NFL

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

11 minutes ago, Macca said:

As much as I like Rodgers and what he does I'm all about the team.  Individuals come and go but winning titles is what it is all about. 

Rodgers will want more than one SB ring and he's about to embark on the tail-end of his career (5 more years of top QB play - hopefully) The reality is that in 10 years at the helm Rodgers has only reached one SB.  Brady is probably going to be playing in his 8th SB this year.

Rodgers and McCarthy have to find a way of getting to the 1 seed ... winning the division is the first task but home field advantage at Lambeau is of even more importance. 

Your Eagles have that advantage - without it,  you'd probably be out of the playoffs already (because of the loss of Wentz)  And you've earned that right too.  A 13 & 3 season has its own rewards.

Yes another way we could learn in the AFL.

[Macca 16,173]

18 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

Yes another way we could learn in the AFL.

Not much is ever going to change in the AFL Dappa. 

It's my guess that in 5 - 10 years time the season and finals format will be the same ... although, they might bring in a wild-card weekend in the weekend that is currently devoid of footy - 7th vs 10th & 8th vs 9th.  

As for the game itself with all the congestion coupled with puzzling rule interpretations (mainly holding the ball/incorrect disposal) I don't expect anything to change. 

The formula works despite my misgivings - the TV money keeps rolling in and the game is still wildly popular.  I tend to just watch and attend Demon games these days.  I'm more of a fan of overseas sports & test cricket.  And the horses

Edited January 14, 2018 by Macca

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

50 minutes ago, Macca said:

Not much is ever going to change in the AFL Dappa. 

It's my guess that in 5 - 10 years time the season and finals format will be the same ... although, they might bring in a wild-card weekend in the weekend that is currently devoid of footy - 7th vs 10th & 8th vs 9th.  

As for the game itself with all the congestion coupled with puzzling rule interpretations (mainly holding the ball/incorrect disposal) I don't expect anything to change. 

The formula works despite my misgivings - the TV money keeps rolling in and the game is still wildly popular.  I tend to just watch and attend Demon games these days.  I'm more of a fan of overseas sports & test cricket.  And the horses

Future picks trading and draft day trading coming in either this year or next!!! That's gotta count for something. And the wild card thing I've gone on record on the main boards with. I loved when 50% of teams were rewarded with post season action. Never saw the sense in only making it a small portion of clubs that could enjoy it. But I understand that's not for everyone.

Yeah. Footy and Tests really are even. NFL a respectable but somewhat distant third. Basically no interest in other sports, including Olympics... I have gotten into the horses rescently. If you know a little something, don't be shy...

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Louis Riddick is right. Gotta take the easy throws off Brady. Most are between 3-12 yards then what ever the recievers get. Amendola had a paddock out there today at times.

[Macca 16,173]

2 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

Future picks trading and draft day trading coming in either this year or next!!! That's gotta count for something. And the wild card thing I've gone on record on the main boards with. I loved when 50% of teams were rewarded with post season action. Never saw the sense in only making it a small portion of clubs that could enjoy it. But I understand that's not for everyone.

Yeah. Footy and Tests really are even. NFL a respectable but somewhat distant third. Basically no interest in other sports, including Olympics... I have gotten into the horses rescently. If you know a little something, don't be shy...

I know about as much as the next bloke Dappa - which ain't much Although I've done ok of late.  We've got a thread still going in Other Sports - read more here ... Spring Carnival Caulfield

There's up to 5 or 6 of us over there who chew-the-fat from time to time.  I'm more into the feature races and Group races and focus in on that only.  The Autumn carnival is just around the corner so come and join us.  I was in my element yesterday at the Magic Millions.  Some great racing. 

As for the trading of future picks and draft-day trading,  I'm all for it.  Anything that can speed up the improvement of teams I'm in favour of. 

I can remember evaluating our list in 2013 thinking that we were a million miles away from having a list that could truly contend - and the road back was going to take an age.  It shouldn't have to take that long when we have a draft,  free agency & a salary cap.  But it does when you completely bottom out like we did. 

