2023-2024 NFL Season (1 Viewer)

[Robert Crawford]

Just wow. Former Raiders QB JaMarkus Russell. The poster board for how to completely mismanage and piss away a fortune. Anyone see this story?

As a Raiders fan I have no further comment! However, our HC just filed for bankruptcy because he has people trying to garnish his wages due to owing them over 25M dollars. That's right, it's great being a Raiders fan.

 

[Jeffrey D]

As a Raiders fan I have no further comment! However, our HC just filed for bankruptcy because he has people trying to garnish his wages due to owing them over 25M dollars. That's right, it's great being a Raiders fan.

Hard to imagine he can put undivided attention into the team, with this going on.

 

[ponset]

Hallmark Stickers from 1975.

 

[Jeffrey D]

Interesting that there were only 26 teams then, and 14 regular season games (the schedule expanded to 16 games in 1978). There was only 1 wild card team per conference in the playoffs too. 1975 was the first year the playoff teams were seeded- prior to 1975, the home games were done on a rotating basis. The Cowboys made it to the Super Bowl as the wild card team, then lost to the Steelers.

 

[Jeffrey D]

Hall Of Fame Game is tonight (Texans/Bears). The most interesting thing about the game is the new kickoff- a one year trial. One of the other leagues (USFL or XFL- I forget which) implemented a lot of what the NFL will be trying. I like the new kickoff- beats 78% touchbacks.

 

[Malcolm R]

Not sure about everyone else, but the commercial for Truly hard seltzer was on constant repeat in my area during the portion of the game that was played. Almost every commercial break, 2-3 times in a row. I will now never buy that product.

Also, they should just end this annual HOF game. It seems like it always gets crapped up in some manner, either bad field conditions or bad weather.

 

[bmasters9]

Not sure about everyone else, but the commercial for Truly hard seltzer was on constant repeat in my area during the portion of the game that was played. Almost every commercial break, 2-3 times in a row. I will now never buy that product.

Why was that Truly hard seltzer advertised so much and so extensively?

 

[Malcolm R]

Why was that Truly hard seltzer advertised so much and so extensively?

No idea. The first time it happened, I figured there was some glitch in the control room at the network. Then it kept happening all night. I finally started turning the channel every time it would come on.

 

[reel-to-reel]

Flashback to 2023... HOF - The Knocks

 

[Walter Kittel]

RB Thomas, Cowboys SB champion, dies at 77

Duane Thomas, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys when they finally broke through and won a Super Bowl to cap the 1971 season, has died. He was 77.

www.espn.com

His career didn't last long and his off the field experiences certainly overshadowed much of what career there was, but when he was on the field he was pretty electric.

- Walter.

 

[Jeffrey D]

The Browns and the city are now figuring out a course of action on the 25 year old stadium. The city is offering $1.1 billion in renovations (for a 25 year old facility), and the team has unveiled plans for a domed stadium away from downtown. Fucking ridiculous- the taxpayers keep forking over money, even on stadiums that aren’t old.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

Here are some general thoughts on the Panthers at Patriots preseason game last night:

1. There were starters missing, obviously, and looking at these two teams I don't think you get a lot from preseason game one except perhaps how the teams are coached and what the talent level of the team might be. On these two items, well, the Patriots looked like the better coached more disciplined team, and the Panthers looked...well...awful in every phase of the game. I saw some flashes of talent from the Patriots, saw really nothing from the Panthers. Again, this is preseason game 1 so, for the most part, these were not the line-ups we will see when the season opens, nor the gameplans we will see in the regular season. I only judged how they executed what they were doing and if there appeared to be some flashes of potential talent. In this regard, it just did not look like the Panthers had a squad of NFL caliber players on the field. Hard to judge what the Patriots did because the Panthers squad was just not impressive. As a footnote, the game was played in the rain.

2. The biggest thing to watch in this game was how the Patriots QBs performed because there is a battle going on there and it is interesting. Drake Maye was a high pick and the guy the Patriots wanted. They also drafted a QB later in Joe Milton. They signed Jacoby Brissett, a good back-up and interim starter, and Bailey Zappe is the holdover on the roster. So, how did these guys look? Well, Maye only threw 3 passes I think, completed two, but they were both just checkdowns. Little dump offs that did not amount to much, so really saw nothing from him. Brissett who started also only threw a few passes and missed or had the ball dropped on all of them. So, nothing to see there. The two guys that made an impression were Milton and Zappe (who played most of the game). Milton is said to be the most impressive QB so far in their camp and he stepped on the field and looked like it and threw the only TD pass of the game. So, if the NFL is about making the most of your opportunities, Milton did that. He looks more comfortable out there than Maye does right now. Here's the thing, I can only imagine the Patriots keeping three QBs on their roster, and I have to think the intentions are to keep Brissett, Maye, and Milton. Zappe they probably try to practice squad. I think if they do that with him, another team can sign him. Zappe, while not starter material, looks like he has developed into a solid back-up type QB with some moxie. He actually looked the most comfortable running an offense. So, my feeling is, he is the odd man out, even though he looks to be a guy they could rely on to run the offense and normally would be the back-up to Brissett, but...they have two valuable rookies, so those two guys have to stay on the roster. Zappe would make a good pick-up for a team that needs a back-up QB or wants to just improve their QB room with a solid player. He's not an NFL starter, but he appears to have become a solid second or third QB.

