MLP Forums NFL Football Thread - Sched. Release to SBXLVII

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Round 2 round 2 round 2 round 2!! Less than an hour away.

 

Hope Lions address the defense tonight in both rounds. Just get me either 2 CBs, a CB and an LB, or a CB and a S.

 

Damn Ravens got Upshaw. What a team for a guy like him to go to. He can learn from Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Daaaaaamn that's a great pick.

 

LOL what the hell are the Brownies doing?!? Sure they got Trent Richardson right but they're just making silly picks. They're going to have an all new offense if they keep this up.

 

There goes Janoris, to the Rams. I don't think they have the organizational strength and culture to keep him on the up and up. A place heavy with veterans would've been better for him.

[Ice Storm 1,020]

I'm a Giants fan. I'm not apart of the bandwagon, I've been a Giants fan ever since I can remember.

 

I am very much NOT a giants fan at the moment, but that's only because they knocked my team out of the superbowl last year...

 

Anyways, I'm all 49ers all the way, and while my friend doesn't' agree, I do agree with the overhaul of receivers that we've gotten. We needed receivers that don't drop easy passes for a while. Most of Alex Smith's in-completions last year, came from dropped passes. Not lack of accuracy.

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Patriots drafted Tavon Wilson and Jake Bequette. Well, now we have safety help over the top and I'm sure Wilson will do a better job than Sergio Brown and Josh Barrett at coverage...

 

As for Bequette, he was considered one of the better DE prospects so with a little fine-tuning he could be a very good player for us. There's another pass-rusher to fill in.

 

Damn Ravens got Upshaw. What a team for a guy like him to go to. He can learn from Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Daaaaaamn that's a great pick.

 

That pick was so predictable I wasn't even mad that he couldn't slip down to 48. I was surprised Upshaw didn't get picked in the first round, though.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Well Day 3 was boring except for all the LOLWUTing at the Redskins taking Kirk Cousins when they already have RGIII

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Well Day 3 was boring except for all the LOLWUTing at the Redskins taking Kirk Cousins when they already have RGIII

 

Still better than Rex Freaking Grossman.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Instead of just bumping this, I'm going to give my EARLY EARLY EARLY week-by-week predictions of the Detroit Lions' 2012 season. Things can always change such as a big injury for either the Lions or their opponent, but assuming all teams remain healthy and at full-strength, here's my take.

 

Week 1

 

Sunday, September 9 ST. LOUIS RAMS FOX 1:00 p.m.

• Home opener, should be a fun time. Rams are trying out a brand new coaching staff and scheme and who knows if Bradford will be healthy. Oh and it's Schwartz's first game against his mentor and former superior Jeff Fisher when they were both on the Titans' staff. WIN

Week 2

 

Sunday, September 16 at San Francisco 49ers NBC# 8:20 p.m.

• Ohhhhhh buddy! Looking forward to this one A LOT. Harbaugh vs. Schwartz II! Unfortunately I think the Niners take this one because their defense is beast. LOSS

Week 3

 

Sunday, September 23 at Tennessee Titans FOX 1:00 p.m.

• Schwartz's first game against his old team that he spent a good amount of years as their D-Coordinator. No idea who will be QB for Titans, Locker or Hasselbeck? Lions take this one on the road. WIN (swing)

Week 4

 

Sunday, September 30 MINNESOTA VIKINGS FOX 1:00 p.m.

• I'm not scared of the Vikings this year. Peterson may be healthy but Ponder still has to prove himself as a QB. Lions should bomb Minny at home. WIN

Week 5

 

Sunday, October 7 *** BYE WEEK ***

• Lions have another easy breezy lemon squeezy victory here in the bye week. WIN

Week 6

 

Sunday, October 14 at Philadelphia Eagles FOX 1:00 p.m.

• Damn this one is tough. Philly is poised to have the season everyone thought they were going to have last year. Vick is a beast and that secondary is going to take on the challenge of shutting down Megatron. Eagles going to protect their house. LOSS

Week 7

 

Monday, October 22 at Chicago Bears ESPN# 8:30 p.m.

• MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!! WOOOOOO!! Screw Chicago. Hate them. Jay Cutler is a bitch. We lost to them at Soldier Field last year because Stafford's thumb was being held up with Scotch tape and we gifted the Bears like 3 fumbles in the first half. I'm going to be bold and say WIN (swing)

Week 8

 

Sunday, October 28 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS FOX 1:00 p.m.

