NFL 2008-09 Season

[BillD1984]

I don't understand that. I can't remember them ever wearing the maroon at home.

I have a feeling it has more to do with the Steelers than anything else.

The Steelers, of course, like wearing their black uniforms.


You watch, when the Skins host the Cowboys (who HATE wearing their blue uniforms) on SNF in a couple of weeks, they will be back to their whites.

 

[Jimbo]

This is a very boring game.

Really ????
Why, because YOUR team is not playing?
First half was a good Defensive struggle, lots of blitzing, which in turn caused a lot of punts. You must not like a tough aggressive blitzing D.

Second half looks like the Steeler's O has come out and decided to block some ... some.

Jimbo

 

[SabresRule]

Really ????
Why, because YOUR team is not playing?
First half was a good Defensive struggle, lots of blitzing, which in turn caused a lot of punts. You must not like a tough aggressive blitzing D.

It seems as if it's too much dinking-and-dunking, no throws, and too many runs.

Also, I don't like to see teams only kick field goals.

 

[Jimbo]

It seems as if it's too much dinking-and-dunking, no throws, and too many runs.

Also, I don't like to see teams only kick field goals.

Your missing the game ..... I believe it's a aggressive D that is causing the short passes.

There are NEVER too many runs in a Steeler's game, if your running the ball, your WINNING.

Steeler's have went deep several times, thats how Ben got hurt, hit his hand on a helmet and possibly messed up his shoulder on the same play, going deep.

Jimbo

 

[BillD1984]

Guess I'm not the only one that thought Belichick had a bad night:


This Was Not One Of Belichick's Shining Moments
By Michael Felger
WEEI.com
(Archive)




Posted: Monday, 03 November 2008 6:22AM

Good Night For Patriots, Bad For Belichick

Good night for the Patriots.

Bad night for Bill Belichick.

That's about the quickest way to describe the Pats' agonizing, 18-15 loss to the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in yet another classic matchup between these NFL heavyweights.

If you're the Patriots, you have a lot to feel good about despite the loss.

Then again, Dave Thomas is probably sick to his stomach right about now. Same goes for Jabar Gaffney. And Belichick shouldn't be feeling too hot, either.

Yes, the greatest coach of this generation got in his own way in this one.

Beyond those gory details, the game proved that the Matt Cassel-led Pats have every reason to believe they can compete with the iron of the AFC this season. I know the Colts have been a shadow of themselves recently, but that was still Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders running around out there. That was still a team with nine straight postseason berths playing to keep their playoff hopes alive in front of a home crowd on national television. They were the proverbial "team that needed it more," and the Pats were a bad penalty, a bad drop and a few bad coaching decisions from taking them down.

It's a game the Pats should have won, so the result was certainly frustrating.

But the fundamentals remained positive.

First and foremost, Cassel looks more legit by the week. Facing down the speedy Colts defense and the hostile crowd as if he has been playing in these kinds of games all his life, Cassel finished 24-of-34 (70 percent) for 204 yards and an interception that wasn't his fault. He was sharp and accurate, and he should have had a 39-yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter but Jabar Gaffney, streaking alone down the left sidelines, couldn't bring in the perfectly-thrown bomb. Bottom line: You walk away from this game feeling even better about your quarterback then you did going into it.

Ditto for the defense. Holding Manning and his cohorts to 18 points is good work, and while the Pats' young defensive backs still have a long way to go (especially Mike Richardson in the red zone), you saw some good stuff from rookie Terrence Wheatley and second-year safety Brandon Meriweather. You saw the potential while also seeing production. Bottom line: Since the debacle in San Diego, the Pats are allowing under 14 points a game. That's pretty good.

So that's what I feel the best about today if I'm the Patriots. Quarterback play and the defense. Two pretty important things.

It was just on this night, the Pats got some bad luck.

And some bad coaching.

It all started for Belichick in the third quarter when he inexplicably threw out his challenge flag in an attempt to catch the Colts in a too-many-men-on-the-field penalty. The only problem was that the Colts' 12th man had gotten off the field in time, which replays confirmed. Replays also showed the Colts' 11th player, defensive lineman Darrell Reid, sprinting off the field in the confusion. Reid definitely did not make it to the sidelines in time, but he was legal so it didn't matter. Could Ernie Adams, the man in charge of replays up in the booth, or Belichick on the sidelines, been so confused that they felt Reid was the 12th man? Either way, it was a screw up -- especially since a too-many-men penalty only nets five yards. The risk was simply not worth the reward.

That lost timeout came back to haunt the Pats dearly, especially since Cassel took another one later on the drive. With only one challenge/timeout left in his pocket, Belichick was probably reluctant to have the refs take another look at a Kevin Faulk two-point conversion run at the end of the same drive that was ruled short but looked good to the naked eye.

That was bad. Then it got worse.

