The Weird, Wacky and Awesome World of the NFL - General Banter thread

HigginsJ · 20-04-2012 8:11pm

A continuation of the Lombardi-Gabbert fight: Lombardi just put an open letter to Blaine Gabbert on NFL.com

Open letter to Blaine Gabbert ...
Dear Blaine,
I realize you have no idea who I am, or care to know, but my critical comments last December were not directed at you as a person, but rather, your performance as a rookie player in the NFL. This isn't personal -- strictly a player evaluation based on your 14 starts as a rookie. In fact, I liked your talents at Missouri, and felt you had the skill set to potentially be the first overall pick. When the Jags moved up in the draft to acquire your rights, I applauded their decision.
The NFL is a tough business -- it requires a short memory, thick skin to criticism and constant growth. Each time you take the field, you must show some level of improvement in every aspect of your game. That did not happen last year. Never did I watch your tape and feel like you were developing as a quarterback, making strides toward improved play. Rarely did I see a glimpse of the talent you displayed at Missouri.
Young players must understand the difference between coaching and criticism. Coaches strive for excellence because they have a vested interest in their players. Meanwhile, critics just explain what went wrong without caring about the future. I care about you being a good player, not because of how I graded you, but rather, for the good of league. It's beneficial to everyone if you really do become the quarterback of the future in Jacksonville. Jaguars fans need a great signal caller, they need a great team. The city needs someone to rally around, someone to make the Jags relevant.
I know that last season you were a young player with little experience in the system, without the benefit of an offseason program. I know your supporting cast was not the best. But I also know that great players make others around them great. I thought you would excel. With Maurice Jones-Drew at your side, I expected more. There's a popular belief that a rookie quarterback's best friend is a potent running game, but clearly the league's leading rusher wasn't that big of an ally for you.
I didn't expect you to go 13-0 while completing 66.9 percent of your passes and throwing 15 touchdown passes like Ben Roethlisberger during his rookie season. But I did expect you to perform better than Tim Couch, who played for the expansion Cleveland Browns yet posted a better completion percentage, yards-per-game average and passer rating than you.
I had our research department go back and pull up the modern-era quarterbacks drafted in the first round who started at least half the games in their rookie season. This first group is the QBs who might've hit some bumps in the road during Year 1, but eventually became great (sorted by passer rating):

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d828780d2/article/time-to-prove-youre-a-franchise-quarterback-blaine-gabbert?module=HP11_cp

In your 14 starts, you went 4-10 while completing 50 percent of your passes, averaging 154.4 passing yards per game, throwing 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and posting a 64.8 passer rating. Look over the numbers in both groups and then you decide which group you belong in.
Now, I understand numbers are not everything. As you can see, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman had a worse rookie season than you -- but he rallied back. You can do the same. You must take the offseason seriously, work hard on techniques and fundamentals, take to the coaching by your new staff, and most of all, show better pocket awareness and keep your eyes down the field. The great quarterbacks never see the rush, they innately feel it; they always have their eye level above their offensive line, allowing them to have a high average per completion. You must keep your eye level high. You must learn to stand tall in the pocket. If you do this, the game will become much easier for you.
Once upon a time in the NFL, young quarterbacks were allowed a learning curve. Not now. You must demonstrate progress right away, or Chad Henne will be the starting quarterback of the Jags. Improvement has to come in games, starting with the first preseason game. No matter what happens in the offseason on the practice fields in Jacksonville, the real measurement of growth occurs in real, live NFL games.
Please take this letter in the spirit it was intended: to help you improve your overall game and have a great career. This letter is not about me proving my point -- it's about you proving your talents.
After all, who's Mike Lombardi?

HigginsJ · 20-04-2012 8:14pm

As an aside to this when you go and look at the rookie stats be prepared to be shocked at how bad Troy Aikman was as a rookie.

JaMarcus Hustle · 20-04-2012 8:35pm

Ares wrote: »

That was because he couldn't scramble with the condition of his knees.

Didn't Oklahoma State have to run every offensive play out of the shotgun when White was QB after his knee reconstructions.

White was a Sooner, not a Cowboy. His knees were awful, but his two Heisman years (the year he won and the year he was a finalist) were both after his surgeries. He was still an incredible college QB despite his injury misfortunes.

Everybody and their dog knew that White was never, ever gonna make it in the NFL post college ball.

Oh definitely, it just goes to show that you can be the best of the best in college and not even get a look in at the pro level because of the difference in what you're expected to be able to do.

