Dappa Dan

Yeah, but there really isn't a system to fix this. At the heart of the problem is the fact that the worst sides NEED the picks the most... You can fiddle with the system all you like, but it'll always be exploited. The closest thing I've seen to a fix is the lottery system in the NBA. And even that is HORRIBLY unfair when the team who came last doesn't get the #1 pick. IMO, having gone as badly as we have the last 3 years, I think a draft system with compensation pick etc is actually working a lot better than people claim. I don't think we tanked, by definition. We certainly did everything within the rules to get those first picks, but it's not like the players ever kicked the ball backwards deliberately. I'm almost certainly in the minority, but the fact we've had something to cheer for for the last 3 years (the draft, ie the future) is what's kept me sane. It's not perfect, and no system will be no matter how complicated you make it... but this is doing it's job. Look at our list. :D

The Wildcard part is actually the GOOD part. The conference system itself (Wild Cards aside) is what's messed up. I can't believe one team that's 6-8 will get there. It's actually an embarrassment. It did? That'd be a first. So the season is 16... that's 6 games between you and your division rivals... then you'll play all the teams from 2 different divisions... and those two divisions are selected from both conferences. After that, there's two more games selected, though I don't know how they're selected. So for example, for the Eagles who are in... 6 vs NFC East teams. These are the big ones. 4 X NFC North teams. That's a Division in the Eagles' own conference. 4 X AFC South teams. That's a division OUTSIDE the NFC's conference. These are SLIGHTLY less important, as you're unlikely to need a tie breaker where your record against these teams matters. 2 X games against one team from the remaining two divisions. So the only two divisions in the Eagles' conference they haven't played are NFC South (Falcons) and West (49ers). As with most of these suggestions for fixture changes, there's an immediate merit to it. But then, a season isn't 11 games long. It's a marathon. If, say, we won our first 6 games... then went badly at the end of the year, I'd feel jibbed. Also... if you think it'll make the end of the season better, it'll almost certainly make the start of the season less important. Teams will be trying harder at the end of the year when their situation becomes clearer, and taking their foot off the gas at the start of the year. As with most of these suggestions, the league will only change them when MADE to... Like when new clubs come in. I love the idea that it'll stay a final 8, even though that's less than half of the teams in the league.

And I've been so good lately, haven't I? At least I save my relapses for the off season... Yeah. That's messed up. It's great now that the divisions are 8 X 4... Everyone has 3 competitors for the chance to compete in the playoffs, and every year your team's chances vary WILDLY. Injuries can make you 13-3 or 3-13 at any given time. The MLB one makes NO sense to me at all. The American League has 14 teams, and the National League has 16. So the way it works out the American League west division gets 4 teams, but the National League Central Division gets 6?!!!! It's not like they're all in the same places in the country either. Houston and Chicago? They're on opposite ends of the country! I think, from memory, that it's a historical thing. Back when there were two separate leagues, before the MLB became one big organisation, the leagues were lopsided. But I can't see why, in the homogenised game as it is, they can't just take Chicago and whack it in AL West. Then it's 15 teams in each conference, 5 a division... everyone's happy. That whacky old MLB. I might start an MLB thread next season... Part of the deal in which I became an Eagles supporter (in exchange for my American friend becoming a Demons supporter) was that I follow the Phillies too... and we just took Cliff Lee from under the noses of the Yankees!!! That's like Nicking Dane Swan on half pay from the Pies! Giants in 2007 did it. The year the Patriots went undefeated until the superbowl. One of the biggest boilovers EVER. NOBODY expected the G-girls to get close. I still remember that. It was my first few months in the States, and people couldn't believe it. The thing with those Wild Cards is that they're still a pretty legit way to make it. I mean, you can quite easily be the second best team in your division, and still get a wild card. The New Orleans Saints, right now for example... In the NFC, the Falcons are way out ahead on 12-2... But there's a few teams on 10-4... namely the Eagles, Bears and Saints. You could argue with Brees (Saints QB) throwing as well as he is, that they're the biggest threat... after all they hold the NFL title at the moment. But because they're in the same division as the Falcons, their best hope is for a Wild Card, but they're as much of a chance to win the lot as anyone. Brees is a star.

