NFL Off-Season Discussion Thread *Over a year old!*

[Northern Dominus]

I would but I think Lovie is still kissing his ass for saving his career yet again, and after that the talent scouts are waiting to do the same.

Seriously, how has the obvious problem eluded the entire Bears staff this entire time? IT"S THE FUCKING OFFENSIVE LINE THAT IS THE BIG GAP!

Garza, Carimi and Webb at the very least should have been gone a LONG time ago. They're too old and incompetent to effectively block anymore and yesterday displayed that in full. Jay is far and away a better caliber of quarterback than Grossman or Griese and has a stronger arm than Orton, but he doesn't look THAT much better because the goddamn pocket keeps folding like it's made out of cardboard. How can you expect a QB to operate when he's being constantly rushed, hurried and tagged like Jay is? I'm surprised he can slap together a coherent sentence after last year.

I'll admit it. I wanted Lovie to pull Cutler in favor of Campbell at halftime. Not because I didn't believe Cutler could lead a comeback - but because I was afraid he wouldn't be able to finish the game without getting injured.

Here's another question: Why was Forte on the field so much? I was under the impression that signing bush meant Forte didn't have to run as much as well as providing a markedly different kind of running attack. The second the Panthers defense cued in on Forte's running, swap him out for Bush and let Mad Mike take out some of that pent-up anger on a hapless nose tackle then drag a free safety for a couple of yards.

Where the hell was that?

[United States of PA]

Slap him first, for missing the easy one, then give him lots of tongue for the game winner. You owe it to all over us to express our gratitude.

I would but I think Lovie is still kissing his ass for saving his career yet again, and after that the talent scouts are waiting to do the same.

Seriously, how has the obvious problem eluded the entire Bears staff this entire time? IT"S THE FUCKING OFFENSIVE LINE THAT IS THE BIG GAP!

Garza, Carimi and Webb at the very least should have been gone a LONG time ago. They're too old and incompetent to effectively block anymore and yesterday displayed that in full. Jay is far and away a better caliber of quarterback than Grossman or Griese and has a stronger arm than Orton, but he doesn't look THAT much better because the goddamn pocket keeps folding like it's made out of cardboard. How can you expect a QB to operate when he's being constantly rushed, hurried and tagged like Jay is? I'm surprised he can slap together a coherent sentence after last year.

Wasnt Gabe Carimi a first round pick from just a year ago? Or are were thinking of a different Carimi? If we are thinking of the same Carimi, give him a chance, just like i did Mike Adams this year (And it paid off, he did very well for a rookie against the Redskins and Bengals).

[Serrland]

I'll admit it. I wanted Lovie to pull Cutler in favor of Campbell at halftime. Not because I didn't believe Cutler could lead a comeback - but because I was afraid he wouldn't be able to finish the game without getting injured.

Here's another question: Why was Forte on the field so much? I was under the impression that signing bush meant Forte didn't have to run as much as well as providing a markedly different kind of running attack. The second the Panthers defense cued in on Forte's running, swap him out for Bush and let Mad Mike take out some of that pent-up anger on a hapless nose tackle then drag a free safety for a couple of yards.

Where the hell was that?

Or a related question - where was the commitment to the run in the 2nd and 3rd quarter? Too many of the sacks happened in situations where Cutler shouldn't have been dropping back at all. Forte was dominant in the first quarter - turn him loose! When he gets low on gas, put in Bush.

The O-Line simply isn't good enough to keep insisting that they pass protect when Tice decides he wants to throw the ball more than he ought to.

[Northern Dominus]

I would but I think Lovie is still kissing his ass for saving his career yet again, and after that the talent scouts are waiting to do the same.

Seriously, how has the obvious problem eluded the entire Bears staff this entire time? IT"S THE FUCKING OFFENSIVE LINE THAT IS THE BIG GAP!

Garza, Carimi and Webb at the very least should have been gone a LONG time ago. They're too old and incompetent to effectively block anymore and yesterday displayed that in full. Jay is far and away a better caliber of quarterback than Grossman or Griese and has a stronger arm than Orton, but he doesn't look THAT much better because the goddamn pocket keeps folding like it's made out of cardboard. How can you expect a QB to operate when he's being constantly rushed, hurried and tagged like Jay is? I'm surprised he can slap together a coherent sentence after last year.

