winning the games. On the other hand, chicago is a pretty mediocre team. I'm not sure at all what to make of SD vs NYG.
I get GB@TB and Mia@NE early (will watch Mia@NE) and SD@NYG late.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:05pm
I've got ARI-CHI and MIA-NE early followed by SD-NYG late. I'll start with ARI-CHI.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by justanothersteve :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 10:00pm
I live in St Louis. Given my choices, I went outside and raked leaves.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 10:07pm
No one can blame you for that.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Big-Hairy-Andy :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:24pm
I don't know what SkySports' second game is, but for the first they've given us the excitement of Colts - Texans. Addai just gave the Colts the lead. Never mind phoning for pizza, I expect to be able to go out for pizza in the second half and not miss anything significant.
Brady just threw a beautiful pass, unfortunately it was to Vontae Davis.
Actually, Davis made a great play for the ball and Moss didn't fight for it like one would expect, but that sentence was much funnier as I first stated it.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Rocco :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:10pm
Moss not fighting for a pass? Shocking.
The refs rule on the field that Henne fumbled, which was taken back for a TD. It will be overturned, but now Sparano has to use a challenge for a call that was easy enough to make live.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:07pm
Tommy Harris just ejected from the game for "slugging" a Cardinal's player. Wow!
I'm glad I changed my mind and went to Arizona at the last minute.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:10pm
I've been seeing the commercials for the GI Joe movie on DVD. I meant to go see it this summer, but never got around to it. What do you think: rent, buy, or don't waste my time?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Benjamin Light (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:12pm
It's pretty terrible. You're going to want to be significantly chemically impaired beforehand.
Henne looks good on this first drive, but Miami did have to get lucky that a fumble fell out of bounds.
Then Henne gets hit and they're calling it a fumble. New England ran it back for a TD. In real time it looked like an incomplete pass and the first replay looks the same, at least to me.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Shane S. (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:11pm
And the packers are on the board with a long TD reception, and then get the excessive celebration flag for three WR kneeling together and talking, or whatever wide receivers do after scoring...
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:11pm
After trying to take their special teams rating lower (mishandled KO), the Cardinal's have a nice drive going. Hillenmeyer (sp?) down for the Bears.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:14pm
Way to get ejected 65 seconds into the game, Tommie Harris. Moron.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:17pm
It was weird. I didn't see anyone do anything questionable or objectionable to Harris, which doesn't mean that didn't happen. Anyway, he's laying on top of the Cardinals player and then he just hauls off and punches him in the face mask. Hochuli was standing right there and threw the flag. It was a no-brainer move for Harris and a no-brainer call for Hochuli.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:14pm
Fitzgerald TD for the Cardinals, who go about 88 yards. 7-0.
Miami goes up 3-0 and they show Sparano celebrating and I realize--he's at least a foot shorter than anybody on his bench. Is Sparano really short or was it just look that he was surrounded by taller guys?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:20pm
The Bucs are back in their Creamsicle uniforms. With their record, it just feels right this way.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:21pm
Question to John McKay: How do you feel about your team's execution.
Answer: I'm all for it.
Have they ever been a truly bad team in the new uniforms? I don't remember when they switched.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:27pm
They were 4-12 in 2006.
Other than that, you have to go back to 91 for a record that bad, and they had switched sometime in the mid 90s to the new look.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:24pm
I don't think it's possible to be a winning team while wearing those uniforms. They just remind me of their '80s teams getting blown out.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Oldcat (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 10:23pm
They won a division title in creamsicles in 1979? 1980?. I think they were 9-5 or some such.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:20pm
Beautiful play: Cutler to Hester for 42 yards. DRC had the coverage and it wasn't bad. Hester just ran a fly route up the side line and Cutler's pass was perfect.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:23pm
And the Bears quickly respond. Cutler to Olsen for the 33-yard TD pass.
Still waiting for the PAT. The Cardinals jump off sides on the try, which will be enforced on the KO. PAT good. 7-7
Ginn just ran an entire kick return sideways. I think he ran 70 yards to get a 30 yard return.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:28pm
Fitzgerald just laid out to make a 12-yard catch. It might have been challengeable, but CHI didn't. Then, Wells rips off a nice 12-, 13-yard run. Both offenses look good early.
Coming back from commercial, FOX showed Hillenmeyer getting his ribs taped on the sidelines. He apparently has re-aggravated a rib injury.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:30pm
I've got Maroney on my fantasy team, but I doubt I'll start him. It's more to prevent someone else from taking him, starting him on a whim and killing me with some fluky 3 td game.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:31pm
The Cardinals are carving up the Bears defense. So far, the Bears defense has no answers. None.
Miami is really throwing the ball well on New England (amazingly, the announcers actually note this as I type it). The receivers are wide open and Henne his hitting them on the numbers.
Right after I made my post, they did run off right tackle for a minimum gain and then had the Hester reverse.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:39pm
Chris Rose describing ATL returning an interception for a TD against WAS: I don't think that's the way Sherman drew that up in the bingo parlor. (Not an exact quote, because my short-term memory lasts only 3-5 seconds.)
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:40pm
This Chi-Ari game looks like it might have alot of scoring... And a trick play to Hester loses ten yards. Might want to just try some regular plays.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:40pm
Cutler scrambles and gets a modest gain up the sideline. Instead of stepping out of bounds, he lets himself get popped pretty good by Dansby.
Brady goes deep to Moss. Again, Davis outfights Moss. Randy Moss is looking lackadaisical even for him.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:45pm
NE is testing the rookie CB, Vonte Davis, with some deep passes to Moss.
Moss caught a nice deep one, but Davis is covering real well including one interception.
If that is the NE gameplan, they might want to reconsider it soon.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:45pm
Is Wes Welker playing? So far, ESPN has shown only passes to Moss and runs by Maroney.
Playing? Yes. Producing? No. Moss deep and Watson underneath so far.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:46pm
Two nice Cardinals plays, back-to-back. First, Warner threads a pass to Doucet for a nice gain. There were three defenders in the picture on the catch and Warner's pass was just beyond the LBs finger tips. Then, Well rips off a nice run off left tackle.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:49pm
Nice to see Maroney producing a bit. Though I'm fearful he'll screw up with a costly fumble or something.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:49pm
Oooh...it's ROBO-PATTON on FOX coming back from the commercial.
That's one of the scariest things I've ever heard.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:03pm
It might be worse that you think. I probably should have said ROBO-McARTHUR.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:51pm
Another TD for Warner/Fitz connection... Looks like it will be an ugly day for Chi D.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:52pm
Bears defense can't stop anything Arizona is doing.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Shane S. (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:52pm
And a blocked punt gives tampa a touchdown. You might want to think about blocking the guy that runs up the middle next time...
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:57pm
Just saw the replay. That was quite the special teams breakdown.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:52pm
Warner to Fitzgerald for another Cardinals TD. Fitzgerald makes a great athletic play by first getting his feet down in bounds and then sticking the ball across the goal line. His momentum was taking him out-of-bounds at the one. 21-7 Cardinals.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:52pm
The announcers are amazed that the Dolphins are passing so much. Maybe it's strange for THEM, because they use so much wildcat early on, but maybe they've turned it around. Pass first, run later.
I think it will only take 5 more minutes before we hear 'establish the run'.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Shane S. (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:52pm
yeah. the person i'm playing against in FF has fitzgerald.
Vontae Davis has a quad injury and his return is questionable. Does this increase or decrease Moss's targets the rest of the way?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:00pm
Didn't go to him on this drive...
... and while typing, another pump fake pass to Moss. If Brady's pump faking - he's going to Moss.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:55pm
The Cardinals do a little pop-up kick on the KO, which really confuses CHI. The Cardinals almost recover the KO, and probably should have as at least two of their players had clean shots at the ball. What a crazy play.
Apparently, Brady just needed reminded that Welker was on his team. He's got 3 catches for 36 yards on this drive. Aiken has two catches as well--no evidence of Moss's presence.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 2:59pm
Really nice sack there by Darnell Dockens of Cutler, and the Bears have to kick again.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:00pm
Chicago has gotten a couple of decent runs off of Hester motion. Hester has motioned like it might be an end around or a reverse and the Cardinals have respected the motion.
Then, Cutler gets sacked to bring up 3rd and 15. On the third down play, he throws a 2-yard dump off pass that ends up gaining 4 yards maybe. Chicago punts to the sound of boo birds from the home crowd.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:15pm
They're booing the defense a lot more.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:02pm
Looks like they should either motion Moss or just pass to Aiken/Welker if the online update is any Indicator.
Pat White sighting. (Also known as thes Death Knell of the Miami offense.)
