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NFL
Apr 27, 2020 13:23:31 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 27, 2020 13:23:31 GMT
Former Viking Terry Allen, that is! (He was such an out-of-nowhere surprise when he became a good player here.) Little was expected from that 9th rounder, but he had an amazing second season.
Still, he probably wasn't a true, featured-back caliber player. And certainly not by the time the Ravens brought him back as a 33-year-old.
But yes, certainly the high-level backup is necessary. I was glad to see how good Alexander Mattison looked last season for us, because frankly we've been really in trouble if Dalvin Cook got hurt. But Mattison seems similarly powerful to what Latavious Murray had been, while also giving a better burst.
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NFL
Apr 27, 2020 15:23:58 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 27, 2020 15:23:58 GMT
On Get Up, Mel Kiper, Jr. said that the Ravens had the best draft of any team. He singled out RB J.K. Dobbins as a great pick. He gave the Ravens an A as a grade.
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NFL
Apr 28, 2020 15:07:36 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 28, 2020 15:07:36 GMT
The NBA thread plus the recent NFL draft made me want to do a parallel exercise here to the one I just put in the NBA thread:
What rookie(s) do you recall being the most excited to see join the NFL? Your team, other teams, recently, long ago, whatever. Personally I am always interested in hearing what it is about sports that people enjoy, so the stories or context is very welcome. I have a couple in mind, myself, but will hold off a bit to let others weigh in.
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NFL
Apr 29, 2020 12:05:53 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 29, 2020 12:05:53 GMT
SJS, I thought of you while reading this story today about the different approaches teams take to backup QBs. Here is what the columnist said about the Eagles drafting Jalen Hurts. (My brain immediately launched off at the statement about Wentz as among the best QBs from the region; I struggled to read the rest as I mentally ticked off his competitors! Steve Walsh, Chris Weinke, Joe Mauer (#1 in the country in HS...), Jalen Suggs (committed to Gonzaga for basketball)...OK I guess it's true!)
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NFL
Apr 29, 2020 12:31:03 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 29, 2020 12:31:03 GMT
To the anticipated rookie question, there are two who come to mind--two of the greatest freaks in the history of the sport (and I mean that in a good way).
Bo Jackson.
I was just becoming a football fan as Bo Jackson came onto the scene. I never saw him play in college, partly because with very few exceptions, I just didn't watch football much when I was a little kid. It wasn't until I got to be 11, 12 years old that I started really liking it. Bo Jackson finished his collegiate career in the '86-'87 season, so I was 10. But also, you just didn't see SEC football very often in the Midwest even if you wanted to.
But one of my older brothers was (and is) the biggest fan of football I've ever known, not necessarily in terms of knowing every stat of every player, but just deeply understanding and loving the sport. (He is a high school coach as well band director now.) He told me about this Greek god of a running back just as I was learning football. Then I was peripherally aware of all the controversy around him choosing this or that sport, spurning the Bucs, etc.
When I finally saw him, it was like seeing Elvis or the Beatles ... or Superman. I was so excited to see this guy who led the Raiders to move Heisman-winning, All-Pro, recent offensive POY Marcus Allen to a fullback slot half the time! He didn't disappoint, frankly. Every time he touched the ball, I wanted to see whether he'd beat the defenders to the corner, or knock them onto their asses. I remember watching the famed MNF game against Seattle when he bowled over loudmouthed Brian Bosworth, feeding the Boz his tough-guy talk en route to a TD.
His injury was an absolute tragedy to the sport. One of the most phenomenal athletes I've ever seen in any sport. Speaking of that...
Randy Moss I was a huge Notre Dame fan, so I knew of Randy Moss as the guy who had been headed to Notre Dame and then FSU (never being eligible at either). (There was substantial irony in this, too, considering the hoopla in then-recent years of "Catholics v. Creminoles, a clever play on the older Miami rivalry dubbed "Catholics v. Convicts.") Of course, he ended up at Marshall, where he was a superhero, a man among boys, racking up more than 3,500 yards and 54 TDs in the air in just two seasons.
Character issues famously led him to slip to the Vikings at #21, a team with no need for a wide receiver (having Cris Carter, Jake Reed, David Palmer, Matthew Hatchette, Chris Walsh). He was arguably the team's best offensive weapon immediately, racking up 1300 yards and 17 TDs receiving for a 15-1 team that became the best offense in the history of football.
