NFL Week 7 Thread

[Mark2010]

I've just come across this on NBC Sports Channel while flipping channels, and saw something remarkable.

CFL, Hamilton vs. Toronto.

The score: Hamilton 2, Toronto 1.

I hear an RBI single in the seventh is the difference.

Yep, that's the CFL for you.

It's not uncommon for a team deep in its own territory to concede a safety rather than punt from its end zone and give the opponent the ball on, say, the plus-40. Don't know if that's what happened in this game or not, but safeties are much more common in the CFL than the NFL or NCAA.

NBC Sports Network has been airing a fair number of CFL games (from TSN) all season and will be airing the playoffs in November. There are quite a few former US collegiate players on every CFL roster.

 

[Mark2010]

I'm not sold on Kansas City being anything special just yet. I'd like to see them beat a good team (no, Dallas doesn't qualify) first.

Houston's offensive line and receivers really need to work on their tackling technique to prevent all these interceptions from being returned for touchdowns.

 

[Steak Snabler]

I'm not sold on Kansas City being anything special just yet. I'd like to see them beat a good team (no, Dallas doesn't qualify) first.

Houston's offensive line and receivers really need to work on their tackling technique to prevent all these interceptions from being returned for touchdowns.

Other than the Broncos twice in a three-week span (Nov. 17 & Dec. 1) and the Colts in Week 16, I don't think the Chiefs play anyone else who currently has a winning record the rest of the year.

(The Browns could have a winning record when they face KC in two weeks, but they'd have to win at Green Bay on Sunday first. Likewise with the Chargers, who would have to go 3-1 the next four weeks when they have three road games, two on the East Coast).

 

[Mark2010]

I'm not sold on Kansas City being anything special just yet. I'd like to see them beat a good team (no, Dallas doesn't qualify) first.

Houston's offensive line and receivers really need to work on their tackling technique to prevent all these interceptions from being returned for touchdowns.

Other than the Broncos twice in a three-week span (Nov. 17 & Dec. 1) and the Colts in Week 16, I don't think the Chiefs play anyone else who currently has a winning record the rest of the year.

(The Browns could have a winning record when they face KC in two weeks, but they'd have to win at Green Bay on Sunday first. Likewise with the Chargers, who would have to go 3-1 the next four weeks when they have three road games, two on the East Coast).

Goodness, is it that bad? I know the last-place teams get an easier schedule, but only three games against winning teams all year? That's how the 86 Chiefs went 10-6 and got into the playoffs for the only time in an 18-year span.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Chiefs' remaining schedule:

10/20 vs. Houston

10/27 vs. Cleveland

11/3 at Buffalo

11/10 BYE

11/17 at Denver

11/24 vs. San Diego

12/1 vs. Denver

12/8 at Washington

12/15 at Oakland

12/22 vs. Indianapolis

12/29 at San Diego

(It helps to be matched up with the NFC East and the AFC South, which are probably the two weakest divisions in the NFL).

 

[Gutter]

Chiefs' remaining schedule:

10/20 vs. Houston

10/27 vs. Cleveland

11/3 at Buffalo

11/10 BYE

11/17 at Denver

11/24 vs. San Diego

12/1 vs. Denver

12/8 at Washington

12/15 at Oakland

12/22 vs. Indianapolis

12/29 at San Diego

(It helps to be matched up with the NFC East and the AFC South, which are probably the two weakest divisions in the NFL).

13-3 and a Wild Card road game.

 

[Mark2010]

Given the parity in the league, I can see anywhere from 4 to 7 losses in that group. Of course, teams change as the season goes along. Look at that schedule in August and you'd probably mark Houston and Washington down as almost certain losses. Now? Who knows?

 

[joe king]

I'm not sold on Kansas City being anything special just yet. I'd like to see them beat a good team (no, Dallas doesn't qualify) first.

Houston's offensive line and receivers really need to work on their tackling technique to prevent all these interceptions from being returned for touchdowns.

Other than the Broncos twice in a three-week span (Nov. 17 & Dec. 1) and the Colts in Week 16, I don't think the Chiefs play anyone else who currently has a winning record the rest of the year.

(The Browns could have a winning record when they face KC in two weeks, but they'd have to win at Green Bay on Sunday first. Likewise with the Chargers, who would have to go 3-1 the next four weeks when they have three road games, two on the East Coast).

In fairness, I would like to point out that one of San Diego's East Coast road games is at Jacksonville, which takes a little of the sting out of that long trip.

 

[Mark2010]

Apparently, the Vikings are turning to Josh Freeman for an audition at quarterback this week.

As a fan, very mixed feelings on this. I don't see why they brought him in. If he bombs, you're no better off than you were a month ago. If he succeeds, you open the door of temptation to sign to a long-term contract and you've got Christian Ponder, Chapter 2. In no way, shape or form is he the "quarterback of the future". At best, he's a stopgap. And for what? So you win six games instead of four and delay the inevitable rebuilding process?