I'm leaving that there even after the play so everyone can know I'm an idiot. White gets good blocking outside and runs for 33 yards.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:07pm
Ugh, please tell me that Dolphins run won't mean I have to hear about the wildcat more...
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:10pm
That was a strange play, but successful. The Cardinals fake the off-tackle, then fake it to Doucet on the end around, and then give it to Breaston on the end around. Breaston was trailing Doucet. The play gains 25 yards, but the Bears had players in the backfield who could have made the play.
As I type this, Warner completes a TD pass to one of his tight ends to make the score 28-7 Cardinals. The CHI fans continue to express their displeasure in the "performance" of their team. CHI looks horrid today.
A great run by Ricky Williams on a great option play with Pat White in. White gets one guy out of the way before making the toss and Williams takes care of the rest.
Ricky Williams seems to me to be considerably better now than he was at his "peak."
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:18pm
Shhh...don't let Mike Ditka hear you say that or he might try to trade the entire GameDay crew to get Ricky on his team again.
I should have known better than to credit Dierdorf with anything.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Athelas really (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:49pm
Um, actually he was making fun of Joey Porter.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by BoltsFanatic (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:21pm
How about this Cardinals team? Terrible at home and amazing on the road? How much more wierd can it get? They really define inconsistent. The bears, just like putrid... like the worst team in football for this first half. Atleast they're putting together a drive at the end of the half
111
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:22pm
No, like the worst defense in football. The offense was moving the ball.
New England goes up 13-10. It feels to me like the Patriots are really outplaying the Dolphins, but the score certainly doesn't look like it.
113
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:23pm
Wow, one more cut and Zona wouldve returned a blocked FG for a TD...
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by BoltsFanatic (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:23pm
And right as i hit submit the Cardinals block a Bears FG and return it to the 45.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:24pm
Gould has his FG attempt partially blocked. Rolle fields the ball 8-yards deep in the end zone, runs it out, breaks several tackles inside the 10-yard line, then runs the ball to the Bears 49-yard line where he's tripped up by Gould, who just throws out an arm to make the tackle.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:25pm
Wow. After a penalty, Gostoski had to kick off from the 25. He still kicks it out of the end zone.
118
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:26pm
The Cardinals capitalize on the Rolle return and get a Rackers FG as time expires in the first half. 31-7 Cardinals.
119
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by BoltsFanatic (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:27pm
I cant get the Ravens/Bengals feed here in CA... What is going on? Ravens can't get any offense going? Man I really thought they would show up this game... apparently not.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by SlantNGo (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:34pm
Same thing as the first Bengal/Raven game. The Ravens receivers can't get open down field so Flacco is forced to throw short dump offs to his backs and Heap. Flacco just tried to go deep to Mason in single coverage and is picked off.
121
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Big-Hairy-Andy :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:29pm
Why wasn't that Houston fumble ruled out of bounds when the ball was in contact with an out-of-bounds Colts defender (the guy who tackled Moats, not the one who recovered the ball)? I thought being in contact with an out of bounds player meant the ball was considered out of bounds too.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:37pm
+ penalty because if you're out of bounds, or have been out of bounds, you can't be the first to touch the ball/ball carrier.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:31pm
Manning intercepted by Pollard.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:34pm
The Bears defense these past two weeks has been so bad, it's unfathomable.
Brady goes deep for Aiken and gets an obvious interference. Stupid play by Miami.
128
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:38pm
Wow... Colts try to freeze Kris Brown, who ends up missing he figgie... The first time. After the TO, he boots it through for the first Houston points on a 56yrd try.
New England is up 16-10 at halftime. This game seems like it should be more exciting than it is.
I think Brady needs to start going by his three initials. I always thought C.P.E. Bach was sort of cool, so how about T.P.E. Brady?
132
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:43pm
I haven't seen a lot of CHI games this year. Today, it seems like CHI is making an effort to use Hester quite a bit and they're having a fair amount of success with this. Questions for CHI fans: Is this typical of Bears play calling this year? What do you think of Hester's development as an offensive player? From what I've seen today, Hester has made quite a bit of progress from where he was a couple of years ago.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:57pm
I'm liking Hester a lot. All the receivers have looked "good enough" to me. It's hard to say what the Bears offensive plan has been in a lot of games because the line is so bad it's just cutler chucking and ducking. However, Hester is out #1 and is generally used as such.
I'm not sure Hester is a ton better than last year, he just has Cutler throwing to him instead of Orton.
Well, I'll put this up for halftime laughter--I finally got my father to list all of the quarterbacks in the NFL he says are better than Drew Brees, in order:
Peyton Manning
Eli Manning/[Vikings QB] (a tie)
Tom Brady
Carson Palmer
Ben Roethlisberger
Joe Flacco
Do not seek logic here.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:49pm
Does your Dad mean "career better" or "this year better"? Either way, like you said, I don't see any logic.
This year better. Most of them actually have some logic, but it's a logic for this guy and this guy only that applies to no one else. For example, Eli has to be there because he's won a Super Bowl. However, Roethlisberger has won 2 and that doesn't mean more than Eli's one.
I find his list funny. I did ask about Rivers, by the way. He said, "I hate Philip Rivers."
I said, "He didn't hire Norv."
He said, "Then I'll like him when Norv is gone." That was the greatest logic ever.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:46pm
Chicago can't maintain their opening drive. They just showed the replay of the Cutler sack which ended the drive and Cutler's head was really driven pretty hard into the turf.
I just saw Harris getting thrown out of the game. Do you suppose he really just wanted out of the game? He even did it 2 feet in front of an official and looked to me like he thought about it for a few seconds before he did it.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:54pm
I can't believe any player would behave this way. Well, maybe if he played for the Raiders or Lions, but I would find it inconceivable for a Bears player.
Arizona has it all working today. Warner is hit as he throws the ball, yet he makes the completion to Fitzgerald who lays out in double coverage to make the catch.
138
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:52pm
Derisive cheering from the Bears crowd as the Cardinals drop an easy screen pass on 3rd down to end the drive. The Cardinals were in the red zone and settle for the FG. 34-7 Cardinals.
Still, they're 4-3 coming in. It doesn't seem to me like crowds often boo their home team unless the team is bad consistently. Perhaps I'm wrong about that.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:05pm
They didn't boo until 3 TDs had been allowed on 3 drives.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Dan :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:11pm
Arizona scored on their first 6 possessions, 34 points. Two weeks ago, Cincy scored on their first 7 possessions, 45 points. There's a pattern here (although, to be fair, the Bears did manage to shut down the Browns offense in between).
That's the funniest thing I've heard all day! Browns offense! Ha!
Okay, I think I was being too easy on them rather than the fans being hard on them.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:04pm
They allowed a TD on the first 4 drives, they deserve everything they're getting a more. Especially after last weeks game.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:57pm
FOX has decided the GB-TB game (21-17) is more competitive, so now I'm watching that. And, there is immediate excitement. Rodgers is sacked, nearly for a safety, but TB is challenging the ruling.
145
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 3:58pm
Mercifully, they cut away from Chi-Arz to "bring a more competitive game". Now I just saw Aaron Rodgers get safetied. Does anybody get tackled in his own end zone more than him? I don't think so.
The challenge was not upheld. There was no angle to show where the ball was when Rodgers was tackled, so the on field ruling of down at the half yard line was upheld.
The Packers can't convert on 3rd down and half to punt. The Bucs have the ball just into Packers territory after the punt.
Rodgers throws the equivalent of a Hail Mary. There were 4 defenders in the picture to one receiver. The ball caroms and is picked by TB. The returner gets a few yards and then gets blown up by Donald Driver who makes the tackle by throwing a vicious shoulder into the returner.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:15pm
71 yard pass on 3rd and 1? Ballsy, or was Moss just that open?
Moss just ran away from everyone, like he does now and again.
165
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:16pm
What is it with coaches unnecessarily going for 2? The Pats made it, but it is not statistically the right play. If they miss it, then they would only be up by 5 in the 3rd quarter, two field goals by Miami would win it. You should never go or 2 unless it is absolutely necessary.
168
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:22pm
Because they'd lose if the Dolphins would make a TD.
Somehow, Houston is severely limiting Indy's passing game.
173
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:28pm
Chad Henne... -11 yard run? Ouch.
177
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:33pm
lined up at receiver, he got the reverse and got tackled.
176
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:31pm
Ahman Green just broke off a 26 yard run to get GB down to the TB 18-yard line as the 3rd quarter ends. The announcers said that Green is very close to breaking the record for rushing yards gained by a Packer. They mentioned the value, but it went in one ear and out the other.
This just in. Tom Brady is well known. Thanks for the info, Deirdorf.
175
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:31pm
Tom Brady is a 'global superstar'.
