Week 7 in the NFL: What the....???

Jstas

Well, Cowboys are done. Romo has a broken collar bone. No chance of getting back in early with that. The collar bone props your shoulders open and gives your arms the leverage to make motions like...throwing a football. They push off each other like a cantilevered bridge. It was apparently not a fracture but a clean break. I had that injury. He won't be able to do much moving for 2 weeks at least. It's going to take 8 weeks or more to heal. That's pretty much week one of the playoffs. Where Dallas will not be.

The ONLY bonus is that with Kitna in, it is apparent where the team is lacking and that is coaching staff. If the coaching was worth anything, Kitna could have been serviceable instead of the trainwreck that he was. He's not a dummy and he has talent but it's clear he hasn't had any time working with or running that offense. That's not Kitna's fault.

I would be terribly surprised if Wade is not let go at the end of the season. What really sucks is that Jason Garrett will likely be let go at the end of the season as well. I think that sucks because I don't think he's that bad. He was a play caller for the Cowboys during most of the Aikmen years. The talent on that team wasn't as deep as it is now. Ah...whatever. The whole season has been a disgusting bust. A waste of good talent.


The rest of the league isn't much better. Good teams are bad, bad teams are OK and the only certainty is that the horrible teams are still horrible. But it's pretty much a suck fest. I've seen exciting games so far this season but they weren't good games. It's essentially been, who is gonna suck less. It's almost as bad as watching college ball. Yeah, it can be thrilling to watch but, for the most part, it's just bad football.

ohskigod

I will admit, I worry that the Jets barely eeked a win against a team that Oakland just broke open a Large, bulk size can of whoop **** from Costco on.
59 points? thats a College game score (when Number one plays some unranked team from the Ozarks) wtf dude ?!?!?!

nooshinjohn

This has to be the screwiest season of football I have ever seen. About the only certainty I have at this point is the Vikings could have been the only undefeated team in football if Farve stayed home and played with his tractors. Every single game they lost this season can be placed squarely on #4's shoulders.

The rest of the league looks like they went on strike already. If there is a lockout next year, I won't be watching another game, ever!

punk-roc

I didn't see that Oakland game, but it looked awful fluky to me.. The Raiders aren't that good.. they can run the ball for sure. The Jets will be ok.

How about Cleveland dismantling the Saints? The Saints have looked mediocore at best at year.. They've got a fair amount of injuries, but what is with Pierre Thomas sandbagging it on the sideline? Reggie Bush broke his leg and he'll be back on the field before Thomas?

I'm terrified of Pittsburgh.. That Mike Wallace really opens up the field for their RB and Ward to cause problems, combined with an extremely stout defense... watch out.

P.S. While the Cowboys look done to me as well... the NFC is so terrible, their season isn't over yet.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I've been hearing on the local stations here in Big D...

"The Cowboys lost and are done because Romo is gone". Ummmm, no. They were 1 - 4 with Romo, the QB is not the problem. hell, they put upp over 30 points last night against the Giants, that should be enough to win a football game.

Their defense cannot alow teams to put up 41 points. The penalties have got to stop. The coaching is horrid. Wade going for the TD on 4th down instead of kicking the field goal last night was idiotic, and yet pretty much indicative of his mentality and intelligence.

I don't understand how Wade still has a job, it just doesn't make sense. He's CLEARLY the reason that they're 1-5 now, it's like he's never coached a team before.

zombie boy 2000

Every time I open these threads, I still see no love for the Falcons. Not speaking as a homer, but I do believe they are the best team in NFC right now (not that that's saying much, but SI happens to agree). A hiccup to Philly and taking the best team (Pittburgh) to overtime on the road account for their only two losses. All under the radar.

ryanjoachim

Go Pack! Injuries have plagued them all season, but they're still managing to keep in the race. Not nearly as good a season so far as I was hoping for, but a win is a win.

Jstas

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I've been hearing on the local stations here in Big D...

"The Cowboys lost and are done because Romo is gone". Ummmm, no. They were 1 - 4 with Romo, the QB is not the problem. hell, they put upp over 30 points last night against the Giants, that should be enough to win a football game.