In the fourth quarter, the Pats drove into the Colts' red zone, where they faced a third-and-11. A 10-yard Cassel to Wes Welker pass made it fourth-and-1 from the Colts' 17-yard line. A chip-shot Stephen Gostkowski field goal would have tied the game at 15, but Belichick went with some trademark aggressiveness and sent the offense to the line to pick up the first down. Then, for some reason, he changed his mind. Sprinting down the field as the ball was about to be snapped, Belichick burned his final timeout just as Cassel dove the ball over the line for the first down. No play. After the break, out came Gostkowski for the easy tie.

Of course, the Pats could have used that timeout/challenge later on in the fourth. On the very first play following the Gostkowski field goal, Clark lost the ball at the tail end of a 20-yard reception. The officials ruled he was down, but it was the kind of play that was begging for another look. The Pats didn't have that luxury. Finally, a timeout or two would have come in very handy as the Colts bled the clock down on their final drive, but they were long gone.

Of course, Belichick had nothing to do with tight end David Thomas stupidly blocking Robert Mathis to the ground at the tail end of a short BenJarvus Green-Ellis run on that potential game-tying drive. That penalty turned a third-and-inches situation in field goal range into a third-and-16 near midfield. It was a play that, in essence, cost the Pats the game.

As for the things Belichick had control over, the results were mixed. On one hand, the Pats' ball-control game plan was well-executed, as they were able to hold the Colts to just 50 offensive plays (the Pats ran 67) and 25:36 of possession time (the Pats had 34:24). But on the other, there were times the Pats were just too conservative offensively. The "wildcat" plays were curious and the red zone selections weak.

Overall, you have to give Belichick a lot of credit for Cassel's progress and the young defense's recent stinginess. Make no mistake: Belichick is the reason the Pats are where they are -- which is in the postseason conversation despite the loss of the best player in the league.

It just wasn't his night.

 

[BillD1984]

My mid-season Top 10:

1. Tennessee
2. NY Giants
3. Pittsburgh
4. Carolina
5. Washington
6. Philadelphia
7. Tampa Bay
8. Atlanta
9. Baltimore
10. Arizona

 

[SabresRule]

No matter where the Steelers visit, it's impossible to get away from those Terrible Towels.

 

[CharlesO]

My Week 9 NFL HOT 10:

1. Tennessee
2. NY Giants
3. Pittsburgh
4. Carolina
5. Tampa Bay
6. Chicago
7. Atlanta
8. Baltimore
9. Washington
10. Arizona

 

[SabresRule]

Remember how Bill said Dallas had QB problems without Romo?

THIS is why you need a capable backup- look at how Byron Leftwich did in the second half as opposed to Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger.

 

[CharlesO]

Leftwich was basically out of the league after last season, the only reason he's with the Steelers is that Charlie Batch broke his shoulder in the pre-season.

 

[Jimbo]

No matter where the Steelers visit, it's impossible to get away from those Terrible Towels.

Thats called having a GREAT Fan base and fans that travel well.

 

[Jimbo]

Leftwich was basically out of the league after last season, the only reason he's with the Steelers is that Charlie Batch broke his shoulder in the pre-season.

But Leftwich WILL be with another team and probably starting if he continues to play like this.

When he went in a few weeks ago, he also was impressive.

Jimbo

 

[Jimbo]

Wasn't the talk before the Steeler's Redskin's game about how well Campbell was playing and how explosive the were now, they had a great running game and Campbell was playing so well, they were talking that Campbell was a top 3 QB (this year )...

Portis 51 yards rushing ... he did have another 73 in rec. yardage, so it's not like he didn't show up.
Campbell threw for 206, but had NO TD and 2 picks and was sacked 7 times.

The same guy that has ZERO picks coming into the game.

One surprise, 90,000 people at a NFL game, is that the norm for Washington ?
I didn't know the NFL stadiums were that large.

Nice win for the Steeler's, Defense came to play, some of you thought the game was boring, you just don't like D is all....

I too like offense as well, but love a great D.

Jimbo

 

[salsadancer7]

At any rate, at least they're not quitting, (Oakland is sure looking like a team that has quit) and they still may win 2 games. Minnesota and an undefeated Tennessee team on Thanksgiving, the likely culprits.

Stay tuned for the next episode of "Daze of our Lions"!

OAKLAND has not quit.....have ANY OF YOU SEEN what they have for offensive talent??!! Anybody? At all?? You have to have talent of somekind to decide, "hey, we ain't going anywhere...let's just bull**** the rest of the season....." I watched almost EVERY SINGLE game of the Dolphins last year because I had no choice if I wanted to watch football....they had NO TALENT other than Ronnie Brown(and he was gone for most of the season), Ricky Williams(and he was suspended for alot of the season) and Jason Taylor. They were 1-15...and they never quit. How many of you guys in here mentioned that they quit??
Detroit Lions are OH-FOR....and has ANYONE ONE HERE mentioned that they have quit? Kansas City has ONE WIN....and has anyone HERE mentioned that they quit?