No he's not. Outside the US only the people who watch football know him. And that's not a lot when compared to a lot of other sports.
Memo to Jim Caldwell: You have a pretty good quarterback on your roster. He's the guy in the #18 jersey. You might want to get him to throw the ball for you.
That #87 guy is a whole lot better at catching it.
182
Re: Telegram
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:39pm
Peter Manningham: 31/46 280 1 1
183
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:40pm
Great play by Aaron Rodgers. TB plays dime. Rodgers gets the snap, the Packers actually block well. Rodgers drifts forward towards the line of scrimmage looking for an open receiver. He then pump fakes and jukes out the spy and runs in from 12 yards out to score the TD. 28-17 GB.
184
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by blambert (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:43pm
the NFL.com gamecenter is saying Reggie Wayne has three pass attempts, including at least two on the current drive, and is 1/3 for 17. Is that really right?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Big-Hairy-Andy :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:46pm
See comment 180. Jim Caldwell's apparently mistaken Reggie Wayne's season statline for a single-game passer rating. He's now confused about why the number of attempts hasn't changed.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:43pm
On the ensuing KO, TB returns the ball 83 yards to the GB 17. The first person to have a chance at the tackle was the GB kicker, who whiffed. GB then missed several tackles before finally dropping the return man.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:44pm
Ted Ginn sighting!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:44pm
Say, is something wrong with Carson Palmer's left hand? The announcers haven't mentioned it on every single play.
TB answers! Freeman to Winslow on a 7-yard TD pass. Freeman scrambled on the play and threw the ball just before crossing the line of scrimmage. Winslow made a great, leaping catch at the end line for the score. TB went for 2, but failed. 28-23 GB.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:53pm
Olsen is doing great.
It's not often that your fantasy football tight end makes 25 points for you.
Davonne Bess made a great juggling catch while being interfered with pretty horrendously (and it was called).
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Rocco :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:59pm
I'm guessing the Dolphins go after a receiver in the draft this year.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:01pm
That would be a very good guess.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Rocco :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:05pm
Dez Bryant will look great in a Dolphin uniform.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Rocco :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:00pm
Chad Henne tries to call timeout even though they're out of timeouts. There's a Michigan joke there somewhere...
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:00pm
Leave it to a Michigan man to try to call a timeout he doesn't have.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:01pm
TB driving. There has been a great pass to Winslow. Just now, Clayton makes a great adjustment to a Freeman pass that got hung up in the brisk wind blowing in TB. The Bucs are at the Packers 7-yard line.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:04pm
TB scores the go ahead TD on a 4th and 4 play from the 7-yard line. Freeman to Stroughter. TB going for 2 to try and get a 3 point lead. The try is good. 31-28 TB with 4:14 to go in the 4th quarter.
It's part of the conspiracy--Philadelphia beat Tampa. If Tampa's DVOA goes up, so does Philadelphia's.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:08pm
Wow, tough choice here. 4th and 1 inch. Kick an easy field goal, or go for a first down to end the game?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:13pm
That's not tough. You kick it and be up 2 scores. If you miss it, it would be the same as not converting the 4th down.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:16pm
Not quite. A missed FG means you sacrifice seven yards.
Hail Hydra!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Big-Hairy-Andy :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:09pm
Kris Brown hooks a field goal left. Colts win 20-17. Ouch.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Alexander :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:09pm
Can we finally start saying that Aaron Rodgers is at fault for way too many of his sacks. He holds onto the ball longer than Big Ben, and weighs about 30 pounds less.
Yes. His protection's not great, but it's not been awful the last few games. I refuse to believe his receivers are all well-covered on all these sacks.
And that last play after the hold... rolls out, timidly jogs toward the line of scrimmage, gets hit and chucks some weird underhanded thing downfield... who does he think he is, Favre?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Alexander :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:24pm
He is like that forward that is on everyone's soccer team. Has openings to take a shot and then just plays around with it too long and then BAM 3 defenders all over him.
The thing about sacks of Rodgers is they rarely are just 1 guy who beats a lineman. Its usually the whole defensive line falling on top of him(Jared Allen aside).
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:10pm
"You've got to trust your kicking game, in order to make a field goal"
Did he just say that?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:10pm
GB punts, down 3 with 2+ minutes left? I think you have to go for it, even if it's 4th and 16.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:10pm
So Brady tries to get somebody to jump off sides, and it works...sort of. He gets one of his lineman to false start.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by LnGrrrR (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:11pm
I say kick the figgie; it's close enough to be nearly automatic and if missed would force the fins to drive for the td from within their 20.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:13pm
I agree. The likelyhood of a blocked field goal in that situation is less than the chance of converting a 4th and short, even if it is an inch.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:11pm
I don't like to be the guy who bitches about refs, but the Bears really got screwed today (although there's a good chance it didn't make a difference). There was a blatant DPI on Olsen that went uncalled on 4th down. A marginal holding call on Kruetz on a screen play that converted 3rd down. A late hit on Cutler that went uncalled, a marginal DPI on a long pass to Knox went uncalled.
It probably didn't matter in the end, but it was frustrating to watch.
New England wins 27-17. Overall a pretty good game, I think. Miami just couldn't keep the offense going consistently and left way too many underneath openings all day.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:16pm
So, can we now definitively say that the Bucs were right to start Josh Freeman?
The ceiling fan would set itself on fire when he started talking to it.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:32pm
That just means someone didn't tie the rope tight enough.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:22pm
Tanard Jackson, you fail Football 101.
Hail Hydra!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by MilkmanDanimal :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:32pm
My throat is painfully raw from me screaming "GET ON THE GROUND, GET ON THE GROUND!" over and over.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by tuluse :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:33pm
I complained a lot about this on IRC, no one else seemed to think it was a big deal.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:43pm
The odds that GB could score two TDs in 35 seconds is vanishingly small, but they're not zero. He knocks it down and the odds are about as close to zero as you can get with time still on the clock.
Hail Hydra!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:27pm
And the giants kicker decides not to kick it.... looked like a fake, but they forgot to tell Feagles, the holder.
And why do I know the holder's name, and not the kicker's?
ps.
what's up with that Hail Hydra! after every post?
Because Feagles has played in New York for about 765 000 years and Lawrence Tynes hasn't.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:33pm
It's a very long story involving Greek mythology, Marvel Comics and Jim Johnson's defense.
Hail Hydra!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by MilkmanDanimal :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:31pm
HELL YEAH!
HELL YEAH!
HELL YEAH!
I could never have imagined being so excited about being 1-7, but seriously, this is the best I've felt as a Bucs fan in years. WE'RE NOT GOING WINLESS! DETROIT'S STILL THE BENCHMARK FOR SUCKING! YEAH!!!!!!!!!
It's the power of the creamsicle uniforms. They should break them out more often.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:37pm
Great feeling huh.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by AndyE :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 9:20pm
Congrats, and thanks for the most humorous post here in weeks.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by ChicagoRaider :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:37pm
I can understand Milkman. Just the knowledge that Jamarcus Russell will not throw an interception or fumble the ball during an NFL game this week just gives me goosebumps.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:39pm
Well, it looks like I need to offer thanks to some supreme being for sparing me the experience of watching my god-awful Seahawks play this weekend. I just popped over to ESPN to check out the game cast. Seattle has two turnovers and the Lions lead 14-0 at Qwest Field. Excuse me while I go find an ice pick to drive into my temple. They're losing to the fricking Lions!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Big-Hairy-Andy :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:58pm
At home. They're losing to the Lions at home.
Those last two words are what make it truly terrifying rather than simply Redskins inept.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Joseph :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:41pm
Brian Billick just made the comment at the end of the first quarter that most 3rd downs are picked up by throwing short of the sticks, and then the receiver picking up the rest of the yardage to convert.
Bill, Aaron, etc--can the game charting project tell us if this is true???
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Herm? (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:47pm
speaking as a Pats fan, I need to let anyone who watched the NE/Miami game know that I have no clue what the heck Dierdorf is ever saying or thinking, and for that matter, why he says or thinks anything. I didn't realize how intolerable the guy is. Most of his dumb stuff he said was in favor of NE, but it still seemed so wrong. Is he always this bad?
Dierdorf is *much* worse than Simms. Simms at least you can figure out why he might be saying something. As near as I can tell, Dierdorf isn't even watching the game. It took him a quarter and a half to notice Wilfork playing defensive end, and then made a big deal of this mid-game change....
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:50pm
Pretty much. He seems to be good for about one useful insight per game. Otherwise, you'd get more enlightenment listening to static.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:49pm
That's exactly what you deserve, Fox, for starting that giant bag of suck at QB then not letting him throw on 3rd-and-seven.
