NFL 2010/2011

[Pixelator]

We've had the draft, we've got a schedule, just another 4 months of speculation and recriminations till the pre-season starts.

As usual there's too much to take in, but here are some of the bigger names that have moved.
LaDanian Tomlinson to the Jets
Donovan McNabb to Washington
Jason Campbell to Oakland
Brandon Marshall to Miami
Anquan Boldin to Baltimore
Santonio Holmes to the Jets
Leon Washington and LenDale White to Seattle
Tony Scheffler to Detroit

The Jets are generally considered the biggest losers so far in the off-season. Giving away Leon Washington for a 5th round pick and replacing Thomas Jones with LaDanian Tomlinson didn't help. On the other hand, their new FB John Conner could make Shonn Greene look even better, and getting NT Kris Jenkins back from injury will feel like an extra 1st round pick.

It'll be interesting to compare how QBs Tim Tebow and Jimmy Clausen progress. Denver traded away 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks to get Tebow in the 1st round, while Carolina were lucky to get Clausen in the middle of the 2nd round. Minnesota, in particular, might have taken him earlier.

The Patriots draft looks a bit strange. Lots of trading down, as usual, and 2 TEs and a punter in the first 6 rounds. But it was a solid draft, with a lot of defensive depth added too, and they have two 1st round and two 2nd round picks next year. 8/10

How's your team shaping up?

 

[Pixelator]

I appear to have jumped the gun a bit on this thread.

Anyway, this annual tournament is taking place again this year, in London and various locations throughout the USA.

The game involves 11 helmetted and armoured grown men throwing an undersized rugby ball around a rather narrow rugby pitch. They call tries "touchdowns" though they don't actually have to touch the ball down. There are endless substitutions and advert breaks, while a team of a couple of dozen refs replay every decision.

With silly names like the Jets, the Redskins and the Cardinals it's difficult to know which team to root for. May I suggest the Falcons, who play in red, white and black, and who have named their star player after Bees legend Michael Turner?

Or you could follow the British interest. The Giants have a Scottish chappie whose only tasks are to take kick-offs and kick conversions, while the Patriots have a sturdy bloke born in Oxford, who runs with the ball every now and then.

It all kicks off this Thursday when the Saints (the defending champions) take on the worryingly-named Purple People Eaters of Minnesota. In what I suspect is an ill-thought-out marketing gimmick, this inaugural game starts at 1:30 in the morning.

 

[Jam Jar]

Worryingly every pundit has tipped the 49ers to win their division.

But somehow I think they will implode and end up 7-9.

 

[ChrisSmith1992]

Im a Vikings fan and Can see us getting to the NFC championship game and losing again being optmisitic. Sidney Rice being injured plus our extremely hard schedule worries me.

 

[SC]

I'm a Broncos fan..... A winning season would be nice

 

[RT]

Watching the Bills game online, 13-3 down to Miami in the 4th, offense has been horrible

edit: Now 13-10, i need to put them down more often!

 

[Jam Jar]

Can't believe the 49ers first half performances, they should have scored at least
3 TD's. Now they trail 14-6 in an amazing turnaround. Pressure will be on Alex Smith as
if they lose this they could fall 0-2 with the Saints next.

 

[RT]

Lost 15-10 great start.....

 

[Jam Jar]

At least your Bills kept it close, the 49ers are being blown out - humiliated in fact. If this is the best they have then I cannot see them having a winning season. Brees will destroy the weak secondary on MNF next week.

 

[kevalutonbee]

So do I blame Romo for not taking the sack or Alex Barron for the world's most obvious hold as Romo found a wide open Miles Austen as time expired?

Have to admire 49ers for going on 4th and 1 but 31 points conceded following their time of possession dominance was quite something

 

[Pixelator]

Titans mascot eats cheerleader whole!

 

[ChrisSmith1992]

I can't see the Bills winning a game to be honest. A horrible Offensive Line and Quarterback with one good WR and and a pretty average defense at best.

As for my fantasy team, pretty pathetic start to the season, starting to think my new tactic of stacking WR's early isn't going to pay off.

 

[Simon W]

As for my fantasy team, pretty pathetic start to the season, starting to think my new tactic of stacking WR's early isn't going to pay off.

:laugh:

 

[SC]

As for my fantasy team, pretty pathetic start to the season, starting to think my new tactic of stacking WR's early isn't going to pay off.

