NFL 2011 Part II

SSC · October 12, 2011, 3:51pm

About all the Lions love - I think there’s a few big things to watch in the coming weeks that will determine their success.

1.) Offensive line. These guys are playing so far outside of their league right now. I expect Dom Capers to confuse and come up with interesting schemes to expose a pretty bad offensive line. Stafford hasn’t had a lot of pressure this season, considerably speaking, because teams have been respecting the pass threat. I just don’t see this continuing to be a trend all season. They are over-achieving right now and some point I think they’re going to get exposed - hard.

2.) See above - except with the secondary. I would have originally included the linebackers in this discussion but Tulloch seems to be playing up to his moniker and giving them a good chance. Aside from Delmas, who has had a history of playing selfish, aggressive and undisciplined football, the secondary is just not very good overall. These guys have been over-achieving as well.

3.) Injuries. They have stayed pretty injury-free up until this point. I know many times the best teams are the healthiest teams, but imagine if the Lions lost someone who had the impact of a Nick Collins or something like that. Imagine Vanden Bosch / Suh / Megatron was out for the season - it’s a pretty fair equivalent. If they can keep up this trend of staying healthy going, they have a chance. So we’ll see about that.

BradTGIF · October 12, 2011, 4:45pm

[quote]SSC wrote:
About all the Lions love - I think there’s a few big things to watch in the coming weeks that will determine their success.

1.) Offensive line. These guys are playing so far outside of their league right now. I expect Dom Capers to confuse and come up with interesting schemes to expose a pretty bad offensive line. Stafford hasn’t had a lot of pressure this season, considerably speaking, because teams have been respecting the pass threat. I just don’t see this continuing to be a trend all season. They are over-achieving right now and some point I think they’re going to get exposed - hard.

2.) See above - except with the secondary. I would have originally included the linebackers in this discussion but Tulloch seems to be playing up to his moniker and giving them a good chance. Aside from Delmas, who has had a history of playing selfish, aggressive and undisciplined football, the secondary is just not very good overall. These guys have been over-achieving as well.

3.) Injuries. They have stayed pretty injury-free up until this point. I know many times the best teams are the healthiest teams, but imagine if the Lions lost someone who had the impact of a Nick Collins or something like that. Imagine Vanden Bosch / Suh / Megatron was out for the season - it’s a pretty fair equivalent. If they can keep up this trend of staying healthy going, they have a chance. So we’ll see about that.[/quote]

I agree with you regarding the offensive line. A buddy and I were talking yesterday and we felt that’s what needs to be drafted next season.

The secondary is worrisome as well, but they’re showing signs of coming together. The thing I’m happy about is that they’re knocking people around, staying physical. That gets in the heads of WR’s after awhile. They know they’ll get catches but they’ll also get fuckin’ smoked on the turn around.

I think a real surprise has been Bobby Carpenter. He’s turning into a real threat, where he was all but written off in Dallas.

Why is that?

System?
Maturity?

Here’s what I think.

His *fibula went all esplodey in the OSU/UM game his senior year. He was a high draft pick but damn it takes a while for an injury like that to heal. People remember AJ Hawk on the OSU team that smoked ND and Brady Quinn in the bowl game, but Carpenter was a on that squad as well.

I think he’s finally truly healthy, and has something to prove.

*edited for accuracy

Derek542 · October 12, 2011, 5:52pm

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:

[quote]SSC wrote:
About all the Lions love - I think there’s a few big things to watch in the coming weeks that will determine their success.

1.) Offensive line. These guys are playing so far outside of their league right now. I expect Dom Capers to confuse and come up with interesting schemes to expose a pretty bad offensive line. Stafford hasn’t had a lot of pressure this season, considerably speaking, because teams have been respecting the pass threat. I just don’t see this continuing to be a trend all season. They are over-achieving right now and some point I think they’re going to get exposed - hard.

2.) See above - except with the secondary. I would have originally included the linebackers in this discussion but Tulloch seems to be playing up to his moniker and giving them a good chance. Aside from Delmas, who has had a history of playing selfish, aggressive and undisciplined football, the secondary is just not very good overall. These guys have been over-achieving as well.

3.) Injuries. They have stayed pretty injury-free up until this point. I know many times the best teams are the healthiest teams, but imagine if the Lions lost someone who had the impact of a Nick Collins or something like that. Imagine Vanden Bosch / Suh / Megatron was out for the season - it’s a pretty fair equivalent. If they can keep up this trend of staying healthy going, they have a chance. So we’ll see about that.[/quote]

I agree with you regarding the offensive line. A buddy and I were talking yesterday and we felt that’s what needs to be drafted next season.

