NFL - Random Opinions

Chiefs in another Prime Time game tonight.

National attention has been given to the controversial flags in critical situations going in the Chiefs favor. Andy Reid has been critical of the refs targeting his RT due to a number of non-calls in the season opener that also were given a lot of attention. Based on a number of online articles, it appears to a number of fans that the Chiefs are the newest golden team of the league so they are getting “help” from the league. Some of the calls indeed have been pretty questionable to say the least. Personally, I believe that it’s mainly because they’ve played in a lot of prime time games, and even on Sunday day games, they are usually the game televised so more eyes are focused on their games. I don’t feel the NFL has been giving extra help to the Chiefs, quite honestly they don’t need it. People have pointed to the Vikings PI flag that was eventually picked up. I think that was the right call, and I was pulling for the Vikings to pull that out. The pass was uncatchable, no way the receiver was going to get to the ball due to Cousin’s arm getting hit as he was throwing. That Jets flag was pretty bad, but running at full speed, I could see why the flag was thrown. The one thing I would say is there are spotters that radio down to the refs to get those calls right, we’ve seen in multiple games flags get picked up and the official consultant for the broadcast says the spotters radio down on those big plays. I feel that is too inconsistent in games, but not ready to call it intervention from the league. All teams get bad calls against them, the refs are human and miss calls. They don’t have the benefit of slow motion replays from different angles to make those calls, instant replay reviews of all penalties is not feasible.

 

In the said Vikings game, not only was the PI not called, there's absolutely no reason why the flag for the helmet removal wasnt called, the Ref even told the player to put his helmet back on... that was some real strange stuff right there. The rule is concise and simple.

For me personally, Im over it, water under the bridge, but as a Vikings fan or not, that was very mysterious.

 

Agree on the helmet, that one was strange. However since it was post play, I believe it just would have backed the Chiefs offense up half the distance. Not remembering exactly how much time remained at that point, but I believe even if it was called the chiefs win the game. That was the reason I didn’t include it. But I’ve seen that not get called before, I believe TJ Watt could’ve been called after the final strip sack in the Ravens game.

 

Yesterday I read an article about Goodel signing a three year 200 million contract extension which would bring his total pay from the NFL to 700 million. That is ridiculous. We think the players make too much? Just how much money are the owners making? Nobody would pay that crazy salary if he wasn’t making them a pretty bundle. No wonder some owners don’t give a crap about winning, they are profiting so much from ownership that they are just really running a profitable business not a football team.

 

It seemed like it used to be a real passion for the owners. Now it's an investment.

Halas, AL Davis, etc all loved the game and were very active in day to day things. Anybody can hate Jerry Jones, but that's a real owner in my book.

 

Plus, he’s a marketing genius.

 

Looking at what Denver has been doing on offense...

Sean Payton is failing this roster, which is something because this roster is not something to crow about.

For starters, let's look at some simple ideas -

The Broncos are advertising themselves as a run first team. Defenses know it, and they are stacking the box in preparation. So, what's one of the easiest ways to get the top off the defense and ease linebackers out of a downhill stance? Take some deep shots, run some intermediate corners, posts, crossing routes, ins and outs (keep the defense moving throughout the routes) and utilize speed to emphasize the threat.

What would be the most dynamic weapon for the offense to utilize in that role? A guy they could move around on the field to get the best possible mismatch in his favor?

Marvin Mims

How many targets did Mims have last night?

Zero

You know who they did try to stretch the field with on a key third down in the 4th quarter? Brandon Johnson... Yeah, that's not the speed burner on the roster. In fact, of the 4 WRs they have, he clocked in the slowest at the combine.

And the attempted air yards per pass back up the fact that they simply do not try to get the ball downfield. Payton has condensed the offense into the short and relative intermediate to the point that it is suffocating his own rushing attack.

They have a solid duo to work with in the ground game. They can attack a defense in multiple ways with that pair, and if they had the horse sense to figure methods for getting both in the backfield at the same time. Some misdirection instead of trying to simply pound a nail every time would be helpful.