• Seattle could be a surprise team this year. This game could be closer than people think but I'll give the Lions the edge at home here. WIN (swing)

Week 9

 

Sunday, November 4 at Jacksonville Jaguars FOX 1:00 p.m.

• LOL Jacksonville. WIN

Week 10

 

Sunday, November 11 at Minnesota Vikings FOX 1:00 p.m.

• It's always tough playing in the Metrodome (although is next season being played at U. of Minnesota or did that plan fall through or not start yet?) Well seeing as we needed overtime to win last year, I'm going to say a safe, regulation win this year. WIN (swing)

Week 11

 

Sunday, November 18 GREEN BAY PACKERS FOX 1:00 p.m.

• Packers still going to beat us because Aaron Rodgers is awesome. We need one more year to mature and build up before we can topple the Pack off their throne. LOSS

Week 12

 

Thursday, November 22 HOUSTON TEXANS CBS# 12:30 p.m.

• OMG Lions might actually win a Thanksgiving game because we're not matched with a perennial superpower and because we don't suck anymore. Texans are good and will probably win the AFC South again. Should be a great game with Megatron vs. Andre Johnson. Still gonna say WIN (swing)

Week 13

 

Sunday, December 2 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS CBS 1:00 p.m.

• Awww yes, first hand look at The Andrew Luck Project. We're at home, Colts are rebuilding. Lions' defensive line claws out Luck's face. WIN

Week 14

 

Sunday, December 9 at Green Bay Packers NBC# 8:20 p.m.

• We never win at Lambeau. EVER. Even last year when half the team sat out to rest for the playoffs. Our swiss cheese secondary won Matt Flynn a multi-million deal and a starting job in a new city. LOSS

Week 15

 

Sunday, December 16 at Arizona Cardinals FOX 4:05 p.m.

• Arizona going to have a good offense IF they solve their QB issues. Fitzgerald vs. Megatron will be good too. Then again, seems like the Lions can't win in 'Zona either. Gonna say win but potential loss. WIN (swing)

Week 16

 

Saturday, December 22 ATLANTA FALCONS ESPN# 8:30 p.m.

• MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!!....well technically it'll be played on a Saturday but WOOOOOOO ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?! Falcons beat us at home last year because we couldn't stop Michael Turner and Stafford had a very poor game. With playoff implications on the line, I will give the Lions a win but have an opportunity to lose too. WIN (swing)

Week 17

 

Sunday, December 30 CHICAGO BEARS FOX 1:00 p.m.

• Screw Chicago again. This could potentially be a Winner-Gets-In game for the wild card (or maybe the NFC North title??? nah, probably not) so we'll be hungry and ready. WIN (swing)

So that leaves me with

Best case scenario: 12-4.....that's too high. I would be happy with another 10-6 season with a wild card berth.

Mid case scenario (with half the swing games converted to losses): 8-8, could be a possibility considering the strength of schedule and if, god forbid, Stafford's shoulder rips in two again or the Madden Curse strikes again with Megatron

Worst case scenario (all swing games converted to losses): 4-12, lolz that's way too low. That won't happen.

Edited June 25, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[My little pwny 1,392]

Go cardinals!

 

 

[Why-Gnome-Ear-Fifty 400]

Seeing as Larry Fitzgerald is the only one to have avoided the Madden Curse, I think Megatron will do fine.....they're pretty similar.

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Best case scenario: 12-4.....that's too high. I would be happy with another 10-6 season with a wild card berth.

Mid case scenario (with half the swing games converted to losses): 8-8, could be a possibility considering the strength of schedule and if, god forbid, Stafford's shoulder rips in two again or the Madden Curse strikes again with Megatron

Worst case scenario (all swing games converted to losses): 4-12, lolz that's way too low. That won't happen.

 

Maybe if Ndamukong Suh doesn't create problems for himself by stomping another player's head out, the Lions will be 11-5. But really, passing attacks are becoming "the thing" in the NFL these days. Stafford and Megatron had their rather historic season last year because of the way they came back from deficits, again sparked by their offense. The only thing that will keep the Lions grounded for a while is their secondary... or lack thereof.

 

Seeing as Larry Fitzgerald is the only one to have avoided the Madden Curse, I think Megatron will do fine.....they're pretty similar.

 

I was personally relieved when Gronkowski lost the "Cover contest" for Madden 13. If he did get injured this season, I wouldn't want it to be for the silliest of reasons - appearing on the cover of some damn video game.

