The Official NFL Thread

[md1198p]

This was Trent Dilfer in his PRIME. Earlier in his career, he just plain sucked.

The "best" that he ever got was average. Career completion percentage: 55.5%. TD to INT ratio: 113-129. QB rating: 70.2.

His two best seasons, one in which he made the Pro Bowl in Tampa Bay, the other Baltimore's Super Bowl season:

1. Completion percentage: 56.2%. TD to INT ratio: 21 to 11. QB rating: 82.8.
2. Completion percentage: 59.3%. TD to INT ratio: 12 to 11. QB rating: 76.6.

This was the best that he ever got. The worst was abysmal.



A good comparison I think.



I think that Eli is much more flashy than Dilfer. As evidenced by this past season:

Completion percentage: 62.3%. TD to INT ratio: 27 to 14. QB rating: 93.1.

I also think that Eli's last drive to win his Super Bowl was proof in the clutch. I would have never trusted Dilfer to be able to pull out a drive like that.



I disagree. To a point.

As much as Romo was over hyped coming in after Bledsoe... there was an unmistakable difference in the Cowboy's fortunes.

Other than the "wins" column, compare their season stats:

http://www.nfl.com/teams/dallascowbo...AL&seasonType=

Romo is *part* of the Cowboys success. I think that he's a good... not great QB. I think that the Cowboys would be worse off with an average QB.

Dilfer was also on some pretty bad teams though. And after the Ravens he was pretty much a career backup.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Dilfer was also on some pretty bad teams though. And after the Ravens he was pretty much a career backup.

This is true. Starting with Tampa Bay (before they were a very good team), and then with pretty much every team after the Ravens.

To me though, if he was going to ever look "good", it should have been with the Ravens. With Lewis running the ball, Shannon Sharpe as his TE, and never really having to "come from behind". Even in their SB year... with all the planets aligned up in his favour... his numbers with the Ravens were pretty pedestrian.

[Soul Assassin]

To me though, if he was going to ever look "good", it should have been with the Ravens. With Lewis running the ball, Shannon Sharpe as his TE, and never really having to "come from behind". Even in their SB year... with all the planets aligned up in his favour... his numbers with the Ravens were pretty pedestrian.

The Ravens have never been an offensive team. They run the ball and play stellar defense. Which is why Dilfer's numbers were pretty irrelevant. All he had to do was not mess anything up and the Ravens would win on the strength of Lewis and the D.

I'd dare say the SB Ravens couldn't win with Romo. He scrambles around like a headless chicken and makes stupid throws and causes turnovers. Not always, but often enough that he can't get through a long enough win streak to make it through the playoffs and win the SB.

And I'm really disappointed in the Chargers.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

The Ravens have never been an offensive team. They run the ball and play stellar defense. Which is why Dilfer's numbers were pretty irrelevant. All he had to do was not mess anything up and the Ravens would win on the strength of Lewis and the D.

Very true. And the Ravens have a SB title to testify to that.

But "never say never". It's all about the personel that a team has. The 'Phins transformed from a non running, no defense, extreme passing team of the Dan Marino era to a primarily running, poor passing, decent D (at one point in between the transition, one of the best D's on the league) that we see today.

One top quality QB (or maybe even WR) on the Ravens roster could alter their team philosophy. I think that the Ravens aquisitions of Elvis Grbac, Derrick Mason, and Steve McNair in the past were attempts to upgrade their passing games for better offensive balance on their team. It's just that neither seemed to work on that team.

I'd dare say the SB Ravens couldn't win with Romo. He scrambles around like a headless chicken and makes stupid throws and causes turnovers. Not always, but often enough that he can't get through a long enough win streak to make it through the playoffs and win the SB.

We'll have to disagree here. If Romo was reined in, and told to "protect the ball at all costs" instead of improvising as he does, I think that he could match what Dilfer did. Once upon a time, Dilfer was a turnover machine himself. I don't think that Dilfer evolved any particular skills to not turn over the ball that any other QB couldn't.

And I'm really disappointed in the Chargers.

