Fan Notes from Around the League
by Alec Shane on Oct 24, 2011 11:32 AM EDT
in Opinion/Analysis
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PrintWhile I was able to catch all of the early games, the latter part of Sunday afternoon found me at a farmer’s market, where I had to walk around pretending everything looked and tasted better than the exact same things you can pick up in the grocery store for half the price. Luckily, I was able to take at least a few notes before getting dragged out of the house and thrown into the depths of hell an Organic Wonderland.
Now I'd be lying if I said I was paying tremendously close attention to any of these games, as yesterday was one of those perfect fall Sundays for which naps on the couch were invented. But hey, it's New England's bye week, right? Yesterday was probably the last Sunday nap I'll get for a while, so I had to enjoy it while I could.
Notes on Week 7 after the jump.
- I know that one of the Cardinal Rules of Manliness is that a man in his boxers and socks is a man at his absolute worst – but I watched all the games yesterday in my boxers and socks and I’m OK with it.
- Cam Newton is really fun to watch. I’m not yet ready to accept him as my Lord and Savior the way much of the media has, but I’m really enjoying what has been a remarkable rookie season thus far.
- I had the opportunity to draft Matt Forte in my fantasy draft. I took a flier on Felix Jones instead. Genius.
- I've heard griping from people about the amount of pink you see on the field during the month of October. I, for one, always enjoy seeing players decked out in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a great gesture by the NFL and anything that helps promote cancer awareness is just fine by me.
- I was watching Sound FX on NFL Network yesterday before all the games started, and one of the players they had mic’d up was Andy Dalton. It seems like he already has the respect of his teammates and has been exhibiting solid leadership skills. Looking forward to seeing him develop.
- I don’t think that Roy Williams will go down in history as the bust he deserves to be. It seems that a well-placed pass bounces off his hands every game.
- The Detroit Lions’ front 4 is absolutely dominant. Very happy that the only way New England will see them this year is in the Superbowl.
- The Dolphins’ MVP through 7 weeks is Matt Carpenter. Eek.
- Speaking of -I think it’s time to start rooting for the Miami Dolphins to win some games. I know it’s always hard to gauge how a player will transition between college and the NFL, but I’d rather play it safe and keep Andrew Luck out of the AFC East.
- I think I’ve said this before, but I really want a specific explanation of what constitutes Roughing the Passer. I honestly don’t think that the referees have any idea and it’s basically just a series of judgment calls at this point.
- I realized yesterday that there are people out there whose sole job is to scan the crowds for attractive females that cameras can cut to coming back from commercial breaks. Somewhere along the line, I made some poor life choices.
- I'd also like to think that part of those people's job description is also to catch important people picking their nose.
- Yes, Tim Tebow. You’re emotional and you’re a leader. We get it. Step 2: complete some passes.
- That was an amazing final drive, though. Gotta give credit where credit is due.
- 99% of the time, the number of camera angles and high-definition close-ups that are now available to us is a phenomenal thing. That other one 1% where it's not so great? Watching Matt Ryan’s ankle get snapped in half in crystal clear slow motion. No thanks.
- Can't believe that Ryan was back out there a short time later. I consider myself tough when I stub my toe and don't immediately drop to the ground in agony. Football players are just carved out of granite.
- The nonsense that was the Cleveland vs. Seattle game made me even more grateful to be a Patriots fan.
- Thanksgiving is already my favorite day of the year, but getting to watch the Packers play the Lions is going to make it that much sweeter.
- Philip Rivers may have the worst throwing mechanics of any quarterback in NFL history.
- Speaking of Rivers -nice clock management to close out the game there, Phil.
- I’d love to see a blind taste test that puts a $9.99, organically grown, chemical free, holistic Swami-blessed apple up against the apple I stole from Stop & Shop on Tuesday by hiding it in an economy-sized tub of pre-made buttered popcorn. I bet 90% of the people I had to deal with yesterday wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
- It’s hard not to root for Matt Cassel.
- If the NFL were summer camp, Kyle Boller would be a perennial contender for the "Best Attitude" Award. Little guy just won’t give up.
- It’s amazing how boring football games in which you have nobody on your fantasy team playing can really be.
- To put it as cleanly as possible – Rob Gronkowski is having one helluva bye week.
- Quite a few bright spots from Christian Ponder yesterday. He’s still a little raw, but he has great fundamentals.