3. I have really not watched preseason football in several years. Just not having much interest in it unless there was something in a game worth taking a look at. In this case, the Patriots QB situation is intriguing. So, I watched for that, and had a surprisingly good time just watching a football game. Yeah, I would certainly not be interested in watching the Panthers again, but the Patriots have some things to sort out at QB. It just is nice to have football back.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

I would add that, I don't expect the Patriots or Panthers to be much better than last in their respective divisions this season, so this normally would have been a game I skipped, but, I was curious about the Patriots QB situation. I wanted to see Maye and Milton play. It is way too early to judge right now, each of them getting their first game action, but I did wonder...do we have a Lance/Purdy type situation here in New England, where the later round pick ends up just more comfortable than the high first round pick?

The difference is basically that Milton looks like a prototype NFL QB but Purdy did not. I could definitely see Milton becoming an NFL starter, he has the physical gifts and a huge arm. He was drafted later because people felt he needed to be developed for a couple years and was not ready to start for an NFL team. Well, once again, at least so far, he looks like he is more ready to start and Maye will take a bit more developing.

The Patriots preseason games will be interesting because Maye and Milton will play in them and it is going to be interesting to see if Milton is the one that continues to make the big impression. My bet is the guy that they start the season with behind center, no matter how he plays, is Brissett. However, if Zappe is on the practice squad, or another team, the back-up to Brissett right now, after camp and one preseason game (against an awful team) based on performance is Milton. Two more preseason games to decide that.

 

[AlohaTiger]

Hallmark Stickers from 1975.

View attachment 225805

never knew these existed! , these would go great with the mini helmets and pencils from the 70’s I used to have.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

The other rookie QB I really want to see in some game action is Bo Nix. This is the other QB situation that will be fun to follow in the preseason. Nix has a supposed QB guru in coach Payton. His competition is interesting in Wilson, a former first round pick, and Stidham, who I think at the moment is weirdly penciled in as the starter...at least at this moment. So, this is wide open for Nix to take this job.

Wilson will be interesting to watch as well, because if he has anything going on, he should be able to beat out both Nix the rookie, and Stidham for the starting spot. He was a disaster with the Jets but had poor coaching and just was in a bad situation, and then added attitude mistakes on top of that. Payton could turn the kid around IF there is anything there to turn around. So this is another QB battle worth watching in the preseason.

If you are a Broncos fan, I think you want Nix to win the job and start when the season opens. If he does not, I think the second best hope would be that Payton turns Wilson around and they get something out of him. Stidham I don't think will ever be anything more than an NFL back-up. He may end up a good one, but if he is your starter...that's ugly.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

Some preseason week 1 notes:

Watched the Chargers play the Seahawks...in a word, ugly. Mainly for the Chargers. The Seahawks look like they may have some talent on defense and they also look to have a solid back-up QB in Sam Howell. The Chargers have absolutely zero at back-up QB, as Easton Stick looks freaking awful. If Herbert misses game time, this team is cooked. The QBs they played do not look like they belong on an NFL roster. Also, I know that they were playing back-ups and guys trying to make the team for the most part, but this Chargers roster does not appear very deep. They will need to have starters on the field to compete, and they already have about 10 hit by the injury bug including Herbert (who never plays in preseason anyway). I also think the talent drain on offense may have really cost them. Losing their top two WRs and their top RB looks like it may be a lot to overcome. Quentin Johnston, their former #1 draft pick at WR from last year looks like he may be a bust. Balls hit him in the hands and go sailing up into the air. I mean, Stick is not what I would call accurate but Johnston had some plays he could have made and did not. I think it is possible the kid could get cut but I assume they will keep him on the roster and see how he does playing with Herbert in the regular season but it does not look promising. Also former Raiders number 1 pick offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood is currently on the Chargers, I assume trying to make it as a back-up...well...he remains as awful as he was with the Raiders. If he makes the team, I will be surprised. The power running game that Harbaugh wants to happen was nowhere to be seen, again, watching a lot of back-ups and since the Chargers in this preseason game had no passing attack whatsoever, well, no reason their running game should have worked...and it didn't. I'm not down on the Chargers after one preseason game but the obvious thing with this team is they need starters on the field and what is behind the starters if they go down, particularly at QB, is not looking good. Most predictions on the Chargers this season are they maybe win 7 to 8 games. I thought that was a low win total, but if anything happens to Herbert, you can write this team off. I am guessing the Chargers will be shopping the back-up QB market as the preseason goes on.

