NFL 2017 Season

[BlueStuff]

Colts player Edwin Jackson killed by a drunk driver. Only 26 years old.

Terrible and senseless. Colts fans and players will remember him. It's a shame the news was lost amidst the Super Bowl frenzy.

Oh yeah, the game. Turned out to be a bad prediction on my part. Congrats to the decent portion of the Eagles fanbase. On to next season.

 

[BillJ]

Rumors going around that McDaniels may be staying in New England...

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/02/josh-mcdaniels-not-viewed-as-lock-to-leave-patriots

 

[Scout101]

Well, that was a bit disappointing. Great game, though, exciting the whole way through. Congrats to the Eagles and their fans. We'll see what Philly looks like in the sunlight, but reports and videos of the evening were about as expected. Stay classy, Philly; you do you!

That strip sack was a back breaker. Most frustrating part of the whole thing, as Brady had 2:21, down by 5, 1(?) timeout, and Eagles defense wasn't making any stops either. Was setting up for another vintage Brady comeback drive, and it got taken away before it really got started. From a clock/point perspective, that was pretty optimal. If anything, maybe a little too much time left, as Pats defense was terrible, so assuming they got the TD, and then went for 2 point conversion to make it a 3 point lead, Eagles probably would have had a decent chance for a tying FG at the end. Would have been fun to watch, though. *sigh*

Refs mostly stayed out of the game, which was good. Ertz play shouldn't have been reviewed, no issues with that being a clean catch and run/dive. Different from the Steelers' play in that he wasn't diving as part of the catch; he clearly took a few steps and dove. The Clements (?) one in the 3rd was garbage, though. Know the whole thing needs rework as replay outpaces intent of the rules, but by all the rules they played by this year, not a catch. It was moving several times, and he didn't have a handle on it until one of his feet was out of bounds. Couldn't believe they let that one stand. Replay equivalent of swallowing the whistle, and sucks. yeah, Super Bowl, big moment, etc., but not a catch/TD. Doesn't matter at the end of the day, Pats still had their chances to win, but that ought to silence the DBs that were crowing about how the Refs are in the bag/payroll for the Patriots.

We'll see where the Pats go from here. Couple big FA decisions, looks like both coordinators are gone (McDaniels is being cagey about it all of a sudden, though), big changes. they've survived it and remade themselves before, hopefully they don't piss away any of Brady's final years catching back up to speed...

WTF was going on with Butler? With a defense playing that poorly, benching a guy that played like 95% of your snaps is odd. Had 'the flu' earlier in the week, but if health was the issue, why dress him instead of deactivating him for someone else? Both him and Rowe said they didn't find out about it until right before the game started, so what really happened? The media is all over it, so sure someone will crack shortly. Even if he fucked something up bad, in the 2nd half when the defense is falling apart, don't you have to put him out there anyway and then just shitcan him after the game if it's a problem? Very strange one there...

 

[Scout101]

Rumors going around that McDaniels may be staying in New England...

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/02/josh-mcdaniels-not-viewed-as-lock-to-leave-patriots

that's going to be a strange one. Didn't the Colts even start hiring the staff that McDaniels wanted (DC, I think?) on the assumption that he was taking the job?

Only way this makes sense is if he's got some sort of long term deal with the Pats, and Belichick told him he's quitting in a year or two and he can take over or something. gotta assume you'd have to at least up his pay and make him Assistant Head Coach or something to justify it.

Maybe it's just that he was hoping to win and leave on a high note or something, but very odd if he backs out of the Colts job, unless Bill's closer to the end than he's letting on.

 

[Jedi_Master]

A fantastic Super Bowl (although I guess if you are a fan of defense, not so much) with a personally satisfying ending (although NE STILL had a very good chance to catch that Hail Mary). Two teams playing lights out, almost no penalties, only one or two controversial ref decisions (you can tell they were told to go easy on pass interference plays) and of course the fact that the NFL can't define what a catch is tainted yet another game.
It really was one for the ages, capped off by Brady dropping the pass, then Foles catching his pass for TD.

 

[Scout101]

After everything, it was that one strip sack that was the difference. Was very comfortable with where the Pats were right until that moment. Unfortunately, hell of a time for the first real defensive play of the game...

