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Jim Kelly was a solid QB. He made it to the SB four times, but didn't win one. Usually this was because the NFC team was much better.

Three times that was the reason. The first one, though, they got within a missed field goal of a win.

Now, as D´kian's first law of football explains ("Any game lost by one score was lost by more than one score"), the problem isn't so much the missed last-split second score, but having to score at the last split-second in order to win (or tie).

Anyway, on other news, I still think Willie Parker ought to get himself traded. The guy's good, but he's been replaced by Mendenhall. He'll be lucky to touch the ball from now till the end of the season. He'd be a good starter almost anywhere else, and the Steelers could use two extra draft picks next year. The O line's improved, but it still needs work.

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The Broncos were just pitiful last night. Three hours of my life I wish I had back. :P

That being said, I'm still surprised and pleased they're 6-2. Looking forward to the rest of their schedule, I see a few more sure wins, so won't be a bad season overall. (Especially considering the drama during the off season.)

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Three times that was the reason. The first one, though, they got within a missed field goal of a win.

Yup, I recall. Kickers! Except Adam Vinatieri.

Now, as D´kian's first law of football explains ("Any game lost by one score was lost by more than one score"), the problem isn't so much the missed last-split second score, but having to score at the last split-second in order to win (or tie).

I've often said that. Or, what I usually say, if the game is that close in the end, and the other team wins on a bad play by your team, then give the other guys credit. Not as poetic as your way to saying it, because I didn't consider it to be a "law of football".

D'kian, the Newton of Football.

Anyway, on other news, I still think Willie Parker ought to get himself traded. The guy's good, but he's been replaced by Mendenhall. He'll be lucky to touch the ball from now till the end of the season. He'd be a good starter almost anywhere else, and the Steelers could use two extra draft picks next year. The O line's improved, but it still needs work.

I think we should take a little break from football and congratulate the New York Yankees on winning the World Series!

And one more thing. .... How 'bout dem Cowboys? :P

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Yup, I recall. Kickers! Except Adam Vinatieri.

Once in a while I try to defend kickers as more than one-trick specialists, then I remember Garo Yepremian's disastrous attempt to throw a ball.

D'kian, the Newton of Football.

I come up with universal laws of lots of things that fit the moment :P Someday I may systematize them (yeah right).

I think we should take a little break from football and congratulate the New York Yankees on winning the World Series!

The what now?

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Quick reminder the first of this season's Thrusday Night NFL Network games is today. The 49ers face the Bears tonight. The drama, besides the fact that both teams desperately need a victory, is that current San Francisco coach Mike Singletary used to play defense for the Bears.

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Quick reminder the first of this season's Thrusday Night NFL Network games is today. The 49ers face the Bears tonight. The drama, besides the fact that both teams desperately need a victory, is that current San Francisco coach Mike Singletary used to play defense for the Bears.

Singletary was one of the best linebackers in the game. A great and intense player who played for that great Chicago Bears team in the 1980s. He's one of my all time favorite players.

Edited by Thales
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Singletary was one of the best linebackers in the game. A great and intense player who played for that great Chicago Bears team in the 1980s. He's one of my all time favorite players.

Yeah, I remember.

BTW that was a hideous game last night. Given the many interceptions and the failure to capitalize on most of them, you'd think they were both playing to lose. Which just makes me angrier the Steelers couldn't beat the Bears some weeks ago. I'm glad for my ability to surf the web while watching the game :)

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Yeah, I took a break yesterday from the weekly recap. But Pittsburgh's loss against the Bengals doesn't look any better given time, go figure. So...

The Steelers have put themselves in a tough spot, either they end up with a better record than Cincinnatti or they won't win the division. Sure, they managed to win a Superbowl while being last seed in the playoffs, and lightning does strike, too, but it doesn't strike often.

Small consolation, Dallas ahs started its traditional December decline early. Very small consolation.

New Orleans had its undefeated streak seriously challenged by, of all teams, the Rams. I'd nearly forgotten the Rams even existed. But the Saints prevailed, prayer is suspsected (by me).