- Poor St. Louis. They just can’t catch a break.
- The famed Manning face was sporting a fairly massive zit last night.
- All in all, yesterday was one of the uglier Sundays of football I can remember. It’s clear that without the Patriots around to maintain order, everything just goes to hell.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t one of those bye weeks where the Patriots were able to create some separation within their division, courtesy of a less-than-stellar day from the San Diego Chargers, but it still came at the perfect time for this team. Everyone definitely needed a break after what was undoubtedly two back-to-back killer weeks of preparation. The big question marks coming into this week will be how effectively Chad Ochocinco has used this time off to get himself up to speed with this offense, whether or not our defense can continue gaining ground, and how close Jerod Mayo is to returning to action. While we won’t know for sure until Sunday, I’m hopeful that this bye week was not only an opportunity for the Patriots to get healthy, but also a chance to make some positive strides forward as a team. It’s also always good to have some extra time to prepare for what is sure to be a tough game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hopefully, New England will be able to keep up the momentum they built off of their huge comeback win against the Cowboys, come into a great week of practice ready for a very physical game on Sunday, and start coming together to play their best football down the stretch.
And hopefully, I’ve seen my last farmer’s market of 2011.
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Coupla things
First, Rob Gronkowski, that doesn’t look like “rest” to me. Quite the opposite.
Second, Cam Newton is not your media-annointed lord-and-savior. That would be Tim Tebow.
Finally, paying a bit extra for everything at a farmer’s market that you’d use is so vastly better than paying retail at a supermarket in so many ways that I won’t even bother going into other than to say, “going to farmer’s markets makes your girlfriend very hot to me and I am looking forward to meeting her again.”
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
by JohnHannahRules on Oct 24, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions
Three points. If I can count.
1. I 100% agree with you on the roughing the quarterback penalties. Every week I see some that I think should be called but aren’t, and some that should NEVER be called an are. The rule needs to be clarified and called more consistently. The other one I’d like further explanation on is the “defenseless receiver” rule. It seems to me that it just gets called when somebody gets up slowly. A tight end won’t get the call because he’s too big to get really rocked, while a Wes Welker-sized receiver might get the call fairly often just because any hit when he’s exposed will send him reeling. There’s no consistency, or clearly stated rule there, either. It’s very much a “trying to look like we care about player safety” rule, and I don’t like it. (Unless there are clearly delineated guidelines so players know what to avoid).
2. Camera angles. I would like them if it weren’t for the fact that networks use them at the wrong times. I love them for replays, but I don’t want to be zoomed in on the running back as the ball is snapped, or worse, watching a coach on the sideline. I want to see the whole field. Thanks.
3. Way to go, Rob!
True wealth is a shelf full of unread books.
It’s funny how i never liked Tebow in college where he was the best “player” then. But now that everyone is so down on him and expecting him to fail, i’m kinda rooting for him to succeed. I guess it’s the underdog syndrome.
Oh yea i think the AFC west is going to be a dog fight in the end.
You can root until the cows come home;
the boy can’t throw a football so his time in this league as QB limited. Actually, I’d bet he won’t last the year. As far as those analysts predicting he’ll be DEN starting QB in 2012? LMAO
Eh, I disagree
He might never develop into the star destined for greatness that he was made out to be when coming out of college, but I think he has the will and work ethic to be a starting QB for a while at the very least.
by indy pats fan on Oct 24, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
That's weird
Must just be a glitch where it looks like it’s Tebow throwing the ball to go down the field and score twice to tie the game and go on to win it. Especially that amazing throw (& catch too) to get them in position for the second TD. Was it you wearing Tebow’s jersey? You’re so sly.
It’s one thing to say he isn’t the most accurate QB because that’s true (although he’s also not even close to the most inaccurate). But to say the man can’t throw is just playing devil’s advocate to the fact that he’s certainly no worse than your average starter QB.
by indy pats fan on Oct 24, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, you mean Rex Grossman.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 24, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd say that he's the most inaccurate QB
Easy
Otherwise, “his will and drive to succeed” would probably be enough to lead him to goodness. Pretty soon, if not DEN next game, we’ll see 11 man defensive fronts and he’ll be shit out of luck.
Note: I don’t hate the man. I don’t hate God. I also don’t hate UF. I think he was arguably college football’s greatest player ever. He’s also a terrible NFL QB because he doesn’t have the talent to play that position.