Why exactly does Coughlan keep the challenge flag in his sock? Doesn't he have pockets?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:53pm
At the end of the 1st quarter, SEA has run 8 plays, gained 27 yards, held the ball for 2:50, has no first downs, and 2 turnovers. Someone just shoot me, please. It's 17-0 DET.
Do we need to remind you this is Detroit? No lead for them is safe. Even Seattle can come back on Detroit.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:55pm
With 13:16 to play in the second quarter, Tom Coughlin threw the challenge flag to save five yards on second down. Sadly, the NFL saved him from himself and the play can't be challenged.
And Kevin Boss must be secretly screwing Manning's wife, because Eli keeps getting him wrecked.
If calling a time out you don't have is a delay of game, why isn't throwing the challenge flag for an unreviewable play?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by erniecohen :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:57pm
It is absolutely a worthwhile challenge. And not only did the ref blow the original call, he incorrectly ruled that the play is not reviewable. Questions of when a player goes OB are all reviewable.
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Yeah, he probably wins. But
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:01pm
Yeah, he probably wins. But a challenge is much more valuable than five yards, especially on second down.
Hail Hydra!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Rich Conley (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:13pm
". Questions of when a player goes OB are all reviewable."
No, they're not.
You can challenge that a player DID go out of bounds. You can't challenge that he didn't.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 5:55pm
NYG Boss just got lit up on a pass over the middle.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Rocco :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:01pm
The Giants have been back in 2006/early 2007 "shoot ourselves in the foot at every opportunity until we run out of toes" mode lately. For a neutral, it's somewhat enjoyable. If I were a Giants fan, I'd go insane.
The Chargers are getting good pressure on Eli so far.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:03pm
Wow. After getting strip sacked and nearly turning over the ball, Eli completes s 19-yard pass to Smith on 3rd ad 18 to keep the drive alive.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Mike Y :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:06pm
I don't get this game, so what's going on in New Orleans? Why are they losing to Carolina?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Margaret (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:20pm
Carolina is exploiting the weak Saints run defense. Brees also fumbled deep in his own territory (Carolina converted for a TD), and threw an interception on another drive.
The Giants have moved down the field taking an absolute eternity and somehow never looking good throughout the drive.
And Manning completes a TD to Steve Smith.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:08pm
There we go. Eli to Steve Smith for the 7-yard TD reception. C'mon G-Men. I don't think I could take Norv and the Wonder Brat winning today. 7-7.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Big Johnson (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 9:43pm
eli "wonderbrat" manning. i kinda like it. Who cries to their daddy when they don't want to be drafted by a team? oh wait i read your post wrong. youre making fun of rivers for actually having balls
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:11pm
Sproles wants to know if anyone got the license plate number of the truck that just hit him.
How in the world does no one cover Antonio Gates? It's not like you can just not notice someone his size, even if you somehow didn't account for him beforehand.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:18pm
Now, now. He's big enough to have a cloaking device.
What exactly does Coors Light think is funny about its commercials?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:20pm
I don't think they're too bad, as far as beer commercials go. I'd much rather watch the Coors light commercials than the Bud Light commercials with Jimmy Football.
But at least I can see what the joke is about Jimmy Football. It doesn't work and it's amazingly annoying, but I can see what they're going for. I don't even see what's supposed to be funny about the Coors Light ones.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:26pm
Well, I guess the attempt at humor is taking all of that coaching footage and putting it in completely outrageous context. Some work better than others.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Harris :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:24pm
What exactly does Coors Light think is enjoyable about its beer?
Hail Hydra!
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:28pm
The only thing I can think of is the money it makes them.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:30pm
The fact that it's so cold.
At least it's better than being "drinkable" like their competition.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Herm? (not verified) :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:50pm
I saw a comedian last week making fun of beer commercials advertising the temperature of beer. Isn't it up to us and not the beer company how cold our beer is?
And those Coors commercials where they use footage of coaches at press conferences and on the sideline are easily the biggest underachievers. So much at their hands for resources, so much potential, so little funny.
The Oracle Simms just said that San Diego wanted to get a 62-yard field goal try . . . can he be right that they think Kaeding can hit that?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:34pm
Kaeding does have a strong leg, IIRC. It didn't look like there was any wind, so maybe he could have made it if they had tried. It's a moot point for the moment since they went for the Hail Mary to end the half.
I heard legends of his leg strength when I was in college because my freshman year I was about 20 minutes away from him and I believe it was his senior season. But 62 yards at sea level?
I guess we'll never know. Apparently they didn't think he could make from 66.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:39pm
I wonder which is really more likely, a 62 yard field goal, or a Hail Mary touchdown. I suppose you have to factor in the higher value of a TD over a field goal in making that decision.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by jayinalaska :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:31pm
It certainly seems like none of us is finding the SD-NYG game compelling since we have segued into debating light beer commercials.
It has been an oddly dull game for being a 7-7 game between two possible playoff teams who seemed very evenly matched coming in, though.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:35pm
You guys should be watching Ten/SF in the battle of the QB busts.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by ar4t :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:38pm
Alex Smith is not looking like a bust just a late bloomer. This has happened before and will happen again.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:41pm
True, I should have said supposed busts. It really seemed like SF had given up on him, though. I wonder if they saw something in practice that convinced them to give him a second chance, even if it was halfway through a lost game.
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by Theo :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:45pm
Is he? I missed that. When did he become an NFL calibre QB?
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Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
by B :: Sun, 11/08/2009 - 6:49pm
A couple weeks ago. His DVOA right now is at 33%, which would put him somewhere in the top 10, although he has less than 60 passes, so it's a small sample size.
RSS Feed
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Good to see Keith Brooking getting some face time, he's legit.
It was a shame last week fell on the World Series, last week could have gone over 600 with a good Sunday night game. I do not understand why the schedulers did not take this into account.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Ty Law signs with the Broncos... can he really be on the field Monday night?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Well, you know, if there's one thing Denver's secondary lacked, it was experience . . .
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Rookie QB + old creamsicle unis = winning combination.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Candidate for the weekly list o' quotes:
Dwight Freeney: "We're the hunters. We go out and hunt. They may want to hunt us, but we want to hunt them, so there's going to be a lot of people hunting."
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Who knew Dwight Freeney was General Zaroff?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
OK folks, three games back in my pool, looking to make a move. Thinking:
San Diego over NYG
-Pro: San Diego's WRs vs. Giants secondary
-Con: Giant's running game vs. backup Chargers nose tackle
Houston over Indy
-Pro: Houston's offense vs. Indy injuries
-Con: I don't trust Houston
Arizona over Chicago
-Pro: Boldin back, Chicago's O-line sucks
-Con: I don't trust Arizona
You've got just under 2 hours to convince me on these 3 games... Go!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Agree with San Diego.
Since AZ is on the road, I think they can be trusted. I'm at the point
now that if they played Cleveland at home, I would pick Cleveland.
And it's really, really hard to pick against Peyton.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
San Diego/NYG is seemingly a very even game, but I say when it's close you go with the best passing offense and I don't think anyone here will argue with me if I say that's San Diego (If you need it, passing offense DVOA for SD is 40.3% while for NYG is 25.0%).
I'm not going to try to convince you to take anyone over Indianapolis. I really think Houston is a decent team, but I still don't see how they beat Indy.
Arizona/Chicago is tough. You could use the same logic as San Diego/NYG and go with Arizona based on passing offense (19.6% to -10.3%) or just trust total DVOA (2.5% to -21.1%). I think it's just a question of whether to trust Arizona.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Cris Carter just picked Houston--I think that means you shouldn't do it.
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yeah, I don't know what to make of any of those three games, if houston of arizona were home teams, I could make a better case for them winning the games. On the other hand, chicago is a pretty mediocre team. I'm not sure at all what to make of SD vs NYG.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Boldin's out, according to rotoworld.
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So, what is everyone watching today?
I get GB@TB and Mia@NE early (will watch Mia@NE) and SD@NYG late.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I've got ARI-CHI and MIA-NE early followed by SD-NYG late. I'll start with ARI-CHI.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I live in St Louis. Given my choices, I went outside and raked leaves.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
No one can blame you for that.
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I don't know what SkySports' second game is, but for the first they've given us the excitement of Colts - Texans. Addai just gave the Colts the lead. Never mind phoning for pizza, I expect to be able to go out for pizza in the second half and not miss anything significant.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Strange--I even saw the earlier post. I wonder what happened.
I hate when there's a Captcha of a large number with commas. I have a science degree--I never write numbers with commas. Grr.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
The IRC post got eaten again--interesting.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
It's a conspiracy!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Sshhh--Oliver Stone may hear you.
I do after all have "JFK."
