The NFL Thread: 2018 Preseason

[Maineiacs]

Well, the Raiders won't go to LA. More like Vegas.

At least that will be one less team in California. I feel like they have more teams than they can handle over there.
NFL: 49ers, Raiders, Chargers, Rams.
MLB: Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Angels, A's.
NBA: Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Kings.
NHL: Sharks, Kings, Ducks.
MLS: Galaxy, Earthquakes, Chivas USA, Los Angeles FC.
Plus don't forget all the athletics at USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford, and smaller schools.

I know there's a lot of people in Cali, but that seems like overkill to me.

Chivas folded in 2014

[Neo-Ixania]

-snip-

I know all that myself, but I'm talking about popularity, and you can't deny that interest in the Stallions went down once the NFL said it would return.

Dan O'Connell, statistican for the Stallions, said there was no parade, nothing. They had won the Grey Cup in anonymity.

Jim Popp said they never had a real celebration and that it stung him for years.

Mike Gathagan, the PR Director of the Stallions, said that there was a small event at the Inner Harbor and that was it. Not one TV station in Baltimore even sent anyone to Regina to cover the Grey Cup.

The former mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke, said the NFL's imminent return distracted everyone from the Stallions winning the Grey Cup.

That's what I'm referring to, that after being able to capitalize on the absence of pro football in Baltimore, the NFL took that attention away from them, and the city didn't look back.

I was trying to illustrate that the Chargers would be in a similar situation.

[Luminesa]

-snip-

I know all that myself, but I'm talking about popularity, and you can't deny that interest in the Stallions went down once the NFL said it would return.

Dan O'Connell, statistican for the Stallions, said there was no parade, nothing. They had won the Grey Cup in anonymity.

Jim Popp said they never had a real celebration and that it stung him for years.

Mike Gathagan, the PR Director of the Stallions, said that there was a small event at the Inner Harbor and that was it. Not one TV station in Baltimore even sent anyone to Regina to cover the Grey Cup.

The former mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke, said the NFL's imminent return distracted everyone from the Stallions winning the Grey Cup.

That's what I'm referring to, that after being able to capitalize on the absence of pro football in Baltimore, the NFL took that attention away from them, and the city didn't look back.

I was trying to illustrate that the Chargers would be in a similar situation.

...That is...heartbreaking.

[Drawkland]

Poor Chargers fans, especially Drawkland. This is a very sad day for sure.

As if the Chargers needed to take any more Ls this year. :'/

Even worse that they'll be in an LA stadium next year too. Not even able to attend a final home game at Qualcomm. Damn you, Spanos.

I'm still waiting for a pro franchise in Kentucky. How the holy Hell did Tennessee get one before us? It baffles me to this day. Give us one of the ones in Florida. No one like them anyway.

Where would they place a Kentuckian team? Lexington? Louisville?

Both Lexington and Louisville are viable options. Not only are they statistically large enough to support a team, but the market for football is pretty sparse. I've never met a Titans fan here and only a select few are Bengals fans.

An NFL team in Kentucky would dominate the markets, especially because the alternative would be ... the Kentucky Wildcats, or the Louisville Cardinals. Not the most exciting choices to prioritize over a potential NFL team.

[Cymrea]

Poor Chargers fans, especially Drawkland. This is a very sad day for sure.

As if the Chargers needed to take any more Ls this year. :'/

Even worse that they'll be in an LA stadium next year too. Not even able to attend a final home game at Qualcomm. Damn you, Spanos.

Where would they place a Kentuckian team? Lexington? Louisville?

Both Lexington and Louisville are viable options. Not only are they statistically large enough to support a team, but the market for football is pretty sparse. I've never met a Titans fan here and only a select few are Bengals fans.

An NFL team in Kentucky would dominate the markets, especially because the alternative would be ... the Kentucky Wildcats, or the Louisville Cardinals. Not the most exciting choices to prioritize over a potential NFL team.

If Nashville can get solid attendance every year for a hockey team, Kentucky could do football, I'm sure.

[Luminesa]

Poor Chargers fans, especially Drawkland. This is a very sad day for sure.

