The Atlantic - Latest Comments in And now let us dis whack football teams

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

adamh — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:50:21 -0000

As a fellow cowboys fan; I think this should be their year, and the linchpin of our team (the o-line) just got dominated by the friggin cardinals...

At the end if the day -- it's all about winning at the line of scrimmage. At the risk of a tortured political metaphor -- the line of scrimmage is GOTV operation of the football world. If you can't get your guys to the polls it's over. (told you it was tortured, but where else can I feel comfortable breaking out a football as politics metaphor instead of the other way around...)

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

drownig in a sea of red — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:50:36 -0000

AliHajiSheik,

I agree Tennesee took awayour hard earned superbowl.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

RHammer — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:48:02 -0000

What AliHajiSheik said...

only add to that the fact that, for many of us in the Detroit-area, our refuge from the limping lion s has been the consistency of the Univ. of Michigan. For alumns, this season has been especially depressing... we know we've been fortunate not to have to eat our humble pie for like 40 years, while other programs (USC, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, ND, etc.) have gone through coaching changes that required programmatic birth pangs, and those of us in the maize and blue family will simply have to sit back and let our freshman and sophomore starters mature and learn this new system while RichRod gets everything and everyone sorted out. This season will suck, and we can make no excuses to the contrary.

BUT, the absence of a competitive program at UofM this year, coupled with the unending depravity that is the Detroit Lions, has combined to give many of us here in Michigan a real bummer of what is typically one of the favorite times of year...

As for Roy Williams, he's always been a longhorn and wanted to return to Texas, so I'm happy for him that he is back there, but I am not that surprised that we got a first, third, and sixth round pick out of the deal. He'll be motivated down in the other D, and will be a productive counter-weight to T.O.

anyway, back to my humble pie...

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

low-tech cyclist — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:35:55 -0000

My team's the Redskins, who demonstrated last week that they're NOT a dominant team: they're good, and they can beat other good teams when they're focused - but they can (and just did) lose to a bad team when they're not.

So they should beat the Browns on Sunday, but I'll breathe easier once they've done it.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Juba — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:13:21 -0000

Wait---Martin Mayhew that played for the Bucs!?!

WELL DONE, LIONS, WELL DONE!!

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Juba — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:10:28 -0000

"maybe, like america with barack, the lions have become so bad that they'll give the brother from another planet - or at least, without a long resume - a chance."

You know what? Everytime I hear someone explain that Obama may be getting set up by the GOP to serve during a coming Depression, and how we should be careful what we wish for--I hit them with the Tony Dungy argument.

Dungy was arguably the best Defensive Coordinator in the NFL for years--he presided over that monstruous Vikings team with Chris Doleman, John Randle , Jack Del Rio (interestingly enough), etc.

Yet because of the color of his skin, the NFL passed him up for jobs year after year. Finally, my Tampa Bay Bucs, the NFL (and pro sports) laughingstock franchise for two decades, in their desperation hired Dungy to turn the team around.

He made them one of the winningest franchises of the 90s and built the backbone for a Superbowl championship, and then turned around and got his own Lombardi with the Colts.

Point being, sometimes when you are the underdog, opportunity comes in the form of a crap gig no one else will take (see, WILDCATS, Goldie Hawn or IMMIGRATION, American). But in that lump of coal is sometimes the jewel.

Lets hope your interim GM gets a shot from the Ford family, and proves to be as adept an Af. Am Front Office guy as Reese of the Giants or Newsome of the Ravens.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

keith — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:53:02 -0000

Let me try and talk the Cowboy fans off the ledge here. The 'boys were able to give up a 1,3,and 6 pick because they had two 3's, they get a 5 from Tennessee because of Pacman, and they got a 7 from Detroit. So all they gave up was a 1st rd, which would be a low 1st rd pick in the 28-32 range that they would have used on a reciever next year as TO is 34 after all. There is not a reciever in college that will be there in that range next year who is as good as Roy Williams so he becomes your 1st rd pick. I liken Roy to Plaxico Burress who had only 35 catches in 11 games in his last year in Pitt, clearly wanted out and went to NY to become a top reciever. Roy did not want to be in Det., is from Texas and couldn't be happier. Anyone who has seen him play can see he has talent. For those that think it can't work, well I'd rather have too much talent than not enough. This was a top 5 offense before the trade, its even better now. TO should(and is) rejoice, no defense can continue to run double and triple team and let Roy run free like they were able to do with Pat Crayton. With Felix being out, speed would have been an issue with out Roy being added, and if Romo can't play the more weapons the better for Brad Johnson. By the way the word out of Dallas(KTCK) is that Tony will play this Sun.

As for Pac, they didn't risk anything but reputation to sign the guy. Since everyone thinks the Cowboys are full of criminals anyway(even though they have not had an incident since like 01-02)they obviously don't care about perception. He was ok in coverage, underwhelming in punt return. I say its a good thing they spent a 1st rd pick on a db last year. Jeez, so much doom and gloom for a 4-2 team, you would think they were the McCain campaign.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

hubcap — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:46:40 -0000

We have the Skins this week and I heard Portis hasn't practiced all week. Is he that banged up?