I know that everyone has bagged up Russell to be recycled but, all in all, he has played better football than most want to give him credit for.

One of the reasons his on-target percentage is so low is because his receivers are rarely coming in and out of the breaks at the right depth or making the right decisions when faced with zone. Now, part of that is because they simply don't have a high echelon receiver in the room to work with the nuances on. Another part of that is likely working with a wide receivers coach that is in his first year at the professional level. Whether or not Colbert is going to make a difference at this level is a bit of a question mark. His college resume isn't bad, but it's highly situational so the verdict is out on whether he was a large influence or not in the shaping of young careers.

There's enough here for the Broncos to at least be competitive, but it looks like the locker room has not bought into what Payton is selling, and in order for him to get things the way he would prefer he may have to have wholesale changes on the roster.

If that's the case, Denver's front office should be looking to have a hard discussion with Russ on clearing some money off his books so he can seek out another landing spot. Offer him the ability to seek out a trade partner if he is willing to restructure his contract for less money. Basically, ask him to take a pay cut to get some control over what stadium he may be able to take his services to.

Bite the bullet, except that things have to get worse before better, and start making moves for 2025.

 

Can say the same about Haslam when it comes to wanting to win. Sure he is an idiot in some ways but everything he has done since taking over the Browns is in an effort to get them to win a championship. It's why coaches have been dumped quickly and QBs even quicker. Personally I don't like the move to aquire Watson because of his off the field issues but if you honestly thought you get get him at the level he was in Houston (wether he was good or just a #s guy on a bad team is another debate) I can see why you take a shot. Don't agree with contract but hey it's not my money. Point being if he thinks it will help them win he will do it.

 

I'll be honest, Im not real smart when it comes to evaluations... I just sit back and try to enjoy the product. One thing Im certain about is, Payton and Wilson have both admitted to mistakes... and in my opinion, some have been very detrimental to the team and their winning chances. Just recently, Payton admitted to a in game blunder and Wilson has said basically the same.

How much is the offensive play calling on Payton or the OC, Im not sure?

Another question is, why was Payton hyped in the first place as the guy who would straighten out Wilson and charge the Broncos offense? Seems to me he was dubbed the savior and it might take some real time.

 

I think people expected him to bring a version of his offense he had in New Orleans to Denver and for it to pop quickly, but it was never gonna be a year one turnaround. There simply isn't enough talent on the roster to expect them to have the ability to run that style of offense this season.

That's why all of the people blasting Russ are simply taking the easiest route to get an opinion.

On his first pick last night, he never should have thrown the ball, but if you look at the routes ran by the receivers I have a hard time believing that both of them were on time with where they were supposed to be. The linebacker was in position to make the play because both receivers ran to the same depth. If the inside route cuts short and out/hooks/curls then the over-the-top route is still going to be jammed. But, if the inside route cuts shorter to the inside then either that receiver is going to come open or the LB is going to trail him and open the outside receiver.

Again, this is pretty basic stuff that is being fucked up on the regular, so they are either being coached poorly or the receiver room is simply devoid of players that can operate the offense Payton is trying to run.

 

I find it odd that an offensive penalty on a 2-pt conversion doesnt result in a loss of down.

 

Stroud to Schultz, TD.

Kyle Pitts for the Dirty Birds.

Panthers strike first in Miami.

 

Wow, Panthers hit a wide open Thielen, 14-0, CAR.

 

One thing about this RedZone thing is, I dont get replays. They bounce all over the place, lol.

 

Tua said, 14-0? so what. Its all tied up now.

 

Browns get 6, cut the 9ers lead to, 10-7.

 

Stroud threw a pick today, his first on the season, I guess he is human.

 

Hicks is having a game. Got him a pick, fumble recovery with a TD.

 

Browns and 49ers tied late 3rd. Cooper with 95 yards receiving.

 

Browns up, 13-10.