As if the Chargers needed to take any more Ls this year. :'/

Even worse that they'll be in an LA stadium next year too. Not even able to attend a final home game at Qualcomm. Damn you, Spanos.

Where would they place a Kentuckian team? Lexington? Louisville?

Both Lexington and Louisville are viable options. Not only are they statistically large enough to support a team, but the market for football is pretty sparse. I've never met a Titans fan here and only a select few are Bengals fans.

An NFL team in Kentucky would dominate the markets, especially because the alternative would be ... the Kentucky Wildcats, or the Louisville Cardinals. Not the most exciting choices to prioritize over a potential NFL team.

That would be kinda cool. ^^

[Baltimore-Ravens]

-snip-

I know all that myself, but I'm talking about popularity, and you can't deny that interest in the Stallions went down once the NFL said it would return.

Dan O'Connell, statistican for the Stallions, said there was no parade, nothing. They had won the Grey Cup in anonymity.

Jim Popp said they never had a real celebration and that it stung him for years.

Mike Gathagan, the PR Director of the Stallions, said that there was a small event at the Inner Harbor and that was it. Not one TV station in Baltimore even sent anyone to Regina to cover the Grey Cup.

The former mayor of Baltimore, Kurt Schmoke, said the NFL's imminent return distracted everyone from the Stallions winning the Grey Cup.

That's what I'm referring to, that after being able to capitalize on the absence of pro football in Baltimore, the NFL took that attention away from them, and the city didn't look back.

I was trying to illustrate that the Chargers would be in a similar situation.

All I've been saying is your illustration is flawed in comparing apples to kumquats (not even oranges, they're bigger). Your analogy might work if the Chargers join the CFL and then the Rams

win SB 52. They won't. Additionally the Chargers will be playing at Ingelwood in 2 seasons, same as the Rams. The Stallions had no such deal. Square that problem in your argument.

As for Baltimore, it was always an NFL town, not a CFL town. The owners of the Baltimore CFL team knew that going in. They also knew the city and the state had been trying to obtain another

NFL franchise since 1984 when they almost got the Saints. They figured after the city was denied an expansion team in 1994 they had a clear shot. But they did not understand the NFL's actual

plan for making use of the Maryland Stadium Authority's funding of a new stadium that had a sundown clause for 12/31/1995. That was the true deadline for the NFL to return to Baltimore, not

the date of the expansion franchises awarded in 1994. The CFL (being a minor league to the NFL) had to gamble. They made their bet and lost. Nevertheless, the Baltimore CFL Horse with No

Name/Stallions was a great gamble to take and showed great initiative on the part of the CFL. However in the end, I know in retrospect Baltimore is quite pleased to have 2 SB trophies and the

Ravens which bring in far more revenue and jobs to the city of Baltimore than any CFL franchise ever would. The LA market isn't comparable in the foggiest to Baltimore either, even with the

competing Redskins 30 miles down the pike whom you've oddly never mentioned. These are just the facts of the matter, no fake news is written here, lol. Bottom line is this... football is a big

business and like all big business only the tough survive. People can say a lot of things about the NFL, but one thing that can't be denied... they show no mercy in conducting their business.

[Baltimore-Ravens]

<snip>

...That is...heartbreaking.

The NFL has a habit of crushing it's competition and rips out it's heart. The CFL got no pass from them, but the CFL played a big part in getting the Browns to move to Baltimore. It showed them the passion Baltimore football fans still had for the pro game.

[Neo-Ixania]

All I've been saying is your illustration is flawed in comparing apples to kumquats (not even oranges, they're bigger).

That's fine. I probably should've rethought my analogy better anyway, all things considered. Clippers/Lakers is a more apt comparison to make when it comes to the Chargers.

...That is...heartbreaking.

The NFL has a habit of crushing it's competition and rips out it's heart. The CFL got no pass from them, but the CFL played a big part in getting the Browns to move to Baltimore. It showed them the passion Baltimore football fans still had for the pro game.

That's why the NFL going to Toronto is controversial. It'd likely kill the CFL entirely, since why would you go for the CFL when you could get the real deal? The Argos are notoriously struggling attendance wise because of this, something that's gone on for decades according to avaliable data.