JaMarcus Hustle · 21-04-2012 7:56pm

HigginsJ wrote: »

Seems as though they are looking to get the Atlanta Falcons on "Hard Knocks" this season

Falcons have declined HBO's offer. Kind of relieved, not exactly a team that screams excitement.

The Jets should just get their own series every year if I was in charge.

HigginsJ · 21-04-2012 8:04pm

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

Falcons have declined HBO's offer. Kind of relieved, not exactly a team that screams excitement.

The Jets should just get their own series every year if I was in charge.

Oh thank god. The Falcons really wouldnt have been interesting to watch.

I agree J-E-T-S, jets, jets, jets.

Sexy Rexy, The Sanchize, Tebowmania, Santonio (i just threw the throw the toys out my cot) Holmes, are made for reality TV.

matthew8 · 21-04-2012 9:04pm

Panthers would make a decent hard knocks. It would be so funny if Peyton Manning was on hard knocks for the preseason games though with the Broncos. "Yeah, so we sent him out there, he threw a pass, it was incomplete but he got his exercise, and now he's going to sit out the rest of the game".

JaMarcus Hustle · 22-04-2012 6:44pm

For those who like seeing Skip Bayless being made a fool out of on national television.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RjirSPGjJw

Back story here. Long story short, Bayless was criticisng Russel Westbrook (basketball) and to make himself seem credible, posted about how he himself was a basketball star in high school. Turns out he wasnt, and Jalen Rose called him out on it on live TV

GoldFour4 · 22-04-2012 6:58pm

Love it ! Bayless is a dick of the highest order ! His twitter feed is one of the most obnoxious things I've ever seen !

Justin10 · 22-04-2012 7:11pm

Here is a reaction video to this
I think Rose is spot on.
Also seems like Stephan Smith is a bit of an ass.

eagle eye · 22-04-2012 7:48pm

Skip Bayless makes his money being the Eamon Dunphy of American sports. He is a networks dream because people talk about him all the time and consequently more people tune in to whatever show he is on. ESPN are more likely to give hiim a raise than get rid of him. He just does what he does for the most part to make sure he is spoken about regularly.

Paully D · 22-04-2012 8:09pm

I really like Jalen Rose. Thought he was excellent on the Fab Five documentary and he generally speaks a lot of sense.

23-04-2012 1:10am

to start off i know in advance im going to get stick for this so im gna brace myself

i dont think skip bayless or stephen a smith are that bad at all there loud and opinionated but as analysts there good traits and while i don't necessarily agree with what there saying all the time bar the odd time its usually not that outlandish

i like that they dont stick to the journalistic mould i find a lot of articles you read are nearly copy and pasted so if you read up the news/latest articles on one site theres no point in looking at another because there all the same

finally i like that the show will go anywhere ie jalen rose attacking skips hs carrer (or lack thereof

) and i saw a very good one where they questioned weather society is racially oversensitive you wouldn't get that in most programs particularly in america and while i didn't agree with everything they said they made some good points and even if they where off with others at least they where willing to have the discussion

this is all just my opinion i could well be wrong but regardless of weather you like or hate them you have to admit its a very entertaining show to watch

23-04-2012 3:24pm

brian dawkins is retiring truly a sad day for me he's my favorite nfl player and i think he always will be i wish he could have stayed on another year and gotten a ring but the hof beacons and he should be nominated as an eagle making it all the sweeter

farewell weapon x all the best in your future

AIR-AUSSIE · 23-04-2012 6:08pm

Brandon Jacobs remains 2 Fast, 2 Furious in New Jersey

Brandon Jacobs reportedly was part of a New Jersey police-led luxury sports car caravan that raced to Atlantic City at speeds over 100 miles per hour. One witness dubbed it "Death Race 2012.

davyjose · 23-04-2012 7:02pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Skip Bayless makes his money being the Eamon Dunphy of American sports. He is a networks dream because people talk about him all the time and consequently more people tune in to whatever show he is on. ESPN are more likely to give hiim a raise than get rid of him. He just does what he does for the most part to make sure he is spoken about regularly.

Exactly. They spent half the show discussing Tebow again. With some rapper on the panel. Bayless' sole quality is his ability to stick by his BS shamelessly. First Take is half a step up from an MTV show.

kmart6 · 23-04-2012 11:09pm

Nice surprise for guys who are always on the fringe!