The secondary is worrisome as well, but they’re showing signs of coming together. The thing I’m happy about is that they’re knocking people around, staying physical. That gets in the heads of WR’s after awhile. They know they’ll get catches but they’ll also get fuckin’ smoked on the turn around.

I think a real surprise has been Bobby Carpenter. He’s turning into a real threat, where he was all but written off in Dallas.

Why is that?

System?
Maturity?

Here’s what I think.

His *fibula went all esplodey in the OSU/UM game his senior year. He was a high draft pick but damn it takes a while for an injury like that to heal. People remember AJ Hawk on the OSU team that smoked ND and Brady Quinn in the bowl game, but Carpenter was a on that squad as well.

I think he’s finally truly healthy, and has something to prove.

*edited for accuracy

[/quote]

First Carpenter is made for a 4-3 team not a 3-4 round peg in square hole and really glad the kid has found a home. You know he was in Romo’s wedding? Talk about bragging rights next party.

2nd, every team has a weakness, that is what makes the NFL fun. Yes Detroit has some holes, however their strengths can hide those weaknesses. That is what NFL teams do.

GB running game is a joke SSC, sorry, but Rogers drives the bus and any running game is because of the threat of the pass. GB run defense is a weakness, but they make it up with scheme and the pressure the Offense puts on teams to have to catch up hides this.

MattyXL · October 12, 2011, 6:22pm

[quote]print wrote:
^HA! Matty is that you in your avi when you rumbled fish?

WTF!! Heard on the way in this morning we traded Mason. He musta been some real trouble for Rex to get rid of him that quick.[/quote]

LOL, yeah man just call me Rusty!

I am a bit torn on Rex as always, he doesent have a muzzle and stated that he will never muzzle his players yet he was benched last week after some negative comments, it seems somewhat hypocritical.

Not that I care if Mason was traded, I wanted them to hold on to Jerricho.

SSC · October 12, 2011, 6:48pm

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:
I agree with you regarding the offensive line. A buddy and I were talking yesterday and we felt that’s what needs to be drafted next season.[/quote]

I will say this… Gosder Cherilus (sp? don’t care enough to check, lol!) was one of the most head-scratching picks I can remember in recent years, regardless of the team. (Derrick Sharrod for GB is on the same level as far as I’m concerned, but that’s a different story…) Yes, they really need to make this a priority in coming years. Wisconsin has potentially 5 starting linemen on their line right now. Detroit needs to wake up and realize where the talent is really coming from, haha.

I do agree, they’ve looked better than I anticipated. I was watching a show on the NFL Network called “Turning Point,” and was hearing about some of the adjustments they were making in the Dallas game to turn things around. What Detroit lacks in talent in the secondary could be made up with intelligent play and good coaching from Gunther Cunningham, a guy who’s been around for a while.

[quote]I think a real surprise has been Bobby Carpenter. He’s turning into a real threat, where he was all but written off in Dallas.

Why is that?

System?
Maturity?

Here’s what I think.

His *fibula went all esplodey in the OSU/UM game his senior year. He was a high draft pick but damn it takes a while for an injury like that to heal. People remember AJ Hawk on the OSU team that smoked ND and Brady Quinn in the bowl game, but Carpenter was a on that squad as well.

I think he’s finally truly healthy, and has something to prove.

*edited for accuracy

[/quote]

I could see that, and I think Derek’s notion of 3-4 vs 4-3 is also a good reason. It’s tough to pinpoint an exact reason for a rejuvenation sometimes, but I guess we just have to accept it at face value. He’s playing really well right now, but it doesn’t hurt to play in a wide-9 with a stellar D-line to help pick up some of that slack. I still believe in my heart of hearts that Durant (when he’s healthy) should replace Levy on the left side, and they should keep Carpenter on the right. Levy has shown to have good instincts, but IDK. Carpenter is just killing it right now.

[quote]Derek542 wrote:
2nd, every team has a weakness, that is what makes the NFL fun. Yes Detroit has some holes, however their strengths can hide those weaknesses. That is what NFL teams do.[/quote]

Definitely. I’ve still gotta think that at some point running a spread the whole game is going to catch up against Detroit eventually - again, especially with a fearless defense like Green Bay who’s not afraid to leave a few holes downfield. Your Boys came out in the same fashion and would have had things in the bag were it not for… well, ya know.