The shocker is Indy's comeback against the Pats. Not so much what Manning and co. did, though that was impressive, but the way the Pats handed Indianapolis a TD opportunity pretty much on a silver platter. Consider the chain of bad decisions:

1) New England burns its last time out to think through what to do on 4th and 2 behind their 30 yard line with over 2 minutes remaining. What's there to think? You punt the ball. Yes, there's a chance Indianapolis would drive down the field and score, but there's also a chance the Pats could stop them.

2) Without time outs and prior to the two minute warning you can't challenge either the ruling on the field or the placement of the ball. 4th down conversions are notoriously close plays, giving the officials ample opportunity to make a bad call. In this case a challenge might ahve resulted in a first down, since the receiver's forward progress was beyond the first down marker.

In other words, prior to undertaking a high risk play Bellichick went and removed the safety net.

Next time punt the ball.

Of course, the corolalry to D'kian's First Law of Football states "a game lost because of one play was lost because of more than one play." In this case the Pats lost, first, by allowing INdy to outscore them in the 4th quarter, then by making a very risky decision. Which brings me to D'kian's Second Law of Football: "Any risky decision must assume the worst case scenario." When the worst case is having one the League's top offenses inside your 30 yard line, with 2 minutes to play and a time out, that's very bad indeed.

And what's up with Denver? Sure, they lost their starting QB, but Washington isn't exactly a powerhouse offense. How did they score 27 points?

We've arrived at the condratictory phase of the season, when good teams lose to bad teams or mediocre teams for no good reason. Thus Denver, slayer of the Pats, go down against a bottom-feeder. Dallas loses to the one team that lost against the Bucs. NO is threatened by the worst team in the NFC, and on it goes.

Speaking of the NFC, I like The Vikings, Saints, Eagles and Cards for the Superbowl this year. The AFC picture points to teh Colts and maybe the Bengals. Otherwise it's very cloudy.

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1) New England burns its last time out to think through what to do on 4th and 2 behind their 30 yard line with over 2 minutes remaining. What's there to think? You punt the ball. Yes, there's a chance Indianapolis would drive down the field and score, but there's also a chance the Pats could stop them.

2) Without time outs and prior to the two minute warning you can't challenge either the ruling on the field or the placement of the ball. 4th down conversions are notoriously close plays, giving the officials ample opportunity to make a bad call. In this case a challenge might ahve resulted in a first down, since the receiver's forward progress was beyond the first down marker.

In other words, prior to undertaking a high risk play Bellichick went and removed the safety net.

Thus proving that not even the best coach in the league can devise a winning strategy if the referees are unable to apply the rules as well as I and 20 million others could have, just by watching from home.

I'm sorry, but you can't blame the Pats for coming up with a play that gave them the victory, because a bad call took it away. It was the right play. The offense is far superior to the defense (both offenses are far superior to their opposing defenses), so you put the ball in their hands, and keep the Colts defense on the field. And it worked. What failed was the officiating.

Yes, there's a chance Indianapolis would drive down the field and score, but there's also a chance the Pats could stop them.

There were two minutes left. The chance of stopping them was very slim, even with a punt.

Bellichick's mistake was to think that the chance of a good call from the refs was greater than the chance of his tired defense doing something they failed to do the previous play, and the play before that, and the play before that.

Edited by Jake_Ellison
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Thus proving that not even the best coach in the league can devise a winning strategy if the referees are unable to apply the rules as well as I and 20 million others could have, just by watching from home.

The referees have to make the call on the spot and under pressure. You and I at home get instant replay, slow motion and no pressure at all. Anyway, bad calls are part of the game. The officials make them all the time. You ahve to take the posibility into account.

I do blame Bellichick for being too agressive when agression wasn't called for. Maybe I'm too conservative, but I will state D'kian's 2nd Law again: Any risky play has to assume the worst case scenario.

The offense is far superior to the defense (both offenses are far superior to their opposing defenses), so you put the ball in their hands, and keep the Colts defense on the field. And it worked. What failed was the officiating.

My point exactly. Do you want the Colts inside your 30 or inside their 30? Bad call aside, that play was half a step away from being an incomplete pass.

I'd have done one of two things:

1) Set up for a QB sneak, tight formation, and do a long snap count hoping to draw Indy offside. If it doesn't work, I'd take the delay of game and then punt.