Feel like the Hail Mary play is beyond low probability, even on a good day. Refs aren't going to call anything either way (watch Hogan on that play), so total crapshoot. Just wasn't enough time left for anything else. The reverse on the final return of the game was interesting. Rex *just* got caught up, but almost got away with it. Everyone had bit the other way, so if he doesn't get snagged there, maybe they get a big return out of it. Instead, it took like 12-15 seconds off of the clock that the Pats could have really used. Guess that's how you have to gamble when you're desperate, though...

 

[Jedi_Master]

It felt very much like a championship prize fight. Both teams were pulling out all the stops.
In the end - the Eagles ran a Patriots style offense better than the Patriots, and got a last second stop.
Great game, all the way around. Credit to Patriots for making every home in America pay attention to the last few minutes of the game even when they were down by 8 points.

 

[Scout101]

really no complaints, it was a good game, exciting, back and forth (ish), all that good stuff. Just got cheated of Tom Brady doing Tom Brady-like things at the end. Eagles played a great game, though, don't begrudge them the win at all.

Going to be an interesting off season, though. Super Bowl winning/MVP QB is going to lose his job, and likely get traded. He's on a fairly cheap contract, and someone is going to overpay through the nose for him. Will he be THIS Foles, or revert back to marginal backup Foles? Huge gamble. And if you give up real assets for him, gotta extend him too, can't keep him on a 1 year deal for cheap money. Philly HAS to trade him, right? If he's not starting, can't force him to stay on the bench and rot, he'd be a cancer. Especially knowing he's missing out on 60+ million dollars by not getting out there right now. All the places that wanted Cousins for big money would have to be in on Foles, right? it'll be fascinating, most interesting guy to lose his job at his peak moment.

 

[Scout101]

Also, on the plus side, that 300 year old Philly fan they kept showing got to see a championship before he dies. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I appreciate the pain there. My Grandfather was born when the Red Sox were last winning championships, and died before they won in 2004. So maybe heard a couple on the AM radio as a 3 year old, but never again...

 

[Jedi_Master]

really no complaints, it was a good game, exciting, back and forth (ish), all that good stuff. Just got cheated of Tom Brady doing Tom Brady-like things at the end. Eagles played a great game, though, don't begrudge them the win at all.

Going to be an interesting off season, though. Super Bowl winning/MVP QB is going to lose his job, and likely get traded. He's on a fairly cheap contract, and someone is going to overpay through the nose for him. Will he be THIS Foles, or revert back to marginal backup Foles? Huge gamble. And if you give up real assets for him, gotta extend him too, can't keep him on a 1 year deal for cheap money. Philly HAS to trade him, right? If he's not starting, can't force him to stay on the bench and rot, he'd be a cancer. Especially knowing he's missing out on 60+ million dollars by not getting out there right now. All the places that wanted Cousins for big money would have to be in on Foles, right? it'll be fascinating, most interesting guy to lose his job at his peak moment.

If I had to guess, the Jets will overpay for Foles, they have the space and the Eagles will be over the cap by a projected 3-5 million, so Foles has to go.
Wentz is the future, Foles was just the capable steward.

 

[Scout101]

Jets, Broncos, Browns, Bills, Jags maybe, Cardinals. That looks like the quick list of teams that could be reasonably expected to be in play, same list Cousins has to be looking at. Not sure if Foles has any leverage, but Jets and Browns wouldn't be high on my wish list. Can't go from Super Bowl MVP to a dumpster fire, not unless the money is crazy.

Broncos and Bills would be my first choices, and obviously the Jags if they decide Bortles isn't the answer (rest of the team is good to go).

I'd try and lean hard on Philly to do right by me and get a decent team involved instead of sending me to Siberia/Cleveland. Then again, with the kids Cleveland is getting, studs on defense, bunch more high picks, they really SHOULD start the turnaround soon. But then they keep not firing leadership, so if that's the anchor, they aren't rising up...

 

[Scout101]

It'll be interesting QB-wise in general. Foles will be out there, Cousins, all 3 of the Vikings QBs are FAs I believe, and the draft crop is supposed to be decent. Lots of teams' fortunes are going to change in the next few months, we'll see who chooses correctly...

 

[Jedi_Master]

So... who's the team to beat next season?

My money is on Jacksonville in the AFC and Philly in the NFC.