[quote]GB running game is a joke SSC, sorry, but Rogers drives the bus and any running game is because of the threat of the pass. GB run defense is a weakness, but they make it up with scheme and the pressure the Offense puts on teams to have to catch up hides this.

[/quote]

Well, I think to call the running game a joke is a little strong, but it’s definitely not their primary engine on offense. I think Starks and Grant are enough to keep a defense humble if need be. I do think Detroit is exploitable against the run as well - their defensive linemen tend to play straight pass-rush and aggressor, and haven’t proven to be as competent against the run as they are against the pass.

GB’s run defense does need some work, I agree. Raji is obviously a beast up the middle, but Wynn on the outside is a questionable starter at best, and Pickett hasn’t really had a great season so far. I don’t think Detroit has a snowflake’s chance in hell of running against them, though. A 4-3 defense is much easier to exploit with a shotgun running game vs a 3-4, as linebackers (mike, specifically) have a much better ability to diagnose and see a play happen in front of them. If any of the 4 linemen that are responsible for stopping the run overpursue a play, it’s very difficult for linebackers (even great ones like Urlacher and Briggs) to compensate for the blown assignment. Just another reason I’ll advocate against the 4-3 any day.

And, lastly, Detroit has shown their youth a few times this season, especially on Monday night. They can’t stay at home on defense, and they seem jittery and not very composed.

I like a lot of what Detroit is doing on the whole, and I’m not trying to take anything away from them, but I truly don’t think we’ll be seeing another 7-3 showing when Green Bay comes into town for Turkey Day. I like the moxy and experience of the Pack Attack all day.

///unsuccessful attempt at objectivity

pat · October 12, 2011, 7:20pm

[quote]SSC wrote:
About all the Lions love - I think there’s a few big things to watch in the coming weeks that will determine their success.

1.) Offensive line. These guys are playing so far outside of their league right now. I expect Dom Capers to confuse and come up with interesting schemes to expose a pretty bad offensive line. Stafford hasn’t had a lot of pressure this season, considerably speaking, because teams have been respecting the pass threat. I just don’t see this continuing to be a trend all season. They are over-achieving right now and some point I think they’re going to get exposed - hard.

2.) See above - except with the secondary. I would have originally included the linebackers in this discussion but Tulloch seems to be playing up to his moniker and giving them a good chance. Aside from Delmas, who has had a history of playing selfish, aggressive and undisciplined football, the secondary is just not very good overall. These guys have been over-achieving as well.

3.) Injuries. They have stayed pretty injury-free up until this point. I know many times the best teams are the healthiest teams, but imagine if the Lions lost someone who had the impact of a Nick Collins or something like that. Imagine Vanden Bosch / Suh / Megatron was out for the season - it’s a pretty fair equivalent. If they can keep up this trend of staying healthy going, they have a chance. So we’ll see about that.[/quote]

I agree they are riding a wave of momentum right now, but I do think they are good despite that. Of course the real test is when things aren’t clicking on all cylinders. No team can sustain excessive injury, but I do believe if they hover around league average with injuries they will be fine. I think despite the momentum and the hot streak they are solid.

Derek542 · October 12, 2011, 7:21pm

SSC Yea you cannot be objective. Jk

No worries man, I cant be objective about my Boys, or any NFC East team.

All I am looking at is there body of work this year, my point on GB running game is that when and if Rogers is shut down, could Starks or Grant take over a game? I know Starks did it some post season last year. BUT nobody had game film on him then, things change when they do.

In your division GB is the elite and should not have an issue taking the division, Vikings and Bears are in trouble. Cap space and other issues for both of those teams. Detroit however has built it through the draft and have a nice young team. This is probably not there year, but years to come. Your team and the lions will be battling it out for that division.

doogie · October 12, 2011, 9:40pm

Hey Derek, what do you think about this?

Swap between NFC East rivals

If the Eagles don’t do my proposed deal with New England, they still need to find a way to improve defensively. Philadelphia has already proven the organization isn’t afraid to deal with a division foe, so this time, the Eagles turn to Dallas for help.

A deal of Rodgers-Cromartie for Bradie James helps both teams. The Eagles fill a void at linebacker. The Cowboys would get a necessary upgrade at corner and will soon have second-round pick Bruce Carter healthy and capable of stepping in for James.