 

Update on the Patriots: Matt Light could end up trolling the entire NFL by returning next season, seeing as how he is retired (supposedly). Wes Welker strongly hinted this.

[Gigachip 148]

I'm going for the Cowboys

even though I know their past seasons...

[Why-Gnome-Ear-Fifty 400]

 

I was personally relieved when Gronkowski lost the "Cover contest" for Madden 13. If he did get injured this season, I wouldn't want it to be for the silliest of reasons - appearing on the cover of some damn video game.

 

Update on the Patriots: Matt Light could end up trolling the entire NFL by returning next season, seeing as how he is retired (supposedly). Wes Welker strongly hinted this.

 

Oh and by the way, I simply abhor you to the greatest extent for being a Patriots fan. I'll also most likely be trash talking you the entire season when the Patriots UTTERLY FAIL.

 

(Colts fan, btw. Do your worst. )

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Oh and by the way, I simply abhor you to the greatest extent for being a Patriots fan. I'll also most likely be trash talking you the entire season when the Patriots UTTERLY FAIL.

 

(Colts fan, btw. Do your worst. )

 

Colts fan? .... Have fun being the Texans' biyotch for the next decade, haha.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Colts fan? .... Have fun being the Texans' biyotch for the next decade, haha.

 

Yeah, Colts won't be relevant for a while now. Texans are going to dominate since the Jags and Titans are sub-par as well.

 

Also toughest division this year

 

NFC North or AFC North?

 

Pack, Bears, Lions, Vikes or Ravens, Steelers, Bengals, Brownies?

 

Gimme the AFC North still. You can also make a case for the NFC South with Falcones, Bounties, Bucs, Cam Newtons.

[Cosmic Charlie 129]

Pack attack! Go Green n Gold!

 

We got some decent draftees this year, and A-Rog is looking to drop some bombshells across the NFC. BaJAM!

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Yeah, Colts won't be relevant for a while now. Texans are going to dominate since the Jags and Titans are sub-par as well.

 

Also toughest division this year

 

NFC North or AFC North?

 

Pack, Bears, Lions, Vikes or Ravens, Steelers, Bengals, Brownies?

 

Gimme the AFC North still. You can also make a case for the NFC South with Falcones, Bounties, Bucs, Cam Newtons.

 

NFC South blows. Atlanta hasn't lived up to expectations, the Saints are currently under huge controversy, and the Bucs haven't done ditty squat since '02. Honestly, the Panthers are in a decent spot with Newton, at least. I don't particularly like the hype surrounding them but their QB is respectable.

 

AFC North...? ... Full of thugs, or at least perceived to be. Bernard Pollard is a thug in his own right and James Harrison gets fined on a constant basis.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

NFC South blows. Atlanta hasn't lived up to expectations, the Saints are currently under huge controversy, and the Bucs haven't done ditty squat since '02. Honestly, the Panthers are in a decent spot with Newton, at least. I don't particularly like the hype surrounding them but their QB is respectable.

 

AFC North...? ... Full of thugs, or at least perceived to be. Bernard Pollard is a thug in his own right and James Harrison gets fined on a constant basis.

 

True on ATL, they are a regular season team because when the playoffs start they get exposed. Saints going to have a rough season I think because of all the bounty stuff and teams licking their chops to take them on and avenge any bounties previous placed on them. Bucs did a lot in free agency and had a decent draft. They can do well if Josh Freeman doesn't suck. Panthers are still gonna be at the bottom but they're going to be improved.

 

NFC East might be the most competitive, as in having the most teams at the same level, but I don't think it's the best compared to the rest of the league. NFC West only has the Niners, AFC West is very average, AFC East only has the Pats while Jets and Bills fight for average. AFC South only has Texans.

Edited June 26, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[Deeмo 100]

Drew Brees agrees to a huge contract.

 

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints have reached an agreement on a five-year, $100 million contract that all sides concur will guarantee Brees an NFL-record $60 million, including a first-year take in 2012 of $40 million, according to league, players union, and team sources.

 

The accord was struck Friday morning in the latest round of negotiations between Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Brees's agent, Tom Condon.

 

ESPN

 

Edited July 13, 2012 by Deeмo

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

OK - pre-season is right around the corner (next week, as a matter of fact), so I thought I'd make a depth chart for the Patriots. Keep in mind that this is an example and doesn't reflect Belichick's entire chart, as he can use a wide variety of formations thanks to the versatility of our players.

