The Official NFL Thread

[md1198p]

I'm not that much of a fan of basketball, but I do follow it minimally (my roomie is a huge Lakers fan and I'll sit in and watch a bit). And while I'm not a regular watcher, I can't help but know a little about it as it's such a highly visible sport. In short, I'm not completely ignorant about it.

The NBA has been wrestling with "image" issues for a while now. The fact that they're now cracking down on new things this year validates that.

Here's a good article from a few years ago on the "brand image" issue:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...111802752.html



Granted, the article is five years old but I don't see that the ongoing issues with the NBA's image has really changed that much. It's still addressing it's "brand image" issues. Even talking with many basketball fans this becomes evident.

Stern seemed to understand that the league had an image problem. With the new rule changes that still seem to be ongoing, I'd argue that he still seems to understand it.

This is really no new issue. I'd be surprised if you haven't heard about it before (even if you disagree with it).

That whole aritcle basically referenced the fighting, and in particular the Artest fight.. I agree that stuff has no place in sports. I don't see how that is comparable to showboating, celebrating, or even trash talking amongst players.

[r'aggro]

I have a bad feeling Green Bay is going to absolutely destroy the Eagles.

You think? My team shouldn't even BE in the playoffs.

We're out the #8 overall pick, no choice but to win it all now.

[md1198p]

You think? My team shouldn't even BE in the playoffs.

We're out the #8 overall pick, no choice but to win it all now.

Yeah. Our defense is garbage, we can not cover anyone and get no preasure even when we blitz the house. Our offense is good, but the O line is suspect up the middle. I am not saying we can't win, when we play well we can beat anyone and beat them bad, but I am not counting on it. If we get in the throw bombs on every play mode we were in against the Vikings they are gonna kill us.

In the offseason we need a stud interior lineman, center or right guard. We also need another defensive end. What is funny is last offseason all I wanted was for them to throw tons of money at Peppers and in the draft I wanted Pouncy. I think they thought it was more of a rebuilding year and did not want to pay for Peppers.

[r'aggro]

Green Bay can put up some big games, too. I think it will be a high scoring matchup either way.

Like any Hawks fan I think we were looking at one of the big qb's in round 1, but after accidentally beating the Rams yesterday they will likely all be taken when Seattle picks at 21+. Maybe Carroll didn't want any of them anyway. Maybe he intends to trade up for our homeboy Locker at any cost.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

That whole aritcle basically referenced the fighting, and in particular the Artest fight.. I agree that stuff has no place in sports. I don't see how that is comparable to showboating, celebrating, or even trash talking amongst players.

Sure it referenced the fighting, but it was ABOUT the NBA's image issue. Specifically from the fighting.

The NFL's image is pretty decent. They try to keep it clean. Much moreso than the NBA does (though the NBA does seem to have taken an interest in it more lately).

The type of stuff that Jackson does is exactly the type of stuff that the NFL generally doesn't want in it's game. There is always going to be some, but what Jackson did was excessive. The fact that it's being discussed in more than a few places should be a clear indicator that at the very LEAST it was borderline.

Image affects saleability of the game. The NBA's has evolved to resmble more that of gang culture. The NFL wants no part of that.

[MrDigital]

MrD's preseason prediction of Lions record: 6-10. Lions 2010 record: 6-10. YEAH!

It was very sketchy and required a 4 game win streak but uhh... FOUR GAME WIN STREAK. Things are coming together well. I think the Lions will be contenders next year, like Tampa Bay this year.

[fastitocalon]

MrD's preseason prediction of Lions record: 6-10. Lions 2010 record: 6-10. YEAH!

It was very sketchy and required a 4 game win streak but uhh... FOUR GAME WIN STREAK. Things are coming together well. I think the Lions will be contenders next year, like Tampa Bay this year.

I think we need to trade stafford and just build around Hill. I cannot stand the fact that he is so injury prone.

[MrDigital]

I think we need to trade stafford and just build around Hill. I cannot stand the fact that he is so injury prone.

Yeah seriously, the guy has glass shoulders. He has crazy skills though and I think the Lions would be better with him than Hill, but I have no problems with Hill either.

I'm unimpressed with Jahvid Best as well. Kevin Smith has been injured a lot recently as well. I hope 2011 is an injury-free year. Can't wait to see what the Lions could put together. Hope they draft an elite cornerback in the first round.

[r'aggro]

I think Detroit won too many games there at the end to land Patrick Peterson...Jimmy Smith or Janoris Jenkins should still be around though, considering how many teams will be going after quarterbacks ahead of the Lion's pick.

[r'aggro]

Oh, and one other thing:

[md1198p]

Oh, and one other thing:

Lynch went into beast mode on that run. That was amazing. One of the best runs I have ever seen.

Looking at it again it kinda reminded me of Bavaro's famous run for the Giants.

[ajwest]

Agreed, Lynch just wanted it more!

The Saints really did dissapoint me, Brees let me down. Being a UCLA guy, I hate Carroll :P

Then theres the damn Jets/Colts game. Jesus Cromartie needs to stick to what hes good at, got burnt 75% of the time when he didn't bump uglies with Pierre. At least hes the reason Folk got to slot that kick (from the KO Return).

Just need my Ravens to break Cassel like a twig, then we can take it to New England.

[fastitocalon]

Some good games today, I hate that football is winding down.

[ajwest]

Some good games today, I hate that football is winding down.

Theres always the LFL (Lingere Football League) that Ive seen advertised before during March!

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Absolutely STUNNED by the Hawks-Saints game. Has to be one of the biggest upsets ever. That was just the Hawks day I think. They replay that game 10 times the Hawks lose 9 of them. They just won the one that mattered.

Jets also surprised me. You could actually see the Colts D wearing down.