When Brett Favre retired in 2010, that was the end of the Super Bowl quest and the start of the rebuilding process. We all swallowed hard and acknowledged it was going to be a rocky 3-4 years of suckitude while the rebuilding commenced. Drafting Ponder was a major step in that process (anytime you spend a first-round pick on anyone, they have to be considered a major part of the puzzle). So now what?

 

[Mark2010]

In fairness, I would like to point out that one of San Diego's East Coast road games is at Jacksonville, which takes a little of the sting out of that long trip.

I've been telling my Charger friends that this is a perfect trap game. Short week after a Monday night win. Bye week coming behind that. Travel to the east coast for a 10 a.m. PDT start against a team that isn't going to overlook YOU while you are overlooking them.

It's a lot to ask for Philip Rivers not to throw a pick in back-to-back games. This could well be a five-turnover nightmare for the Bolts.

 

[Steak Snabler]

In fairness, I would like to point out that one of San Diego's East Coast road games is at Jacksonville, which takes a little of the sting out of that long trip.

I've been telling my Charger friends that this is a perfect trap game. Short week after a Monday night win. Bye week coming behind that. Travel to the east coast for a 10 a.m. PDT start against a team that isn't going to overlook YOU while you are overlooking them.

It's a lot to ask for Philip Rivers not to throw a pick in back-to-back games. This could well be a five-turnover nightmare for the Bolts.

Actually, they're all three on the East Coast now that I look at it. The other two are at Washington and at Miami.

 

[MileHigh]

I'm not sold on Kansas City being anything special just yet. I'd like to see them beat a good team (no, Dallas doesn't qualify) first.

Houston's offensive line and receivers really need to work on their tackling technique to prevent all these interceptions from being returned for touchdowns.

Other than the Broncos twice in a three-week span (Nov. 17 & Dec. 1) and the Colts in Week 16, I don't think the Chiefs play anyone else who currently has a winning record the rest of the year.

(The Browns could have a winning record when they face KC in two weeks, but they'd have to win at Green Bay on Sunday first. Likewise with the Chargers, who would have to go 3-1 the next four weeks when they have three road games, two on the East Coast).

In fairness, I would like to point out that one of San Diego's East Coast road games is at Jacksonville, which takes a little of the sting out of that long trip.

I'm surprised the Chargers didn't have the league fix the schedule for their East Coast trips this year and stay back east, like the 49ers do every year and the Cardinals did earlier this year (at Saints, then at Buccaneers), and how it's done when East Coast teams have to go west multiple times.

Chargers have already been to Philadelphia and Tennessee, they go to Jacksonville this week, then a bye and come out of it going to Washington. Then they're home and go right back to Miami the next week.

 

[NDJournalist]

Apparently, the Vikings are turning to Josh Freeman for an audition at quarterback this week.

As a fan, very mixed feelings on this. I don't see why they brought him in. If he bombs, you're no better off than you were a month ago. If he succeeds, you open the door of temptation to sign to a long-term contract and you've got Christian Ponder, Chapter 2. In no way, shape or form is he the "quarterback of the future". At best, he's a stopgap. And for what? So you win six games instead of four and delay the inevitable rebuilding process?

When Brett Favre retired in 2010, that was the end of the Super Bowl quest and the start of the rebuilding process. We all swallowed hard and acknowledged it was going to be a rocky 3-4 years of suckitude while the rebuilding commenced. Drafting Ponder was a major step in that process (anytime you spend a first-round pick on anyone, they have to be considered a major part of the puzzle). So now what?

Umm. Minnesota made the playoffs just last season.

 

[Mark2010]

Apparently, the Vikings are turning to Josh Freeman for an audition at quarterback this week.

As a fan, very mixed feelings on this. I don't see why they brought him in. If he bombs, you're no better off than you were a month ago. If he succeeds, you open the door of temptation to sign to a long-term contract and you've got Christian Ponder, Chapter 2. In no way, shape or form is he the "quarterback of the future". At best, he's a stopgap. And for what? So you win six games instead of four and delay the inevitable rebuilding process?

When Brett Favre retired in 2010, that was the end of the Super Bowl quest and the start of the rebuilding process. We all swallowed hard and acknowledged it was going to be a rocky 3-4 years of suckitude while the rebuilding commenced. Drafting Ponder was a major step in that process (anytime you spend a first-round pick on anyone, they have to be considered a major part of the puzzle). So now what?

Umm. Minnesota made the playoffs just last season.

That was the worst possible scenario. Accomplished absolutely nothing except a major butt-whipping in the first game that further exposed all the weaknesses. Team was 6-6 at Thanksgiving and got hot/lucky to win four straight at the end. Sometimes, that gives a false sense of accomplishment and makes management overlook very obvious work to be done.

I could tell after watching a couple of pre-season games that this was, at best, a 6-10 team. Lots and lots of holes to fill. I'm patient enough that I'd prefer to build the right way (like Dallas did in the 1990s and New England more recently) and not go for quick fixes.

If Christian Ponder isn't your guy, so be it. Fire the whole scouting staff, cut or trade Ponder, start over and pick someone you feel you can commit to long-term, whether that be a rookie or veteran. Ditto for other positions. If you think you can get a king's ransom for Adrian Peterson (the way the Cowboys did for Herschel Walker), then trade him.