In fact, a Member of Parliament in Canada even tried to propose state ownership of the CFL and block any other football league.

It didn't pass, but it's likely to crop up again if the NFL ever does get serious about expanding north.

[Cymrea]

All I've been saying is your illustration is flawed in comparing apples to kumquats (not even oranges, they're bigger).

To be honest, yeah, I probably did fumble the analogy. Clippers/Lakers is a more apt comparison to make when it comes to the Chargers.

The NFL has a habit of crushing it's competition and rips out it's heart. The CFL got no pass from them, but the CFL played a big part in getting the Browns to move to Baltimore. It showed them the passion Baltimore football fans still had for the pro game.

That's why the NFL going to Toronto is controversial. It'd likely kill the CFL entirely, since why would you go for the CFL when you could get the real deal? The Argos are notoriously struggling attendance wise because of this, something that's gone on for decades according to avaliable data.

In fact, a Member of Parliament in Canada even tried to propose state ownership of the CFL and block any other football league.

It didn't pass, but it's likely to crop up again if the NFL ever does get serious about expanding north.

I think the NFL franchise would fail before the CFL did. Canada's got pride in their game. Now, if only they could watch the Super Bowl with the original American commercials, there'd be no need for NFL at all up there.

[Neo-Ixania]

To be honest, yeah, I probably did fumble the analogy. Clippers/Lakers is a more apt comparison to make when it comes to the Chargers.



That's why the NFL going to Toronto is controversial. It'd likely kill the CFL entirely, since why would you go for the CFL when you could get the real deal? The Argos are notoriously struggling attendance wise because of this, something that's gone on for decades according to avaliable data.

In fact, a Member of Parliament in Canada even tried to propose state ownership of the CFL and block any other football league.

It didn't pass, but it's likely to crop up again if the NFL ever does get serious about expanding north.

I think the NFL franchise would fail before the CFL did. Canada's got pride in their game. Now, if only they could watch the Super Bowl with the original American commercials, there'd be no need for NFL at all up there.

Argos likely would've failed, though.

[Baltimore-Ravens]

Well, it's time to look at those NFL divisional playoff games for this weekend, first January 14th.

The Patriots have hammered the Texans all 4 times they've met in New England. Long story short here, I see no reason for that trend to be changing tomorrow, does anyone? That's partly bc the game is outdoors and the Texans are guaranteed 9 games a year under a roof before the rest of the schedule is even made. They are a classic warm weather team going into a cold environment versus a number one seed. I don't see much hope for them. Patriots 38 Texans 16

This game will be played inside the dome at Atlanta. The Seahawks will be coming cross continent in a rematch of an earlier game this year in which they defeated the Falcons at home on a controversy pass play at the end of the game 26-24. I believe the sting of that loss still endures and will be enough to motivate the Falcons to prevail in this game. Plus expecting the Seahawks to win twice on the road in Atlanta in one season is also a dicey proposition. This also may be the last game in the Georgia Dome so it's going to be really loud in there and they won't be cheering for the Seahawks. So, also without any strong convictions I am calling this one for the Falcons over the Seahawks 38-31.

Games being played on January 15th....

The Cowboys and the Packers. This should be a great game. I think this is another game that's very tough to call, however with Jordy Nelson not playing in this one, advantage Dallas. The Cowboys are playing at home inside Jerryworld in the Packers aren't the greatest indoor team. But the Pack currently has the hottest quarterback in the playoff field. They also support the sixth best run defense as a road team which is important for disrupting the Cowboy offense by derailing Zeke Elliott. I'm not so sure the two rookies well be over there heads in this playoff game, but the most part this year they have risen to the occasion. This is the revenge game for the Packers, but I think some home cooking in Texas gives the Cowboys a slight edge. If Jordy Nelson was available for this game, I'm going with the Packers but he is not. Therefore, this one is Cowboys 34 Packers 31.