I think he's real-world banged up, but not NFL-world banged up. They say he is out with a hip flexor, but will play. Real-world people would be fetal in bed on painkillers, but NFL-world people go out and run for 100 yards.

But d-backs Fred Smoot, Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers are different degress of nicked up. I think Browns fans' hopes have more to do with which Derek Anderson shows up.

Re: Cowboys, beware of Dan Snyder syndrome. Trading future picks for the latest shiny object leads to heartbreak. Also, your team is coached by Wade Phillips. Problematic.

And to all Chargers fans, don't bother running from the curse of Norv Turner - you will only lose tired.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

AliHajiSheik — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:40:58 -0000

Bren - the best part of the Fontes era was knowing no matter what your record was, if there were enough games to go over .500 you were in it to win it. There were none better at dodging bullets than the big buck. At 3-6, you knew there was a very good chance to go 9-7 and get to the playoffs. Of course the downside was the likelihood of getting beaten by 90 in a playoff game with the world watching, but it made the season worth watching.

Since Wayne left, we haven't had even the smallest glimmer of hope.

To be a Leos fan is to be an indoctrinated cynic by the time you understand zone blocking. Its like hearing Buddy Ackerman tell you: ...life, is not a movie. Everyone lies. Good guys lose. And love...does not conquer all.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

SpottieOttieDopaliscious — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:38:01 -0000

The commenter above me has it right, TC. My Boy Roy Williams is a game changer and the second coming of TO. He's worth everything they gave up, especially since you no longer have Bill Parcells plucking Pro Bowlers from the bottom of the first round like you used to.

Roy is big, fast and makes the tough catches. If you don't know about the Pride of Odessa, Texas yet, you're about to find out.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

sgwhiteinfla — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:19:24 -0000

Roy Williams is going to be a game changer for Dallas. He is 27 and has been pro bowl material for years with a lower rung offense and a lower rung QB. He was definitely worth a 1st round pick because many 1st round picks become busts AND the cowboy's 1st round pick if they make the playoffs will probably be a low one. With Roy Williams you have a proven commodity that made the pro bowl last year. A guy who looks like the spitting image of T.O. who is big fast will block and has no fear. It doesnt hurt that he played at UT either. i don't know how long it will take him to learn the offense but ill bet starting this weekend he will be an impact player

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

frankie d — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:53:48 -0000

it's incredible that detroit fleeced dallas with the roy williams trade.

but then, a young brother, martin mayhew, the interim gm, pulled it off, so maybe it's a sign that he knows what he's doing. so i'm rooting for him. maybe, like america with barack, the lions have become so bad that they'll give the brother from another planet - or at least, without a long resume - a chance.

the lions lost me when they chose to keep bobby ross as the coach, and let barry walk away. barry sanders was tired of getting pounded and beat up in ross' "3 yards and a cloud of dust" offense" and so he walked. smart move on his part cause he would have ended up a cripple if he's have stayed. but that was the last straw for me, as a real, true honolulu blue detroit lions fan.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

tom c — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:50:44 -0000

And another thing... What was Jerry Jones thinking when he took Pacman? How was this not easily predictable? Are you guys signing Michael Vick when he gets out too?

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Juba — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:48:37 -0000

Alright T-Heezy, I'm going to start bugging you on your blog now since I can't kidnap you for a beer over football.

Sorry about your Boys' fortunes lately. (Well, not really.) They definitely pulled a Herschel Walker in their haste to knock Pacman off the front page and keep TO happy. To me the second-worst part about it is that several talented young WRs on your squad will now be neglected in their development. Austin is an AMAZING red zone threat. Hurd has promise. Marcellus Bennett has promise. Heck, even Felix and Marion out of the backfield in space have promise, both have great hands.

The worst? You guys are neglecting the most fearsome backfield tandem in football with this Air Coryell stuff Romo seems to want to audible to all the time. Establishing the run, I'm a firm believer in it! Anywhoo.

Well, I will be looking forward to seeing us play you Boys in Dallas in two weeks--and I dont wanna hear excuses neither, son, you best be available!

Mark,

"How about the NFC South as the best Division in football? ...Of course I'm hoping that Matt Ryan is able to keep playing with the poise and command that he has shown so far this season."

My man, watching Tampa beat Ryan earlier in the season reminded me of watching us harrass the heck out of McNabb the first time we played him. I knew deep down in my heart that while we won this battle, the kid didnt have to like it and he would be a real problem years down the line.

Now we hear the Brady comparisons. *Sigh*

Best of luck (but not too much!) with your Falcons. Roddy White is truly an amazing receiver and I think Ryan to White will at least be as fearsome as Schaub to Johnson, if not more.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

tom c — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:48:14 -0000

I'm a Browns fan and I have no explanation for how they managed to whoop on the Giants that badly. I don't have an explanation, noone in Cleveland has an explantion, hell, science doesn't have an explanation.

