Phins4life

Trade the pick away. Bradford has the skills and the developing weapons to have a bright future. Use the extra picks to build a more efficient O-line, maybe another solid receiver, and then start stacking the D for the future.

Been working on 2001 for several hours now. Almost done.....

Was doing some stat browsing today and came upon the realization that Smith, after the first 6 games of the season, is on pace for the best numbers of his career. While I'm not yet sold on Cam Newton, his presence in Carolina has undoubtedly revitalized Steve's career after last year's woes. Newton's long ball has helped remind defenders that Smith is still lethal. So far he has produced an average of 20+ in 4 games to go along with a 675 total, the most ever in his career through the first 6. In terms of high average consistency, only 2008 went better up to this point (never went under 16), but the yards still go to 2011. 2005 was certainly the best year he's put on paper, but so far, even the first 6 games in that year don't match up. They key here is going to be game 7, where Smith put up over 200 that year. Next week he faces Washington, which I see as pretty favorable (9th in passing defense). The season is still young, but if Newton continues to favor Smith like he has, it could be a huge year for him. Just figured I'd share

That is awesome.

I'm still opposed to a mid-season firing, but at this point, I think it's certainly time for Tony to go if we can't salvage this season. At the rate we're going, that isn't likely. It feels like too many games this year have been given away for this reason or that, and a group of talented players just aren't reaching their full potential. Ross has every right to be upset.

The John Beck era Hour Begins Fixed

Sums it up for me as well. Nicks just seems like a more consistent threat. Bryant has the more dynamic skillset, in my opinion, but between some character issues, health and lack of consistency, I just can't take Dez.

This is the scenario that's been playing in the back of my mind as well. Off the top of my head, I don't really know what Steve has been able to do with routine double coverage in the past. And minus him, Newton could start to flounder a little. Time will tell.

Kind of torn between Bradshaw and Aaron Rodgers. Went with Bradshaw, since NY really needed a reliable guy to secure the win and he ended up being it. Mendenhall and Gore also had pretty impressive games, and both played solid roles in their respective wins. Side note: Revis probably isn't even in this discussion if the obvious pass interference is called on that pick 6. Just my 2 cents.

Keep in mind that Hawk plays for a professional organization that wants to maintain a high level of professionalism and sportsmanship. He isn't on a TV show or movie (where unprofessional behavior is usually expected/scripted), so behaving the way he normally would, if it involves this kind of behavior, is ill-advised. There's a time and a place...and that wasn't the time or the place.

Rangers in 6.

This

I think Harbaugh should have been a little classier during the handshake, but Schwartz amplified an already tense moment by then reacting equally childish. If Schwartz doesn't chase him halfway down the field one of 2 things happens: 1)Absolutely nothing, because it's forgotten before the players leave the field or 2)The negative criticism is directed completely at Harbaugh for looking kind of classless, while Schwartz is applauded for handling the awkward moment like a champ. Either way, it's over, and it's time to focus more on SF's hard fought victory in a hostile environment.

In terms of skill players, which I think is what seanbrock meant, the QB touches the ball the most. And in many ways, they are more responsible for the outcome of a game than the other members of his team. Think of all the ways a bad QB can hurt a team: taking big sacks for losses, fumbling from a bad hand-off or a sack, throwing a pick 6 or just an INT in general. Even something as simple as not being able to complete passes regularly can be enough to drown a team. Look at Peyton Manning, and what his absence has done to the Colts. It's pretty clear to most people now just how much that receiving corps needs him more than he needs them. His ability to take a group with basically no true deep threat and win regularly with them is a prime example of why a QB is very integral in the outcome of a team's season. The problem with looking at one guy like CJ and saying he has more of an impact than their QB is that he isn't the only guy Stafford has to be able to throw to, and someone had to be able to get those TD passes to him. We haven't had to see him adjust to an offense without Johnson, but it isn't necessarily conclusive that he wouldn't be able to adapt and spread the ball around. Time will probably tell if he can, though. Newton depends heavily on Smith for yardage, when looking at just how big the gap is between the leading receiver on the team and the second place guy (their TE). He's also tied with Brady for most passing plays greater than 20 yards so far. The real question is, how would Newton do with a group of receivers like Indy's? With no true deep threat, he would have to rely much more on his passing IQ than his arm strength. Not saying he couldn't. I'm just trying to put it into perspective a little. Not exclusively, but it certainly has it's place when determining just how good a QB is. If Newton never has a winning season, it probably won't matter what he does in his career, barring him shattering every major passing record (which is hard to do without winning quite a bit along the way). All in all, it's simply way too early to even consider elite discussion. It would be like coming up with a scientific conclusion after only one experiment. He needs multiple seasons, so that his good and bad trends can be assessed better. Any kind of opinion right now is pure speculation. All we know is that he is having a pretty impressive rookie year.

