American Football

[kieran_vale]

As far as AB goes the guy is absolute poison to any team. Don’t get me wrong he is one of the greatest receivers of this era but what he can do to ruin any locker room overrides that for me. Smartest thing the Steelers have done in years moving him on even if at the time people thought it was a cheap price in the trade. Just glad he is nowhere near New England.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Patriots, Browns, Texans, Chargers
Chiefs, Steelers

Cowboys, Bears, Falcons, Rams
Saints, Seahawks

Bit of a stab in the dark with the NFC South but as seems to be the case every year, always feel like I'm including too many of last year's playoff teams in it....

Vikings division tough to call, all 4 teams with a decent number of strengths but some serious question marks. The Bears I think have the least concern, but teams have tape on a more expansive Trubisky now.

Despite being in cap hell we've held the team together pretty well, made a good offensive line pick, but for the first time in his tenure I'm unsure of Zimmer, and whilst reading into pre-season is stupid, our offense looked uninspiring when the starters played. I just have a feeling we will fall flat on our face, and will be after a new coach in the offseason. Talent is largely there though, Cousins got battered last year and still put up career numbers, if he can get 30% better protection and actually beat a good team, maybe we'll do well.

Two games for me this year, making the most of it whilst I'm still Stateside, Eagles at Vikings week 6 and MNF at Seattle in December, again.

1FF draft had me as the other tied 3rd 9-4. Bloody glad Zeke signed his deal this week, could have been over before it begun! Hockenson is my wildcard starter this year, seems to have a good rapport with Stafford.

 

[kieran_vale]

This game should really be classified as a hate crime against all who've had the misfortune to watch it. Only way is up from here this season.

Mitch Trubiskys performance tonight could potentially do the impossible and make Bears fans pine for the days of Jay Cutler.

 

[Stagat]

The last 24 hours have been ridiculous with Brown. Gonna get suspended after arguing with the GM, then they say he'll be playing, then posts a video featuring a private convo with Gruden, then Gruden says 'no worries', now he's posted on Insta saying release me Raiders...

My bro (The Lightweights) drafted him in our league. Poor lad had Le'Veon Bell last season too. Whoops.

 

[Craig]

He also drafted Mayfield and Saquon so he’ll be reyt.

 

[kieran_vale]

Brown has just been released. Pittsburgh must be laughing their heads off over this. Fuck knows where he goes now, would imagine someone will take the risk but can’t think who offhand.

 

[kieran_vale]

So according to Adam Schefter (and his track record is usually about as good as they come) AB as of this evening is a Patriot. Have to admit while he is something else talent wise just from a locker room standpoint I’m really not sure I’m on board with this at all. We already have Josh Gordon who we can’t really rely on.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Can't say I am that suprised it will be interesting to see how AB handles the Patriot Way I think it could easily go either way if he does handle it well Patriots really do have a top Receiver
There is talks it could of been coordinated it wouldn't really suprise me.

 

[Aberstone]

AB has just played the greatest long game in history, if he wins arbitration then he's got the Steelers on the cap for $21 million and the Raiders on the cap for $29 million. Of course he'll become a model citizen now in New England just to screw everybody else over.

Glad to be rid of him either way, addition by subtraction and all that.

 

[Craig]

The last 24 hours have been ridiculous with Brown. Gonna get suspended after arguing with the GM, then they say he'll be playing, then posts a video featuring a private convo with Gruden, then Gruden says 'no worries', now he's posted on Insta saying release me Raiders...

My bro (The Lightweights) drafted him in our league. Poor lad had Le'Veon Bell last season too. Whoops.

Laughing his bollocks off now.

 

[Stagat]

Laughing his bollocks off now.

That nice plot twist for my bro's fantos team is the only silver lining here for me. I'm not gonna win it so want him to do as well as possible.

I read Kieran's fuck knows where he goes now post last night right before going to bed (he posted at midnight here) and thought his lot seemed the very most likely place if I had to guess. Was too late and had a couple beers so couldn't be arsed to reply but wish I did now for the told-you-so!

That was based on what I heard on that Aaron Hernandez podcast a while ago, about how New England pick up talented players that have fucked up elsewhere, tell them if they knuckle down they might win a ring, and if you fuck up here then nobody else will pick you up after. And btw we're gonna pay you a bit less than you might want, so they end up with great players at great value.

So it was with Gordon, it is with AB. I don't know any other examples of this though but would like to know some. Any you could enlighten me with, kieran_vale or anyone else?

 

[Stagat]

Just been listening to a podcast btw, they talking about why Bell and Brown kinda misread the room with their playing up in Pittsburgh compared to Zeke in Dallas. The city and the organisation you fuck about in both have a big bearing on if you get what you want.

Zeke knows how much Jerry wants to win so the odds are in his favour to get his demands met. Plus the Cowboys and Dallas itself have that glamour. Pittsburgh have a history of not placating divas (according to the guys on the podcast) so Bell was in a worse place to even try last year.

Plus the Steelers have a good OL anyway and Conner to replace him so, fuck off basically. Same when Brown fucked about and they have Juju right there. Cowboys have that OL too but Zeke is so good he's far less replaceable. Plus Big Ben scrambling about until his WRs get open so helping them look good too.