The last game is at Kansas City which may be in the aftermath of an ice storm with temperatures hovering in the low 30s. The game's been reschedule for 7 hours later, now an 8:20 kickoff. That further complicates my prediction. This is a hard game to pick anyway. Neither team is bullet proof. But I do see that Andy Reid is 16-2 after a bye as a head coach. He is also 3-0 with a bye heading into divisional playoff games. Other than that, these two teams are pretty even and the game should be a lot better than all the ones last week. I've got to give the edge to the home team here. I also like the fact it's a revenge game for the Chiefs. They got popped in week four at Pittsburgh 43-13. So I believe the bitter taste of that still lingers in the mouths of the Kansas City players. So, without my usual strong convictions I am taking the Chiefs over the Steelers 27-23 in lousy playing conditions.

Incidentally, I finished last week 3-1 both SU and ATS. But last week was a piece of cake compared to this week. Please don't decide to bet any large sums of money because of anything I say!

[Cymrea]

I think the NFL franchise would fail before the CFL did. Canada's got pride in their game. Now, if only they could watch the Super Bowl with the original American commercials, there'd be no need for NFL at all up there.

Argos likely would've failed, though.

They'd be back in a couple of years, but called the Blue-Whites or something ridiculous like that.

[Baltimore-Ravens]

Argos likely would've failed, though.

They'd be back in a couple of years, but called the Blue-Whites or something ridiculous like that.

You don't like the Ottawa Redblacks name?
I think the Blackreds would sound so much better. Then there are those weird Argonauts. I see Jason just called and wants them back!

[Cymrea]

They'd be back in a couple of years, but called the Blue-Whites or something ridiculous like that.

You don't like the Ottawa Redblacks name?
I think the Blackreds would sound so much better. Then there are those weird Argonauts. I see Jason just called and wants them back!

No, I think Redblacks is infantile and stupid. I think Saskatchewan should get over their shit and let Ottawa have their historical name back. Failing that for stupid reasons, there was Renegades, that was fine. And then a whole naming process that could have included Rogues or another - any other - decent brand name, but they landed on Redblacks. Bleh,

[Neo-Ixania]

You don't like the Ottawa Redblacks name?
I think the Blackreds would sound so much better. Then there are those weird Argonauts. I see Jason just called and wants them back!

No, I think Redblacks is infantile and stupid. I think Saskatchewan should get over their shit and let Ottawa have their historical name back. Failing that for stupid reasons, there was Renegades, that was fine. And then a whole naming process that could have included Rogues or another - any other - decent brand name, but they landed on Redblacks. Bleh,

Should've gone with Renegades. Redblacks is just a horrendously awful name. Just what were they thinking with that one?

Argos likely would've failed, though.

They'd be back in a couple of years, but called the Blue-Whites or something ridiculous like that.

Chances are, they'd have returned as these guys:

[Maineiacs]

Meanwhile, Madden 17 has spoken. I simmed the playoffs, and although it didn't match the games that have already been played, here's what I came up with:

Oakland 10 -- Houston 24

Detroit 6 -- Seattle 31

Miami 20 -- Pittsburgh 17

Giants 20 -- Green Bay 17
---------------------------------------------------------
Seattle 10 -- Atlanta 27

Miami 13 -- New England 16 (ot)

Houston 6 -- Kansas City 31

Giants 26 -- Dallas 14
----------------------------------------------------------
Giants 10 -- Atlanta 15

Kansas City 31 -- New England 24
----------------------------------------------------------
Super Bowl LI --

Atlanta 28 -- Kansas City 7

[Baltimore-Ravens]

Meanwhile, Madden 17 has spoken. I simmed the playoffs, and although it didn't match the games that have already been played, here's what I came up with:

Oakland 10 -- Houston 24

Detroit 6 -- Seattle 31

Miami 20 -- Pittsburgh 17

Giants 20 -- Green Bay 17
---------------------------------------------------------
Seattle 10 -- Atlanta 27

Miami 13 -- New England 16 (ot)

Houston 6 -- Kansas City 31

Giants 26 -- Dallas 14
----------------------------------------------------------
Giants 10 -- Atlanta 15

Kansas City 31 -- New England 24
----------------------------------------------------------
Super Bowl LI --

Atlanta 28 -- Kansas City 7

Hmmm. Lots wrong on the way but might it have actually picked the winner?