Of course, I also have a copy of the Warren Report conclusions somewhere.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Why is this thread always a link on top of the link? Why not eliminate the extra click?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
That's what I was thinking too.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
This has been bugging me as well. Can't we have the link from the front page just head straight here?
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Where is our Alaskan friend? Should we worry?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Apparently I was a minute early.
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Naw, the Saint Bernard found me.
I'm just moving slowly this morning.
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Brady just threw a beautiful pass, unfortunately it was to Vontae Davis.
Actually, Davis made a great play for the ball and Moss didn't fight for it like one would expect, but that sentence was much funnier as I first stated it.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Moss not fighting for a pass? Shocking.
The refs rule on the field that Henne fumbled, which was taken back for a TD. It will be overturned, but now Sparano has to use a challenge for a call that was easy enough to make live.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Tommy Harris just ejected from the game for "slugging" a Cardinal's player. Wow!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I'm glad I changed my mind and went to Arizona at the last minute.
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I've been seeing the commercials for the GI Joe movie on DVD. I meant to go see it this summer, but never got around to it. What do you think: rent, buy, or don't waste my time?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
It's pretty terrible. You're going to want to be significantly chemically impaired beforehand.
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Henne looks good on this first drive, but Miami did have to get lucky that a fumble fell out of bounds.
Then Henne gets hit and they're calling it a fumble. New England ran it back for a TD. In real time it looked like an incomplete pass and the first replay looks the same, at least to me.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
And the packers are on the board with a long TD reception, and then get the excessive celebration flag for three WR kneeling together and talking, or whatever wide receivers do after scoring...
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
After trying to take their special teams rating lower (mishandled KO), the Cardinal's have a nice drive going. Hillenmeyer (sp?) down for the Bears.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Way to get ejected 65 seconds into the game, Tommie Harris. Moron.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
It was weird. I didn't see anyone do anything questionable or objectionable to Harris, which doesn't mean that didn't happen. Anyway, he's laying on top of the Cardinals player and then he just hauls off and punches him in the face mask. Hochuli was standing right there and threw the flag. It was a no-brainer move for Harris and a no-brainer call for Hochuli.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Fitzgerald TD for the Cardinals, who go about 88 yards. 7-0.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Miami goes up 3-0 and they show Sparano celebrating and I realize--he's at least a foot shorter than anybody on his bench. Is Sparano really short or was it just look that he was surrounded by taller guys?
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The Bucs are back in their Creamsicle uniforms. With their record, it just feels right this way.
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Question to John McKay: How do you feel about your team's execution.
Answer: I'm all for it.
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Have they ever been a truly bad team in the new uniforms? I don't remember when they switched.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
They were 4-12 in 2006.
Other than that, you have to go back to 91 for a record that bad, and they had switched sometime in the mid 90s to the new look.
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I don't think it's possible to be a winning team while wearing those uniforms. They just remind me of their '80s teams getting blown out.
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They won a division title in creamsicles in 1979? 1980?. I think they were 9-5 or some such.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Beautiful play: Cutler to Hester for 42 yards. DRC had the coverage and it wasn't bad. Hester just ran a fly route up the side line and Cutler's pass was perfect.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
And the Bears quickly respond. Cutler to Olsen for the 33-yard TD pass.
Still waiting for the PAT. The Cardinals jump off sides on the try, which will be enforced on the KO. PAT good. 7-7
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
This time, Brady throws deep to Moss, Davis has decent coverage, and Moss reaches out and makes a great one-handed catch.
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Pats go up 7-3 on a goal-line rush by Maroney, who is tearing the Dolphins up early.
Belichick's plan is to make us all go out and sign him to our fantasy teams, then fake an injury. We all know Belichick hates us.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Ok, Aaron, you can stop throwing to the other team now. It's great that you're being a sport and keeping the other team in the game, but really...
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Ginn just ran an entire kick return sideways. I think he ran 70 yards to get a 30 yard return.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Fitzgerald just laid out to make a 12-yard catch. It might have been challengeable, but CHI didn't. Then, Wells rips off a nice 12-, 13-yard run. Both offenses look good early.
Coming back from commercial, FOX showed Hillenmeyer getting his ribs taped on the sidelines. He apparently has re-aggravated a rib injury.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I've got Maroney on my fantasy team, but I doubt I'll start him. It's more to prevent someone else from taking him, starting him on a whim and killing me with some fluky 3 td game.
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The Cardinals are carving up the Bears defense. So far, the Bears defense has no answers. None.
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Leigh Bodden is down--they haven't shown what happened or said what's wrong yet. Do you suppose Aaron is watching and crying now?
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Bodden is fine.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
ryan grant, touchdown.
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Nice second look/patience by Warner gives him a second passing TD.
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Yep. I think he had a nice little shuffle in the pocket to avoid the rush, too.
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The Cardinals complete their second TD drive on a Warner to Patrick TD pass. 14-7 Cardinals.
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Miami is really throwing the ball well on New England (amazingly, the announcers actually note this as I type it). The receivers are wide open and Henne his hitting them on the numbers.
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OMGZ! WILDCAT!!!!
Ronnie Brown falls down but had no space anyway.
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Johnny Knox for the Bears came close to breaking the KO return for a long gain, but gets tripped up at the 27.
I think the announcers just said the Bears have yet to run the ball.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Bears pull a reverse Paul Brown?
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195009160phi.htm
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Make that
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195012030cle.htm
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Right after I made my post, they did run off right tackle for a minimum gain and then had the Hester reverse.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Chris Rose describing ATL returning an interception for a TD against WAS: I don't think that's the way Sherman drew that up in the bingo parlor. (Not an exact quote, because my short-term memory lasts only 3-5 seconds.)
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This Chi-Ari game looks like it might have alot of scoring... And a trick play to Hester loses ten yards. Might want to just try some regular plays.
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Cutler scrambles and gets a modest gain up the sideline. Instead of stepping out of bounds, he lets himself get popped pretty good by Dansby.
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Brady goes deep to Moss. Again, Davis outfights Moss. Randy Moss is looking lackadaisical even for him.
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NE is testing the rookie CB, Vonte Davis, with some deep passes to Moss.
Moss caught a nice deep one, but Davis is covering real well including one interception.
If that is the NE gameplan, they might want to reconsider it soon.
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Is Wes Welker playing? So far, ESPN has shown only passes to Moss and runs by Maroney.
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Playing? Yes. Producing? No. Moss deep and Watson underneath so far.
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Two nice Cardinals plays, back-to-back. First, Warner threads a pass to Doucet for a nice gain. There were three defenders in the picture on the catch and Warner's pass was just beyond the LBs finger tips. Then, Well rips off a nice run off left tackle.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Nice to see Maroney producing a bit. Though I'm fearful he'll screw up with a costly fumble or something.
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Oooh...it's ROBO-PATTON on FOX coming back from the commercial.
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That's one of the scariest things I've ever heard.
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It might be worse that you think. I probably should have said ROBO-McARTHUR.
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Another TD for Warner/Fitz connection... Looks like it will be an ugly day for Chi D.
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Bears defense can't stop anything Arizona is doing.
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And a blocked punt gives tampa a touchdown. You might want to think about blocking the guy that runs up the middle next time...
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Just saw the replay. That was quite the special teams breakdown.
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Warner to Fitzgerald for another Cardinals TD. Fitzgerald makes a great athletic play by first getting his feet down in bounds and then sticking the ball across the goal line. His momentum was taking him out-of-bounds at the one. 21-7 Cardinals.
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The announcers are amazed that the Dolphins are passing so much. Maybe it's strange for THEM, because they use so much wildcat early on, but maybe they've turned it around. Pass first, run later.
I think it will only take 5 more minutes before we hear 'establish the run'.
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yeah. the person i'm playing against in FF has fitzgerald.
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Vontae Davis has a quad injury and his return is questionable. Does this increase or decrease Moss's targets the rest of the way?
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Didn't go to him on this drive...
... and while typing, another pump fake pass to Moss. If Brady's pump faking - he's going to Moss.
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The Cardinals do a little pop-up kick on the KO, which really confuses CHI. The Cardinals almost recover the KO, and probably should have as at least two of their players had clean shots at the ball. What a crazy play.
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Wes Welker has two catches in a row now.
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Apparently, Brady just needed reminded that Welker was on his team. He's got 3 catches for 36 yards on this drive. Aiken has two catches as well--no evidence of Moss's presence.
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Really nice sack there by Darnell Dockens of Cutler, and the Bears have to kick again.
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Chicago has gotten a couple of decent runs off of Hester motion. Hester has motioned like it might be an end around or a reverse and the Cardinals have respected the motion.