More of the same next week then please

 

[RoyalOakBee]

More of the same next week then please

just cant get ito NFL

 

[Pixelator]

Apparently it's quite hard to get into, unless your father is Huggy Bear.

Hope this helps.

 

[ChrisSmith1992]

More of the same next week then please

Probably will be, I hope you happy lol

 

[RT]

I can't see the Bills winning a game to be honest. A horrible Offensive Line and Quarterback with one good WR and and a pretty average defense at best.

As for my fantasy team, pretty pathetic start to the season, starting to think my new tactic of stacking WR's early isn't going to pay off.

Horrible again today, lost 34-7 to the Packers, not sure why i keep watching it. Can't see where a win will come from

 

[ChrisSmith1992]

Neither can I, we moved to 0-2 today with a Loss to the Phins. Lions to win next week is a HUGE upset on the cards in my opinion.

 

[Simon W]

Ditto .... Cowboys 0-2

 

[California Bee]

New Orleans Saints 25 San Francisco 49ers 22

Can't believe the 49ers first half performances, they should have scored at least
3 TD's. Now they trail 14-6 in an amazing turnaround. Pressure will be on Alex Smith as
if they lose this they could fall 0-2 with the Saints next.

An agonising loss by the Niners tonight. Alex Smith played brilliantly. The Niners' defence was excellent with Patrick Willis dominant.
Needing eight points to force overtime, Smith led the team down the field before sending Frank Gore in for his second touch-down and then threw a two point conversion to tie the game in with 1:17 minutes left to play. Sadly, the Saints were able to move the ball down to field goal range and take the match with the kick.
On the field the Niners outplayed New Orleans but a combination of five turnovers and bad luck as tipped balls and fumbles seemed magically doomed to wind up in in the Saints hands regardless of who fumbled or tipped the ball.
Again, Alex Smith gave a stellar performer and looked like a top ranked QB. John Gruden and Ron Jaworski said the his final drive was of the type that Brady, Manning or Brees at their best would engineer.
Work on retaining the ball and the Niners would look impressive based on onight's showing.

 

[Jam Jar]

Still not convinced by Smith, he threw 2 more INT.

I've taped the game so will watch tonight. Normally 0-2 spells disaster but we are in a very poor division. Lose the next one and I think we will be done. The team is just making far too many mistakes and turning over the ball too often.

 

[Simon T]

It's beginning to look like the Denver Broncos are a cursed team as they've just lost another young player with the suicide of 23 year old wide receiver Kenny McKinley (5th round pick last year, on IR this year)

 

[RT]

Bills lose again, this time home to the Jets, 0-4 record, going for the magic 0-16

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Watching New York Giants versus Chicago Bears right now. The Bears QB, Cutler, is having a mare and has been sacked 9 times already and it's not even half time. Can't he be subbed ?!! The bloke needs to get more carrots. He is no good for night games,
Going to watch SF 49'ers in Charlotte end of October and trying to understand this mad game !

 

[California Bee]

Aaaaaargh.....!

Another miracle loss by the Niners today! Clements intercepted a Falcons' pass with ninety seconds left in the match and SF leading 14-13. If Clements had gone to the ground or out of bounds the Niners could have taken a couple of knees and and won the match but Clements tried to hot dog a run to the end zone, slowed down to pick up blockers which gave the Falcons cover time to race back and whack the ball out of his hands and recover it with time to take the ball into field goal range for a 16-14 win. Two more Alex Smith interceptions did nothing to help the situation either.

The Niners' season is almost blown already at 0-4. If any of the rest of the teams in the puny NL West division had been able to post more than two wins themselves we would be dead meat!

 

[Jam Jar]

Clements is a bone-head. The same thing happened to the 49ers in last seasons clash with Atlanta, and the same man (Roddy White) stripped the ball from the person who had intercepted the pass (Bly I think it was). I have a feeling we will be winless heading into the London game.

 

[Pixelator]

I can't wait to see that.

 

[Pixelator]

Miami 14 New England 41



And I nearly switched off after the first quarter, when Henne was 7/7 with a touchdown and Miami looked unstoppable.

But New England's defence and special teams took over in the second half, scoring from a kickoff return, a blocked field goal and an interception return. They also blocked a punt, which led to another score.

And with 3 straight paragraphs starting with a conjunction, I bid you all goodnight.