We have the Skins this week and I heard Portis hasn't practiced all week. Is he that banged up? I figure that if he is limited than the Brownies have a good shot.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Angelica — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:40:36 -0000

Oh Puhleez don't get me started on the boyz today. I made it through the whole week and was able to come to terms with an undeniable truth. We might not be as good as we expected we would be. (Ouch, I said it) It has been hellufied crazy down here in the big D. We were just becoming acclimated (again) with being in a winning way until this past Sunday night's debacle. And now this week through the next month we are the Walking Wounded.

1) Pac? Good riddance and yes jerry put a detail on him and he still couldn't own up. That indefinite suspension from the league cost him his spot on the boyz roster, take it to the bank.

2) What would Farve have done? He would have wrapped up his pinky and put on his jersey the next Sunday. Real men play hurt period. But, noooo Romo has to have time to "heal". So, they say it'll take him 4 weeks to get back on the field. Romo's acting real punkish right now and needs to grow a set. If he returns from IR married....(I can't even speak of it)

3)Roy Williams? Is this some grand design to put him in the other Roy's jersey and use him on defense? Stupid. Stupid. STUPID!!! We gave the lion's a 1, 3 and 7 round picks for him. Just don't get it. Stupid.

4) McBriar fractured his foot when he got his punt BLOCKED in the Cards game, so we don't even have a punter. And after last weeks performance, I'd say good riddance to him too, but, since I have home training I wish him a restful convalescence. Maybe we can use the new roy to replace him this year, get R-Dub Jr. to earn his keep--so to speak.

5) Felix. Why, Why?! Why!?! Baby boy strained his ham and is out for at least two. (I can help him recover quicker...tsk,tsk,tsk) Big loss for us, but Barber and Choice will have him covered.

6) And with all this Cowsheep drama we have down here can we still beat St Louis this week? Um, sure, maybe. They have as much or more drama than we do, but I haven't seen this new team that call themselves the m-effin Cowboyz. I don't know who will walk out on the field.

Johnson, backing up pretty boy Romo, doesn't worry me it's the boyz secondary and the recent performance of our o-line that has me, ahem, concerned. Guess we'll see.

Humpfh, how bout dem boyz...

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

John — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:35:57 -0000

There is no worldly pain like being a Cleveland sports fan. It has made being a Democratic a stress-free enterprise, even in the past 8 years.

The Browns will show just enough (beating the Giants) to be a nice tease this year. That's about it.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

rikyrah — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:31:55 -0000

You cracked me up with this...because, this is the bottom line:

The Cowboys should not have signed Pacman. The dude evidently has a babysitter--and then he got into a fight with his babysitter.

That really IS it, isn't it?

So tired of trifling, grown-ass men who don't know how to behave.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Claudius — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:19:47 -0000

'Skins fans are tough to take. They have incredible loyalty to their team, which is to their credit (especially considering what the team's owner puts them through), but they have no perspective at all. Every victory is cause to speculate--endlessly--about their playoff and even Super Bowl chances. And every defeat is cause for throwing up their hands in despair. They seem to think they're entitled to the playoffs. They were so spoiled by the first Gibbs era. Note to Skins fans--it's not 1983, the 'Skins weren't the best team of the 1980's, and your stadium is a travesty to football fandom.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Bren — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:18:36 -0000

AliHajiSheik:

"I view Wayne Fontes' tenure as the glory days of Lions football. I actually wish he was still coaching."

Wow. Those were the days. I was thinking that I'd be pretty content right now with Scott Mitchell under center. And even though it never got us that far, at least back then we could watch Barry Sanders while the Lions lost.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Curtis — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:14:04 -0000

Ok, I came off the top rope to predict the win over the Broncos.

The best chance for the Chiefs this week is for Brodie to injure himself early enough that Huard gets back in there.

Nope. This one could get ugly. The over/under for Titans time of possession has to start at about 41 minutes.

And somewhere, somehow, Isaih Thomas is pissed not to be in the discussion of worst executives.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Incertus — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:54:29 -0000

I'm afraid the Saints are gonna be kickin' themselves over that Minnesota game come January.

I worry about that as well. Damn place kickers. But they've already beaten the Bucs once, they get the Panthers this week, and while Atlanta will be really scary next year, I'm not convinced they're quite ready for prime time this year, so winning the division is still in the cards. The big thing to point out about Brees is that he's done it the last three weeks with the 3rd and 4th receivers and backup tight ends because of injuries.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Fighting Words — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:50:50 -0000

Aaron,

Al Davis would have sued Mother Teresa for trademark infringement because her habit too closely resembles the Raiders' colors.

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

Yojimbo — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:42:27 -0000

Why are the Bears such a likeable team, but their coaches call such dumb plays?!

Re: And now let us dis whack football teams

AliHajiSheik — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:40:20 -0000

Ryan - you are absolutely correct that losing your team is an exception from the rule. I was wrong.