Greg Aiello wrote:

NFL roster limit has been increased from 80 to 90 players, effective 4 pm ET tomorrow.

Adam Schefter wrote:

So with NFL rosters expanding to 90, 320 more players now will get an opportunity to make a roster and achieve a dream job

Justin10 · 24-04-2012 12:13am

Great turn out for the chargers workout today.

Ryan Mathews :eek: He is looking huge!!

HigginsJ · 24-04-2012 9:41am

Rochey18 wrote: »

Great turn out for the chargers workout today.

Ryan Mathews :eek: He is looking huge!!

Huge good (as in ripped) or Huge bad (as in a tubster)

Justin10 · 24-04-2012 3:52pm

Ripped, I expect him to be a top 5 back in the league with the addition of Mcclain

Kylo Ren · 24-04-2012 7:43pm

me-skywalker · 25-04-2012 1:27pm

Don't trust him he's a leftie

Incidentally both his kids are right handed a nice example of chance influences tackling genetics head on. I would say the missus influenced this outcome. Another indicator to her being the dom in the relationship backing up his version of events.

(Tongue firmly in cheek)

me-skywalker · 25-04-2012 11:40pm

MEGATRON MEETS MADDEN

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150765335713756.426323.75529708755&type=3&l=eb1131e277

NFC North is tough enough for the Lions without having to fight the 'Curse'.

Lionbacker · 26-04-2012 12:02am

me-skywalker wrote: »

MEGATRON MEETS MADDEN

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150765335713756.426323.75529708755&type=3&l=eb1131e277

NFC North is tough enough for the Lions without having to fight the 'Curse'.

Delighted for him.
Personally, don't beleive in the curse & reportedly neither does megatron.
Looking forward to him having as good a season as last & putting this curse myth to bed .

Syferus · 26-04-2012 1:16am

Sure it brought Farve out of retirement. Imagine what it can do a mere receiver.

eagle eye · 26-04-2012 3:04am

The Madden curse is ridiculous, I ain't one for superstition but.....

1999 - Garrison Hearst
2000 - Barry Sanders
2001 - Eddie George
2002 - Daunte Culpeppe
2003 - Marshall Faulk
2004 - Michael Vick
2005 - Ray Lewis
2006 - Donovan Mcnabb
2007 - Shaun Alexander
2008 - Vince Young
2009 - Brett Favre
2010 - Troy Polamalu & Larry Fitzgerald
2011 - Drew Brees
2012 - Peyton Hillis

Arawn · 26-04-2012 8:11am

Last years curse was so strong it took out two extra peytons!!

me-skywalker · 26-04-2012 12:15pm

Lionbacker wrote: »

Delighted for him.
Personally, don't beleive in the curse & reportedly neither does megatron.
Looking forward to him having as good a season as last & putting this curse myth to bed .

But he's acknowledged it.... don don don....

HigginsJ · 26-04-2012 1:14pm

If Megatron stinks next season players will flat out refuse to be on the cover. Peyton Hillis was a one season wonder so we'll give it one final shot.

If anyone can break the curse it's Megatron

JaMarcus Hustle · 26-04-2012 1:34pm

Mortensen is saying the Pro Bowl will be suspended this season. Thank Christ.

HigginsJ · 26-04-2012 1:41pm

They should turn the pro bowl into a combine. Be fun to see the guys put through the drills and the players would put in effort for bragging rights.

mikemac1 · 26-04-2012 1:43pm

Yeah skills competition would be fun

Simple things like who throws the ball farther, Matt Stafford or Jay Cutler?
If both ever got selected thats an example of something that could be interesting

HigginsJ · 26-04-2012 1:51pm

mikemac1 wrote: »

Yeah skills competition would be fun

Simple things like who throws the ball farther, Matt Stafford or Jay Cutler?
If both ever got selected thats an example of something that could be interesting

The bench press Suh, JPP and Matthews

JaMarcus Hustle · 26-04-2012 4:43pm

The headbutting a brick wall test - Brian Cushing :cool:

Arawn · 26-04-2012 6:50pm

The 40 ....with a cheerleader waiting at the end .2 of a second Big Ben!

HigginsJ · 26-04-2012 6:56pm

Arawn wrote: »

The 40 ....with a cheerleader waiting at the end .2 of a second Big Ben!