2) I'd set up the same open formation, but would do a surprise punt. That is, Brady takes the ball and punts it away (of course that depends on Brady being able to punt decently).

I wouldn't have tried to set up for a punt and do a surprise play instead, as the Colts would have charged the punter hard, thus making a risky play too risky.

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Week 11 started yesterday with the Dolphins minus Ronnie Brown defeating the Panthers.

Good for the Dolphins, but I doubt if they'll amke the playoffs this year, with brady back in New England and the wildcat no longer having the impact it had last year.

I'm reminded of the Bill's no-huddle offense, which so disconcerted opponents several team owners clamored for the tactic to be banned. A year later every last team was doing it and defenses had gotten used to it. Yes, I know it was the Bengals who debuted the tactic in the NFL, but it was the Bills who made it infamous for a year.

Sunday the Steelers go to KC for a game. I'll throw caution to the wind and foretell an easy victory for the Steelers.

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It's not so much that I don't want to talk about it, though I don't, but really I can't. Week 11, that is. I was so disgusted by the way the Steelers let KC win, I just shut off the NFL for the day. I dind't watch the highlight shows, the afternoon game or the late game. So I don't really know what happened. I just checked Cincicnnati's game and was surprised to see they lost.

As tot he Steelers game, blah, what can you say? They're facing one of the worst teams in the League and, because the Chiefs can't possibly beat them on their own, they help them do it. I mean, those two interceptions not only yielded 10 points to KC, but prevented Pittsburgh from scoring at least ten points as well. And don't get me started on the kickoff return.

Hopefully I'll be beack next week.

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It's not so much that I don't want to talk about it, though I don't, but really I can't. Week 11, that is. I was so disgusted by the way the Steelers let KC win, I just shut off the NFL for the day. I dind't watch the highlight shows, the afternoon game or the late game. So I don't really know what happened. I just checked Cincicnnati's game and was surprised to see they lost.

As tot he Steelers game, blah, what can you say? They're facing one of the worst teams in the League and, because the Chiefs can't possibly beat them on their own, they help them do it. I mean, those two interceptions not only yielded 10 points to KC, but prevented Pittsburgh from scoring at least ten points as well. And don't get me started on the kickoff return.

Hopefully I'll be beack next week.

When you're the champ, everyone is gunning for you to prove themselves. Anyway, they are just one game out, so they could still get into the playoffs, but they can't tie Cincinnati.

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When you're the champ, everyone is gunning for you to prove themselves. Anyway, they are just one game out, so they could still get into the playoffs, but they can't tie Cincinnati.

Yeah, but we're not talking about the NO Saints or the Detroit Lions. For a team like Pittsburgh getting to the playoffs is not a goal, it's the preamble to defending the title.

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Yeah, but we're not talking about the NO Saints or the Detroit Lions. For a team like Pittsburgh getting to the playoffs is not a goal, it's the preamble to defending the title.

True, but football is a game of match ups. If you happen to match up wrong against a team, or a player has a bad game for whatever reason (unreported injury, tired, etc.), then other NFL level athletes can take advantage of those things. There is also a psychological factor, where a team isn't as motivated as it should be because of the team they are playing, and conversely, the team they are playing is highly motivated.

Cheer up, America's team is doing alright. :thumbsup:

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Of yesterday's games the last one was really the only one of any imortance. Both the Broncos and Giants were in the midst of losing streaks after starting off the season well (I know the Giants won last week). Both needed to win in order to keep playoff hopes alive. the Giants failed big time. I don't think they'll make the playoffs this year.

Denver may yet make it, but a lot is out of their hands. Mostly they need San Diego to lose.

In other news the Lions lost and the Sun was reported to have risen in the morning, right after dawn.

Anyway, for the remainder of week there are three big games: Texans vs Colts, Steelers vs Ravens and Saints vs Pats. Prior to last week I'd have predicted teh Pats would kill the Saints' surprising winning streak, but after the unbelievable loss to the Colts I'm no longer sure.

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Briefly:

Pittsburgh is standing with one foot outside any playoff hopes.

Indy has clicnched the division and will probably rest Manning and other starters as soon as it wins three more games.

Cincinnati has clinched the Central division, only not officially yet.