...so what makes you think that the Raiders players have quit? The defense is f***ing tired because the damn offense cannot must enough of a drive to give the damn defense ANY rest!!!!!! The f***ing punt on our team has more hang time than our offense has time of possession...!!!!

 

[mdonnelly]

OAKLAND has not quit.....have ANY OF YOU SEEN what they have for offensive talent??!! Anybody? At all?? You have to have talent of somekind to decide, "hey, we ain't going anywhere...let's just bull**** the rest of the season....." ...

How many #1 picks does it take to accumulate enough talent to win some games? You've had the last 2 overall #1 picks. Are these guys ever gonna step up?

Not that the Chargers have a much better history (Ryan Leaf), but we learn from our mistakes and get another GM.

 

[HD MM]

I see some of you are still doubting the Lions ineptitude. How can this be? Yesterday they wrestled defeat from the jaws of victory, proving once again what I've been saying all along about this team - No matter how they play, or how the opposition plays, this team will find a way to lose. Some weeks just take a little more creativity, or help from the officiating. I watched them do something I don't think I've seen since the beginning of the Millen error, and that was score on 4 consecutive drives. Unfortunately, those were the only drives they scored on, and it wasn't enough. One quarter of great football all game. (Hell, all season.)

I have another theory about them also, well actually it's about the opposition. I believe that teams play down to us for portions of games. I saw it happen against Green Bay, and I saw it again yesterday. Teams rack up an early lead, and then they coast. They let the Lions back into the game, but when they realize what's happening, they turn on the afterburners and finish us off. Kind of like playing with the smaller kids when you were younger. Lay off a little, let them have some fun, and then pummel them when they get a little uppity. Like watching a cat play with a mouse.

At any rate, at least they're not quitting, (Oakland is sure looking like a team that has quit) and they still may win 2 games. Minnesota and an undefeated Tennessee team on Thanksgiving, the likely culprits.

I'm surprised that nobody has said anything about them picking up Daunte Hotpepper. (Blackpepper, Sweetpepper, Chilipepper, Culpepper, what's the difference?) I'm curious as to what you guys make of that? You'll have to look back some posts to find my comments on that matter.

Stay tuned for the next episode of "Daze of our Lions"!

Bringing Cullpepper in and having a weapon such as Calvin Johnson, may just be a flashback to his days with the Vikings when he use to put up monster stats with Randy Moss. This should be exciting for you Paul!

 

[HD MM]

No matter where the Steelers visit, it's impossible to get away from those Terrible Towels.

I can't stand that! How obnoxious can those Yinzers get?

 

[salsadancer7]

How many #1 picks does it take to accumulate enough talent to win some games? You've had the last 2 overall #1 picks. Are these guys ever gonna step up?

Not that the Chargers have a much better history (Ryan Leaf), but we learn from our mistakes and get another GM.

ONE at QB.....that is it! We had a 2nd all around pick in Robert Gallery(who is FINALLY playing his natural position of RT after 2 years trying to make him a LT) and THIS year was McFadden(#4 overall)....who has shown plenty of promise but has been hampered by injuries(has missed 3 straight games).

So what OTHER VERY TOP picks do you THINK we have??!!

 

[HD MM]

Wasn't the talk before the Steeler's Redskin's game about how well Campbell was playing and how explosive the were now, they had a great running game and Campbell was playing so well, they were talking that Campbell was a top 3 QB (this year )...

Portis 51 yards rushing ... he did have another 73 in rec. yardage, so it's not like he didn't show up.
Campbell threw for 206, but had NO TD and 2 picks and was sacked 7 times.

The same guy that has ZERO picks coming into the game.

One surprise, 90,000 people at a NFL game, is that the norm for Washington ?
I didn't know the NFL stadiums were that large.

Nice win for the Steeler's, Defense came to play, some of you thought the game was boring, you just don't like D is all....

I too like offense as well, but love a great D.

Jimbo

Washington's Fed Ex Field is currently the largest capacity stadium in the NFL. In 2004, the seating capacity was increased from 86,000 to over 91,000.

In 2007, the Redskins averaged over 88,000 in attendance. The crowd and stadium remind me of a college bowl type stadium.

 

[CharlesO]

Sorry Salsadancer....but since the coaching change have played the worst football of any team in the NFL....and have flat out QUIT!


These are the scores of their games after the 3rd Quarter this season:

Week 1 DEN 27 OAK 0
Week 2 OAK 13 KC 0
Week 3 OAK 16 BUF 7
Week 4 OAK 15 SD 3

Since the Bye Week(and coaching change):

Week 6 NO 24 OAK 3
Week 7 BAL 19 OAK 0
Week 8 OAK 10 NYJ 3
Week 9 ATL 24 OAK 0

They still have most of their starters on offense and defense...they have no excuse....you tell me what this shows.....I'll say it.


THEY HAVE QUIT!