Well, they change their setup a fair bit, but they'll be staying where they are with it for the near future, until more teams come in. Think of a 32 team comp split into 2 "conferences" of 16 (American Football Conference, and National Football Conference... or AFC and NFC). Now. Those two conferences are divided up into 4 further groups of 4... North, South, East and West. How the year works is that the winner of each of these divisions goes to playoffs. Obviously that would suck if the 2 best teams in a conference are both in the same division, so they have a "wild card" opportunity... That is that in each conference, the two teams with the best records that HAVEN'T won their divisions get to go through to the playoffs. So that makes each conference have 4 playoff teams, plus the two wild cards... Which makes 12 teams out of the 32 make the playoffs. I won't go into the playoff system, that's a bit more complicated (but makes sense, the teams that rank the highest get the best run)... I thought it was a bit messed up at first but now that I think about it it makes a lot more sense. The NFL season is only 16 games long... not 22 like us, and not 31, so even if you wanted to, you could never play EVERY team in the league once. So instead of just random seeding, you're placed in these 4-team divisions... and in the 16 game season you have to play your division rivals twice. Once at home and once away. So for my team, the Eagles we play 3 teams that have become massive rivals over the years... the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys who are all big-money, big-name teams. So it kind of heightens the storyline, if you like. What's more we play them all in the last 3 weeks, or near enough to. The reason this is a big deal is if you're tied at the top of your division with some other team, the tie-breaker there is your record against these teams. This year for example, the Eagles are only one win ahead of their hated division rivals the New York Giants, with 2 games remaining. But as it happens, the Eagles have won BOTH games against them this season... which means that if we somehow end on the same amount of wins, we go through to the playoffs instead of them... Which is awesome. The goofy thing about the system, especially this year, is that you ALWAYS get one division that is just terrible. They have this awful situation at the moment in the National conference, where there's 3 teams fighting for the last Wild Card spot. The Saints (10-4), the Giants (9-5) and the Packers (8-6).... And yet in the NFC West, the team on top of that division has a record of 6-8. A full 2 wins less than one of the teams that'll miss out on playoffs!!!!! So you end up with the 6th-best team in the conference missing out, and one of the finals being played by a genuinely awful team. They're looking into it now though. I think maybe something like, you can only advance past the regular season if you have a winning record, or something like that. Plenty of good wiki pages that are nice and simple, if none of that made sense. :D

Yeah, now that the smoke has settled a bit (though not on sportcenter I can tell you), the more I think about it the more I reckon that may have been the Eagles' ceiling. They played pretty badly for 3 and a half quarters... And didn't deserve to win, as they didn't play good footy for as long. They can't rely on freaky Vick plays and dumb luck from Dodge to Jackson to win games... The better defences will blitz Vick, and it'll be enough most likely. I wouldn't say the Eagles fear anyone, but I don't like the thought that they'll probably end up playing the Giants in week one. And if not them, most likely the defending champs... of all teams. Still. Fun to watch.

GO THE EAGLES!!!! They're the most rewarding team to follow at the moment. Doing all the freakiest things. If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask... I used to judge this sport hugely... but once you get the rules down, it becomes a massively rewarding game to follow as a fan. But as usual, it's only rewarding if the team you pick is winning. Extraordinary. I still don't really believe it happened. And I certainly don't know HOW. The onside kick had them completely fooled, Jackson got very lucky... It's all about Vick though. He had 37 yards at halftime, and ended up with 250+ passing and 150+ rushing... It's one of the top 5 things I've ever seen on a field of sport. The media over here is losing their blob over it... They're calling it the Miracle at the NEW meadowlands. My mate who got me into the Eagles got in a cab to go home... I had to call him on the phone.... and he still didn't even believe me!!! Andy Reid in tears in the rooms after... I knew this team could do some freaky things, but I didn't think they could do that. Who are you picking for the Superbowl? Pats/Eagles?!!! I know I am...

