NFL - Random Opinions

Ok, let's get into some random thoughts...

 

Is there anyone in the NFC North that is going to give the Packers a fight for the title?

The Vikings needed to have a win at home against Cleveland to keep pace, but they fell on their face and likely set Zimmer up for the first official beheading. I guess you could count the possibility of Urban stepping down as the first 'firing', but I don't think he gets forced out the door, so I'm sticking with my pre-season Zimmer pick to get the hook. Minnesota needs to consider trading Dalvin Cook the moment he gets healthy and has a pair of hundred yard rushing games. Mattison is sound enough to be the #1, and getting some kind of ridiculous return off of Dalvin while his name still carries too much weight would be preferable to watching him stare from the sidelines with another injury, which is an inevitability with Cook.

The Lions are discovering ways to make it harder than it needs to be, despite finding themselves playing good football in spurts. The defense needs to get some kind of groove in the new system, but the offense has shown life with a less than stellar receiving group. The offensive line is good enough, Goff has played solid when given time and Jamaal Williams has ran pretty well (should probably be the primary with Swift being the spell). If they could catch the breaks instead of giving them in a couple of the games they've played, perhaps the Lions are tied with the Vikings in the standings at this point.

The Bears made the move to Fields based on the injury to Dalton, and I pretty much hate everything about the situation. I wanted Justin to spend as much time as possible on the bench to protect him from the walking, talking anus that is Matt Nagy. Well, thanks a lot, Red Rifle. Your knee boo-boo may be the reason why a young and promising passer ends up a mush before the end of his first season. Especially now that Montgomery is out for a few weeks. It just heaps more of the workload onto a passer that has a ton of potential but needs a bit of seasoning before he can be the man. Now he gets to run for his life behind a line that probably could be half decent if they weren't getting their Achilles clipped with a rusty razor by that shit bag Nagy.

Yes, Matt Nagy is the new Adam Gase.

So... No. None of the three other teams in the North are going to challenge the Pack for the division crown.

 

There was talk that Baker Mayfield would be the best of the arms that came out of Oklahoma.

After seeing Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts play at the professional level, could it be that Baker is actually the third best option of that trio?

Should be an interesting off-season discussion to have...

 

Speaking of the AFC North...

Cincinnati is starting to find an identity and that should be concerning to the other 3 teams in the division. This is a roster that has explosive elements on offense and enough talent on defense that they could be closer to being at the top of the division than most would consider at this point. To be sure, there is room to build on, and the offensive line would be an issue that needs corrected. However, they are good enough right now to still be in games when the score is 2 touchdowns or less and only a few precious minutes left on the clock. They've been one of the more entertaining teams to watch this season. Well, except for when the Bears defense obliterated them. That shit was just plain ugly...

The Steelers are trying to lock up the number 4 spot in the division.

No, you read that right. What other possible reason would they have to start Roethlisberger over Rudolph at this point? All you have to do is go back and check out the video from 2020 week 17 against Cleveland and compare it to 2021 week 4 against Green Bay. If you're still taking Ben over Mason at that point, well... You better check to see if vision is part of the health package they're offering with that Burger King employment. Ben's arm is cooked, and his brain is fried. The offensive line is a mess but I have a hard time believing any of the front 5 would agree that a check down pass on 4th and 10 is the right move.

The Ravens are still finding ways to stay competitive after suffering more injuries than any other roster in 2021. Can Lamar carry them all the way to a division title? I'm not betting against him. So far, Baltimore has found ways to continue churning up yardage and keeping a disguise of balance with a stable of running backs that were either washed out of other rosters or were afterthoughts in the organization. Pretty good stuff by Harbaugh and company. They remain my pick to win the division.

The Browns are one game ahead of where I expected them to be after 4 weeks, courtesy of a road win against the Vikings. Cleveland is one of the more interesting teams to watch on Sundays. When the game script is right and working in their favor the yardage piles up and the points hit the board. It's interesting to see how they handle adversity as they both succeed and fail at an equal measure in spots where they need certain aspects to standout. This feels like a team that is rounding into an identity that may be different than some view, primarily those that see it as best succeeding as 'Baker's'. However, it is falling right in line with what I see them as.

The Browns are a fundamentally sound football team that will outplay the average teams they face, play at an equal level with the above average competition they square up with, and stay in games but struggle to find ways to win against the premier teams in the league.

 

Just how shitty are the Texans?

I don't know, but someone should ask that shitty Jacksonville team how they feel about losing to them.

 

Lions are puzzling they look like they can play with anyone is some quarters and in others they look like they cant even find their way to the field.

I've said several times before I dont like starting rookie QBs and Fields being out there is not going to be good. Sure he looked good against the Lions but as I said above they are a puzzling team. Question is does starting Fields buy Nagy another year?

Baring injuries I dont think anybody is contending with the Packers for the division.

 

I gotta remember to ask @EvertonBears about that conversation we were having prior to the start of the season about Kliff Kingsbury being the first coach fired...

 

Their Shitty starts with the decisions to trade or not trade certain players (gave away hopkins supposedly turned down 3 first and 3 3rds for Watson). Not that Watson is great person to listen to but he wanted out because he feels the organization is a mess and in this at least he might be telling the truth.

