NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Here were my comments on the Steelers when Tim asked me to participate in the Steelers preview

• "I’m not as high on the 2018 team as others mostly because I believe the other three division members did a really nice job of solving their roster woes from a year ago."
• "Clearly the Browns are a better team from a personnel standpoint. I think their head coach stinks but Haley was a nice hire. I think they will be a tough opponent."
• "So they’ll have their work cut out for them. I don’t think they’ll win 13 games again this year but I believe they could end up being a more playoff ready team if the young players, specifically young defensive players can develop."
• "If there’s one thing you can count on when looking at a Tomlin team is that they will be a work in progress in September and October and you won’t really see what it is they’re trying to do until the last half of the year."
• "If you’re asking for a prediction I’ll say 10-6, fighting to win the division."

So, without actually listing what I thought their record would be through the first three games I pretty much called this exact scenario. I said:

The division would be better.
They would be in a fight to win it. They are indeed tied for last but they are only a 1/2 game out of first.
Tomlin teams start out slow (like 1-1-1 through three games, maybe 1-2-1 through 4 after Sunday). Wouldn't shock me.

But that doesn't mean in any way they are trending downward. It means the rest of the division (including your Browns) are trending upward and the Steelers are doing what they have traditionally done in September. They are working through the roster, trying to find the right pieces to fit, figuring out who they are. They still have the best overall roster in the division and barring any major injuries are the favorite to win it. But I wouldn't be surprised if 3 teams are still in contention in December, maybe all 4.

The team that comes out of the AFC North this year will be battle tested and more ready to advance in the playoffs than the Steelers have been recently.

 

I appreciate your insight as a diehard fan @beachbum , That said...would you concede that isn't the perception outside of Pittsburgh? Many prognosticators picked them to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, while I am NOT saying that a 1-1-1 record indicates they are not heading in that direction, most had them as a top 10 team coming into the season and currently have/had them out of the top ten after their week two loss. Some may have moved them up after their win last week, but I haven't seen any new data. The trend was down...by trend, that is perception, based on what everyone expected of them coming into the season. No one is predicting they are going to have a losing season here, it is a perception of where the team is compared to where they were 1-2-3 weeks ago and what was expected of them going into week 4.

Again, I appreciate your thoughts because you certainly know them better than I do, and probably better than the faces and voices on national TV and radio. The public perception is that they are viewed as down from where they were viewed entering the 2018 season.

Another win, and obviously, that trend will make a U-Turn and change.

 

i have 2 other RBs as Questionable, so i didn't want them pulling a hang nail and sitting out to nurse their toes.

 

Mike Zimmer: Anywhere I’ve coached, we’ve never been this poor in pass coverage...

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is in his fifth season as a head coach and was a defensive coordinator for 14 years before that. And ye’s never been as down on his pass defense as he is right now.

After the Rams’ passing offense ran wild on the Vikings’ secondary on Thursday night, Zimmer said he’s never had a defense play like this.

“Probably anywhere I’ve ever been, I’ve never been this poor in pass coverage,” Zimmer said. “We’re going to have to look at everything we’re doing and get back to doing things correctly.”

Zimmer said his defense has been digging holes for the team all season.

“I’ve been concerned all year long,” Zimmer said. “We have not played well defensively.”

The Vikings had Super Bowl aspirations but are now 1-2-1. The defense needs to turn things around in a hurry if they’re going to avoid a major disappointment of a season. (NBC's PFT)
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Anthony Barr was toast last night... maybe they should start right there.

 

I really don't get into public perception and certainly don't pay any attention to power rankings. I honestly can't think of a more meaningless thing to look at.

The Steelers were 4-5 in 2016, finished 11-5 and went to the AFC championship game. They were 3-2 last year and won 13 games. Should have went 14-2 without the stupid catch rule. I'm sure they weren't sitting very high on the power rankings in '16 and '17 either. That's just how Tomlin teams are built. September is a work in progress as they get ready for the race to the playoffs. It doesn't guarantee they are going to get back there again and I get how it makes people outside of Pittsburgh feel about the team but it doesn't mean they are trending downward like you stated. I just means people perceive it that way. Heck, the majority of Pittsburgh fans don't get it either. They think the sky is falling every September.

I'm just giving you examples of why people shouldn't see it that way and you asked me directly if I saw them being in this spot after 3 weeks. Yep, I did. Doesn't surprise me one bit which is why unlike Gidion and others I wasn't running my mouth on the Browns board about the Steelers kicking the Browns ass Week 1. I wasn't expecting the Steelers A-game week one. I'm looking forward to the next matchup.

 

OUTSTANDING preview, by the way.

All of them were impressive this year. Everyone should check all of them out if you haven't done so already.