[Trumpostan]

You don't like the Ottawa Redblacks name?
I think the Blackreds would sound so much better. Then there are those weird Argonauts. I see Jason just called and wants them back!

No, I think Redblacks is infantile and stupid. I think Saskatchewan should get over their shit and let Ottawa have their historical name back. Failing that for stupid reasons, there was Renegades, that was fine. And then a whole naming process that could have included Rogues or another - any other - decent brand name, but they landed on Redblacks. Bleh,

Reminds me of the time South Park episode with Celine Dion at a Rough Riders v Rough Riders game.

And speaking of the Chargers, here's an interesting map with all the places Norv Turner (ex Chargers HC) has ever lost at as a coach. Its 2 years old.

http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_ ... vmap.0.png

Norv even has that unique experience of a loss in Memphis against the Tennessee Oilers who had just moved from Houston and weren't the Titans yet. Dunno why but I just like this kind of map. Found it on Vox.

[Kohr]

Reminds me of the time South Park episode with Celine Dion at a Rough Riders v Rough Riders game.

And speaking of the Chargers, here's an interesting map with all the places Norv Turner (ex Chargers HC) has ever lost at as a coach. Its 2 years old.

http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_ ... vmap.0.png

Norv even has that unique experience of a loss in Memphis against the Tennessee Oilers who had just moved from Houston and weren't the Titans yet. Dunno why but I just like this kind of map. Found it on Vox.

That's a fun map you have there!

[Ameriganastan]

Steelers-Chiefs just got pushed back like 7 hours cause of ice.

[Drawkland]

Reminds me of the time South Park episode with Celine Dion at a Rough Riders v Rough Riders game.

And speaking of the Chargers, here's an interesting map with all the places Norv Turner (ex Chargers HC) has ever lost at as a coach. Its 2 years old.

http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_ ... vmap.0.png

Norv even has that unique experience of a loss in Memphis against the Tennessee Oilers who had just moved from Houston and weren't the Titans yet. Dunno why but I just like this kind of map. Found it on Vox.

That's a fun map you have there!

Damn, that's triggering my RISK instinct.

Meanwhile, Madden 17 has spoken. I simmed the playoffs, and although it didn't match the games that have already been played, here's what I came up with:

Oakland 10 -- Houston 24

Detroit 6 -- Seattle 31

Miami 20 -- Pittsburgh 17

Giants 20 -- Green Bay 17
---------------------------------------------------------
Seattle 10 -- Atlanta 27

Miami 13 -- New England 16 (ot)

Houston 6 -- Kansas City 31

Giants 26 -- Dallas 14
----------------------------------------------------------
Giants 10 -- Atlanta 15

Kansas City 31 -- New England 24
----------------------------------------------------------
Super Bowl LI --

Atlanta 28 -- Kansas City 7

Hmmm. Lots wrong on the way but might it have actually picked the winner?

I hope so. Death to the Patriots.

If Nashville can get solid attendance every year for a hockey team, Kentucky could do football, I'm sure.

That would be kinda cool. ^^

Exactly what I'm saying. I think it's probably rooted in the fact that teams would rather stay in their home markets, and if not, move to larger markets (Chargers went to LA because it has "a bigger market," not that I think it'll end up paying off for them but still). While Louis/Lex are certainly big enough to hold a team, I can't imagine they're on a Top 10 shortlist for a given moving team.

[Drawkland]

Also, I'm sure the people who are least pleased at the Chargers having to play at the StubHub Center are the people at EA Sports, who have to make another damn stadium model for Madden 18.

[Ameriganastan]

Also, I'm sure the people who are least pleased at the Chargers having to play at the StubHub Center are the people at EA Sports, who have to make another damn stadium model for Madden 18.

Calling that cracker-box a stadium is pretty generous.

[Baltimore-Ravens]

Also, I'm sure the people who are least pleased at the Chargers having to play at the StubHub Center are the people at EA Sports, who have to make another damn stadium model for Madden 18.

Calling that cracker-box a stadium is pretty generous.

Call it an ashtray bc the Chargers are gonna get burned there.