 

[Scout101]

I'd argue that until someone beats the Pats in the AFC, they're still the ones to beat. Put Hightower and Edelman back on the team, and can only help. Couple FA decisions to make, but nothing crazy, and draft capital to spend to work on LB/CB/DE, as well as a future QB option.

Jags are still (at the moment) running Bortles out there, kinda is what he is. If that changes, will see how that looks. Like we looked at earlier, it's still Pats, then Steelers, then everyone else. Other teams have been the hot team of the moment (see: Oakland), let's see how they bounce back first.

Tough to say on the NFC side, way more info needed. (which is why it's silly to pick teams now, what do they look like in August?). How much of Philly's roster stays? Does Wentz bounce back 100% next year? Vikings and Rams, at least, both gotta be in the conversation, just for starters.

 

[Timby]

It'll be interesting QB-wise in general. Foles will be out there, Cousins, all 3 of the Vikings QBs are FAs I believe, and the draft crop is supposed to be decent. Lots of teams' fortunes are going to change in the next few months, we'll see who chooses correctly...

Cousins will be interesting to watch given the reports that Washington is considering putting the franchise tag on him. Things could get messy should that happen.

 

[Jedi_Master]

It is silly, just trying to wean myself off of football...it's too early to do more than wildly speculate.

 

[gblews]

Congrats to the Eagles, their fans, and their head coach. They were able to do what it takes to beat the Pats; out execute them for 60 minutes. The Eagles continued to play their game on offense regardless of the fact that offensively, the Pats were as usual, nearly unstoppable. The Eagles never got conservative and never stopped attacking which is the way you beat the Pats in the SB.

Man, Nick Foles, what a great story. Congrats to him.

Kind of funny hearing all the talk about the officiating considering how often the Pats have been the beneficiaries of questionable calls. On the final Hail Mary pass, when the Eagles DB just took out the Pats. receiver, it reminded me of an NBA game where the officials put their whistles in their pockets at the ends of close games. Considering this was the SB, they made the right choice.

Talk radio is on fire about the Malcolm Butler controversy. No one appears to have a good reason for his benching. Belichik had better have a reason other than a curfew violation or some such, or the move is going to be crucified.
.
I have never seen a more hated team in the SB than this year's Pats. It was all over the internet, SNL did a skit about it. I was very happy the Eagles won, I'm happier that I won't be hearing about any tweets from Trump congratulating Kraft, Belichik, and Brady.

Eagles fans, hope you guys don't burn anything down that you need, but go ahead and celebrate, you guys deserve it.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

Cousins will be interesting to watch given the reports that Washington is considering putting the franchise tag on him. Things could get messy should that happen.

I understand that from a business standpoint, but it's still and incredibly douchey thing to do.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Cousins will be interesting to watch given the reports that Washington is considering putting the franchise tag on him. Things could get messy should that happen.

Which is precisely what will happen, based on Dan Snyder's previous shenanigans. It seems that, since he is incapable of actually letting people who really know football do their jobs, he persists in shitting the bed for his team and the rest of the league with great fervency and zeal. He's been disrespecting Cousins for years ever since the collective RGIII/Shanahan goat-ropes. Instead of rewarding him for actually being a relatively good QB by signing him fully years ago like he should have, he just strings him along like this and threatens him and the team with an older version of him as a potential starter (Smith). That is not keeping the franchise's future health in its best interests. I suspect if they do tag him, it may likely make him the highest-paid QB in the NFL. Seriously, Snyder is just as delusional and in his own little bubble world as Jerry Jones, worse than any other owners. Those two fuck-sticks are two sides of the same coin. At least Dallas can still make it to division championships on occasion, though.

I understand that from a business standpoint, but it's still and incredibly douchey thing to do.

That's being nice. This is Dan "Dark Heart" Snyder pulling all these sinewy, bloody, strings.

 

[BillJ]

I'd argue that until someone beats the Pats in the AFC, they're still the ones to beat.

Depends on if Gronkowski retires or not.

Cousins will be interesting to watch given the reports that Washington is considering putting the franchise tag on him. Things could get messy should that happen.

Huge gamble for Washington. Cousins could sign that tender on day one, and refuse to sign long-term for whomever trades for him. Preferring to shop teams in free agency. All-in-all, I'd say it is a bad idea. Which means Washington will do it without a doubt.