Wait the Dolphins were playing defense? *OH SNAP* But yeah Trakiel, if I read it right, it weighs the situation. Guys in front of the WR on that side of the field, broken tackles and all of that are taken into account. So if there is 3 DBs in front of the WR and he breaks 2 tackles, then that is weighted differently than a clean air pass to the WR. It also takes into account the defense. If its a 46 Defense vs. a 3 Man Top Quarter Defense, it'll weigh any successful pass attempt lighter on the 46 defense since it is a run defense.
Some people think the NFL has become too soft; that the rules are geared too favorably towards the offense. Which, for the most part is true: 'roughing the passer' penalties these days are a joke. On the other hand, there's this. Even in such an offense-friendly league, the Bears can't put together an offensive line that's worth a shit. It was barely mediocre with Kreutz, and now it's terrible without him. I kind of feel bad for Cutler. As bad as things went when he left Denver, it's unfortunate to see him in such a lackluster situation. He either has no line, no receivers, or both. Everyone knows how good he can really be. It makes me wonder if playing with his favorite team was really worth it.
I was about to say, there was only the one stiff arm in lieu of broken tackles and he was absolutely gone. That was a perfectly thrown ball to a receiver that, let's face it, will probably not going to make a back shoulder catch bodying out the corner if that ball is underthrown. If memory serves, that was one deep coverage, so the FS has absolutely zero business gambling and trying to make the INT or batting it away. But yes, that was maybe 50% on the defense, between the bad gamble and Sapp getting a stiff arm and looking like he was running in knee deep mud. Another thing that has been mentioned is how well the line has played, especially considering Koppen is done for the year. Connolly has done an amazing job, and Solder looked really good being thrown to what was supposed to be a top Miami defensive line. Meanwhile Brian Waters has so far been an awesome pickup. It does look like the secondary injury bug is going around, which might make this shades of 2004 all over again. Anyone know Troy Brown's number?
Well, the alternative isn't too enticing either. At least with Chicago he has a chance to win a ring. Denver doesn't look like they will be relevant for years. The o-line in Chicago has been really bad for a long time, and I think it's the only thing holding them back from being a great team. They have other issues but they're more manageable. The receivers get a lot of criticism, but they aren't as bad as people make them out to be. Williams hasn't played well lately, but has a lot of upside. Knox is a serviceable #2 wide out and Hester suits his role as a speedy deep threat. They're probably a second round draft pick from having a solid unit. I don't know why the bears are claiming they just have a few fixable tweaks to make their o-line good. This isn't like a QB misreading a defense, or a cornerback falling over on a play. What are you supposed to tell them? Stop acting like a revolving door? The players just aren't very good, that's their problem.
One step would be to fire Mike Martz and get a coordinator that didn't use 7 step drops and fly routes every other pass play. Maybe you get one where your offense runs the ball with your talented halfback and use that big arm for a play action pass every so often to keep defenses honest. Maybe you get an offense where a tight end is used for blocking and receiving instead of being swapped out for a third of fourth wideout. Maybe. I only put this out there because I saw Martz straight up ruin Marc Bulger and to a lesser extent, Kurt Warner doing the same shit. You can get away with running an offense like that when you've got an offensive line anchored by arguably one of the best left tackles in the game at the time in Orlando Pace, a pair of hall of fame wideouts, and a guy like Marshall Faulk who I believe was in the top 5 to ever play his position. Chicago has none of these things.
True, but they weren't as bad off at the time Cutler left. They still had Brandon Marshall at the time, as well. If it weren't for those trades, and two drafts' worth of Josh McDaniels sitting in the war room, they'd be a much more solid team, and Cutler would be a bigger presence in the league. Oh well. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...
This. Martz has repeatedly shown that he just doesn't give any priority to QB protection when he draws up plays and schemes for games. He passes too often, doesn't leave enough TEs or RBs to pick up rushers, and calls too many plays that take too long to develop. These are manageable flaws when you've got good enough personnel, but when you have average or below average personnel, it magnifies their flaws. Chicago's line isn't good, but it's not THIS bad.
<a class="postlink" href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/10spot-11week3/remembering-hit-drew-bledose-led-emergence-tom-brady" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/10s ... -tom-brady</a>
The Bears front office has always been notoriously cheap. I also agree that Martz isn't necessarily the best fit as offensive coordinator for a team that has always been 'run first.' Lovie likes to say they are a running team, but they simply aren't under Martz, which is a shame because Forte is an excellent back with great pass-catching ability when they need it. Finally, the Bears cannot draft offense to save their lives. They simply can't. Every offensive player they drafted in the first and second round ends up a bust, and it is actually kind of astonishing. With the exception of Hester and Forte, who have they really drafted? Anyone? They're a team designed to control the ball with the run, get a lead, and have their defense not give up the long play. Unfortunately, under Martz, their defense ends up out there more than they should be, they get tired, and that is when the big plays happen, and they get torched. Martz needs to go. I'd even keep Lovie around (even if that dude can't challenge to save his life). Just play to your strengths. They do the opposite.
Is there a rule out there somewhere which dictates that all Bengals players must be complete idiots? <a class="postlink" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Police-seize-eight-pounds-of-marijuana-from-home?urn=nfl-wp7717" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdo ... nfl-wp7717</a>
Why players do things like this when they are making that much money in the nfl... I'm just speechless. I wonder if the vikings can blow a 24 lead tomorrow. They need to keep the pace.
The Saints lost the game as soon as they decided to wear those pants. They're playing like shit because they're trying not to vomit when they look at each other.
I really hope I wasn't the only one who saw Cruz's 74 yard td against the eagles. That was some AWESOME tackling. Dream team huh? Guess not.
The rain coming down in the Jaguars-Panthers game is something out of Revelations. Oh, and someone should show the NY Giants what 'tackling' is. I imagine there's a YouTube tutorial video somewhere they could learn from.
No kidding. Are they playing in a fucking hurricane? Jesus. Edit: Am I the only one thinking they should have just drafted Brady and everyone he throws to for fantasy? That passing game in New England is insane.
AND NOW IT'S FUCKING SUNNY OUT! What the shit is this?? Ron Rivera's scowl aside, this game is proof that there is a devil. This is the kind of weather I only hear about in Lewis Black's standup. On the plus side: Jaguars cheerleaders soaked head to toe. I say no more.
Wow Minnesota, it must be nice to have the best first half team in the league huh? 10,17, and 20 now. Well done. I have no doubts they will blow this game too. I would feel bad for them if their fans weren't such annoying jealous cunts. I'm looking at you Trakiel.
Goddamn this has been some good football this week. Lions/Vikings, Patriots/Bills (What the fuck Tom? 4 Picks? No way. You didn't throw 5 picks all of last year.) Titans/Broncos (DeadPool bet on Titans, holy fuck I was worried.) Saints/Texans, all great games. I haven't seen the others, but wow. Great football. Holy fuck, for the first time during the Tom Brady era, the Patriots might lose to the Bills. I think it was a 15 game win streak? Holy fucking shit. I can't believe this.
Holy shit. Buffalo is going to win. That offense is for real. Wow. Edit: Minnesota. Bwahahaha. No.. wait... wait... BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Another double digit lead blown. Maybe they'll lead by 30 at halftime next week.
That or the Patriots defense is fucking terrible. Chad Henne put up 400 yards...I just don't know anymore.