Their defense cannot alow teams to put up 41 points. The penalties have got to stop. The coaching is horrid. Wade going for the TD on 4th down instead of kicking the field goal last night was idiotic, and yet pretty much indicative of his mentality and intelligence.

I don't understand how Wade still has a job, it just doesn't make sense. He's CLEARLY the reason that they're 1-5 now, it's like he's never coached a team before.

What's funny about that is the Dallas defense was doing a good job. Only two penalties in the first half. One was a pass interference that was more of Jenkins running in to Smith and an accident but a good call. The other was something stupid for minimal yardage. The penalty kings of the first half were the Giants for holds in the backfield. At least 2, probably 3 of those called holds saved Manning from getting drilled by Ware or James for a huge loss. But Newman having issues with his ribs and having to jump out of plays was not helping any. He's the only one in the secondary that could shut down Smith and he did a decent job of it in most of the first half.

I don't think it was commentary on the level of play of either team. I think we just watched two of the best defenses in the league go up against offenses capable of putting serious points on the board no matter who they are playing. Coaching and discipline (which comes from the coaching staff) was clearly the reason Dallas lost last night. Coughlin has never been a question on the Giants and that showed last night in direct contrast to Phillips and the Cowboys. It's also quite clear how much of a leader Romo actually is for that team. Kitna was a trainwreck. Romo is clearly more talented than he's given credit for 'cause they still manage to have an offense with him throwing the ball and covering up the inadequacies in the coaching staff.

Seriously, what Dallas needs is a guy like Cowher to get some discipline and accountability in the ranks. But Jones will never step aside and let a guy like Cowher run the team. That's a shame 'cause I'll bet Cowher would jump at the chance to coach that team given the right circumstances.

zombie boy 2000 wrote: »

... I do believe they are the best team in NFC right now (not that that's saying much, but SI happens to agree)...

Oh, no, I agree. But, I have seen better play in past years from other teams. Given the climate in the NFL right now though, the Falcons are what it takes to win. In past years, they would have been an even team or a Wild Card berth at best. Right now though, they are a dark horse flying under the radar. Especially with the Favre-gate debacle, the Ocho and T.O. show and the implosion of, on paper, the best team in the league.

Still, nothing against the Falcons but the sheer suckitude with which the rest of the NFL is playing has been overshadowing the quality of and level of play from the Falcons.



Oh and did anybody see Childress on his post-game press conference and the press conference about Favre's condition? He looked like he was so pissed off he was going to cry. Brett "Father Time" Favre is done. He will not be playing next year. The Viqueens are going to drop him and no one else is going to pick him up. His longevity record is done and he's increasingly ineffective on the field. The real shame is that all that talent and ability on the Viqueens is going to waste because of a petulant, 41 year old child. Way to go Brett!

With the strike looming next year as well, there is a talent pool in it's prime there that could have gone somewhere this year or even next but will languish and waste away for the next two years.

Depressing.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I would probably actually root for Dallas if they brough Cowher in. The main reason I've hated Dallas is because of their 'show-off' or 'rock star' attitude, on and off the field. I would think that Cowher coming in would put a stop to alot of that and turn them into a more disciplined, professional team.

I mean seriously, I don't see my Colts leapfrogging each other when they score a touchdown. I'm all for having fun, but you're a professional athlete, act like you've been there before.

The Cowboys general attitude of "We have talent, we don't need discipline to win" is what pisses me off, like they think they're so good they've above the rules or something.

punk-roc

I like the Falcons.. I think they get downplayed because their offense isn't really "explosive" (not saying it isnt very good, 2 great RBs and a very efficient QB and glue-handed WR in White).

Their defense keeps the other team in check and they score enough to win. They just don't blow people out of the water, like most of the public (and even sportswriters) likes "good" teams to do. The Falcons don't get blown-out and they will be in every game thanks to their defense and effective offense.

I just worry about them when those great offensive teams get a decent lead (like a full-powered Indy; whose defense is very difficult to beat with a lead), it seems they have trouble catching up. And then also they can have trouble on the road..

