Most boring, mundane NFL season I can ever remember

[Tailback U]

I don't see how you can blame the lack of fundamental tackles on the lockout.


Timing Yes? Miscommunication? Yes. But shouldn't tackle be a "like riding a bike" thing to guys that have made it all the way to the NFL.

Did you ever play football?

Everyone is rusty the first week or two when they get pads. Just getting used to the weight of the pads and helmet takes about a week in itself, getting low, breaking down, wrapping up, taking the right angles, getting your head on the right side, etc. takes time before it becomes instinctive again.

It's more like riding a bull than riding a bike.

 

[Houston]

Did you ever play football?

Everyone is rusty the first week or two when they get pads. Just getting used to the weight of the pads and helmet takes about a week in itself, getting low, breaking down, wrapping up, taking the right angles, getting your head on the right side, etc. takes time before it becomes instinctive again.

It's more like riding a bull than riding a bike.

Yes I realize it takes time, but these guys are professionals. On top of the fact that a lot of these guys have been in the NFL for a couple of years, they still had an entire month of preseason football to work with. Is that not enough to get them back into proper tackling form?

 

[Point Blank]

This season has been fine. I find it funny the Jets and Eagles aren't what the media hyped them up to be.

 

[ralaw]

I'm happy with this season since I am a Packers fan but it does seem that the lack of an offseason has contributed to extremely poor tackling and fundementals in the league this year. That and the new rules limiting practice time in pads during the season. You can only get better at something if you practice it under live conditions. That walk through crap gets you crap on Sundays.

You must be a coach or something, because when watching games I'm not thinking about the offseason and tackling. I find it hard to believe fans are that aware to be able to tell this difference between this year and different years. Are fans really watching the games saying, “Oh, look at that missed tackle…..its got to be the lockout!”

___________________________

IMO the NFL this year is no different from any other year. The NFL has been going strong for many years and due to natural progression some people tend to loose interest as the years move forward. It has less to do with the NFL as much as it has to do with viewers getting older, finding new interest, etc.

A few years ago I can remember clearing my schedule every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for NBA basketball, but now I really don’t care. If I’m home I’ll watch and if I’m not I won’t. I’m the same way with the NFL. I use to prepare my wife and clear my schedule every Sunday to watch football, but now I don’t care. If’ I’m home I’ll watch if I’m not I wont. The same has happened with my college basketball and football viewing.

IT has less to do with the sports, but more to do with my priorities changing.

W2B you’re just getting old.

 

[Tailback U]

Yes I realize it takes time, but these guys are professionals. On top of the fact that a lot of these guys have been in the NFL for a couple of years, they still had an entire month of preseason football to work with. Is that not enough to get them back into proper tackling form?

Keep in mind that a lot of these guys have been physical specimens their entire lives and they probably didn't even need good form to take people down until they actually got to college or the pro's so it's not like they've all been sure fire tackling machines like London Fletcher their entire lives.

I think the lockout hurt the league in several ways. Just look at the passing yards the first few weeks of the season compared to now. It's not just the tackling, it trickles down to every facet of the game. It took a while for defenses to catch up to the offenses.

 

[shag773]

Here's what I've liked about the league so far:

Even though the NFL overall is down this year, the NFL Red Zone from 345p-415p ET is the most compelling TV of the year.

Aaron Rodgers. The guy is precise, and he is really in tune with his receivers. It's beautiful to watch.

Arian Foster is one of my favorite players in the league. Running or catching the football, I just love watching this guy run.

Watching Andy Dalton and AJ Green develop chemistry as rookies while playing winning football is interesting to me. Carson Palmer getting sand in his pussy last offseason was the best thing that ever happened to that franchise.

The Saints offense is still fun to watch. Jimmy Graham is a beast, and Darren Sproles just brings more talent to an already dynamic offense. Drew Brees is putting together another great year.

Here's what I don't like:

No Peyton Manning. Pretty self explanatory.

Tackling has been brutal. The fact that Victor Cruz is a star tells you all you need to know about how bad tackling in the secondary has become.

No Peyton Manning. Pretty self explanatory.

Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman. Two guys I thought would actually take the next step to be in that 2nd tier of QB's have regressed more that I could have imagined.