Derek542 · October 12, 2011, 11:03pm

[quote]doogie wrote:
Hey Derek, what do you think about this?

Swap between NFC East rivals

If the Eagles don’t do my proposed deal with New England, they still need to find a way to improve defensively. Philadelphia has already proven the organization isn’t afraid to deal with a division foe, so this time, the Eagles turn to Dallas for help.

A deal of Rodgers-Cromartie for Bradie James helps both teams. The Eagles fill a void at linebacker. The Cowboys would get a necessary upgrade at corner and will soon have second-round pick Bruce Carter healthy and capable of stepping in for James.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8230fc44/article/trading-winds-deals-that-should-get-done-before-deadline?module=HP11_cp[/quote]

Is Bucky just talking shit or has he heard something.

About fucking time you get in here.

WestCoast7 · October 13, 2011, 3:15am

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
49ers VS. Lions as the game of the week?!?!

Who would’ve predicted that…[/quote]

Besides Jesus?

Hey it is what it is, however Sorry WC I have to say Lions are for real, 49rs are still doing it with smoke and mirrors to an extent. Still missing that WR threat and pass rusher.[/quote]

Even though I’m drinking Lions Kool-aide like a parched border crosser dipping his lips into the opportunity, hope, and fertilizer of the Rio Grandes’ northern banks, I still have to say:

Never bet against a Harbaugh.

[/quote]

I agree with no off season he has done a miracle.

My point is that the Lions have built from the inside out, for long term success and for big games they have the most versatile attack. Yes they are weak on the back end of the Defense but they are good enough, cause their front 7 are very fucking solid and their front 4 are top 3 in the league.

Offense has the triple attack, with Stafford, Best and Megatron.

49rs have a very solid D and play mistake free football, which will get you a winning record. But if Gore goes down or is shut down, who are they going to? Crabtree? V. Davis is a great TE, but you shut down Gore and run Cover 2 their Offense will be shut down.
[/quote]

X’s and O’s - I agree with you 100%, 49’ers have depth issues for sure. And their QB doesn’t have a very good history.

But Detroit is coming off of a huge Monday Night game and Michigan is where Harbaugh played his college ball. His team will be ready to play, fresh, and mean. It’s going to be a great game, closer than a lot of folks think, in my opinion.

[/quote]

Agreed 100% this is a field goal game, and I put money on Stafford throwing it up to Megatron at the end to set them up for game winning field goal.

I think Alex can be a serviceable QB, you know Trent Dilfer type, he just has to have some fucking weapons. Crabtree has bee a bust, they cant stretch the field, Hunter is a great scat back, been watching that little fucker at OK lite for the past 4 years.

I can say all this cause I have watched both of these teams play my Boys this year.

When the nut cutting starts in a game Detroit has showed they can Man Up, 49rs did not.
[/quote]

Love the analysis, can’t wait for the game.

The Thanksgiving match up should be epic as well.

Gettnitdone · October 13, 2011, 3:58am

Is it a coincidence DMX and Mike Vick look similar?

Derek542 · October 13, 2011, 2:06pm

[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
Is it a coincidence DMX and Mike Vick look similar?[/quote]

Do you even watch sports or just lust after certain players?

fnf · October 13, 2011, 4:29pm

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
49ers VS. Lions as the game of the week?!?!

Who would’ve predicted that…[/quote]

Besides Jesus?

Hey it is what it is, however Sorry WC I have to say Lions are for real, 49rs are still doing it with smoke and mirrors to an extent. Still missing that WR threat and pass rusher.[/quote]

Even though I’m drinking Lions Kool-aide like a parched border crosser dipping his lips into the opportunity, hope, and fertilizer of the Rio Grandes’ northern banks, I still have to say:

Never bet against a Harbaugh.

[/quote]

I agree with no off season he has done a miracle.

My point is that the Lions have built from the inside out, for long term success and for big games they have the most versatile attack. Yes they are weak on the back end of the Defense but they are good enough, cause their front 7 are very fucking solid and their front 4 are top 3 in the league.

Offense has the triple attack, with Stafford, Best and Megatron.

49rs have a very solid D and play mistake free football, which will get you a winning record. But if Gore goes down or is shut down, who are they going to? Crabtree? V. Davis is a great TE, but you shut down Gore and run Cover 2 their Offense will be shut down.
[/quote]

X’s and O’s - I agree with you 100%, 49’ers have depth issues for sure. And their QB doesn’t have a very good history.