 

If Mike Zimmer isn't the first coach to get the hook this season, then who would it be?

Maybe @xinik has some thoughts on Joe Judge.

 

I'm not buying the 3 firsts being turned down for Watson.

I would be more inclined to believe that the league/owners stepped in and said "hey, this is already a potential PR disaster so let's not throw any gas on that fire till the off-season".

 

Zimmer is a good bet for who is first considering they are supposed to compete with the Packers for the division.

Here is an outside could he get fired at the end of the season question Pete Carroll. If the Seahwaks dont go deep in the playoffs?

 

That's one that I haven't seen anyone throw out yet.

Definitely a long shot to get the axe, but I'm also expecting them to come away with a win against the Rams that changes the conversation in the West.

 

How many of you are paying attention to what is going on with the Washington What The Fuckers?

Heinicke is sporting an 8-3 TD to INT ratio on the year while playing some sporadically hot/cold football. However, he may be just good enough to play himself into being the starter in 2022, which creates a new wrinkle to how Rivera will need to plan on building out the rest of the roster. Ideally, Washington can simply roll with Taylor until a veteran from another roster becomes available.

Would Aaron Rodgers like to play there next season? That would be a solid get for Washington, but I doubt it would come to fruition.

Mitchell Trubisky? That might be an interesting player to pair with Taylor to let a competition play out for the starter in 2022.

What about 2023? Kirk Cousins, Jimmy G and Derek Carr may all be available. Any of those 3 may be good enough options for Rivera to roll into the playoffs with the team that has yet to be named.

Basically, having Heinicke play good enough to keep Washington out of a high pick in the 2022 draft may not be as horrible of an outcome as some Washington fans are making it out to be. There may be the kind of veteran option that Ron would prefer instead of a dice roll at passer when the time comes to make a decision at passer.

 

I dont expect it to happen but if they dont go deep in the playoffs combined with a still unhappy wilson it might force a change.

 

Unlikely.

He definitely is and it's sad because after the Bears shitcan him he probably gets at least 1 more shot as a HC somewhere.

I wouldn't put Hurts ahead of Baker yet but Murray is definitely on an entirely different world at the moment.

And you gotta give a ton of credit to the Cardinals organization for realizing their mistake with Rosen and having the balls to do a quick restart when they drafted Murray. A lot of franchises wouldn't make that move.

Then Kingsbury completely tailors the offense to what Murray does well.

Just a great example of how to do it right when so many teams, looking at you Bears, do it so wrong.

 

Hahaha, ouch!

Either that humour is drier than a 007 vodka martini or this is a naughty little call out Tim! Either way im gonna draw your attention to my friend at the back of the room with his hand raised. Goes by the name of context : )))

The post where i cited Kingsbury was when attempting to think of out the box first firings. You may recall i also cited Mike McCarthy(believe i said McCarthy was more likely of the 2). Obvs neither was any kind of fav to get canned first. I guess i could've just been obvious/boring and said a Fangio, Zimmer or Nagy, but its not much of a thought exercise is it.

Since we're on the subject tho, wasn't it you that was all about Zac Taylor? : )))

 

I cannot see the Vikings being any threat to the Packers to much chaos in the land of skol and yes I do believe Mike Zimmer will be the first to get the hook I HOPE!

 

lol

I don't do 'call outs'. It's just a poke to get the conversation back in motion.

And as for the context - I didn't recall it, to be honest. I just remembered discussing it with you and being on the other end of that convo. I'm sure there were some others involved, but we both tend to remember and bring back the stuff we talk about at a later date.

Are you asking about the head coach of the 3-1, tied for the lead in the division, Cincinnati Bengals?

I think one of the reasons why you and I continue to have back and forth chatter on both our right and wrongs is that neither of us walk away pissed off about being wrong or repeatedly gloat about being right. Always good stuff when we disagree, Ev.

 

Having an owner that is willing to give the go ahead to a first year head coach (and a non-confirmed GM) to completely reboot the team around a quarterback that almost everyone thought was too small to play the position is almost unbelievable.

And I'd be selling it short if I didn't mention that I'm feeling real good about having him pre-draft scored up there with Luck, Wilson and Mahomes.

 

Yes indeed we did. And while i tried hard to build up a logical case for how it could be Kingsbury, yes it sure looks miles off now. Im pleased tho, i like and respect how they're going about things in Arizona. I find them a very likeable team, i can see myself pulling for them in the playoffs once my Bears tears have dried.

While we're on the subject of them tho, do you remember me asking your opinion of Kyler Murray? You were a lot higher on him than me, not that i disliked him, but you were big on that one and boy has it been justified. Also, let the record show Murray is my starting QB in FF this year : )))

I was asking in terms of who'd get fired first tho ha! I thought Taylor was who you picked but i could be wrong, there were others posting too. Can't be arsed looking it up.

100% mate, always top stuff. We are able to make good opposing arguments too which makes it very interesting.

I've never minded time proving me wrong on something, in fact i think it does a man good get some egg on his face now and then. Keeps you grounded.