Then, Cutler gets sacked to bring up 3rd and 15. On the third down play, he throws a 2-yard dump off pass that ends up gaining 4 yards maybe. Chicago punts to the sound of boo birds from the home crowd.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
They're booing the defense a lot more.
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Looks like they should either motion Moss or just pass to Aiken/Welker if the online update is any Indicator.
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Davis and Allen have won fights for the ball with Moss repeatedly. Everyone else seems to be open every time Brady throws to them.
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And rodgers to driver for the TD. Nice catch.
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Announcers just said that the Cardinals are 100% on 3rd down conversions (I think 5/5). As I type this, Hightower rips off a nice 14-yard run.
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The Cardinals just converted a 3rd and 5 on a Warner-Doucet pass to keep the drive alive.
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Pat White sighting. (Also known as thes Death Knell of the Miami offense.)
I'm leaving that there even after the play so everyone can know I'm an idiot. White gets good blocking outside and runs for 33 yards.
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Ugh, please tell me that Dolphins run won't mean I have to hear about the wildcat more...
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That was a strange play, but successful. The Cardinals fake the off-tackle, then fake it to Doucet on the end around, and then give it to Breaston on the end around. Breaston was trailing Doucet. The play gains 25 yards, but the Bears had players in the backfield who could have made the play.
As I type this, Warner completes a TD pass to one of his tight ends to make the score 28-7 Cardinals. The CHI fans continue to express their displeasure in the "performance" of their team. CHI looks horrid today.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
It's a performance. They're acting like the '08 Lions.
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A great run by Ricky Williams on a great option play with Pat White in. White gets one guy out of the way before making the toss and Williams takes care of the rest.
Ricky Williams seems to me to be considerably better now than he was at his "peak."
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Shhh...don't let Mike Ditka hear you say that or he might try to trade the entire GameDay crew to get Ricky on his team again.
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Why would that be a bad thing? Wouldn't you rather listen to Ricky than all of those guys?
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So, now the Dolphins are running the option? I wonder what college system they'll be trying next.
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Dan Koppen is leaving the field, limping quite heavily. However, he is walking on his own.
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Brady goes downfield to Watson. The pass is actually a bit behind or else Watson could have gained a ton of extra yardage. Miami cannot cover Watson.
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The announcer just said, "Wow, even though Brady didn't like it, they still called a penalty on the Patriots!"
I'm impressed. He just made fun of the Golden Boy. I thought it was a contractual requirement of announcers to worship and never question him.
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Dierdorf will be jumped in a parking lot for his transgression.
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Ummm, he was making fun of Jason Taylor in that remark...
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I should have known better than to credit Dierdorf with anything.
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Um, actually he was making fun of Joey Porter.
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How about this Cardinals team? Terrible at home and amazing on the road? How much more wierd can it get? They really define inconsistent. The bears, just like putrid... like the worst team in football for this first half. Atleast they're putting together a drive at the end of the half
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No, like the worst defense in football. The offense was moving the ball.
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New England goes up 13-10. It feels to me like the Patriots are really outplaying the Dolphins, but the score certainly doesn't look like it.
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Wow, one more cut and Zona wouldve returned a blocked FG for a TD...
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And right as i hit submit the Cardinals block a Bears FG and return it to the 45.
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Gould has his FG attempt partially blocked. Rolle fields the ball 8-yards deep in the end zone, runs it out, breaks several tackles inside the 10-yard line, then runs the ball to the Bears 49-yard line where he's tripped up by Gould, who just throws out an arm to make the tackle.
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Wow. After a penalty, Gostoski had to kick off from the 25. He still kicks it out of the end zone.
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The Cardinals capitalize on the Rolle return and get a Rackers FG as time expires in the first half. 31-7 Cardinals.
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I cant get the Ravens/Bengals feed here in CA... What is going on? Ravens can't get any offense going? Man I really thought they would show up this game... apparently not.
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Same thing as the first Bengal/Raven game. The Ravens receivers can't get open down field so Flacco is forced to throw short dump offs to his backs and Heap. Flacco just tried to go deep to Mason in single coverage and is picked off.
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Why wasn't that Houston fumble ruled out of bounds when the ball was in contact with an out-of-bounds Colts defender (the guy who tackled Moats, not the one who recovered the ball)? I thought being in contact with an out of bounds player meant the ball was considered out of bounds too.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
+ penalty because if you're out of bounds, or have been out of bounds, you can't be the first to touch the ball/ball carrier.
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Manning intercepted by Pollard.
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The Bears defense these past two weeks has been so bad, it's unfathomable.
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Does anybody really believe that Gostkowski's limit is his career-high 53 yards?
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Brady goes deep for Aiken and gets an obvious interference. Stupid play by Miami.
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Wow... Colts try to freeze Kris Brown, who ends up missing he figgie... The first time. After the TO, he boots it through for the first Houston points on a 56yrd try.
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The Man of Many Names (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) nearly makes a nice TD catch but it pops out at the end.
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Brady gets sacked and manages to throw an incompletion within 18 seconds, leaving one second on the clock for the FG to end the half. That was cool.
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New England is up 16-10 at halftime. This game seems like it should be more exciting than it is.
I think Brady needs to start going by his three initials. I always thought C.P.E. Bach was sort of cool, so how about T.P.E. Brady?
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I haven't seen a lot of CHI games this year. Today, it seems like CHI is making an effort to use Hester quite a bit and they're having a fair amount of success with this. Questions for CHI fans: Is this typical of Bears play calling this year? What do you think of Hester's development as an offensive player? From what I've seen today, Hester has made quite a bit of progress from where he was a couple of years ago.
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I'm liking Hester a lot. All the receivers have looked "good enough" to me. It's hard to say what the Bears offensive plan has been in a lot of games because the line is so bad it's just cutler chucking and ducking. However, Hester is out #1 and is generally used as such.
I'm not sure Hester is a ton better than last year, he just has Cutler throwing to him instead of Orton.
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Well, I'll put this up for halftime laughter--I finally got my father to list all of the quarterbacks in the NFL he says are better than Drew Brees, in order:
Peyton Manning
Eli Manning/[Vikings QB] (a tie)
Tom Brady
Carson Palmer
Ben Roethlisberger
Joe Flacco
Do not seek logic here.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Does your Dad mean "career better" or "this year better"? Either way, like you said, I don't see any logic.
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This year better. Most of them actually have some logic, but it's a logic for this guy and this guy only that applies to no one else. For example, Eli has to be there because he's won a Super Bowl. However, Roethlisberger has won 2 and that doesn't mean more than Eli's one.
I find his list funny. I did ask about Rivers, by the way. He said, "I hate Philip Rivers."
I said, "He didn't hire Norv."
He said, "Then I'll like him when Norv is gone." That was the greatest logic ever.
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Chicago can't maintain their opening drive. They just showed the replay of the Cutler sack which ended the drive and Cutler's head was really driven pretty hard into the turf.
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I just saw Harris getting thrown out of the game. Do you suppose he really just wanted out of the game? He even did it 2 feet in front of an official and looked to me like he thought about it for a few seconds before he did it.
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I can't believe any player would behave this way. Well, maybe if he played for the Raiders or Lions, but I would find it inconceivable for a Bears player.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I would hope you're right.
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Arizona has it all working today. Warner is hit as he throws the ball, yet he makes the completion to Fitzgerald who lays out in double coverage to make the catch.
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Derisive cheering from the Bears crowd as the Cardinals drop an easy screen pass on 3rd down to end the drive. The Cardinals were in the red zone and settle for the FG. 34-7 Cardinals.
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Sounds like they're being a little hard on the team.
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No, not really. The CHI defense has not been good at all today. I've used the word horrid. Someone else has used putrid.
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Still, they're 4-3 coming in. It doesn't seem to me like crowds often boo their home team unless the team is bad consistently. Perhaps I'm wrong about that.
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They didn't boo until 3 TDs had been allowed on 3 drives.
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Arizona scored on their first 6 possessions, 34 points. Two weeks ago, Cincy scored on their first 7 possessions, 45 points. There's a pattern here (although, to be fair, the Bears did manage to shut down the Browns offense in between).
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That's the funniest thing I've heard all day! Browns offense! Ha!
Okay, I think I was being too easy on them rather than the fans being hard on them.
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They allowed a TD on the first 4 drives, they deserve everything they're getting a more. Especially after last weeks game.
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FOX has decided the GB-TB game (21-17) is more competitive, so now I'm watching that. And, there is immediate excitement. Rodgers is sacked, nearly for a safety, but TB is challenging the ruling.
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Mercifully, they cut away from Chi-Arz to "bring a more competitive game". Now I just saw Aaron Rodgers get safetied. Does anybody get tackled in his own end zone more than him? I don't think so.
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No one gets tackled behind the LOS more than he.
