NFL - NEWS & NOTES

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ? Sam Bradford is thinking more about reconnecting with old friends than sticking it to the team that traded him eight days before the season opener.

The former Eagles quarterback returns to Philadelphia for the first time since his abrupt departure when he leads the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

"I really developed some close bonds with those guys," Bradford said. "When you spend so much time with the guys in the building and you put the time in to build those relationships on and off the field and then it just comes to an end without really having a chance to say goodbye or to go out on the field one last time to play with those guys, I think there's always a little part of you that you're a little down about that."

Bradford has thrived in Minnesota (5-0) after taking a crash course in yet another new offense ? he's playing for his sixth offensive coordinator in seven seasons. Bradford leads the NFL with a 70.4 percent completion rate, ranks second with a 109.8 passer rating, and has taken 249 snaps without a turnover.

But he still has found time to keep a close eye on the Eagles and the guy who replaced him, rookie No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz.

"I enjoy watching them play and I enjoy watching them have success," Bradford said. "I've tried to watch as much as possible. From what Carson has done, it's been awesome to see him play the way he has, and it really doesn't surprise me."

Wentz started fast but the Eagles (3-2) have lost two in a row ? both on the road ? following an early bye. Though he has exceeded expectations so far, Wentz has also shown his inexperience.

 

when he sat out, it didn't seem like he made many bonds as his own teammates had plenty to say about it. The Eagles desperately need a win. Where else to get it but at home vs Bradford? I guarantee they won't see him as their old exQB. he's the enemy and it's war. Sammy's going down!

 

Its a tough game, Sam hopefully doesnt go down. Hopefully no one gets hurt... Eagles or Vikings.

 

No DeAngelo Williams for Pittsburgh, Markus Wheaton, and Marcus Gilbert for Pittsburgh. More Steelers that are out more I think the team is going to overlook them a bit. I'm calling Patriots 23, Steelers 16. I don't really trust the Steelers defense going against a good offense but I don't know, I think Steelers hang around somehow. Pats don't stop the run well and struggle tackling in space.

 

Except Goodell.

 

Blount, Edelman, and Gronk fined for reacting after Bengals took some dirty shots but, none for the Bengals. Lol this league is great. I don't recall Edelman and Blount even doing anything aside from saying a few words. I'm sure Bladino has a good explanation for this...

 

You're right I was trolling before I left for work. I don't remember the specifics any more except Cinci imploding per usual. Just wondering did the Steelers have any timeouts left with that 18 seconds? Either way it was entirely possible they could of got into field goal range. Cinci didn't make it very tough for them though that's for sure.
The greater point is one playoff win in 5 years should be unacceptable for that franchise with the talent on the roster. How is Tomlin viewed in Pitt? Because if it was Boston the media and fans would be all over the front office for a shakeup somewhere. But we're kinda pricks.

 

Want some cheese?

 

They weren't 8-8 in '12 and '13 because of coaching. They just weren't very talented. They've turned that roster over significantly since 2012.

 

It's not my money so I don't even really care that much, I'm just trying to figure out the NFL's logic. Check this out http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...am-fines-show-nfls-discipline-makes-no-sense/

 

What's the deal with John Mara and the Giants going to great length to defend the guy who admitted to abusing his wife? Mara is a scumbag. He went on and on how domestic violence is unacceptable during elevatorgate.

 

Giants' Beckham fined $24K for taking helmet off after TD...

 

Carlos Hyde out this week for 49ers with shoulder injury...

 

These double-standards and flat out blind mistakes are a big contributor of whats damaging the League. Its happening all the time in many aspects of the sport and someones head or heads need to roll.

 

Their best bet would be to use the Cris Carter theory of the fall guy and dump Roger Goodell. It certainly wouldn't fix all of the NFL's problems (although a lot of them) but, it would help the reputation of the league a lot. They'd have to find a new figurehead to be the fall guy (and judge, jury, executor and arbitrator) , hopefully one that isn't nearly as big of a jackass and will use the CBA as intended.

 

They weren't 8-8 in '12 and '13 because of coaching. They just weren't very talented. They've turned that roster over significantly since 2012.

So expectations are higher now?

 

I know the prevailing opinion is that the NFL screwed up again but I just don't see it this time. They made multiple attempts to obtain evidence in the Josh Brown case and the sheriff wouldn't give it up. Like most people I read his interview yesterday that has everyone worked up but even though he kind of talked out of both sides of his mouth he confirmed the league made multiple attempts and he made it very clear he was never releasing evidence in an open investigation and he wasn't going to provide details.

I just don't see where the NFL had any other options. If they had the information they have now there's no doubt in my mind they would have thrown the book at Brown. But they didn't and it was clear the Sheriff wasn't going to change his mind. They had to rule on what they had . It's not as if they could just delay the Giants season because the Sheriff is now saying he might have told them, "Don't rush into this. This case is blossoming way more than what happened on May 22 of 2015. We are getting more information."

He knew damn well the NFL was trying to get information. It's documented right here:

 

Of course they are but as you're well aware you can be the best team in the league for most of the decade and it still doesn't translate into Super Bowl wins.

Would you agree having to face Denver in Denver last year without a healthy Ben, AB, Leveon and DeAngelo makes winning more playoff games pretty tough? And they still lead in the 4th quarter.

How many more playoff wins might the Patriots have with a healthy Gronk? Welker?

 

This little tidbit from John Mara on Francesca blew my mind when I heard it yesterday

?He certainly admitted to us that he abused his wife in the past,? Mara said in a radio interview Thursday evening on WFAN New York. ?What?s a little unclear is the extent of that.?

The extent of spousal abuse was unclear? WTF is wrong with these guys. And Mara is suppose to be on of the good guys. Wasn't an automatic 6 game suspension put in place after the Rice and Hardy incidents. A decision that was made by a committee Mara headed ? Why was he only given a one game suspension to start the season?

 

That was definitely eye opening and the Giants could have saved the NFL the trouble and just released Brown themselves. Their hands weren't tied like the league's. I don't understand why they have and continue to stand by this guy.