New Orleans will be declared a good team only if it reaches the Superbowl this year, or if it finishes 16-0

There is an exceedingly small chance this year's superbowl could be played between undefeated teams. I wouldn't bet a nickel on it.

The Titans can still make the playoffs, which is unbeliavable giving how their season started.

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Indy has clicnched the division and will probably rest Manning and other starters as soon as it wins three more games.

Hopefully, for their sake, not too much, because a rusty team can mean a playoff loss!

Btw, have you seen this link on helmet redesign ideas?

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ken-carbon...ssary-blandness

I happen to think the Patriots redesign is kick ass. Bold and proud!

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So, has anyone seen the NFL60 adverts featuring President Obama? Good catch Mr. President :lol:

My team, NY Giants, are continuing to look hopeless. Just to add to their problems, Manning has a stress reaction in his foot. I've pretty much decided to root for the Saints first and Vikings second. I'm going to have to get some Who Dat apparel and Who Dat recipes; tonight I think I'm going to have jumbolia.

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So, has anyone seen the NFL60 adverts featuring President Obama? Good catch Mr. President :lol:

Yes, I cringe at the propaganda, but these are msm networks and true believers. Social metaphysics is the way they operate. I saw the weak throw he made at the baseball all star game, though. B)

My team, NY Giants, are continuing to look hopeless. Just to add to their problems, Manning has a stress reaction in his foot. I've pretty much decided to root for the Saints first and Vikings second. I'm going to have to get some Who Dat apparel and Who Dat recipes; tonight I think I'm going to have jumbolia.

The Vikings are a great story! I might root for them if the Cardinals or Cowboys don't do well.

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Yes, I cringe at the propaganda, but these are msm networks and true believers. Social metaphysics is the way they operate. I saw the weak throw he made at the baseball all star game, though. :lol:

The Vikings are a great story! I might root for them if the Cardinals or Cowboys don't do well.

You know, I think that the cause for the NFL60 and the President is good. No one can really bash the cause to get children more active. However, your reactions were like mine, because the portrayal in the commercial, with all the slow motion effects, were way over the top.

The Vikings are a a great story. I've never tried to watch any of their games until this year. To me, the most important story is with Favre: he has sidelined everything and put his goals and desires first, to play football. His actions, minus the pre-season drama, can actually be called role model material.

Edited by RussK
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Hopefully, for their sake, not too much, because a rusty team can mean a playoff loss!

I figure Maning and others will play 1.5 quarters all told. It also helps to give the backup Qbs some real experience.

Btw, have you seen this link on helmet redesign ideas?

The Browns have a good design? In what parallel universe?

I happen to think the Patriots redesign is kick ass. Bold and proud!

I like the crack the author made about the Pats' logo looking like John Kerry impersonating aMinuteman. In that spirit, the redesign looks like someone barfed the US flag over the helmet.

Seriously, local teams should not adopt a national symbol in their helmet. Even the current Pats' design is a little iffy.

I'd argue that a team shouldn't take state symbols, either. But both Texas teams do. Dallas uses the Lone Star from the Texas state flag, and Houston calls its team "Texans"

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So, has anyone seen the NFL60 adverts featuring President Obama? Good catch Mr. President :lol:

No. All I've seen are the ads on NFL Network. These feature actual players, with a child narrating "My friends got to hang out with Eli Manning!" As ads go, these aren't bad at all. You see the kids doing training and playing ball with the pros.

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I figure Maning and others will play 1.5 quarters all told. It also helps to give the backup Qbs some real experience.

Maybe at least the first quarter of each game to keep him fresh.

The Browns have a good design? In what parallel universe?

What are you referring to, D'kian?

I like the crack the author made about the Pats' logo looking like John Kerry impersonating aMinuteman. In that spirit, the redesign looks like someone barfed the US flag over the helmet.

Seriously, local teams should not adopt a national symbol in their helmet. Even the current Pats' design is a little iffy.

They are called the "Patriots", so they are kind of stuck with it. I like it, though. Now, maybe if they were playing against my team, e.g. the Rams in the Superbowl a few years ago, I wouldn't be to happy with it.

I'm probably biased, but I think the St. Louis Blues have the best uniform and name in pro-sports. Notes floating across the ice.

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