So I got into a semi-heated debate with a co-worker today over a comment made by some color commentator over at Fox News (whom I detest on a cellular level). It went a little something like: Anyone can be successful in this country if they put their mind to it (serious paraphrasing here, because I don't even remember the guy's name who said it). "Successful" here is used regarding financial stability. Basically I disagree, but because I am not an expert on it, all I can go off of is logic limited to what I have seen around me. On a basic level, it seems like in a system with limited currency, especially in an unbalanced one such as ours, someone will always have to lose. That someone could be a motivated individual who never caught a break because of race, sex, orientation, poor education system, etc., or it could be the laziest fucker to ever walk the earth. I've seen a bit of both. Good, motivated, hard-working people eventually beaten down to simply having the will to survive, and people I just can't stand to look at because of how they abuse the system that was designed to help those truly in need who are actually trying. And even though stats are just stats, they show trends. For example, a black child growing up in a poverty home with one parent, in a poverty stricken school system is far more likely to fall short in life. The environmental factors pressing down on them are just enormous. Or think about a child who grows up in a home where they are constantly told they won't amount to much, depending on the age of the kid, it is a very long lasting and impressionable statement. Children will believe what their parents tell them, until they have an opportunity to see for themselves that it isn't true. And even then, it sometimes might not be enough to turn them in the right direction. Psychological factors have to be considered, especially when everyone handles things differently. Or how about a driven student in a poor school who just doesn't get a good education, who isn't properly prepared for the standardized testing that could determine his or her future? It isn't necessarily the kid's fault they have missed their chance (or their first one, at least). To reach financial stability and success in life, you have to know what you want, how badly you want it, and how to get it. If you are missing one of those things, for reasons within or outside your control, the only way you are likely to reach it is if you are born into it. Just my two cent rant for the day. I would like to be wrong and be able to take the idealistic stance that anyone can make it in the "Land of Opportunity", but when life doesn't take place in a vacuum, it's hard to ignore the flaws that seem to exist within that statement, imo. Any insights for me that I haven't thought of? I'm all about different angles.

Wouldn't mind being the Dolphins "reporter" if we're doing individual team reps. Time comes and goes for me, but I could probably manage it for one team.

I don't think there were many people who didn't want war right off the bat. It's a patriotic response...not stupid.

A sign perhaps? I would take Orton over Moore any day of the week. Let's get the trade done, Denver.

I feel a little out of the loop. I thought he had been in the "emerging shutdown" category for a couple of seasons now.

I was raised on the idea that a heavy dose of humility, silently going about your business and letting actions do the talking are the best way to earn respect...anywhere. Life, sports, everyday job, you name it. And it works. I think sometimes people confuse humility with weakness or lack of confidence, which couldn't be further from the truth. The biggest difference between a silently confident person and a vocally arrogant one is that the former won't have to spend hours getting his foot out of his mouth when he can't quite cash in on lofty expectations. This is why I have tremendous respect for Aaron Rodgers, from the time he stepped onto the field to now. Despite the polarizing effect he had on fans as well as critics, he just went out and did what was asked of him. And here he is, now among discussions as one of the best in the game today. Other guys who give me that kind of vibe: Tony Gonzales Davone Bess Matt Ryan Peyton Manning Drew Brees Danny Woodhead Larry Fitzgerald DeMarcus Ware (never actually heard him talk shit...could be wrong) Brian Urlacher Troy P. (?) Ed Reed Many more that I just haven't thought of, I'm sure.... Historically (just the guys I watched the most): Derrick Thomas Barry Sanders, without a doubt Jerry Rice Warrick Dunn (seriously, is there a malicious bone in him?) Least respected (arrogant, dirty, or just a bad vibe in general): Fat Albert T.O. Cortland Finnegan MeAngelo Hall Rex Ryan - not a player, but he really should just stop talking and put down the shovel before it's too late Historically: LT - I can respect how he forever changed the game without having to respect him at all Deion Sanders - I rooted for him to fail so much. He just had to be a fucking beast.

This in particular.... ....as well as this. Now I need to go take a shower or something.......

Texas, UCLA, and Florida were the first ones that came to mind, due to the 3-headed talent at basketball, football, and baseball. Although outside of football, my knowledge of collegiate programs drops off tremendously.

It's hard to say. Yeah, he played ball in high school, he's a natural athlete and all that. But he'd still be raw. I think TE would be his best chance, if anything. The whole ordeal reminds me a bit of back when there was talk of trying to recruit Bolt into the NFL. OMGBOLTSPEEDOMG.....all along forgetting that extreme skill in ONE category does NOT equate to talent at an entirely different sport. The leg up that James has...albeit a small one...is that he actually has played football before. Idk...just my take.

Pretty funny. That isn't really far off depending on how far backwoods you go.

I'm looking to start getting my feet wet in NFL stat collection and interpretation, based on my own research and observations. I have access to all games this season, and I think it would be a fun casual project to work on. If there is anyone writing an article who would like for me to do research for them, or if anyone would like to help me out in creating some objective interpretations of raw stats, send me a PM and let me know. Remember, I have virtually no experience doing something like this, so the work will definitely look amateur at best. I just figured it would be fun to give it a shot and see how it went .