My point is... don't worry so much about now or next year but envision what the team can look like 3-5 years from now. That's how the best teams are built.

 

[exmediahack]

Apparently, the Vikings are turning to Josh Freeman for an audition at quarterback this week.

As a fan, very mixed feelings on this. I don't see why they brought him in. If he bombs, you're no better off than you were a month ago. If he succeeds, you open the door of temptation to sign to a long-term contract and you've got Christian Ponder, Chapter 2. In no way, shape or form is he the "quarterback of the future". At best, he's a stopgap. And for what? So you win six games instead of four and delay the inevitable rebuilding process?

When Brett Favre retired in 2010, that was the end of the Super Bowl quest and the start of the rebuilding process. We all swallowed hard and acknowledged it was going to be a rocky 3-4 years of suckitude while the rebuilding commenced. Drafting Ponder was a major step in that process (anytime you spend a first-round pick on anyone, they have to be considered a major part of the puzzle). So now what?

Umm. Minnesota made the playoffs just last season.

That was the worst possible scenario. Accomplished absolutely nothing except a major butt-whipping in the first game that further exposed all the weaknesses. Team was 6-6 at Thanksgiving and got hot/lucky to win four straight at the end. Sometimes, that gives a false sense of accomplishment and makes management overlook very obvious work to be done.

I could tell after watching a couple of pre-season games that this was, at best, a 6-10 team. Lots and lots of holes to fill. I'm patient enough that I'd prefer to build the right way (like Dallas did in the 1990s and New England more recently) and not go for quick fixes.

If Christian Ponder isn't your guy, so be it. Fire the whole scouting staff, cut or trade Ponder, start over and pick someone you feel you can commit to long-term, whether that be a rookie or veteran. Ditto for other positions. If you think you can get a king's ransom for Adrian Peterson (the way the Cowboys did for Herschel Walker), then trade him.

My point is... don't worry so much about now or next year but envision what the team can look like 3-5 years from now. That's how the best teams are built.

The Vikings were fool's gold in 2012. Eeked into the playoffs against a Packer team merely trying to stay healthy and then got their doors blown off in the cold.

Minnesota went 3-13 in 2011 and the playoff appearance kept Leslie Frazier as the coach and probably bought him a couple more years. Like Romeo Crennel's Chiefs upsetting the Packers in 2011, it actually stood as a stumbling block for the team's "long term".

Let's say that Minnesota goes 3-13 in 2011 and then follows with 4-12 in 2012. Heads would roll. Change would occur.

I would rather bottom out and hit the reset button than be consistently mediocre and not have any hope of a Super Bowl run.

 

[Mark2010]

Yep, yep, yep. Frazier got a contract extension after last season. I'm undecided on him going forward. I don't think the team has necessarily gone in reverse, but they haven't made the progress hoped for. The defense --- which has given up 30 or more points every week --- is in worse shape than the offense.

You've got the best running back in the NFL, so he's got to be the focal point. Remember, the old Los Angeles Rams made the playoffs three straight seasons and got within a game of the Super Bowl with an offense that consisted of Eric Dickerson right, Dickerson left and Dickerson up the middle while they played Vince Ferragamo, Jeff Kemp, Dieter Brock and an aging Steve Bartkowski at quarterback. As coach John Robinson said "It's like trying to cross the Pacific Ocean in a row boat". But it can be done and they did it.

I just don't see Freeman being a major upgrade over what they already had and I fear if they give him a long-term contract and don't go looking for a different quarterback, we're going to be having this same conversation two years from now.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

But they're going to find out now if Freeman is a major upgrade. If he isn't - and he has 10 games to show it - then they move on after a relatively inexpensive dress rehearsal. He isn't going to go in there, stink like **** and then get a big long-term contract extension.

I doubt he's the answer there, but given the dumpster-fire that is Tampa Bay, it's tough to tell if he was the biggest problem they had.

 

[Mark2010]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Based on his play in Tampa, I'm not overly optimistic. This has Matt Flynn/Kevin Kolb/Matt Cassel (in KC) written all over it.

BTW, I don't really have a problem with them bringing in Cassel strictly to be the backup. He can serve that role. I don't think anyone expected him to be the regular starter. I really wonder what Christian Ponder could bring in a trade. I doubt it would be much, but if you aren't going to commit to him, at least see what's out there. You can't go yo-yo at the quarterback position and switch every week and expect to even be .500.

I do give the Rams, Lions and Panthers credit for sticking with Bradford, Stafford and Newton even when the wins haven't come as quickly or often as they would have liked.

 

[exmediahack]

Ponder's pickle is that he isn't elite at anything. Not legs. Not arm. Not decisions under duress. I doubt there is much high-level interest in him because nearly every NFL coach is a bad QB away from getting fired.

 

[ColdCat]

Little known odd fact: Peyton Manning's father (Archie) and Andrew Luck's father (Oliver) were teammates on the 1983 Houston Oilers. The team went 2-14 with Manning and Luck combining to throw 10 TD passes and 21 interceptions. So much for bloodlines.

And now they are both on the college football selection committee.