 

Defense (4-3):

 

Defensive Linemen

 

DT: Vince Wilfork

DT: Jonathan Fanene, the new guy from the Bengals. Very promising who was instrumental in a good Bengals defense last year - Belichick will use him well.

DE: Chandler Jones. Not very surprising - give this kid some starting time immediately and we will not be disappointed. If he's groomed well enough, he will dominate.

DE: For the time being, Andre Carter - that savvy and mature veteran presence is needed for the time being, though I have no doubt that Jake Bequette will come along very nicely as well.

 

Linebackers

 

WLB: Rob Ninkovich. Very crafty, reminds me of Mike Vrabel - has a variety of moves like the spin, strip-sack, and is pretty quick as well. Really exploded last year and did well in the Superbowl!

MLB: Brandon Spikes. Since he came back from that injury last year he's been very productive and looks to be better suited at this position than Mayo, although the versatility of the team allows both players to play at multiple positions.

SLB: Mayo/Hightower. Hightower can fully function in a 3-4 as an OLB, but Belichick uses his players rather than a base formation to win games. Both players will be used effectively in all LB categories.

 

Defensive backs

 

CB: Devin McCourty. With a full offseason and a proper training camp, he should be back to his rookie form - not to mention getting safety help! This guy is a lockdown corner when he's at it, and he showed it after injuries last year - he really picked it up after the game against the Redskins.

CB: Ras-I Dowling. This guy has crazy ball skills when he's healthy, and I trust the training staff to keep him active at all times. If all goes well, he'll be a great complement to McCourty.

FS: Tavon Wilson. This guy wasn't heard of at all in the draft, but... not surprisingly, he's done a great job in training camp, especially against Tight Ends. Hard work for him is paying off!

SS: Patrick Chung. Consistent player, very hard hitter (did you see that huge hit he made against Nicks in the superbowl?), and strong tackler. He still has some coverage issues but he's getting better - this guy is a top 5 safety in the AFC.

 

Defense (3-4):

 

Defensive linemen

 

NT: Wilfork

DE: Fanene

DE: Chandler Jones

 

Linebackers

 

OLB: Hightower

OLB: Ninkovich

ILB: Mayo

ILB: Spikes

 

Defensive backs

 

CB: McCourty

CB: Dowling

FS: Wilson

SS: Chung

 

I'm thinking Belichick won't use Andre Carter much with the 3-4 since he's not strong enough to be a 3-4 end or crafty enough to be a 3-4 linebacker. A 4-3 end is his best position, and, when given the opportunity, he's a total beast. Might be good that way in either case, as we can use other players while providing him the rest he needs to go out there.

 

Nickel 3-3-5 defense:

 

NT: Wilfork

DE: Jones

DE: Fanene/Bequette - both are big enough to complement Wilfork on the frontline, but Fanene's experience might give him the edge over Bequette, though Bequette could very well nab the spot in a few games. Bottom line is, though, you want as much pressure as possible from the linemen when playing with a nickel D, though the main point is to generate incompletions.

 

WLB: Ninkovich

MLB: Spikes

SLB: Mayo - Mayo's coverage skills are great for a linebacker. Hightower is also one of those linebackers with great pursuit abilities but also has good coverage skills, but I'm giving Mayo the spot for now. Otherwise, Mayo could always move to MLB here and Hightower can take this one for maximum coverage ability.

 

CB: McCourty

CB: Dowling

Nickel-back (no, not the band): Arrington - has nice ball-hawking abilities, but really flourishes in deep zones.

FS: Wilson

SS: Chung

 

Dime defense:

 

We could have either 4 linemen + 1 linebacker, or 3 linemen + 2 linebackers. I put the options in parenthesis for clarification.

 

NT: Wilfork

DE: Jones

DE: Love - I substituted Love with Fanene because Love has a bit more strength than him, though Fanene could do decently as well.

(DE): Fanene

 

ILB: Mayo

(ILB): Hightower

 

CB: McCourty

CB: Dowling

Nickel-back: Arrington

Dimeback: Honestly unsure as of now, but I'm going with Alfonzo Dennard. He was considered one of the best CB prospects in the draft, but due to setbacks his stock dropped - I'm sure he'll get some sort of chance here.

FS: WIlson

SS: Chung

 

Let's move onto the offense. I'll go with a 5 receiver set (empty backfield) to start off since that's what the Patriots used to really cripple opposing defenses, even employing a hurry-up set to start the game off.