No Peyton Manning. Pretty self explanatory.

The Niners. While I can respect their turnaround, their just awful to watch. Kind of like the Alabama of the NFL. Yeah, their good, but who the fuck wants to see them in any championship game?

The Jets and the Chargers. I think the Rex show is getting old in NY, and like another poster said, if Turner doesn't lose his job this year, he's never leaving.

Did I mention no Peyton Manning?

 

[shag773]

I find it hard to believe fans are that aware to be able to tell this difference between this year and different years. Are fans really watching the games saying, “Oh, look at that missed tackle…..its got to be the lockout!”

You should catch an Eagles game. Never seen worse tacking in my life. I don't know if it's the lockout or their just poor tacklers, but it's very noticeable with this team.

 

[Aso]

Remember when people here thought Kerry Collins and Donovan McNabb were solid pickups that would help their teams win?

If Kerry didn't get injured this team would at least not be winless.

 

[Houston]

Keep in mind that a lot of these guys have been physical specimens their entire lives and they probably didn't even need good form to take people down until they actually got to college or the pro's so it's not like they've all been sure fire tackling machines like London Fletcher their entire lives.

I think the lockout hurt the league in several ways. Just look at the passing yards the first few weeks of the season compared to now. It's not just the tackling, it trickles down to every facet of the game. It took a while for defenses to catch up to the offenses.

Well it's just funny how they blamed it for every aspect, which brought up contradictions.


During the beginning of the season I'd hear an announcer say "Offense is all about timing, because of the lockout they aren't 100% ready yet. While defense is more of a assignment thing so they have the edge".
Then flip to another game to hear "These defenses can't keep up with the offense because of the lockout. The lack of off season is why Nnamdi Asomugha can't keep up with Victor Cruz".

A lot of people were using it as a "Get out of jail free...easily explain anything away" card.


Impossible to deny that it had some effect, but its' not like it flipped the entire league upside down. It still boils down to certain players/teams being better then others.
You wanna blame the lockout for your defense not being prepared? Cool. But what's the excuse when your offense get shut down by your opponent who's equally "not prepared".

 

[MrBill]

You must be a coach or something, because when watching games I'm not thinking about the offseason and tackling. I find it hard to believe fans are that aware to be able to tell this difference between this year and different years. Are fans really watching the games saying, “Oh, look at that missed tackle…..its got to be the lockout!”

I have several coaches in my family (we talk X's and 0's during games) and when I was younger, I lived to play defensive end. When I'm watching the game, I am always looking at the technique used by the defense. This year with the change of the rules on tackling and the lack of any OTA, mini-camps or full training camp to practice in full pads to acclimate to the new rules, you can absolutely tell the difference in the way guys approach the ball carrier. Under the old rules, if you put your facemask on the guys chest, you made the tackle. Now you are trying to put your shoulder on him to avoid a penalty and get set up for the spin move or last second juke. Even Jaws said last night that it is impossible to play defensive back the way it was meant to be played under the new rules. I bet YAC and broken tackle statistics are at an all-time high this season.

 

[ZoneBlitz]

The lockout also had a big effect on pass defense, which was actrocious at the beginning of the season. Offenses have come somewhat back down to earth except for Green Bay.

 

[killgod]

Please don't lump the pats and packers together LOL.

And lately our studs have gotten further then your squad of undrafted FA's in the playoffs. Ever since losing to the giants in the SB, what has the patriot way of developing a team exactly gotten you? Gronkowski and that's it?

Really?

So according to you, we're a bunch of scrubs...YET...

We were the #1 seed in 2010, we're the #1 seed right now.

We have the #2 Offence in the NFL (429/game)...Packers are 4th (401)
3rd scoring Offence (30.1)...Packers are 1st (34.7)

32nd Passing D (307)...Packers are 31st (287)...yet is this on purpose? Because...
2nd in Interceptions (16)..Packers are 1st (22)

#12 Rushing D (102)...Packers are 13th (105)

#11 Scoring D (20.3)..Packers are 13th (20.6)

Both teams - 25 sacks each.


Yeah, so despite the identical statistical comparison...
Despite the spread it out to 8+ targets a game via their HOF QB's....
Despite the almost patented bend but don't break D that generates league best turnovers..