 

[California Bee]

Philadelphia Eagles 27 an Francisco 49ers 24

The 49ers continued their incredible streak of generosity, turning the ball over to Philadelphia five times which accounted for all but one of the Philadelphia scores and one preventing a potential winning 49er touchdown or tieing field goal with sixteen seconds left in the game. San Francisco also missed what should have been a comfortable field goal which should have covered the final margin. The result leaves the Niners with an 0 and 5 record as their season rapidly approaches an early end.

 

[Pixelator]

I had to laugh at those poor 49er fans. They booed Alex Smith all through his awful drive, booed him off the field, booed him back onto the field, then didn't know what to do when he led his one perfect drive. And just when they were believing in him again, he threw that last daft interception.

The poor dears.

 

[Jam Jar]

The 49ers continued their incredible streak of generosity, turning the ball over to Philadelphia five times which accounted for all but one of the Philadelphia scores and one preventing a potential winning 49er touchdown or tieing field goal with sixteen seconds left in the game. San Francisco also missed what should have been a comfortable field goal which should have covered the final margin. The result leaves the Niners with an 0 and 5 record as their season rapidly approaches an early end.

I think we are done for the season, we will do well to win even 4 games at this rate. New QB and proven head coach essential for next season.

 

[Scratchy]

WE WANT CARR!

I had to laugh at those poor 49er fans. They booed Alex Smith all through his awful drive, booed him off the field, booed him back onto the field, then didn't know what to do when he led his one perfect drive. And just when they were believing in him again, he threw that last daft interception.

The poor dears.

Oh dear. You know you're in trouble when the fans start chanting for David Carr to replace you. The sad thing for the 49ers is that they actually have some good talent in that team. Alex Smith is just not up to it I'm afraid and sadly Mike Singletary's head is on the block I fear. Shame.

 

[Simon T]

I think we are done for the season, we will do well to win even 4 games at this rate. New QB and proven head coach essential for next season.

Why not see if they can trade for Shaun Hill from Detroit in the off-season, he seems to be doing pretty well filling in for Stafford

 

[ElioBee]

Raiders fan here, anyone going to Wembley ?

 

[California Bee]

I think we are done for the season, we will do well to win even 4 games at this rate...

I'm inclined to agree with you JJ. The two things that stay my hand for another week or two is that they played well enough to have comfortably beaten New Orleans, Atlanta and Philadelphia. They lost all three of those games by three points or less and on each occasion turned the ball over so many times to make it look like the Keystone Cops. The other point is that every other team in their division is almost as bad. The Niners are three games behind division leaders, Arizona, but they have to play them twice yet. The other two divisional rivals are just two games ahead of the Niners and we still have to play the Rams twice and Seattle once so mathematically at least it's not yet an impossible task, crazy as that may sound for an 0 and 1 team.

 

[Scratchy]

Why not see if they can trade for Shaun Hill from Detroit in the off-season, he seems to be doing pretty well filling in for Stafford

:laugh:

 

[Simon T]

I'm inclined to agree with you JJ. The two things that stay my hand for another week or two is that they played well enough to have comfortably beaten New Orleans, Atlanta and Philadelphia. They lost all three of those games by three points or less and on each occasion turned the ball over so many times to make it look like the Keystone Cops. The other point is that every other team in their division is almost as bad. The Niners are three games behind division leaders, Arizona, but they have to play them twice yet. The other two divisional rivals are just two games ahead of the Niners and we still have to play the Rams twice and Seattle once so mathematically at least it's not yet an impossible task, crazy as that may sound for an 0 and 1 team.

While it's true you are only 3 games off the division lead, the question you have to ask yourself is can you realistically see the Niners going 9-2 or 8-3 through the rest of the season? I'm pretty sure no team has ever won a division with a losing record.

 

[kevalutonbee]

While it's true you are only 3 games off the division lead, the question you have to ask yourself is can you realistically see the Niners going 9-2 or 8-3 through the rest of the season? I'm pretty sure no team has ever won a division with a losing record.

Yes but it is the NFC West we are talking about

 

[Simon T]

Yes but it is the NFC West we are talking about

If the 49ers were only playing other teams from the NFC West the rest of the way then they'd have a shot. Their remaining schedule has the following games:

Raiders
@ Panthers
Broncos
Rams
Buccaneers
@ Cardinals
@ Packers
Seahawks
@ Chargers
@ Rams
Cardinals

I'd say they are very unlikely to get wins against the Packers & Chargers (despite their patchy performances this season), the Buccaneers are an improved team this season and all the AFC West are playing tough this season so games against the Raiders and Broncos aren't easy. Probably the only really soft road game is against the Panthers who have also been woeful this season.