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The challenge was not upheld. There was no angle to show where the ball was when Rodgers was tackled, so the on field ruling of down at the half yard line was upheld.
The Packers can't convert on 3rd down and half to punt. The Bucs have the ball just into Packers territory after the punt.
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Ronnie Brown just broke about 4 tackles to gain about 3 yards.
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Ronnie Brown with a touchdown pass. A surprisingly good throw, too.
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Wildcat TD pass. On 4th down. Excellent.
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Refs miss blatantly obvious DPI on Olsen, and Cutler gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct when complaining about it.
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Okay, I guess the fans should be booing. I will now laugh maniacally at Cutler.
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Can't believe Manning had 40 attempts in the first half.
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What is Houston doing that's limiting the yardage so much? 42 attempts for 249 yards is really, really low for Peyton.
Dierdorf just announced that Houston is no longer a gimme on the schedule because they have, "a good, solid defense."
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I frigging hate the wildcat.
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After Miami has a 10 minute TD drive, the Patriots respond with a touchdown in about a minute and a half.
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And, surprisingly, Moss shows some interest.
CAPTCHA: Boston dirties
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Rodgers throws the equivalent of a Hail Mary. There were 4 defenders in the picture to one receiver. The ball caroms and is picked by TB. The returner gets a few yards and then gets blown up by Donald Driver who makes the tackle by throwing a vicious shoulder into the returner.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
71 yard pass on 3rd and 1? Ballsy, or was Moss just that open?
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Moss just ran away from everyone, like he does now and again.
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What is it with coaches unnecessarily going for 2? The Pats made it, but it is not statistically the right play. If they miss it, then they would only be up by 5 in the 3rd quarter, two field goals by Miami would win it. You should never go or 2 unless it is absolutely necessary.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Because they'd lose if the Dolphins would make a TD.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
http://www.footballcommentary.com/twoptchart.htm
I wouldn't have gone for two there, but this study supports him. As long as he thought there was at least a 27% chance of making it.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Pat White is playing a lot today. He seems to be considerably more effective than he had been before, too.
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Upset alert! I just saw that the HOU-IND game is now 17-13 HOU.
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Somehow, Houston is severely limiting Indy's passing game.
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Chad Henne... -11 yard run? Ouch.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
lined up at receiver, he got the reverse and got tackled.
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Ahman Green just broke off a 26 yard run to get GB down to the TB 18-yard line as the 3rd quarter ends. The announcers said that Green is very close to breaking the record for rushing yards gained by a Packer. They mentioned the value, but it went in one ear and out the other.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Jim Taylor-8207
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Ahman Green just broke Jim Taylor's record. Green now has 8208 yards.
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Let the great Green vs. Taylor debate begin!
Anyone taking the Green side?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
This just in. Tom Brady is well known. Thanks for the info, Deirdorf.
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Tom Brady is a 'global superstar'.
No he's not. Outside the US only the people who watch football know him. And that's not a lot when compared to a lot of other sports.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Chicago has crawled to within 13, for what it's worth.
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Warner had sat down, but now he's back in.
Telegram
Memo to Jim Caldwell: You have a pretty good quarterback on your roster. He's the guy in the #18 jersey. You might want to get him to throw the ball for you.
That #87 guy is a whole lot better at catching it.
Re: Telegram
Peter Manningham: 31/46 280 1 1
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Great play by Aaron Rodgers. TB plays dime. Rodgers gets the snap, the Packers actually block well. Rodgers drifts forward towards the line of scrimmage looking for an open receiver. He then pump fakes and jukes out the spy and runs in from 12 yards out to score the TD. 28-17 GB.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
the NFL.com gamecenter is saying Reggie Wayne has three pass attempts, including at least two on the current drive, and is 1/3 for 17. Is that really right?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
See comment 180. Jim Caldwell's apparently mistaken Reggie Wayne's season statline for a single-game passer rating. He's now confused about why the number of attempts hasn't changed.
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On the ensuing KO, TB returns the ball 83 yards to the GB 17. The first person to have a chance at the tackle was the GB kicker, who whiffed. GB then missed several tackles before finally dropping the return man.
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Ted Ginn sighting!
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Say, is something wrong with Carson Palmer's left hand? The announcers haven't mentioned it on every single play.
Hail Hydra!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
He got overexciting while he was having fun out there.
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*overexcited*
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TB answers! Freeman to Winslow on a 7-yard TD pass. Freeman scrambled on the play and threw the ball just before crossing the line of scrimmage. Winslow made a great, leaping catch at the end line for the score. TB went for 2, but failed. 28-23 GB.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Olsen is doing great.
It's not often that your fantasy football tight end makes 25 points for you.
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Davonne Bess made a great juggling catch while being interfered with pretty horrendously (and it was called).
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I'm guessing the Dolphins go after a receiver in the draft this year.
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That would be a very good guess.
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Dez Bryant will look great in a Dolphin uniform.
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Chad Henne tries to call timeout even though they're out of timeouts. There's a Michigan joke there somewhere...
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Leave it to a Michigan man to try to call a timeout he doesn't have.
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TB driving. There has been a great pass to Winslow. Just now, Clayton makes a great adjustment to a Freeman pass that got hung up in the brisk wind blowing in TB. The Bucs are at the Packers 7-yard line.
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TB scores the go ahead TD on a 4th and 4 play from the 7-yard line. Freeman to Stroughter. TB going for 2 to try and get a 3 point lead. The try is good. 31-28 TB with 4:14 to go in the 4th quarter.
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Ginn drops a should-be first down to hand the game over to New England.
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4th down and they're throwing it to.... Ted Ginn.
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It's not like they have much better options. Watching their receivers in action gives me hope that I could get in shape and play for them.
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Hell of a TD pass there by Freeman of Tampa Bay!
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The next Great Debate: Ted Ginn Jr. vs. Troy Williamson. Worse hands? Bigger bust?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Let's not forget about the DHB (Darrius Heyward-Bey) in that debate.
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Let's at least let him have a couple of years to play his way out of it first. Al Davis hasn't always been wrong.
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I'm glad to get a win over the Fins however we can; it seems the Pats always split a game with them.
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I don't think anyone will be able to complain about GB having a better DVOA than MIN after today's game.
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It's part of the conspiracy--Philadelphia beat Tampa. If Tampa's DVOA goes up, so does Philadelphia's.
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Wow, tough choice here. 4th and 1 inch. Kick an easy field goal, or go for a first down to end the game?
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That's not tough. You kick it and be up 2 scores. If you miss it, it would be the same as not converting the 4th down.
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Not quite. A missed FG means you sacrifice seven yards.
Hail Hydra!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Kris Brown hooks a field goal left. Colts win 20-17. Ouch.
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Can we finally start saying that Aaron Rodgers is at fault for way too many of his sacks. He holds onto the ball longer than Big Ben, and weighs about 30 pounds less.
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I already had started saying it, so I think so.
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Yes. His protection's not great, but it's not been awful the last few games. I refuse to believe his receivers are all well-covered on all these sacks.
And that last play after the hold... rolls out, timidly jogs toward the line of scrimmage, gets hit and chucks some weird underhanded thing downfield... who does he think he is, Favre?
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He is like that forward that is on everyone's soccer team. Has openings to take a shot and then just plays around with it too long and then BAM 3 defenders all over him.
The thing about sacks of Rodgers is they rarely are just 1 guy who beats a lineman. Its usually the whole defensive line falling on top of him(Jared Allen aside).
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
"You've got to trust your kicking game, in order to make a field goal"
Did he just say that?
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GB punts, down 3 with 2+ minutes left? I think you have to go for it, even if it's 4th and 16.
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So Brady tries to get somebody to jump off sides, and it works...sort of. He gets one of his lineman to false start.
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I say kick the figgie; it's close enough to be nearly automatic and if missed would force the fins to drive for the td from within their 20.
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I agree. The likelyhood of a blocked field goal in that situation is less than the chance of converting a 4th and short, even if it is an inch.
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I don't like to be the guy who bitches about refs, but the Bears really got screwed today (although there's a good chance it didn't make a difference). There was a blatant DPI on Olsen that went uncalled on 4th down. A marginal holding call on Kruetz on a screen play that converted 3rd down. A late hit on Cutler that went uncalled, a marginal DPI on a long pass to Knox went uncalled.
It probably didn't matter in the end, but it was frustrating to watch.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
New England wins 27-17. Overall a pretty good game, I think. Miami just couldn't keep the offense going consistently and left way too many underneath openings all day.
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So, can we now definitively say that the Bucs were right to start Josh Freeman?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I'm not sure definitively, but fairly yes. However, I think they should have just started him from the beginning with what a mess they are.