I like the Falcons though, just not as fun to talk about They are efficient and not flashy, they just get the job done.

Jason

Jstas

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I would probably actually root for Dallas if they brough Cowher in. The main reason I've hated Dallas is because of their 'show-off' or 'rock star' attitude, on and off the field. I would think that Cowher coming in would put a stop to alot of that and turn them into a more disciplined, professional team.

I mean seriously, I don't see my Colts leapfrogging each other when they score a touchdown. I'm all for having fun, but you're a professional athlete, act like you've been there before.

The Cowboys general attitude of "We have talent, we don't need discipline to win" is what pisses me off, like they think they're so good they've above the rules or something.

Can't argue with that. But alot of that bravado has gone away with the departure of T.O. and "Pacman" Jones. Some of it's still there but I don't think it's any worse than any other team. I think the stigma still hangs around though.

Yeah, Austin's leapfrog was stupid but I really don't think it was worth the penalty. Especially since last night, the Giants were dancing in the endzone and didn't get called for excessive celebration. All Austin did was jump over Williams and try to run off. If anything it was more stupid because of potential injury. It didn't look planned like the official said in the press conference afterwards. Especially since Williams didn't even know he was coming 'cause he flinched when Austin hit his shoulders.

Bah, bogus call on something silly. I didn't think that was showing off. T.O. dancing in the endzone or doing his slamdunk on the crossbar or getting in a defender's face over a 1st down, that was excessive. Unfortunately, he did that BS so often that it's stuck around for a few teams. Not just Dallas. Philly is often criticized for the excessive showmanship and inappropriate taunting and alot of it isn't there anymore because T.O. isn't there anymore. But the stigma is still there. San Fran was criticized, even by Jerry Rice for it when T.O. was there too. The only team that doesn't have that issue is the Bills. But they did so bad even with him that it was a non-issue since T.O. had nothing to celebrate.

TroyD

The Cowboys' season was already over long before Romo's shoulder broke. Thinking otherwise was pure folly. They have sucked all year.

....and the Pats keep winning ballgames.

BDT

AsSiMiLaTeD

FWIW, I agree on the leapfrog not being a penalty, I still think it's dumb though. I don't mind a little celebration, but stuff like that or dancing around in the endzone is just dumb. And yes alot of teams do it.

It's difficult to articulate, but it's just more annoying with some teams. It's the antics and dancing around that I can't stand. Running down the field in jubilation and chest-bumping your receiver or whatever doesn't bother me so much, it's the dancing that I can't deal with.

I'm not saying that everyone needs to be like Peyton, who barely even smiles when he throws a TD (sometimes you couldn't tell if he just threw a TD or an int by looking at his face), I'd actually like to see more enthusiasm from him, but somewhere in the middle would be good.

Again, just look like you've been there before, you're a professional for godssake

Jstas

TroyD wrote: »

The Cowboys' season was already over long before Romo's shoulder broke. Thinking otherwise was pure folly. They have sucked all year.

....and the Pats keep winning ballgames.

BDT

Bah! Whattayou know? Isn't you're middle name "dumb"? :eek:

Demiurge

*tee hee* I think I tinkled in my shorts a little.



Sooooo amusing reading the Viking fan forums since they aren't riding this guys itsy bitsy jock anymore.

Hey, did you hear about those pictures he sent? Turns out they were meant for his wife but were intercepted by Sterger.

Great 'article'

http://deadspin.com/5672552/brett-favre-is-a-****

Jstas

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

FWIW, I agree on the leapfrog not being a penalty, I still think it's dumb though. I don't mind a little celebration, but stuff like that or dancing around in the endzone is just dumb. And yes alot of teams do it.

It's difficult to articulate, but it's just more annoying with some teams. It's the antics and dancing around that I can't stand. Running down the field in jubilation and chest-bumping your receiver or whatever doesn't bother me so much, it's the dancing that I can't deal with.

I'm not saying that everyone needs to be like Peyton, who barely even smiles when he throws a TD (sometimes you couldn't tell if he just threw a TD or an int by looking at his face), I'd actually like to see more enthusiasm from him, but somewhere in the middle would be good.

