NFL (no haters)

[Challo]

Desiato said:

Brady being suspended for four games isn't the start to the season the Pats would have wanted!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492185/art...

I read this story and didn't quite understand it? Are they saying that the Pats deflated the balls or that more than likely they did? And why just suspend Brady?

[unrepentant]

Whole thing is a joke. Suspension will be cut to 2 on appeal and Jimmy Garoppoo will take care of the Steelers and Bills. You will need a fking computer to add up the number of points the Pats are going to score at the Big Slick on October 18th.

[Stu R]

Desiato said:

Brady being suspended for four games isn't the start to the season the Pats would have wanted!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492185/art...

Makes no odds when the division is that soft, they can lose until the cows come home and still win AFC East. Their first 4 games aren't exactly the toughest and Brady doing a full 4 games on the bench is unlikely once it's appealed.

Interesting to see how long Goodell lasts now given his relationship with Kraft.

[skahigh]

Stu R said:

Desiato said:

Brady being suspended for four games isn't the start to the season the Pats would have wanted!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492185/art...

Makes no odds when the division is that soft, they can lose until the cows come home and still win AFC East. Their first 4 games aren't exactly the toughest and Brady doing a full 4 games on the bench is unlikely once it's appealed.

Interesting to see how long Goodell lasts now given his relationship with Kraft.

I'm not so sure, Pats have got significantly weaker imo (secondary has been demolished) and the other three teams have splashed a lot of cash in the off season to try and get better.

[unrepentant]

skahigh said:

I'm not so sure, Pats have got significantly weaker imo (secondary has been demolished) and the other three teams have splashed a lot of cash in the off season to try and get better.

Pats D is improved in every area except CB. D-Line is probably stronger with addition of Brown and others (love Vince but he was a declining force). Mayo, Hightower and Collins is a strong a Linebacking core as there is in the league. McCourty re-signed and will team up again with Chung at safety where they also drafted well. CB looks weak at the moment but BB was happy to cut Arrington and Dennard just this week having already let Revis and Browner go. Tells me he has something up his sleeve....

[Desiato]

Challo said:

I read this story and didn't quite understand it? Are they saying that the Pats deflated the balls or that more than likely they did? And why just suspend Brady?

They say that the Pats more than likely deflated the balls but could find no hard evidence. The suspension is because in the leagues opinion, Brady in particular and the Pats were not forthcoming and overly helpful in the investigation, which is a league requirement.
It is a bit harsh as even if it did happen, surely it benefits the QB for both teams as the same balls are in play the whole time.

I agree with other comments that even if Brady is suspended the whole four games (unlikely in my opinion) they should still have a strong season.

[London424]

Desiato said:

Challo said:

I read this story and didn't quite understand it? Are they saying that the Pats deflated the balls or that more than likely they did? And why just suspend Brady?

They say that the Pats more than likely deflated the balls but could find no hard evidence. The suspension is because in the leagues opinion, Brady in particular and the Pats were not forthcoming and overly helpful in the investigation, which is a league requirement.
It is a bit harsh as even if it did happen, surely it benefits the QB for both teams as the same balls are in play the whole time.

I agree with other comments that even if Brady is suspended the whole four games (unlikely in my opinion) they should still have a strong season.

Actually the ball thing is one of the oddities of the NFL. Each offense have their own set of balls that get used. There isn't a universal set of balls in use by both teams.

That's why the Pats are in trouble rather than the other team or officials.

[unrepentant]

Brady's suspension will either be overturned completely on appeal or reduced to 1 or 2 games.

[Desiato]

London424 said:

Actually the ball thing is one of the oddities of the NFL. Each offense have their own set of balls that get used. There isn't a universal set of balls in use by both teams.

That's why the Pats are in trouble rather than the other team or officials.

Ah ok, thanks, I didn't realise that.

[Matt..]

London424 said:

Actually the ball thing is one of the oddities of the NFL. Each offense have their own set of balls that get used. There isn't a universal set of balls in use by both teams.

That's why the Pats are in trouble rather than the other team or officials.

I still don't understand why teams provide balls. It seems like a massive opportunity for rule bending...

[unrepentant]

Matt.. said:

London424 said:

Actually the ball thing is one of the oddities of the NFL. Each offense have their own set of balls that get used. There isn't a universal set of balls in use by both teams.

That's why the Pats are in trouble rather than the other team or officials.

I still don't understand why teams provide balls. It seems like a massive opportunity for rule bending...

Because the QB's like to have the surfaces of the balls roughed up so they are grippier. A box fresh ball is slippery and unpleasant. The QB's, led by Manning and Brady, campaigned to have the rules changed so they could do this.

[HD Adam]

[Stu R]

[8Ace]

Boring boring boring *.

I hate the offseason. Roll on next months for the pre-season games.

[HD Adam]

Next month is here

Watching the Hall of Fame game between the Vikings and Steelers.

Lots of 2nd & 3rd string players getting a run out but the season starts now.

[Challo]

I need to bring myself up to speed with all the roster changes ready for the new season. With Cricket and the new footie season started NFL has taken a back seat.

Hopefully the Giants can improve on last season.

[8Ace]

Awesome. Kick off this Friday. Gamepass subscription renewed, Packers mug full of tea and all is ready.

Anyone up for a few predictions? Here's mine for starters

Superbowl Winner: Seahawks (SEA beat GB in NFC title game again)

AFC Champs: Colts (to beat Patriots in AFC Championship game)

Division Winners:

NFC N: Packers
NFC W: Seahawks
NFC E: Eagles
NFC S: Panthers

AFC N: Steelers
AFC W: Chiefs
AFC E: Patriots
AFC S: Colts

Wild Cards:

NFC 1: Cardinals
NFC 2: Cowboys

AFC 1: Ravens
AFC 2: Broncos

First pick in 2016 = Raiders

[stephen300o]

My prediction is the guy making the hall of fame busts is going to lose his job, but said that last year.

[skahigh]

8Ace said:

First pick in 2016 = Raiders

No way, we actually have a couple of receivers who can make plays now and our RBs are going to be better.

T-Rich will be cut and we'll enter the season with Murray being backed up by Jones and Dyer I reckon.

Defense will also be better with Mack moving primarily to defensive end and a proper middle linebacker to organise the D.

[8Ace]

skahigh said:

8Ace said:

First pick in 2016 = Raiders

No way, we actually have a couple of receivers who can make plays now and our RBs are going to be better.

T-Rich will be cut and we'll enter the season with Murray being backed up by Jones and Dyer I reckon.

Defense will also be better with Mack moving primarily to defensive end and a proper middle linebacker to organise the D.

Possibly. I was torn between the Raiders and the Bucs, as I could well see the Bucs getting first pick again next year.