But Detroit is coming off of a huge Monday Night game and Michigan is where Harbaugh played his college ball. His team will be ready to play, fresh, and mean. It’s going to be a great game, closer than a lot of folks think, in my opinion.

[/quote]

Agreed 100% this is a field goal game, and I put money on Stafford throwing it up to Megatron at the end to set them up for game winning field goal.

I think Alex can be a serviceable QB, you know Trent Dilfer type, he just has to have some fucking weapons. Crabtree has bee a bust, they cant stretch the field, Hunter is a great scat back, been watching that little fucker at OK lite for the past 4 years.

I can say all this cause I have watched both of these teams play my Boys this year.

When the nut cutting starts in a game Detroit has showed they can Man Up, 49rs did not.
[/quote]

Well the 49ers did come back from 20pts against the Eagles, so they did Man Up.

But I agree the 49ers need a WR and a pass rushing threat, which I hope Aldon Smith can develop into with Justin Smith.

Detroit’s D has shown it can give up a lot of yards, but I still don’t have faith in Smith to go toe to toe with Staff and Megatron.
I don’t expect a lot from Best, because he’ll be running into P52 and Bowman in the middle.

Derek542 · October 13, 2011, 4:36pm

[quote]fnf wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]BradTGIF wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
49ers VS. Lions as the game of the week?!?!

Who would’ve predicted that…[/quote]

Besides Jesus?

Hey it is what it is, however Sorry WC I have to say Lions are for real, 49rs are still doing it with smoke and mirrors to an extent. Still missing that WR threat and pass rusher.[/quote]

Even though I’m drinking Lions Kool-aide like a parched border crosser dipping his lips into the opportunity, hope, and fertilizer of the Rio Grandes’ northern banks, I still have to say:

Never bet against a Harbaugh.

[/quote]

I agree with no off season he has done a miracle.

My point is that the Lions have built from the inside out, for long term success and for big games they have the most versatile attack. Yes they are weak on the back end of the Defense but they are good enough, cause their front 7 are very fucking solid and their front 4 are top 3 in the league.

Offense has the triple attack, with Stafford, Best and Megatron.

49rs have a very solid D and play mistake free football, which will get you a winning record. But if Gore goes down or is shut down, who are they going to? Crabtree? V. Davis is a great TE, but you shut down Gore and run Cover 2 their Offense will be shut down.
[/quote]

X’s and O’s - I agree with you 100%, 49’ers have depth issues for sure. And their QB doesn’t have a very good history.

But Detroit is coming off of a huge Monday Night game and Michigan is where Harbaugh played his college ball. His team will be ready to play, fresh, and mean. It’s going to be a great game, closer than a lot of folks think, in my opinion.

[/quote]

Agreed 100% this is a field goal game, and I put money on Stafford throwing it up to Megatron at the end to set them up for game winning field goal.

I think Alex can be a serviceable QB, you know Trent Dilfer type, he just has to have some fucking weapons. Crabtree has bee a bust, they cant stretch the field, Hunter is a great scat back, been watching that little fucker at OK lite for the past 4 years.

I can say all this cause I have watched both of these teams play my Boys this year.

When the nut cutting starts in a game Detroit has showed they can Man Up, 49rs did not.
[/quote]

Well the 49ers did come back from 20pts against the Eagles, so they did Man Up.

But I agree the 49ers need a WR and a pass rushing threat, which I hope Aldon Smith can develop into with Justin Smith.

Detroit’s D has shown it can give up a lot of yards, but I still don’t have faith in Smith to go toe to toe with Staff and Megatron.
I don’t expect a lot from Best, because he’ll be running into P52 and Bowman in the middle.
[/quote]

Look at the Eagles this year, not saying much to come back on them

Just to put this out there yes I am a Dallas fan, however I love this game so I do not hate on anybody but NFC east teams.

Aldon Smith has definitely flashed, I saw a couple plays where he has a hell of a first step and looks like he can press the edge on a QB. Harbaugh is putting the peaces in place but again depth is key.

Look at the Texans, M Williams out for the year, now can Brooks Reed and C Barwin step up? I bet they are fucking happy they drafted for depth at that position.

SSC · October 13, 2011, 5:09pm

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
Is it a coincidence DMX and Mike Vick look similar?[/quote]

Do you even watch sports or just lust after certain players? [/quote]

I’m hoping that if we stop addressing these posts maybe they’ll stop altogether?

Crosses fingers

fnf · October 13, 2011, 5:19pm