 

[Porgey]

Not a bad catch from Pierre Garcon this weekend....

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/09000d5d81b6a008/Garcon-makes-amazing-one-handed-catch

 

[California Bee]

If the 49ers were only playing other teams from the NFC West the rest of the way then they'd have a shot. Their remaining schedule has the following games:

Raiders
@ Panthers
Broncos
Rams
Buccaneers
@ Cardinals
@ Packers
Seahawks
@ Chargers
@ Rams
Cardinals

I'd say they are very unlikely to get wins against the Packers & Chargers (despite their patchy performances this season), the Buccaneers are an improved team this season and all the AFC West are playing tough this season so games against the Raiders and Broncos aren't easy. Probably the only really soft road game is against the Panthers who have also been woeful this season.

The Niners have shown woeful consistency but they have also played some powerful teams very well and, startling turnover ratio aside, on the field they outplayed in yardage and scoring opportunities the Saints, the Eagles and the Falcons before losing al three by three points or less.

In any other division their season would already be over but the West is weak everywhere and if the Niners beat their divisional opponents in remaining games they would have as much chance as any of them of ending up divisional champions. The Packers are their only class opponents in the remainder of the season and a betting man might even be persuaded to place a small wager on them. The improving form of the Rams and their talented new QB Sam Bradford would seem to be the biggest threat to any Niner hopes of a comeback.

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Going to Charlotte on Sunday for the San Fran 49'ers game against the Carolina Panthers.
First time I've ever been to a game. Going with Mrs and 12 others. Having a cook out before game. Will be wearing Bees shirt

 

[California Bee]

Going to Charlotte on Sunday for the San Fran 49'ers game against the Carolina Panthers.
First time I've ever been to a game. Going with Mrs and 12 others. Having a cook out before game. Will be wearing Bees shirt

Have fun and cheer on a Niners' win!

 

[Jam Jar]

The Niners have shown woeful consistency but they have also played some powerful teams very well and, startling turnover ratio aside, on the field they outplayed in yardage and scoring opportunities the Saints, the Eagles and the Falcons before losing al three by three points or less.

In any other division their season would already be over but the West is weak everywhere and if the Niners beat their divisional opponents in remaining games they would have as much chance as any of them of ending up divisional champions. The Packers are their only class opponents in the remainder of the season and a betting man might even be persuaded to place a small wager on them. The improving form of the Rams and their talented new QB Sam Bradford would seem to be the biggest threat to any Niner hopes of a comeback.

Nice to finally get a win, didn't want to attend Wembley watching a winless 49ers try to compete. The game at Carolina is huge, a loss and its definately good bye, they will need to cut out the stupid penalties, I think it was 11 for 143 yards, which is really poor. At least there were no turnovers.

 

[Simon W]

Should be Wade Phillips last season at the Cowboys .. Jerry Jones can't be happy with the situation ... 1-4

 

[kevalutonbee]

Should be Wade Phillips last season at the Cowboys .. Jerry Jones can't be happy with the situation ... 1-4

If another one add to the L column Monday night it could be his last week

I suspect that once JJ feels that he is resgined to watching some other kids playing with his favourtite toy in February he will make the change

Mind you two flags for celebrating in two games plus all the othr self inflicted wounds is not exactly clever or WP's fault

Personally I blame WP for not overruling Garrett in Washington

 

[Simon W]

Mind you two flags for celebrating in two games plus all the othr self inflicted wounds is not exactly clever or WP's fault

I was watching the Cowboys v Titans game last week and satistic came up showing that the Cowboys had committed the 2nd most penalties in the NFL over the last 5 seasons

 

[kevalutonbee]

I was watching the Cowboys v Titans game last week and satistic came up showing that the Cowboys had committed the 2nd most penalties in the NFL over the last 5 seasons

Raiders must be No 1 surely

 

[Pixelator]

Don't know if they keep records for the wackiest week ever in the NFL, but week 7 2010 must surely be a contender.

Jay Cutler gets intercepted 4 times by the same player. Drew Brees also gets intercepted 4 times, as the champions get flattened at home by Cleveland.

San Diego give up the 2 most comical turnovers in the history of the word comical.

Oakland rack up 52 points at the Mile High Stadium, and it's not even the end of the 3rd quarter.
Edit: 59 points now, still in the 3rd quarter.

And the Cowboys haven't even played yet.