.15 for Antonio Cromartie

HigginsJ · 26-04-2012 7:04pm

Oh dear

An NYC woman has offered herself to this years Mr Irrelevant for a night of "fun"

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82896421/article/woman-sets-her-scandalous-eyes-on-next-mr-irrelevant?module=HP11_content_stream

26-04-2012 7:07pm

HigginsJ wrote: »

.15 for Antonio Cromartie

haha and by 1 min she will have 6 kids

Danger_dave1 · 26-04-2012 7:21pm

Wouldn't Samuel be a perfect for for Vikings? They run cover 2 buck alot. What's there cap situation?

mikemac1 · 26-04-2012 7:29pm

Vikings signed Chris Carr for that

JaMarcus Hustle · 26-04-2012 7:32pm

Just an FYI, I haven't seen it myself but 4th & Goal is on ESPN at 8:15 this evening. Trailer is interesting, it looks very gritty - gonna give it a watch myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRe3aH5NCQA

JaMarcus Hustle · 29-04-2012 9:39pm

Tebow and John Kuhn featured in 100-90 of NFL Network's top 100 of 2012. Somebody is trolling heavily.

Stev_o · 29-04-2012 10:01pm

Kuhn is an extra ordinary player for his position. He warrants such a selection.

JaMarcus Hustle · 29-04-2012 10:04pm

Stev_o wrote: »

Kuhn is an extra ordinary player for his position. He warrants such a selection.

Not when you consider how it's voted for. Each player in the league votes for their top 20. So somebody included Kuhn on a list with Brady, Rodgers, AP, Megatron etc. Most likely a few of his team mates.

UnitedIrishman · 29-04-2012 10:26pm

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

Not when you consider how it's voted for. Each player in the league votes for their top 20. So somebody included Kuhn on a list with Brady, Rodgers, AP, Megatron etc. Most likely a few of his team mates.

I'd imagine a lot of it has to with other players in his position across the league and how they see him. As for Tebow, he more than likely got a vote off every church-going NFL player.

Good listening to the players views on them, even moreso the guys who disagree with players being in the list. Hopefully they have a few more interviews throughout the 100.

deisedude · 29-04-2012 10:42pm

Tebow seems a likeable guy and given the media coverage or Tebowmania this surely influenced other players. Not really surprised he got in even if its not warranted

barbarians · 29-04-2012 11:53pm

I'm being biased as a Cowboys fan but Tony Romo at #91 is ridiculous in my opinion.

Should be much higher but it's only a meaningless poll anyway.

30-04-2012 12:02am

barbarians wrote: »

I'm being biased as a Cowboys fan but Tony Romo at #91 is ridiculous in my opinion.

Should be much higher but it's only a meaningless poll anyway.

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

Tebow and John Kuhn featured in 100-90 of NFL Network's top 100 of 2012. Somebody is trolling heavily.

it all depends on how you look at it if its most talented players there should be far less qbs because the most talented fb would be reguarded on the same level as the most talented qb but if its most valuable then there should be at leas 15 qbs on the list and romo should be way higher.

for me if its most talented romo cant be top 100 hes only in there because hes a qb and kuhn should be higher because he plays an unglamorous position but he plays it at a very high level

matthew8 · 30-04-2012 12:07am

Seamus Angry Luck wrote: »

it all depends on how you look at it if its most talented players there should be far less qbs because the most talented fb would be reguarded on the same level as the most talented qb but if its most valuable then there should be at leas 15 qbs on the list and romo should be way higher.

for me if its most talented romo cant be top 100 hes only in there because hes a qb and kuhn should be higher because he plays an unglamorous position but he plays it at a very high level

Tony Romo has the statistics of an elite QB. Kuhn does very little by comparison. I'd have Vickers and Leach ahead of him. How good can Kuhn be is GB plays so many plays without him?

eagle eye · 30-04-2012 12:13am

I think Tebow deserves to be there based on last season. Agree that Romo should be higher. I don't think John Kuhn should be there though.

30-04-2012 12:37am

matthew8 wrote: »

Tony Romo has the statistics of an elite QB. Kuhn does very little by comparison. I'd have Vickers and Leach ahead of him. How good can Kuhn be is GB plays so many plays without him?

im not gona argue the kuhn thing i just think if you take into account how important qb is romo is a top 20-25 player if you dont hes not top 100 stats are all good and well but if eli is no 1 because he is clutch romos not on this list because hes not

(for the record i dont think the cowboys playoff woes are all on romo far from it but you get the glory as a qb when you win so loseing is on your head to)

The Weird, Wacky and Awesome World of the NFL - General Banter thread

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