Yeah, the Patriot way isn't working at all. We should totally abandon it. We're just a bunch of nobody's doing nothing.


Anyone can win any game on a Sunday, a referee blunder, weather, a mistake, whatever...there's many factors that can decide a game outside of execution. Luck is a major factor in sport. As long as you do everything in your power to win games, you'll be in constant position to have a chance to win a championship.

Last time I checked, we're still winning Division titles and going to the playoffs quite regularly. Anything can happen when you get there. If you think what NE is doing needs to be changed, you're quite frankly an idiot.

 

[Senser81]

Did you ever play football?

Everyone is rusty the first week or two when they get pads. Just getting used to the weight of the pads and helmet takes about a week in itself, getting low, breaking down, wrapping up, taking the right angles, getting your head on the right side, etc. takes time before it becomes instinctive again.

It's more like riding a bull than riding a bike.

Did you ever ride a bull before? I have. Many times. And its definitely not like riding a bull. Probably more like riding a mule.

 

[Aso]

It's a very exciting season because the Silver and Black are back!

 

[Senser81]

One reason for the unappealing football...terrible head coaches. Guys who are too scared of their owners or for their jobs to do anything out of the ordinary. Then you have absolute retards like Mike Smith of Atlanta, whose team wins in spite of him. I remember in the 1980's when you had guys like Don Coryell, Bill Walsh, Mike Ditka...guys whose teams all did things differently yet usually won (or at least were interesting). Even in the late 90's and early 2000's, you had Tony Dungy's and Jimmy Johnson's who at the very least were regarded as "winners". Now we have guys like Tony Sparano, who you wouldn't even recognize if you walked past him.

 

[killgod]

One reason for the unappealing football...terrible head coaches. Guys who are too scared of their owners or for their jobs to do anything out of the ordinary. Then you have absolute retards like Mike Smith of Atlanta, whose team wins in spite of him. I remember in the 1980's when you had guys like Don Coryell, Bill Walsh, Mike Ditka...guys whose teams all did things differently yet usually won (or at least were interesting). Even in the late 90's and early 2000's, you had Tony Dungy's and Jimmy Johnson's who at the very least were regarded as "winners". Now we have guys like Tony Sparano, who you wouldn't even recognize if you walked past him.

It's truly fascinating when you read up on the statistics behind the boring coaching decisions to punt, kick XP's and the like.

You have to wonder why the league has so many boring coaches afraid to lose their jobs if it's been proven that taking wild chances (like BB's 4th and 2 at Indy) is actually the better statistical decision. If they rolled the dice and played the percentages, you might become the next legend. Playing it safe is not likely to get them anywhere.

Are these guys really that hard up for jobs and cash?

 

[MrBill]

Are these guys really that hard up for jobs and cash?

The Canadian economy might be booming but down here in the double digit unemployment recession having Yankee land, guys don't want to do anything that could to get them fired from multi-million dollar jobs :yep:

 

[killgod]

The Canadian economy might be booming but down here in the double digit unemployment recession having Yankee land, guys don't want to do anything that could to get them fired from multi-million dollar jobs :yep:

It's not as if these guys can't find another coaching job?

Besides, they are multi-million dollar jobs, are they are dumb as the athletes that spend every penny as they receive them?

 

[MrBill]

It's not as if these guys can't find another coaching job?

Besides, they are multi-million dollar jobs, are they are dumb as the athletes that spend every penny as they receive them?

I don't think most of these guys get another HC shot if they fail in their current coaching job. They would be looking at being a coordinator at a fraction of what they were making if they could even get one of those jobs.

Coaches probably don't burn through money like a 21 year old kid but Mrs. Coach probably has high standards of living for her and her children.

 

[DSpydr84]

You know what really puts a damper on the whole game is the new calls.

I get really annoyed watching a game where a guy makes a great hit and gets penalized for it. Or the defense makes a stop but a d-lineman grazed the quarterback's helmet. Or that buzz that surrounds the opening kickoff that just ends in a measly touchback 90% of the time.

And you can forget the calls already in place, like the most subjective call on the planet, pass interference.