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Unless they wanted to work out somethings on the offensive line and with the receivers without getting your rookie QB killed.
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It's hard to argue with a win.
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Does Aaron Rodgers have the worst pocket presence of any QB in the league?
Hail Hydra!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Ooh. Phil Simms time. I. am. so. excited. I cannot believe my luck.
Can't they replace him with a ceiling fan or something?
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
I think I'd rather they hung him from a ceiling fan.
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The ceiling fan would set itself on fire when he started talking to it.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
That just means someone didn't tie the rope tight enough.
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
Tanard Jackson, you fail Football 101.
Hail Hydra!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
My throat is painfully raw from me screaming "GET ON THE GROUND, GET ON THE GROUND!" over and over.
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I complained a lot about this on IRC, no one else seemed to think it was a big deal.
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The odds that GB could score two TDs in 35 seconds is vanishingly small, but they're not zero. He knocks it down and the odds are about as close to zero as you can get with time still on the clock.
Hail Hydra!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
And the giants kicker decides not to kick it.... looked like a fake, but they forgot to tell Feagles, the holder.
And why do I know the holder's name, and not the kicker's?
ps.
what's up with that Hail Hydra! after every post?
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Because Feagles has played in New York for about 765 000 years and Lawrence Tynes hasn't.
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It's a very long story involving Greek mythology, Marvel Comics and Jim Johnson's defense.
Hail Hydra!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
HELL YEAH!
HELL YEAH!
HELL YEAH!
I could never have imagined being so excited about being 1-7, but seriously, this is the best I've felt as a Bucs fan in years. WE'RE NOT GOING WINLESS! DETROIT'S STILL THE BENCHMARK FOR SUCKING! YEAH!!!!!!!!!
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Congrats, Milkman.
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Well, congratulations.
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It's the power of the creamsicle uniforms. They should break them out more often.
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Great feeling huh.
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Congrats, and thanks for the most humorous post here in weeks.
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I can understand Milkman. Just the knowledge that Jamarcus Russell will not throw an interception or fumble the ball during an NFL game this week just gives me goosebumps.
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Well, it looks like I need to offer thanks to some supreme being for sparing me the experience of watching my god-awful Seahawks play this weekend. I just popped over to ESPN to check out the game cast. Seattle has two turnovers and the Lions lead 14-0 at Qwest Field. Excuse me while I go find an ice pick to drive into my temple. They're losing to the fricking Lions!
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At home. They're losing to the Lions at home.
Those last two words are what make it truly terrifying rather than simply Redskins inept.
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Brian Billick just made the comment at the end of the first quarter that most 3rd downs are picked up by throwing short of the sticks, and then the receiver picking up the rest of the yardage to convert.
Bill, Aaron, etc--can the game charting project tell us if this is true???
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speaking as a Pats fan, I need to let anyone who watched the NE/Miami game know that I have no clue what the heck Dierdorf is ever saying or thinking, and for that matter, why he says or thinks anything. I didn't realize how intolerable the guy is. Most of his dumb stuff he said was in favor of NE, but it still seemed so wrong. Is he always this bad?
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Yes. He is nearly Phil Simms's equal.
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Dierdorf is *much* worse than Simms. Simms at least you can figure out why he might be saying something. As near as I can tell, Dierdorf isn't even watching the game. It took him a quarter and a half to notice Wilfork playing defensive end, and then made a big deal of this mid-game change....
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Pretty much. He seems to be good for about one useful insight per game. Otherwise, you'd get more enlightenment listening to static.
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That's exactly what you deserve, Fox, for starting that giant bag of suck at QB then not letting him throw on 3rd-and-seven.
Hail Hydra!
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Why exactly does Coughlan keep the challenge flag in his sock? Doesn't he have pockets?
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At the end of the 1st quarter, SEA has run 8 plays, gained 27 yards, held the ball for 2:50, has no first downs, and 2 turnovers. Someone just shoot me, please. It's 17-0 DET.
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Do we need to remind you this is Detroit? No lead for them is safe. Even Seattle can come back on Detroit.
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With 13:16 to play in the second quarter, Tom Coughlin threw the challenge flag to save five yards on second down. Sadly, the NFL saved him from himself and the play can't be challenged.
And Kevin Boss must be secretly screwing Manning's wife, because Eli keeps getting him wrecked.
Hail Hydra!
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If calling a time out you don't have is a delay of game, why isn't throwing the challenge flag for an unreviewable play?
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It is absolutely a worthwhile challenge. And not only did the ref blow the original call, he incorrectly ruled that the play is not reviewable. Questions of when a player goes OB are all reviewable.
Yeah, he probably wins. But
Yeah, he probably wins. But a challenge is much more valuable than five yards, especially on second down.
Hail Hydra!
Re: Week 9 Open Discussion Thread
". Questions of when a player goes OB are all reviewable."
No, they're not.
You can challenge that a player DID go out of bounds. You can't challenge that he didn't.
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NYG Boss just got lit up on a pass over the middle.
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The Giants have been back in 2006/early 2007 "shoot ourselves in the foot at every opportunity until we run out of toes" mode lately. For a neutral, it's somewhat enjoyable. If I were a Giants fan, I'd go insane.
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The Chargers are getting good pressure on Eli so far.
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Wow. After getting strip sacked and nearly turning over the ball, Eli completes s 19-yard pass to Smith on 3rd ad 18 to keep the drive alive.
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I don't get this game, so what's going on in New Orleans? Why are they losing to Carolina?
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Carolina is exploiting the weak Saints run defense. Brees also fumbled deep in his own territory (Carolina converted for a TD), and threw an interception on another drive.
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The Giants have moved down the field taking an absolute eternity and somehow never looking good throughout the drive.
And Manning completes a TD to Steve Smith.
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There we go. Eli to Steve Smith for the 7-yard TD reception. C'mon G-Men. I don't think I could take Norv and the Wonder Brat winning today. 7-7.
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eli "wonderbrat" manning. i kinda like it. Who cries to their daddy when they don't want to be drafted by a team? oh wait i read your post wrong. youre making fun of rivers for actually having balls
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Sproles wants to know if anyone got the license plate number of the truck that just hit him.
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How in the world does no one cover Antonio Gates? It's not like you can just not notice someone his size, even if you somehow didn't account for him beforehand.
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Now, now. He's big enough to have a cloaking device.
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What exactly does Coors Light think is funny about its commercials?
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I don't think they're too bad, as far as beer commercials go. I'd much rather watch the Coors light commercials than the Bud Light commercials with Jimmy Football.
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But at least I can see what the joke is about Jimmy Football. It doesn't work and it's amazingly annoying, but I can see what they're going for. I don't even see what's supposed to be funny about the Coors Light ones.
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Well, I guess the attempt at humor is taking all of that coaching footage and putting it in completely outrageous context. Some work better than others.
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What exactly does Coors Light think is enjoyable about its beer?
Hail Hydra!
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The only thing I can think of is the money it makes them.
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The fact that it's so cold.
At least it's better than being "drinkable" like their competition.
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I saw a comedian last week making fun of beer commercials advertising the temperature of beer. Isn't it up to us and not the beer company how cold our beer is?
And those Coors commercials where they use footage of coaches at press conferences and on the sideline are easily the biggest underachievers. So much at their hands for resources, so much potential, so little funny.
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The Oracle Simms just said that San Diego wanted to get a 62-yard field goal try . . . can he be right that they think Kaeding can hit that?
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Kaeding does have a strong leg, IIRC. It didn't look like there was any wind, so maybe he could have made it if they had tried. It's a moot point for the moment since they went for the Hail Mary to end the half.
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I heard legends of his leg strength when I was in college because my freshman year I was about 20 minutes away from him and I believe it was his senior season. But 62 yards at sea level?
I guess we'll never know. Apparently they didn't think he could make from 66.
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I wonder which is really more likely, a 62 yard field goal, or a Hail Mary touchdown. I suppose you have to factor in the higher value of a TD over a field goal in making that decision.
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It certainly seems like none of us is finding the SD-NYG game compelling since we have segued into debating light beer commercials.
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Or we find beer commercials compelling.
It has been an oddly dull game for being a 7-7 game between two possible playoff teams who seemed very evenly matched coming in, though.
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You guys should be watching Ten/SF in the battle of the QB busts.
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Alex Smith is not looking like a bust just a late bloomer. This has happened before and will happen again.
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True, I should have said supposed busts. It really seemed like SF had given up on him, though. I wonder if they saw something in practice that convinced them to give him a second chance, even if it was halfway through a lost game.
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Is he? I missed that. When did he become an NFL calibre QB?
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A couple weeks ago. His DVOA right now is at 33%, which would put him somewhere in the top 10, although he has less than 60 passes, so it's a small sample size.