As you well know,  in the NFL it's way different.  Teams can come from nowhere in a very short space of time.  20 different teams have made the playoffs in the last 2 post-seasons alone.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

2 minutes ago, Macca said:

As you well know,  in the NFL it's way different.  Teams can come from nowhere in a very short space of time.  20 different teams have made the playoffs in the last 2 post-seasons alone.

Not too many teams know that better than Eagles. Interesting on the list rebuild. Going into last season I really thought we were 10/10 on our list. Loved it. Thought it was chock full of good young talent and exactly the kind of list you want to get in on the ground floor. This year, I'm closer to a 6-7/10. I'm not as confident despite the generally good off season we had. You?

I was suspicious of it at first with the USA style changes. And still am with guys like Hutchy who do really want it to become Americanised. But there are definitely some things the Yanks have learned through bitter experience we can simply slide in and nick. There was a ripping article a few weeks ago on AFL.com going through all the elements we could possibly bring in. One was something like "4 week contracts." Where you can take a VFL guy for four weeks, then drop them again. As well as going in line with the NFL injury designations. Even that is coming in a little already with the use of probable, doubtful and out. I say why not bring them in straight away. If they don't work, fine, turf them. 

Man. I'm pumped for tomorrow. And for this time next week. I didn't think it would be as fun as this winning playoffs. Keep in mind I follow demons AND Eagles. Not one playoff/finals win in a decade among them. Is this what it's like to follow Packers?

[Clintosaurus 6,409]

Very nervous about tomorrow. Think the whole game rests on LeVeon Bell. 

Patriots are a dink and dunk team that take an occasional deep ball to stop the box being stacked. 

[Macca 16,173]

2 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

Not too many teams know that better than Eagles. Interesting on the list rebuild. Going into last season I really thought we were 10/10 on our list. Loved it. Thought it was chock full of good young talent and exactly the kind of list you want to get in on the ground floor. This year, I'm closer to a 6-7/10. I'm not as confident despite the generally good off season we had. You?

I was suspicious of it at first with the USA style changes. And still am with guys like Hutchy who do really want it to become Americanised. But there are definitely some things the Yanks have learned through bitter experience we can simply slide in and nick. There was a ripping article a few weeks ago on AFL.com going through all the elements we could possibly bring in. One was something like "4 week contracts." Where you can take a VFL guy for four weeks, then drop them again. As well as going in line with the NFL injury designations. Even that is coming in a little already with the use of probable, doubtful and out. I say why not bring them in straight away. If they don't work, fine, turf them. 

Man. I'm pumped for tomorrow. And for this time next week. I didn't think it would be as fun as this winning playoffs. Keep in mind I follow demons AND Eagles. Not one playoff/finals win in a decade among them. Is this what it's like to follow Packers?

I'm quietly confident about the Demons chances mainly because I believe we're now a well run club,  have good admin,  coaching and development and we have about 12-13 good players (in my eyes a good player plays well 4 out of 5 games or at least 3 from 4,  beats his opposite number and can influence games)

And I've often been a pessimist - from half way through 2007 all the way through to the end of 2014.  There's now genuine reason for hope. 

And it's an exciting time when you know your team can truly contend - especially if you know that's probably ongoing. The Northey & Daniher teams gave us a glimpse of what might be but I always felt we were 3 or 4 good players short in those years - and not enough genuine stars either. 

I also follow the Boston Red Sox so I've had success there (3 times) ... especially the 2004 breakthrough year - the curse of the Bambino was squashed. And I have a soft spot for the St Louis Cardinals in the NL who have also won another 3 World Series in my time

Favre should have got another ring and Rodgers too - when you've got 2 great QB's for a total of about 30 years,  2 SB wins aren't enough.  Both are Hall-of-Fame so the great tag is for real. 

The Eagles probably should have won a SB with McNabb - that bloke could really play.  As for the teams that the current posters on this thread support, I can see the Rams,  Falcons,  Jags & 49ers all being able to contend going forward.  And the Eagles with Wentz are going to be around for a bit.

[Go the Biff 3,124]

1 hour ago, Dappa Dan said:

Future picks trading and draft day trading coming in either this year or next!!! That's gotta count for something. And the wild card thing I've gone on record on the main boards with. I loved when 50% of teams were rewarded with post season action. Never saw the sense in only making it a small portion of clubs that could enjoy it. But I understand that's not for everyone.

