All I've got to say is NFF! Nick 'F-King' Foles... Shame AR is out for the Eagles/Greenbay game, as I would love to see how our improved Defence would do against him.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/05/texas-voters-70m-for-high-school-football-stadium Read this...let it sink in. Think about it... $70 million kids American football facility... Yet, somehow the US has room for a soccer team that goes to the World Cup... Amazing achievement.
I guess that goes to show there is a limit to what Texans will spend on high school football, and that in and of itself is a revelation.
With Oregon getting absolutely manhandled by Stanford, I think it's only fair to post one of my favorite every Youtube videos. [video=youtube;cFyP9r4V1Bk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFyP9r4V1Bk[/video]
Well, after this week's unexpected, yet brilliant win on the road at Lambeau, NFC North blasted wide open. McCown put in a fantastic shift.
I can't even believe MLS is considering a plan to change to a "European" calendar. Boston, Philly, New York, Columbus, and Chicago all have weather like this from November to February, even March. ¡Estupido!
Pics from the 4 snowed in games: http://deadspin.com/nothing-is-better-than-football-in-the-snow-1479467849?
I wouldn't fancy playing for any of the 3 Canadian teams in MLS either as this time of year! Though the 'caps would be alright in their stadium.
Now that I think about it, Denver and Salt Lake City would suck too. Portland and Seattle would be uncomfortably cold and wet, occasionally snowy, as well.
Observations: - Peyton can play in the cold - All games should be played in snow - MNF is logistically impossible, but WHAT A GAME FROM MCCOWN AGAIN!
The Bears are at it again. Dropping two in a row including a killer loss to the Vikings in OT was hard to take but I got over it and was resigned to them missing the play-offs again. Then they demolish the Cowboys, are back in the hunt and my hopes are back up. Now suitably set up to win a couple more before they blow it in the season finale against the Packers. Isn't it better supporting a team like the Browns or the Raiders who have no hope of winning anything at the start of the season and then stick to that form. Its the hope that does you in. Chicago twined with Watford !!!
Ok Luke you were right on all fronts. Kubiak is gone, the Texans HAVE lost a lot more games and the Jags HAVE won some, Keenum is the starter for the rest of the season and Manziel could be coming to Houston. In fact looks like the Texans can have whoever they want with their No 1 pick . Lovie Smith or Wade Phillips for next HC ?
All told it hasn't been a bad season: decimated defence, inexperience, Cutler injury etc. And yet I feel this season will be defined by things like a 2nd down FG miss; an obstinate head coach who will cull McCown in a couple of weeks and an awful rushing defence. Next year!
It's been a terrible season for the Texans. They've thrown away so many HT leads, and to be honest, they've thrown the whole towel in now. It was so painfully obvious that Kubiak had lost the fans and more importantly, the team. Not many teams have to go to a silent count at home because you've brought Matt Schuab back in and fans boooooooing is too loud to run plays. I'm glad they got rid of him, but the timing is strange with 3 games left and nothing to play for. There is no way that Wade Smith gets the job. If he does, McNair may as well have kept Kubiak. Wade has been part of the problem to be honest - he's too nice. This team has been way too comfortable for way too long. They need somebody to come in and really shake things up. I'd love them to go after David Shaw from Stanford, but I don't think it'll happen. Sumlin looks to be out of the running with his new contract at A&M. As for Keenum, he came in and provided a real spark for a couple of games, but he's struggled a lot in the last 3 or 4. It was a breath of fresh air to see him come in and throw the ball down field, making plays with his feet etc. Now teams have got a bit of tape on him, he's found it hard to make those plays. Saying that, he's been given almost zero protection by the O-Line and been a victim of some questionable play calling, although his reading of the blitz has been questionable at times. I think he's shown enough to prove he'll be a worthy back-up somewhere, but as much as I was willing him on, I'll admit he's probably come up short. As for the draft, there is a lot of talk about Manziel and Bridgewater. I'd go for Johnny Football over Bridgewater, who hasn't really deserved the hype in my opinion. BUT, I don't think anybody is drafting Johnny 1st. I really think if the Texans pick him with their first pick of the draft, it's because they traded down. There's no doubting that he's incredible to watch, but questions remain over his durability. In fairness though, he's taken some massive hits and bounced right back into the game. I'd love to see him here in Houston. With all that said, I think if they do pick 1st, they take Clowney. There's not an Andrew Luck type lock at QB pick this year, so I'd be surprised if they take a QB with the first pick - despite their obvious need for talent in that position.