Wasnt Gabe Carimi a first round pick from just a year ago? Or are were thinking of a different Carimi? If we are thinking of the same Carimi, give him a chance, just like i did Mike Adams this year (And it paid off, he did very well for a rookie against the Redskins and Bengals).

Carimi may not be old but he's still incompetent. AFter one year in the NFL you would think he would have learned by now not to, oh I dunno, not get called for holding nearly as much? Maybe he could be a tricky bastard like Green Bay lineman, or he could modify his technique, whatever, just as long as he doesn't cost the offense at least 20 yards a game anymore.

Here's another question: Why was Forte on the field so much? I was under the impression that signing bush meant Forte didn't have to run as much as well as providing a markedly different kind of running attack. The second the Panthers defense cued in on Forte's running, swap him out for Bush and let Mad Mike take out some of that pent-up anger on a hapless nose tackle then drag a free safety for a couple of yards.

Where the hell was that?

Or a related question - where was the commitment to the run in the 2nd and 3rd quarter? Too many of the sacks happened in situations where Cutler shouldn't have been dropping back at all. Forte was dominant in the first quarter - turn him loose! When he gets low on gas, put in Bush.

The O-Line simply isn't good enough to keep insisting that they pass protect when Tice decides he wants to throw the ball more than he ought to.

Again, if the O-line were competent, passing would be a more attractive option.

But you're right, the run was scrapped for half of the game for no particularly pressing reason, and it showed. And to be fair some of the receivers share a bit of the blame. Marshall had a drop and he knew it, and I have yet to be convinced that Hester is a competent receiver beyond his lightning speed. To wit, where the HELL were all the throws to Earl Bennet as well? That guy has pulled in some ridiculous passes in the past that would have gone to defenders 9 times out of 10. And yet Earl not only wrestled the ball away but took off and dragged a defender with him in the process.
A big part of the reason the passing game isn't what it should be can also be traced back to Knox being absent as well. Then again after Craig Olsen's performance yesterday...why did we need to trade him away again?

[United States of PA]

Wasnt Gabe Carimi a first round pick from just a year ago? Or are were thinking of a different Carimi? If we are thinking of the same Carimi, give him a chance, just like i did Mike Adams this year (And it paid off, he did very well for a rookie against the Redskins and Bengals).

Carimi may not be old but he's still incompetent. AFter one year in the NFL you would think he would have learned by now not to, oh I dunno, not get called for holding nearly as much? Maybe he could be a tricky bastard like Green Bay lineman, or he could modify his technique, whatever, just as long as he doesn't cost the offense at least 20 yards a game anymore.

Hes played exactly, drum roll please 9 games in his career, including less than two in his rookie season. You expecting him to be a Joe Thomas or Jake Long or Joe Staley after nine damn games. Pittsburgh fans dealt with Willie Colon seemingly getting called for holding a dozen times every game for four weeks this season, and hes in his 6th season iirc. He also missed essentially two straight seasons in 2010 and 2011 with Triceps and Achilles injuries. We held on, and now hes one of the most crushing run blockers i've ever seen.

Literally, against Tennessee im pretty damned sure Colon cost up about 50 yards in penalties. Believe me, from what your saying, Carimi is nothing (Oh, Colon cant pass block for shit either, but i believe in him because he's helped lead Dwyer to two strait 100yd games in his only two NFL starts). This is essentially Carimi's rookie season, same as its essentially Stafford's Sophomore season since he had basically two seasons robbed of him due to injuries.

Believe me, what your dealing with in Carimi is nothing compared to what Pittsburgh fans dealt with around and following 2008. In fact, our O-line is still in shambles (Still leading the league in combinations), but its the best we've had in five years or more. Wait to call him incompetent till he finishes this season. And next season. No one in Steeler nation has hanged the charges on Willie Colon or Mike Adams yet, despite two very different, but still two very disastrous starts to the season (Adams with his pisspoor play in the preseason, Colon with his incessant penalties).

You act as though its easy to block Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji and the Packs rookie outside LB. Believe me, im willing to bet 64 NFL Starting tackles would like to beg to differ.

[Pope Joan]

Slap him first, for missing the easy one, then give him lots of tongue for the game winner. You owe it to all over us to express our gratitude.