 

QB: Brady (duh)

WR: Welker

WR: Lloyd

WR: Branch

WR: Stallworth

WR: Gaffney

 

(to be honest, the WR charts are in a state of flux with all the receivers we have currently. As we value special teams a lot, either Branch, Stallworth or Gaffney won't be on this list later on, though I could be wrong. One of them might be released, though.)

 

OT: Solder

OG: Mankins

C: Koppen

OG: Connolly/Waters - if Waters returns, we might see Connolly being moved to Center because he did a fantastic job at it last year)

OT: Vollmer. This was Solder's spot, but he can play both tackle spots - with Matt Light now retired, it's now imperative that the blindsides are covered well. Hopefully the OL won't miss a beat.

 

 

Now moving onto more "traditional" sets.

 

QB: Brady

HB: Stevan Ridley - quick, explosive, and crafty, though he has fumble issues. I expect him to complement the passing game effectively this year, as the kid as shown potential.

WR: Welker

WR: Lloyd

TE: Gronkowski

TE: Hernandez

OT: Solder

OG: Mankins

C: Connolly/Koppen - see above.

OG: Waters

OT: Vollmer

 

For an I-formation, we need to scrap a TE so we'll go with Gronkowski on field though Hernandez is the more versatile one of the two - either will work, really. But anyways, a fullback is needed for the I-formation so I'll go with Spencer Larson... he's a linebacker AND a fullback, so he knows how to really get his hands dirty.

 

Special teams:

 

K: Gostkowski

LS: Danny Aiken

P: Mesko

Returner: Edelman

Key ST players: Woodhead, Slater.

 

 

That's what I got so far in regards to starting players. Patriot players are versatile, so in each game, one players skillset will be use to the fullest extent in order to help them win games.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

CB: Devin McCourty. With a full offseason and a proper training camp, he should be back to his rookie form - not to mention getting safety help! This guy is a lockdown corner when he's at it, and he showed it after injuries last year - he really picked it up after the game against the Redskins.

 

CB: McCourty

 

CB: McCourty

 

CB: McCourty

 

Talking about yourself in the 3rd person and putting yourself in all the formations eh? Man you have an ego

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Talking about yourself in the 3rd person and putting yourself in all the formations eh? Man you have an ego

 

Coach Bill said it'd be OK to refer ourselves as third person as long as we don't turn into divas, which I definitely won't end up being.

[~The Snowy Wolf~ 1,579]

Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say they gon' beat them Saints?

 

Probably everyone. We're at such a huge disadvantage this year

[My little pwny 1,392]

Hello everypony! The NFL preseason is about to begin in less than 40 minutes! I will be starting a weekly game day thread every Sunday during the 2012 football season to get you up to date with the story lines of the NFL! This is the first edition of my game day threads, and it will be one of the most unique because only one game is being played: the Hall of Fame game. For the rest of the season, I won't focus on only one game, but I will highlight all the major events and match-ups.

 

The Hall of Fame game has traditionally been the first formal game every football season has started with. This year, the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals will be duking it out in Fawcett Stadium, near the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. As an Arizona Cardinal fan, I have the pleasure of watching my team play in this unique game, however, most of the national audience will be interested in how the Saints deal with their off season problems.

 

With the Saints missing their head coach Sean Payton, it will be interesting to see if the team will be the same offensive powerhouse in recent years. Quarterback Drew Brees has come back from his contract hold up, which is a sure help to make sure they keep their momentum from last year.

 

The Arizona Cardinals are the apparent underdogs in this game, but at least they have more coaching stability than their opponents. QB's Kevin Kolb and John Skelton have been battling out for the starting job this year in the regular season. Unfortunately for us fans, we probably won't see much of the starters from either team.

 

I hope for no injuries and some good 'ol football from both sides as we kick off the 2012 pre-season!

 

Do we have any Colts or Bronco fans in here? (the "pony" teams haha)

[Key Gear 6,663]

 

 

Hello buddy!

 

We actually already have a central discussion thread for the NFL. I've merged your thread with it to keep the discussion centralized in one location.

 

I hope you don't mind!

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

Do we have any Colts or Bronco fans in here? (the "pony" teams haha)

 

Funny thing about those teams. A star quarterback just moved from one horse team to another horse team, haha

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

In honor of tonight's preseason kickoff, I present my own creations

 

New Orleans Bon-Bons vs. Applezona Bloominals