It's just like watching Watford... 54-11 in the biggest game of the season. Ouch. Don't deserve the playoffs. Or SNF again. Chris Collinsworth the only highlight. That and the Schadenfreude of Cutler landing on his "elite" ego. Eurgh.
Luckily enough there's another biggest game of the season right round the corner for them to choke up !!!! The Bears have a horrific record against the Packers and if Rodgers plays he will light up that pathetic defence. All the early results on Sunday did was give the Bears two chances to blow it.
Back in the mid 90's, I moved to Illinois on the border between Illinois and Wisconsin, the two states Chicago and Green Bay are in. It was becoming a hell of a winter and I was new there having come recently from California. I really needed a winter coat, so I drove just over the border to a well known outdoor sporting goods place to get a coat. It happened to be the day of the Bears/Packers game. I came to rural roadhouse near a four way stop just south of the border and drove past a guy taped to a stop sign in -10°C temps wearing a Packers jacket and cap. We honked and laughed at him because he seemed to be having a good time. Story below. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110120/news/701209936/
Well, there we are then. A completely inept and inexperienced defensive unit ruined what could have been a great season, but I guess it isn't their fault. Trestman has done ok, a few odd decisions notwithstanding (2nd down missed FG...); McCown made it exciting and then... Rodgers fumbling his way to victory. The most absurd call since Reading '08. What a stupid 'tache. They wear cheese. On their heads. So sad.
Every week every game in the NFL has a defensive player picking up a loose ball and sprinting towards the end zone, its what they practice all year. 99 times out of 100 whistles blow and its all for nothing. The 1 time the whistle doesn't blow the Bears defence stands around picking it's collective nose. To be honest I could have got a flight to O'Hare, hitchhiked to Soldier Field and still got to the ball quicker than those dummies !!!! Chicago Bears is a team renowned for its defensive toughness. Tough tackling with a swarm to the ball mentality. GSH would have been spinning watching that defence's performance. Injuries to Briggs and Tillman have made a difference and I believe they are certainly a lesser team without Brian Urlacher . However if you don't get pressure on the QB and don't make tackles then you will get shredded week after week. The only saving grace is the offence which looks in good shape going forward. I suspect Cutler will get the tag for 2014 and the Bears will get their next "franchise QB" in this deep QB draft. Peppers has run his day and may well be a victim of a defence clear out. Something dramatic needs to happen because allowing 2 conversions on 4th down when the season is on the line is not good enough. Like I said its the hope that kills you, and to blow it with only seconds remaining is tough, although surprisingly predictable :doom: On the plus side it's good to see Micah Hyde returning kicks for the Packers - never knew he was so versatile !!!
Agree with everything you've said. I thought Urlacher, although a huge loss; would have been a gap that could have been filled. Too many injuries. Personally, I hope Cutler goes. Too injury-prone and gets sacked waaaaaaaaay too often. But it's a tough decision, on his day a very good QB. Upon reflection an ok season, but the whole NFC North needs to sort it outself out, Bears would have been the worst team by a light year had they made it to post-season. I will settle for a 9-7 year next year.
Final scores on the Pick-ems after 17 weeks: 1 EvasiveWFC 161 91.8% 2 OneAndOnlyAmericanBeer 160 90.5% Well played Fitz.
Damn... Great job, Ev! I had a couple of crap weeks in there, but some good ones to offset it somewhat. Not enough I guess. Most of all, it smarts that the Champs couldn't even make it to playoffs. I was in Baltimore this weekend and the town was pretty down over it.
Hey Linslade looks like we'd better get used to Jay. Signed a 7 year contract with 54m guaranteed. Its probably the best move for the team as I'm sure his new cap number will be way less than that for the QB franchise tag. It means they can use the draft to re-build the defence and also be active in free agency knowing that all the skill positions on offence and much of the improved OL are locked up long term. Lots of Bears becoming Free Agents including Hester and Tillman. Not sure they will return which is a shame as 23 is surely future HOF .
It made me chuckle, Cutler saying that "staying with the Bears is [his] best chance for a SB". I wonder if that reflects upon how wanted he was/is, or how much he believes in Trestman. Really can't afford too much upheaval, Tillman and Hester have to stay. Definitely agree that Devin is HOF bound. Was tempted to go up to the bloke wearing a Bears hat at Bristol City and start talking about the season, was it you, NW?