I would but I think Lovie is still kissing his ass for saving his career yet again, and after that the talent scouts are waiting to do the same.

Seriously, how has the obvious problem eluded the entire Bears staff this entire time? IT"S THE FUCKING OFFENSIVE LINE THAT IS THE BIG GAP!

Garza, Carimi and Webb at the very least should have been gone a LONG time ago. They're too old and incompetent to effectively block anymore and yesterday displayed that in full. Jay is far and away a better caliber of quarterback than Grossman or Griese and has a stronger arm than Orton, but he doesn't look THAT much better because the goddamn pocket keeps folding like it's made out of cardboard. How can you expect a QB to operate when he's being constantly rushed, hurried and tagged like Jay is? I'm surprised he can slap together a coherent sentence after last year.

So true. and draft after draft they continue to neglect it.

They are not alone; the Eagles are another bad example.

[TaQud]

10-6 here we come!

[Qazox]

Quick question: Worst group in the NFL?

Bears' OL
Eagles' OL
Patriots' Secondary
Saints' Secondary
Jets' QuarterBacks

[TaQud]

Jets' QuarterBacks

[Inky Noodles]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

[Qazox]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

even blind people think those things were ugly.

[Gaveo]

Is it just me or is Atlanta not getting the respect it deserves?

[TaQud]

Is it just me or is Atlanta not getting the respect it deserves?

their recent playoff history leaves analysts skeptical...

[San-Silvacian]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

That moment when the giant bumble bee running from you turns backwards and laughs as he runs in for a touchdown.

Then you thank the refs.

Then you yell at them and get kicked off the field and suspended.

[Inky Noodles]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

even blind people think those things were ugly.

I said something on my FB.
Two Steelers fans responded that the Ravens look and play like crap and a ton of irrelevant stuff.
I finished it with "Didn't we kick your asses twice last year?"

That shut 'em up.

[Gaveo]

Is it just me or is Atlanta not getting the respect it deserves?

their recent playoff history leaves analysts skeptical...

Still we are 7-0! Plus we beat Phily at Philly a place where ATL struggles a lot.

[TaQud]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

That moment when the giant bumble bee running from you turns backwards and laughs as he runs in for a touchdown.

Then you thank the refs.

Then you yell at them and get kicked off the field and suspended.

[Gaveo]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

That moment when the giant bumble bee running from you turns backwards and laughs as he runs in for a touchdown.

Then you thank the refs.

Then you yell at them and get kicked off the field and suspended.

Its true.

[The Emerald Dawn]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

Oh shut it. If the Redskins receiving corps had decided that catching the ball was something they might be interested in then I'd be willing to put up with the throwbacks. As it is, my freaking team decided that the secondary had a good scheme going and the RC decided to start dropping balls like a locker room for 13 year old boys.

<grumble>

[TaQud]

Steeler's throwbacks.
...christ.

Oh shut it. If the Redskins receiving corps had decided that catching the ball was something they might be interested in then I'd be willing to put up with the throwbacks. As it is, my freaking team decided that the secondary had a good scheme going and the RC decided to start dropping balls like a locker room for 13 year old boys.

<grumble>

at least you have a qb...

[The Emerald Dawn]

Oh shut it. If the Redskins receiving corps had decided that catching the ball was something they might be interested in then I'd be willing to put up with the throwbacks. As it is, my freaking team decided that the secondary had a good scheme going and the RC decided to start dropping balls like a locker room for 13 year old boys.

<grumble>

at least you have a qb...

Not for long, Kyle "Daddy's Boy" Shannahan is trying to get him killed with his play calling.

[TaQud]

at least you have a qb...

Not for long, Kyle "Daddy's Boy" Shannahan is trying to get him killed with his play calling.

[The Murray Dynasty]

their recent playoff history leaves analysts skeptical...

Still we are 7-0! Plus we beat Phily at Philly a place where ATL struggles a lot.

DET beat Philly at Philly, Eagles are a joke.

[Gaveo]

Still we are 7-0! Plus we beat Phily at Philly a place where ATL struggles a lot.

DET beat Philly at Philly, they are a terrible team.

Well... We are 7-0.

[The Murray Dynasty]

Yes, but lets see how the post-season goes for the Falcons... (Score more than 2 points.)