Yeah. Footy and Tests really are even. NFL a respectable but somewhat distant third. Basically no interest in other sports, including Olympics... I have gotten into the horses rescently. If you know a little something, don't be shy...

Interested in knowing what your thoughts would be on implementing a conference style system & schedule in AFL. @Macca as well & anyone else who wants to drop in their opinion

[Macca 16,173]

21 minutes ago, Go the Biff said:

Interested in knowing what your thoughts would be on implementing a conference style system & schedule in AFL. @Macca as well & anyone else who wants to drop in their opinion

I reckon we might have chatted about the subject here a few years ago GtB. 

I'd be all for it but I can't see the AFL adopting any sort of change.  A simple 3 division comp that @daisycutter once suggested on the footy threads would have my vote.  All the teams from within each division play each other twice whilst playing the other 12 teams from the other 2 divisions once - 22 games.

The winners & runners up from each of the 3 divisions go automatically through to the finals with 2 or 4 wild-cards for the next 2 or 4 best performed teams from across all 3 divisions.  Seedings based on W/L. except for possibly the 3 division winners filling the top 3 seedings (?)

From a biased Demon point of view our division could look as follows ...

Melbourne,  Collingwood,  Essendon,  Richmond,  Carlton & Geelong.  5 home blockbuster games against those 5 big drawing teams every season would do nicely. 

Edited January 14, 2018 by Macca

[Macca 16,173]

How was that crazy catch off the Atlanta players knees?

The following link provides the video of the play ... the videos that follow on adds some humour and analysis to the Eagles win (including the dog mask bit)

Torrey Smith makes immaculate-ish reception after pass bounces off DB's knee

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

5 hours ago, Go the Biff said:

Interested in knowing what your thoughts would be on implementing a conference style system & schedule in AFL. @Macca as well & anyone else who wants to drop in their opinion

I love the conference system, but you have to remember it's a 32 team comp with a 16 game season. Noone minds that you don't play a certain team every year because it's not possible. AFL is different. 22 games, 18 teams currently. I think personally, the conference system should come in if there's double the amount of teams. And you'd think it would through necessity and sensibleness. Right now though I don't hate the system. I do hate the bias though. Pies get so many MCG games and big time Friday night games based on their size as a club. It's daft. We have a long way to go in areas like that, but I'm not sure a conference system is the right tool there. One last thing they get in divisions and conferences is the massive and historical rivalries between teams you have to play twice. They're like two games worth of intrigue rolled into one. The fans inevitably jump on board... and there really isn't any such thing as a crap inter-division rivalry. They're all important every time. And they can make a lost season fun... If you hate the Cowboys for example, and you play them in week 17 (Eagles usually do)... Cowboys playing for the 1st seed... your team, if it wins, denies them the opportunity to host home playoffs... suddenly a dead rubber has context and meaning. The NFL has handled that part beautifully. 

3 hours ago, Macca said:

How was that crazy catch off the Atlanta players knees?

The following link provides the video of the play ... the videos that follow on adds some humour and analysis to the Eagles win (including the dog mask bit)

Torrey Smith makes immaculate-ish reception after pass bounces off DB's knee

Ridiculous. Took everyone by surprise too.

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Jags are running i5 down the Steelers throat right now. Started well.

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Jags D...

ON FIRE!!!!

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

14-0

Go Jags!!!

cracking run by Fournette.

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

What a stop!

Steelers look stunned.

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

So... 21-0...

Wish I had chosen 13+ jags win instead of 7-12 points, that was paying $11, wonder what the 13+ would be paying.

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Put your feet up Clint, you got this.

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

What a terrible call, Ramsey gets pushed into Bell and they give a penalty against...

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Ok Clint... maybe I jumped the gun a little before...

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Man this game has turned on its head!

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Huge turn over on downs. Why go for it? Your D is stopping their O, pin them within their own 10, make the jags play it out. 

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

Now 35-28

As a neutral... WHAT A FUCKEN GAME!

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

42-35... wow this has been an entertaining game. Clint’s heart must be pounding. 

2:18 to go, Steelers have 2 time outs, hope the jags can run the time down.

 

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

On side kick was horrendous!!! 

Bad idea and executed horribly.