So, the Broncos QB situation. Looked at their game against the Colts for this specific reason. What I can say is this, I don't know how or why Stidham is the penciled in starter right now, that is going to change. He is back-up material, all the way. Nix moved the team, he is at this stage, OK, a developing prospect but he is making a case to start because the other two guys just have not done enough to beat him out. Wilson is the other option but he is not exactly outshining Nix, so the competition is still wide open. Wilson had a solid outing and so, deserves, I think, more reps than Stidham. I think the battle is between Nix and Wilson to start. If it is a draw, they may as well start Nix, unless they don't want to throw him to the wolves. I would start playing Nix and Wilson the most during the next two preseason games if I were Payton, it just looks like one of them should start.

The Colts played a bunch of QBs in the game, including their current and future franchise QB Richardson. Basically, I assume their top two QBs will be Richardson and Flacco. The one thing I kept thinking watching this game was, and it was not because there was any great QB play on display, I think all the guys playing in this game are better than all the back-up QBs on the Chargers roster right now.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

I don't know if another team would have interest, unless they are desperate for a WR, but if I were the Chargers, maybe before others see in Johnston what I seem to be seeing, is they should trade Johnston for...well...another player. A back-up QB, a defensive player, another WR...really anything. Any player that is a quality back-up or bench player. A future draft pick. It is probably not fair to give up on him after one season, but he looks like he has hands of stone. I watched some practice throws to him and I have to admit, I am very worried. I saw Herbert throw a dime to him perfectly dropping the ball over his left shoulder and right into his hands, and the ball bounced off his hands up into the air. Some that have watched him say he is best catching the ball when he turns his full body to face the QB and the throw. Well, in the NFL, that won't cut it. Herbert is really going to miss Allen and Williams, those two guys could make plays, I don't know what they have at WR at this point and without Herbert out there throwing to these guys, it is very hard to tell what their passing game will be. So, we won't really know until the regular season.

I am thinking Johnston might still hold some value and interest to other teams, and if Harbaugh determines the kid is struggling too much, maybe they can unload him for something else. I'm definitely not full of confidence.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Well, it didn't take JJ McCarthy to get hurt. He's going to miss the entire 2024 season with a torn meniscus surgery.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Well, it didn't take JJ McCarthy to get hurt. He's going to miss the entire 2024 season with a torn meniscus surgery.

A close friend of mine who is a huge Vikings fan watched their entire first game, and did not see any indication that JJ got injured. So, it must have been a fluke injury. It's bad luck, and sad to see. Injuries can derail a young career in the NFL. Hopefully McCarthy can overcome this. He was such a terrific player and person, on and off the field, during his time in Ann Arbor.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

So, some general fan complaining here, I think the Chargers probably have the worst back-up QB situation in the NFL. Easton Stick, currently the penciled in number 2 there, is probably the worst back-up in the NFL. Behind him is a guy named Louis Perez, a QB that has floated around for years in a variety of leagues. He's a guy that basically does not make a roster and ends up playing in one of the other football leagues that pop up. He may actually be better than Stick, but if so, not by much. Honestly, I would not expect either of these guys to make the roster and the Chargers are going to have to grab someone that gets cut from another team or trade for a back-up.

This situation is so bad, in my opinion, it is hard to even judge what is going on with the Chargers offense in preseason play. The two QBs they played in this last game against the Rams do not look like they belong in the NFL in any way. So, if you wanted to gauge what the Chargers new run game looks like, forget it, because defensively all the opponent has to focus on is playing the run. You can let the Charger offense attempt to throw all you want, it is a sad looking affair.

Now, yeah, Herbert is the QB there, he never plays in preseason, but I mean, if you want to operate some sort of offense in the preseason, you need a QB that can at least step on the field and do that. Stick and Perez are not providing that. Basically, they both belong in one of the other leagues, UFL, USFL, XFL...whatever...but they are not NFL QBs.

While Herbert has never played a preseason down, the rest of the offense does and obviously could use some time to gel a bit. I think this could work in one of two ways. Either when the regular season starts and Herbert is operating this offense it will be something nobody has yet seen because Herbert will add an impressive passing attack to this new power ground game or Herbert will step in to an offense that still does not know what it is doing because they made zero progress in the preseason and need the first few regular season games to figure out what they are doing.

To me though, how do you evaluate a guy like Quentin Johnston and his progress or lack thereof if there is literally no passing attack in the preseason. How do you prepare your rookie WRs, who will be important this season, if you can't get them the football.

Sure, back-up QB talk is not sexy nor exciting but it is important in the NFL because your main player could go down for a bit and you need someone to step in and operate some sort of offense. I pretty much expect that the Chargers QB room will look different when the regular season begins.