I must be new to this game. When does he ever make the wrong decision anymore? He's thrown 2 picks through about 10 games! And given the modest offensive line, they're standing up wonderfully. In all but the last two games Vick has had an eternity to make his decisions. Only Cutler at the Bears shadowed him, and he'll never play a game like that again. At least not this year. I'm willing to concede easily here as I'm new to it... We just got cable in the place I'm staying, and I'll be there throughout the first half of playoffs. Oh... and I'm going to Miami vs Cleveland tomorrow!!! My first NFL game!!! SHould I wear my Vick jersey? :D Yeah. The bears game showed the Eagles big weakness. A strong complete defence will get him. And yet, we beat them, and beat them well. :D. If he doesn't get retained at Philly, the town will implode. That's the superbowl winner right there. Best performed this season. I'm picking the Eagles at this stage to get there.... but it could be the Falcons, Packers easily... and watching the Bears last weekend? They worry me too.

How can this be the first time I've seen this thread? Wow... Coming up to 3 years old.

I wouldn't say Atlanta look more dangerous than Philly at all. Nor would the media I'd say. After all, we did beat them handily. Likewise, the AFC may be stronger, but only cos of the depth... and because they desperately need to do something about the NFC West which is dragging the whole League down. The cream rises to the top though, and I'd say the Eagles are a top 4 side at the moment, and have no reason to fear ANY side, especially given they just beat (what was at the time) the best defence in the NFL by ten points, even dropping 2 touchdowns and one interception... What's more, I think there is no offence more feared (or that makes a defensive co-ordinator wet his Breeches more) than that of Michael Vick. He just does TOO much. And even though the Giants worked him out, what did it get them? Beaten by ten. That's no tactic to beat Vick the [censored]. All you can hope is to limit him to 4 TDs. And that's enough to win against any team going round at the moment. And if all THAT isn't enough, even if you smash Vick in his nuts with a sledgehammer, Kolb is right there to throw for 300... Your prediction? I think you might have something there. The Saints are just warming up, and we know all too well what they can do. Also, there's no telling how much longer Vick can play like this without being decapitated. Their starting WRs, RBs, and CBs are among the league's best, but backups? The cupboard is pretty bare. Just like with ANY football, the team's fitness will decide how far they can go. All in all? Philly have as good a shot at winning a superbowl this year as any team going round. That's not saying much as there's a whole BUNCH of teams that are up there, but it's still an important factor. Texans? Shame. They looked ok there for a bit. Beat some handy teams early this year. But that Sanchez TD hurt. Great game to watch, but ouch.

The big bad birds keep on keeping on!!!

45 points in a half?!!!! DO WHAT YOU DO MIKE VICK!!!!!!!!

My goodness me. If you asked for a player with a certain skillset, that would be it. I was too. Until this morning. What a choke. Massive. Although they're ALL massive really. I was saying to another Eagles fan that if we're 5-2, I'd have us juuuust as a chance to make playoffs. We have a nasty run home there. And I reckon we're going to need to pick up a few division wins to be sure. That means a couple of 2-from-2s against the Giants and Cowboys. The other games are going to be veeeery tough against Vikings, Colts etc etc Yup. Now WE'RE the 3-0 team. I'm not picking us though. Not with no Deshaun, and with us copping a lot of sacks. Took me AGES to get it. You really do need someone to sit with you through your first few games. Know any other sports like that? That was unbelievable. People who think they're soft for wearing armour should watch that. There's nothing like that in the AFL. LIke a car crash. As for Deshaun, they said it wasn't as bad as first thought... and that if he does miss this week, which he will, we have a bye so he'll be straight back in. He's my second favourite player. Awesome pace. Disagree. He torched the last game... The one before he was serviceable. Vick has more weapons, and too many to ignore. But I reckon he won't come back til after the bye either. How good is that? On the downside, they're likely to pull themselves together in time for when we play them. Which sucks. The redskins are supposed to be the weakest of the three opponents... and yet... Don't know much about them, but I'll keep an eye on them now.