Again, just look like you've been there before, you're a professional for godssake

That was one of my favorite things about Emmitt Smith. Dude never celebrated. He ran in, scored the touchdown and the next person he looked for was the official and he handed him the ball. Some slaps on the back or helmet and he went to the sidelines and waited for the next time he was needed.

Marion Barber used to operate that way too but he's been letting the celebration out more lately too.

Romo gives cheers or a arm pump or something but that's no more than any other QB. Now Favre running the length of the field just to congratulate a receiver is just silly. Get to the sidelines grandpa and let the game go on.

Win the game, then dance all you want. A touchdown is nice but high-stepping in to the endzone or doing a forward flip over the goal line or any other silly stuff like dragging feet is just taunting the other team and completely unsportsmanlike. If all you want to do is get on the highlight reel then how about doing something significant besides playing a fool? Besides, it's just a touchdown. Dallas was up by 14 points at one point in the first half and they still lost by 6 points. Kinda makes Dez Bryant's silly high stepping on his 88 yard return a little premature.

Slinger182

Jstas wrote: »

Yeah, Austin's leapfrog was stupid but I really don't think it was worth the penalty. Especially since last night, the Giants were dancing in the endzone and didn't get called for excessive celebration. All Austin did was jump over Williams and try to run off. If anything it was more stupid because of potential injury. It didn't look planned like the official said in the press conference afterwards. Especially since Williams didn't even know he was coming 'cause he flinched when Austin hit his shoulders.

I thought I read and saw on ESPN that the penality was on Williams and another receiver (not Austin) for throwing up the hookem horns. I could be wrong and either way a dumb penalty especially what happened the week before.

I like the Falcons I follow them a lot I have Burner and White on my fantasy team. They keep the mistakes to a minimum. Watch out for Green Bay and the Seahawks though.

Bears just piss me off. The defense is better than average but for whatever reason they show no commitment to the run. I also blame the coaching staff for Cutler's 4 INTs to Hall. It's their fault for not telling Cutler before the game that Hall doesn't play for us. J/K but the WR Knox definitely quit on his route for 2 of them.

I don't know if it's parity or mediocrity but there definitely doesn't seem to be a clear cut "best" team in either conference. I'm actually looking forward to the Bears having a bye this week. I'm going to go to a bar that has Sunday NFL ticket and watch a lot of other games. Bears can't lose and our division foes are playing in good games.

Slinger182

Nevermind it definitely was on Austin.

exalted512

Titans are doing well for themselves this year. Theyre going to San Diego next week. I don't doubt that Chris Johnson will keep his 100 yd/away game streak there.

His speed is just ridiculous. One of the only players in the NFL that I've ever seen defensive backs straight up turn around and start running towards the end zone to make sure they catch him.
http://www.titansonline.com/media-center/videos/Chris-Johnsons-42-yard-run/e8ea7586-ac32-4937-b77d-11b352ef5a2c
-Cody

punk-roc

There was a play Mike Wallace of the Steelers made that showed his crazy speed too.. the DB gave him 7-8 yards cushion, cheated halfway in his stance, turned and ran with Wallace and Wallace still blew past him for 2-3 yards separation to catch a 53 yard TD..

Fairly impressive... people in the NFL are strong and fast.

fatchowmein

Jstas wrote: »

Well, Cowboys are done.

Well, I guess we still have the 2011 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader calender to look forward to...

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kevhed72

Slinger182 wrote: »

Jstas wrote: »

Bears just piss me off. The defense is better than average but for whatever reason they show no commitment to the run. I also blame the coaching staff for Cutler's 4 INTs to Hall. It's their fault for not telling Cutler before the game that Hall doesn't play for us. J/K but the WR Knox definitely quit on his route for 2 of them.

The Defense is much better than average....the last 2 games they lost by a combined 6 points, and turned over the ball like 7 times!! I am assuming the Lovie love-fest is over up there in Chicago...

Erik Tracy

The best worst team in the NFL? Chargers......sigh.....