That game has to be considered a choke. One of many over the past few years. I for one thought that they'd crush the Jets. While I dislike both teams, I dislike the Jets even more. Plus, I thought that the Chargers would give the Colts (whom I also dislike) a better game than what I think that the Jets will. I think that the Jets are a Cinderella team who's upsets will end at the Colts this weekend. I think that they will be utterly crushed. I don't know which team I want to lose more. I am hoping for New Orleans at this point. If that doesn't happen, I'll hope for the Vikings.

I am wondering how Shannahan will do with the 'Skins (my 2nd favorite team... my NFC team). I dislike him greatly as a coach. Always have. But maybe I'll feel different if he can rescue the 'Skins floundering fortunes. They used to be a proud team, and a model for a successful franchise in the NFL. They are ridiculous under Snyder. I am wondering if a legend like Shannahan can do under Snyder what no other coach has been able to do. Even the great Joe Gibbs.

[Trunks]

I don't think the Colts will crush the Jets. They have a good chance at beating the colts, just like they did in week 14 I think it was, maybe 15.

As for Romo, I agree that he gives up way too many turnovers. Scrambles around too much, mainly because the line has a hard time giving him enough time to be comfortable in the pocket. He's not a good on-the-run qb, he makes poor quick-decisions and his accuracy when not planted is below average. Any qb can throw accurately when they have good protection, but only good qb's can either gain yardage, keep the play alive, or at least get it back to the line when on the run. He had the potential to be good, but something happened along the way to make him just sub-par.

[Snakespy]

I don't think the Colts will crush the Jets. They have a good chance at beating the colts, just like they did in week 14 I think it was, maybe 15.

As for Romo, I agree that he gives up way too many turnovers. Scrambles around too much, mainly because the line has a hard time giving him enough time to be comfortable in the pocket. He's not a good on-the-run qb, he makes poor quick-decisions and his accuracy when not planted is below average. Any qb can throw accurately when they have good protection, but only good qb's can either gain yardage, keep the play alive, or at least get it back to the line when on the run. He had the potential to be good, but something happened along the way to make him just sub-par.

This year I believe that was due to Dallas' piss poor defense. Romo was put in the position on many of his games that he had no choice but to try and make a play. With risk there may be reward, but in his case this year, it didn't pan out for him.

[fastitocalon]

Holy crap.

[md1198p]

Vikings so totally screwed the end of regulation up.

[r'aggro]

Colts and Saints, as I'm sure everyone speculated.

Kinda sucks...last year I hated both teams and had no one to root for; this year I sort of like both teams (and have no one to root for). yawwwn

[Spank_Me_Hard]

I had heard that the NFL is going to do away with the salary cap... is this true?

I sure hope not. I think that this would be a massive disaster for them. I think that the salary cap keeps the league competitive. Without it, we'll have Major League Baseball.

[fastitocalon]

I had heard that the NFL is going to do away with the salary cap... is this true?

I sure hope not. I think that this would be a massive disaster for them. I think that the salary cap keeps the league competitive. Without it, we'll have Major League Baseball.

There will be no salary cap next year cause of some contract disputes or something. I believe it will be back after next year.

[Soul Assassin]

There will be no salary cap next year cause of some contract disputes or something. I believe it will be back after next year.

I dunno about that.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...s.3af6996.html

NFLPA president Gene Upshaw has said once there is an uncapped year, a salary cap would never return.

That's an old story but I doubt his opinion has changed too much. I can't see why the owners would want to go back to the cap. Don't forget the salary cap has a salary floor too, so while rich owners can't spend all that they want, small market teams HAVE to spend more than they might care to. I believe the minimum amount is $111M right now, with the cap being $128M.

So I can certainly see a significant number (at least the 9 required to not pass a CBA) not wanting the cap back.

Actually here's a detailed recent article about the situation:
http://www.hotindienews.com/2010/01/26/1018028

[Spaceman Spiff]

I dunno about that.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...s.3af6996.html


That's an old story but I doubt his opinion has changed too much.

...yes, especially since he's deceased.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Upshaw

[Soul Assassin]

pwn3d.

[[PinPals]Apu]

Did you guys hear the Favre said he probably wont play next year?