Yeah, I knew there was one... Maybe one other as well? How are you finding the season so far? ARe you starting to believe a bit? They may not be the best side going round, but [censored] they're fun to watch. So unpredictable Are you like everyone else? On the Vick bandwagon?

I know there's one or two on here that like the NFL. I've just gotten into it over the last year or so... Though I find it too overwhelming to visit their sites. Anybody here follow it? Anybody follow the Eagles by chance?

Why? I didn't say he SHOULD get compared to Browny, just that he will. Assuming he's a key forward, the comparisons will come thick and fast... As well they should.

Actually, I think Cale will take more stick than Watts... But yes, it'll be the biggest topic for Watts at least. It'll also depend on where he plays. If he doesn't play as tough as Johno Brown, there'll be a lot of chagrin.

If you mean one season as "in their prime" Then the list is very different from a regular "best players" list... 1: Alan Jackovich - his first 100 goals, he was arguably the most exciting forward going round. And the only time we had a player that could go with the Dunstalls, Abletts, and Pluggers. 2: Jeff farmer - circa 2000, sent shivers through the rest of the league, and got us to our only GF in my lifetime. 3: David Neitz - In his coleman year he was either the best, or second best FF going around. He's the chief reason I fell in love with footy again after a number of years off. 4: David Schwartz - If he had actually put together a whole season early on during his bad knee years he would have delivered, if only for 22 rounds, on his massive promise. As it is he was still an awesome force. 5: G. Lyon - You may not like him, but he was a gun player in anyones' book. My parents and many older fans say of him "he was always a champion." And I'm certain no-one else in my time following MFC rates like that. Apologies to Jim Stynes who was more of an accumulator... Yze and Johnston who were AA quality one year and very flashy but not top 5 material... Davey, who I think hasn't yet had his best season. Give it another 13 rounds.

I think we could use a player or two hat stand up in a contest. He seems to do that. Give him a few years to put on some size, work in some Byron like bumps and we may have a presence on the ground. Looking forward to seeing him play. I spoke to someone who watched him in the final and said he had him among his BOGs.

Fills the gaping hole left by Hayes...

Is there anyone in the AFL you DON'T know?

Please explain?

Just ran into Robbo tonight in Brighton, having dinner at the Dendy Deli with a beautiful blonde. An absolutely wonderfully nice guy, which is a surprise considering his profile and reputed "ego." He noticed my demons lanyard and immediately shot me a smile. I said good luck to him as I left and patted him on the shoulder (he was sitting) and nearly broke my hand at the wrist. He's carved out of some kind of granite. Proof positive that not ALL footballers are imbeciles. I hope I get another chance to run into him, I'll ask him more questions if I can next time. And it's no wonder his girlfriend (assumption) is such a stunner, he's a good looking man... Not that there's anything wrong with that....

That reminds me, I've seen Jeff White at my gym a few times. I remember a few years ago when there was some talk of him being traded to St Kilda (or maybe Collingwood) I mentioned as I walked past "thank god they didn't trade you." After the initial shock, he [censored] himself. Nice guy, and very quiet, almost shy for a man his size. Though he's a midget as far as ruckmen go, he's just enormous to any normal person. HUGE shoulders and jaw (particularly after 2005).

I've heard a number of stories from close friends of mine who've run into Gaddy in various instances over the last 4 years or so and each and every one of them have said he was a great guy to talk to, and very easy to approach. Perhaps it's only been post-divorce and post-career that he's dropped the ego, and maybe I'm way off mark, but it needs to be said that not EVERY story of meeting Lyon was a disaster.

Sandilands as Jaws. Eddie McGuire as Goldfinger. Lou Richards as "Q." Bev O'Connor as "M" (Judi Dench). Samantha Jones (Fox footy newsreader?) as Moneypenny. Now THAT'S a cast. Move over House of Bulger.