 

Here's the link to his Steelers preview, as all of the previews are now very difficult to find.

https://live4sportnetwork.com/pittsburgh-steelers-2018-preview-with-beachbum/

 

Just click on the NFL tab (second page) and scroll down to find all of our previews this season -
https://live4sportnetwork.com/category/nfl/page/2/

https://live4sportnetwork.com/seattle-seahawks-2018-preview-with-atticus379-and-whitesauce253/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/new-york-giants-2018-preview-with-xinik/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/chicago-bears-2018-preview-with-mongo/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/new-england-patriots-2018-preview-with-underdog/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/minnesota-vikings-2018-preview-with-will/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/atlanta-falcons-2018-preview-with-torgo/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/cleveland-browns-2018-preview-with-lyman/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/pittsburgh-steelers-2018-preview-with-beachbum/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/philadelphia-eagles-2018-preview-with-laojoe/
https://live4sportnetwork.com/baltimore-ravens-2018-preview/

 

The 'as it stands right now' INJURY REPORT...

Randall Cobb landed on the Green Bay Packers' injury report Thursday with a hamstring issue.

Coach Mike McCarthy took a wait-and-see approach on Friday with his veteran receiver.

"We'll see what today brings. It's unfortunate, but we'll see how it goes," he said.

The receiver is officially listed as questionable on the injury report.

Cobb has participated in 91 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps through three games, corralling 17 catches for 194 yards and a TD. The past two games, however, the No. 2 receiver has been slowed, generating just eight catches for 52 yards.

If Cobb can't go Sunday versus the Buffalo Bills, the onus would fall to Geronimo Allison and rookies Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown to pick up the slack behind No. 1 target Davante Adams. The Packers could also take a tight-end heavy approach with Jimmy Graham, Lance Kendricks and Marcedes Lewis.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is also listed as questionable but is still expected to play.

Here are the other injuries we're monitoring ahead of Sunday's Week 4 contests:

1. Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi (back) good to go for Sunday, coach Doug Pederson said. Safety Rodney McLeod underwent knee surgery, but no determination has been made on whether they will place him on injured reserve, Pederson said. Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is dealing with an illness, and it remains unclear whether he'll make his season debut this week. He is listed as questionable. Running back Darren Sproles will not play this week due to a hamstring injury.

2. Seattle Seahawks Doug Baldwin (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, but coach Pete Carroll said the veteran wide receiver will play. Running back Chris Carson (hip) and defensive end Dion Jordan (hip) are questionable and running back C.J. Prosise (abdomen) is doubtful. Defensive end Rasheem Green (ankle) and linebacker K.J. Wright (knee) are out.

3. Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (knee) and center Billy Price foot have both been ruled out for Sunday against the Falcons.

4. New York Jets linebacker Josh Martin (concussion) and wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (ankle/groin) both will play Sunday. Safety Marcus Maye (ankle/foot), cornerback Buster Skrine (knee), safety Doug Middleton (knee/finger) are all listed as questionable and game-time decisions. Tight end Neal Sterling (concussion) and wide receiver Charone Peake (hamstring) will not play.

5. Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh believes linebacker C.J. Mosley (knee) and defensive tackle Michael Pierce (foot) will play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harbaugh said the team's medical staff is still determining whether rookie tight end Hayden Hurst (foot) will play.

6. Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (rib) is officially listed as questionable against the Packers. Tight ends Charles Clay (shoulder/hip) and Jason Croom (knee) and running back Marcus Murphy (rib) are also all questionable.

7. Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said defensive end Takk McKinley (groin) will play this weekend. Despite making progress this week, running back Devonta Freeman (knee) will not play Sunday vs. Bengals, Quinn announced.

8. New York Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Giants running back Jonathan Stewart was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, the team announced Friday.

9. Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring), wide receiver Anthony Miller (shoulder) and cornerback Marcus Cooper (hamstring) have all been ruled out.

10. Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (hamstring) is listed as questionable. While tackle Anthony Castonzo (hamstring) has been ruled out. Defensive lineman Denico Autry (ankle) and safety Malik Hooker (hip/groin) both have been removed from the injury report.

The Colts are placied tackle Joe Haeg on injured reserve due to an ankle injury, the team announced Friday. Per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Colts hope Haeg returns in November once his injury heals.

11. Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (thumb/hamstring/ankle), corners Kayvon Webster (Achilles tendon) and Shareece Wright (shoulder) are all listed as questionable against the Colts.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie defensive tackle Vita Vea (calf) was a full participant in practice and is questionable to play against the Chicago Bears. Safety Jordan Whitehead is also questionable as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury.

13. Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen (knee/tooth) and Travis Benjamin (foot) are listed as questionable on the injury report for Sunday's tilt against the 49ers. Tackle Joe Barksdale (knee), defensive end Joey Bosa (foot) and linebacker Kyzir White (knee) have been ruled out.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton (elbow) and safety Morgan Burnett (groin) are listed as doubtful for Sunday versus Ravens.

15. Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (right elbow) and tackle Jack Conklin (knee) have been removed from the injury report. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert (concussion) did not practice this week and is listed as questionable. Tackle Dennis Kelly (illness) and running back David Fluellen (groin) will not play.

16. Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate was limited in practice because of a hip injury and is questionable to play against the Dallas Cowboys. Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) was ruled out after not practicing all week and guard T.J. Lang is off the injury report. Linebacker Jarrad Davis (knee) is questionable after a limited practice session.

17. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley is questionable to play against the Lions because of an ankle injury. Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (groin) is questionable after being limited in practice all week and, as anticipated, linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) is out.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and offensive lineman A.J. Cann (triceps) are listed as questionable against the Jets. Corner D.J. Hayden (toe) will not play.

19. San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and guard Joshua Garnett (toe) will not play against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Running backs Matt Breida (knee), Alfred Morris (knee) and safety Adrian Colbert (hip) are questionable for the contest.

20. New England Patriots tackle Marcus Cannon (calf), safety Patrick Chung (concussion), defensive lineman Trey Flowers (concussion), wide receiver Josh Gordon (hamstring), tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle) and cornerback Eric Rowe (groin) are all listed as questionable against the Dolphins.

21. Miami Dolphins tight end A.J. Derby (foot) will not play against the Patriots. Wide receiver DeVante Parker (quad), safety Reshad Jones (shoulder) and defensive end Cameron Wake (knee) are listed as questionable.

22. New Orleans Saints rookie defensive end Marcus Davenport (hip) is questionable to play against the New York Giants after being limited in practice. Linebacker Manti Teo (knee) won't play because of a hip injury. Running back Alvin Kamara (knee) was limited in practice Friday, but he was not listed on the injury report for the game.

23. Oakland Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall is questionable to play against the Cleveland Browns because of an ankle injury after being limited in practice all week. Offensive tackle Donald Penn is off the injury report and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (hamstring) is questionable after being limited in practice.

24. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) is questionable to play against the Seahawks after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. Defensive tackles Robert Nkemdiche (knee), Corey Peters (elbow) and Andre Smith (elbow) are also questionable for the game. (NFL.com)

 

You're welcome to not respond to me anytime you like. I don't twist your arm and make you reply. Your examples don't make sense. A player sitting out isn't equal to a player that retires. It's not even in the same ballpark. One is pissed at his contract, or lack thereof, and the other is quitting the game for life.

Yes...a player that chooses to sit out and not get paid is being penalized. The penalty is the money he forfeits. Just as a regular person that chooses not to go to work doesn't get paid, save sick days and so on, is penalized by not getting paid. You choose not to show up....either the company you work for or the rules that are in place penalize you by not paying you.

It's a penalty...and no ridiculous analogy changes that.

Well....the player chose to commit the act that led to the fine and penalty, right? You set that the parameters that choosing to do something means it isn't a penalty.

That's a pathetic hodgepodge of my words. He isn't being punished because they hold all the cards. And he isn't being punished by the Steelers....he's being penalized by the rules that are in place.

Awesome. I never said the Steelers were blocking his road to play, did I?

A player that chooses retirement is entirely, categorically, different than a player that sits out because he's pissed about being tagged.

I'm sorry your brain malfunctions is badly that you can't comprehend that. I truly, truly, apologize for your stupidity....and you should too.

 

Todays NFL Action...

 

Pittsburgh Steelers actively shopping Le'Veon Bell...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to part ways with running back Le'Veon Bell -- if another team is willing to pay a steep price.

With just over a month to go before the NFL trade deadline, the Steelers are contacting teams and actively shopping Bell, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert is seeking at least a second-round draft pick and a "good" player in exchange for the prolific offensive threat, Rapoport added.

So far, however, no teams have matched the Steelers' terms for a trade, Rapoport reported. For Bell to be traded, he would have to essentially agree to the transaction by signing his $14.54 million franchise tender with the team. Since he's currently not under the contract, the Steelers can't trade him until the tender is signed.

If Bell isn't moved before the Oct. 30 trade deadline, he has until Nov. 13 to sign his tender in order to accrue a season toward free agency. So far, Bell has forfeited more than $3.4 million in salary by missing the first four games of the season.

It remains to be seen if a team is willing to pay such a hefty price for Bell's services. Any team that agreed to acquire him would have to have enough salary-cap space to absorb his nearly $10 million cap hit. There's also a chance Bell would only agree to a trade if he was guaranteed a long-term contract extension in the offseason that met his personal requirements. (NFL.com)

 

The Bears are up 14-0 on the Bucco's... im starting to believe they are a legit football team.

 

27-3, wow

 

Fitz out (benched), Winston in... 45-3

 

Fitzkaplunktric! Finally came back to earth

 

AJ Green always cost me money

 

Eagles choke in OT. They had the win on 4th and 15 but Corey Graham defends no one in a large zone and lets a WR just walk to an open spot to catch in 20 yards downfield. No one covered him. Then PI on 4th down and failed on another 4th down before allowing a score on 3rd with 17 seconds left. The line was doing well but coverage has major issues. The McLeod injury mattered.

 

Dan Quinn plays it safe and loses, Frank Reich doesn’t, also loses. Gotta love football.

 

Frank Reich had no business going for it on 4th in his own half on a tied game. Take the tie. Instead, one play, a spike, FG game.