And also the demographic of the fans in the city. Pittsburgh ain't the place to try to get another few million when you're already earning millions. You fuck up the Steelers' season for the sake of a raise that's more than most folk in the city will earn in their lifetime, you've just gone and lost the fans. They ain't going to cheer you now.

Maybe some hyperbole in there but it made sense and was interesting regardless.

 

[kieran_vale]

That nice plot twist for my bro's fantos team is the only silver lining here for me. I'm not gonna win it so want him to do as well as possible.

I read Kieran's fuck knows where he goes now post last night right before going to bed (he posted at midnight here) and thought his lot seemed the very most likely place if I had to guess. Was too late and had a couple beers so couldn't be arsed to reply but wish I did now for the told-you-so!

That was based on what I heard on that Aaron Hernandez podcast a while ago, about how New England pick up talented players that have fucked up elsewhere, tell them if they knuckle down they might win a ring, and if you fuck up here then nobody else will pick you up after. And btw we're gonna pay you a bit less than you might want, so they end up with great players at great value.

So it was with Gordon, it is with AB. I don't know any other examples of this though but would like to know some. Any you could enlighten me with, kieran_vale or anyone else?

The classic example which paid off was Randy Moss. Ironically we got him from Oakland also albeit traded a fourth rounder for him. Then subsequently had an all-world level season when we went 16-0 (we'll not discuss how the season ended though...). One other example I can immediately think of is Aqib Talib who we got from Tampa when he was banned for PED's and he ended up earning himself some serious money in Denver and LA subsequent to that.

Doesn't always work though, had Albert Haynesworth who got cut within weeks due to not buying into the work ethic the Pats demand or Chad Ochocinco who couldn't learn the playbook at all.

Should be an excellent game with the Steelers tonight. Our secondary is looking really good so fancy them to limit the Steelers through the air. That OL of theirs though is extremely good and the running game will present a lot of challenges. Think we may just sneak it in a one-score game but can see it going right to the wire.

 

[Stagat]

The classic example which paid off was Randy Moss. Ironically we got him from Oakland also albeit traded a fourth rounder for him. Then subsequently had an all-world level season when we went 16-0 (we'll not discuss how the season ended though...). One other example I can immediately think of is Aqib Talib who we got from Tampa when he was banned for PED's and he ended up earning himself some serious money in Denver and LA subsequent to that.

Doesn't always work though, had Albert Haynesworth who got cut within weeks due to not buying into the work ethic the Pats demand or Chad Ochocinco who couldn't learn the playbook at all.

Should be an excellent game with the Steelers tonight. Our secondary is looking really good so fancy them to limit the Steelers through the air. That OL of theirs though is extremely good and the running game will present a lot of challenges. Think we may just sneak it in a one-score game but can see it going right to the wire.

Ace, cheers mate. Appreciate those examples. I only first knew Talib as a Bronco tbh. And only think of Moss as a Viking. Maybe it says summat that they both aren't iconic Pats like a Gronk or Brady or Edelman, but they still contributed to the organisation's success. Like, ask anyone in 10 years one team Brown played for and they'll probably say Pitts, whatever happens in the next year or two. But if he helps you to yet another Superbowl this year or next then who cares.

Can't wait for tonight btw. Gonna be like 1am here but will probs stay up drinking and stream some RedZone. Bills and Jets feels huge! For the Bills and Jets fans, anyway

 

[Craig]

Chiefs game on me tele, redzone on me phone.

 

[kieran_vale]

With the one caveat its only Miami but Hollywood Brown just wow

Mahomes and KC picking up where they left off on offense at least.

 

[Craig]

Hill carted off, don’t know if he’ll return to the game. I’d usually be worried but when Watkins is playing like this it’s kinda hard to.

 

[Craig]

Mahomes limped off. FML

 

[Craig]

Mahomes limped off. FML

Taped up and back on.

It’s all going off in Jacksonville. Mass brawl in the end zone, Myles Jack ejected and he did not want to leave. Foles is out and Minshew is in.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Falcons defense as good as usual

Fml

 

[KevinMcallister]

Baltimore played a blinder with Hollywood brown in the draft

 

[kieran_vale]

Nice of Baltimore to run a fake punt when up 35-3

Jets and Bills seems a bit of a struggle for both offenses.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Josh Allen with 2nd season syndrome? 2 interception already

 

[Craig]

Mahomes is back in the game but he’s struggling. Really annoying but hopefully it’s just a niggle. He was looking scary before that hit.

Offense has been wonderful to watch again, but unfortunately looks like no real improvements on the D from last season, could cost us again.

Gardner Minshew has looked good in his debut, but again against this D? Might not really be something to get excited about for Jags fans.

 

[KevinMcallister]

In my other league I've waivered brisett as my back up qb seen as luck is gone

You never know with these new guys sometimes its worthwhile my 1st qb is Baker Mayfield and hes having a disaster so far

 

[KevinMcallister]

How is gardner minshew 23 he looks older than me

 

[Craig]

How is gardner minshew 23 he looks older than me

Looks like a 70s porn star.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Oh fuck off Matt Ryan

 

[kieran_vale]

That is a pretty terrible mistake for a QB of Matt Ryans quality. Can't get away with just noodle-arming it like that. Not sure why Zimmer challenged that PI call prior to that.

Nice comeback by Le'veon Bell.

 

[kieran_vale]

Really should have gone with my instinct and not kept Desean Jackson on my bench.