He was not just dynamic and explosive, but at his best in big games. The team faced Dallas on Thanksgiving; Moss held a grudge, believing the Cowboys had promised to take him (and lied). He caught just three passes ... for 163 yards and three TDs.
The "character issues" did emerge. He had various problems with the team and even the law, on minor issues. But he was the biggest thrill even for a franchise loaded with super offensive talents in those years (Robert Smith, Cris Carter, Daunte Culpepper, Michael Bennett).
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NFL
Apr 29, 2020 16:01:22 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 29, 2020 16:01:22 GMT
SJS, I thought of you while reading this story today about the different approaches teams take to backup QBs. Here is what the columnist said about the Eagles drafting Jalen Hurts. I agree with most of the above points except two. First, I don't think the Eagles are overvaluing the backup QB position. Any way you try to rationalize it, Carson Wentz has been injury prone, and it has directly cost them games - and possibly championships. Broken collarbone, torn ACL and MCL, broken bone in his back, concussion (and he was hurt in college). I love Carson Wentz as a player and as a person, but he can't stay on the field. And now you're going to ask him to play 20-21 games a year? Yes, the Eagles need a top-flight backup QB, and I'm glad they are addressing it, but I thought there were other ways than using your 2nd round pick, especially when the team has other pressing needs. And, as much as I like Hurt's potential, if/when Wentz goes down this year, will a rookie QB be ready to lead the team?
I also take exception with one other point. How will Hurts improve the offense? If they use him Hurts on a gadget play (and you're drafting somebody in the 2nd round to use on gadget plays?), will Wentz come out of the game? Will you be taking your franchise QB, your best offensive weapon, a guy you just paid $120,000,000 to, out of the game in key situations? Excuse me, but I want Carson Wentz on the field as much as possible, and not taken out for gadget plays. Even if they keep Hurts on the field WITH Wentz, you don't think the opposing defense is gonna be ready for it?
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NFL
May 4, 2020 14:54:43 GMT
Post by Kapitan on May 4, 2020 14:54:43 GMT
The great Don Shula, age 90, has died. He is the winningest head coach in NFL history and the only coach to lead a team to a perfect season. No cause of death has been reported (that I've seen), though the statement says he died peacefully at home. Obviously at age 90, these things aren't such a surprise.
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NFL
May 4, 2020 15:00:37 GMT
kds likes this
Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 4, 2020 15:00:37 GMT
I go all the way back to the Baltimore Colts and the Johnny Unitas years with Don Shula. It is nice to know that Coach Shula was able to enjoy his later retirement years. He had a large family and was frequently in touch with his many ex-players and coaches.
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NFL
May 8, 2020 12:34:54 GMT
Post by kds on May 8, 2020 12:34:54 GMT
The NFL released their 2020 Schedule last night. Now, let's just hope the season can actually start on time.
I'd heard rumors that they were stacking divisional matchups in the second half in case they have to play a truncated season, but Week 1 - Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens....I guess not.
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NFL
May 8, 2020 12:52:54 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 8, 2020 12:52:54 GMT
While so many unpredictable things can happen to affect the schedule, it looks like the Week 1 game of Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans could be a lot of fun.
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NFL
May 8, 2020 18:32:28 GMT
Post by Kapitan on May 8, 2020 18:32:28 GMT
It's funny, when Tom Brady announced he was signing with Tampa Bay, my first thought--because my head is sometimes still in the 90s, I guess--was "cool, we get to play him." (I was thinking back to the old NFL Central, of course.)
Well, the schedule came out and actually we do play Tampa Bay this year. So while we haven't been in the same division for almost 20 years, we happen to be playing the NFC South this year.
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NFL
May 9, 2020 21:37:05 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 9, 2020 21:37:05 GMT
It looks like Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland are out at MNF:
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NFL
May 10, 2020 0:32:21 GMT
via mobile
Post by kds on May 10, 2020 0:32:21 GMT
It looks like Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland are out at MNF:
Thank God. It's amazing how mediocre recent MNF crews have been. Kornhiser, Gruden, Booger. Christ, makes me pine for Dennis Miller.
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NFL
Jun 5, 2020 13:02:26 GMT
Post by kds on Jun 5, 2020 13:02:26 GMT
I wonder how many holes Roger Goodell has punched in his drywall since Drew Brees revived the kneeling debate the other day.
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NFL
Jun 5, 2020 13:20:50 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jun 5, 2020 13:20:50 GMT
So frustrating.
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