Train him into a CB. Worked with Samuel, heh.
One week it's about Count Chockula and Saved by the Bell.
The next it’s about shopping at a farmers market.
So, ok, Alec, exactly how old are you?
Not that it matters, because your pieces are great anyway. I’m just curious.
As far as DirecTV: Always wanting to, I finally signed up this year because they offered Sunday Ticket for free. I’ve used it twice; last week and for one other game I can’t recall. All other Pat’s games have been televised nationally. Yeah, I know. Whiney Pats fan.
A few comments
Alec, great article bro. Me and my girl always get some laughs reading your blog. I feel the same way about Pats bye weeks. I actually was very fortunate this weekend, one of girlfriends best friends got married in vegas so I was able to enjoy my time there and not worry about how im going to watch the pats game or if i was going to flying home during the game.
On another note, everyone(other teams and fans) are always talking about how the pats get lucky with calls from the refs and how the nfl favors the pats. Did anyone watch the Jets v. Chargers, i saw two phantom pass interference calls on the chargers that really chaged that game. I swear the Jets catch every team at their worst or that team makes the kind of mistakes high school teams make, and we seem to catch most teams at their best. I mean what the F was Rivers doing at the end of the game, minute and a half left and they moved the ball 15 yards. Anyway good article homie, keep em coming.
Refs favor quality players and teams
We are a quality team, and Revis is a quality CB.
Them’s is the facts. I would never bitch about official’s calls regarding the Pats, because I know we’ve had their favoritism for years now.
Agreed about Rivers
Cannot Stand watching him play…
And yes, without the Pats playing everything goes to hell in this league.
Though, the Packers game was at least entertaining. I did call it though, I said once Green Bay got ahead Ponder would fall apart. He didn’t complete his next 6 or 7 pass attempts. He did pull it together long enough to make the game interesting to the end though.
They really could've had a chance if they would have just gone for it on 4th down at the end there
It might not seem likely, but they seemed to make plays left and right during that last drive until the very end there so who knows. They might have gotten the 1st down, gone on to get the TD, and win the game. But instead they punt it to the Packers who had a 6 point lead with 3 minutes left in the game… Not a very good idea imo.
by indy pats fan on Oct 24, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice article
Totally agree on the River’s stuff. Unfortunately he’s my fantasy QB. I didn’t think he could possibly do THIS bad with the amount of talent he has around him. Granted Gates just came back from injury, but still.
The penalties against QB hits are out of control. You can’t hit them high, you can’t hit them low, you can’t slam them to the ground, you can’t fall on them. How the hell are you supposed to tackle them? Just give them two flags on a belt and let them play flag football then.
YURP
Heh...fantasy
I’m 7-0 in my league, so far. I was down around 17 points before the SNF game. I had Colston left, my opponent had Garcon.
I ended up winning this week by an entire point. 1.00, not 1.01, 0.99, etc.
I should probably buy a lottery ticket. D:
I learned how to make a sig just so it can say "DFA Darnell MacDonald". That means it must happen.
Man, I could go on forever about
how important farmers markets are, but I won’t, just hope that some day you can appreciate them and what organic food really means for the health of the soil and for all humans.
Yknow, I think Detroit is pretty good, but dominant is a strong word. It’s hard for me to label them as such when they got gashed two weeks in a row on the ground. Granted Gore and Turner are very good, but still, they both had pretty big days against them. I actually watched the Lions last 2 games, and while they are a very active D line, they are at times overly aggressive and prone to jumping off-sides. In both games the 9ers and Falcons used that against them effectively.
Wish I had Forte – I didn’t get to draft my team, and also ended up with Felix Jones, who I have since discarded.
Cassel impressed yesterday – he had a TD pass to Bowe taken away by replay which missed by an 1/8 of an inch, and because they were up big and the run game was working, he literally only threw about 6 passes in the second half,. No sacks either. I know it was an INT fest with Boller and Palmer for the Raiders, but KC came to play. Kudos to them for righting the ship after a disastrous start to the year.
And for that pathetic second half display against NY, I hope they take it to the Chargers next Monday night.
Also, If anyone ever wants to bemoan our offense
just watch what the Ravens did tonight, and you will fell like a fool.
Not quite the blowout everyone expected - especially ESPN and the Ravens
I just wanted to catch a bit of this game and then go to bed on the early side, but I got caught up until the final minute. My Jags son was ecstatic, but I was just thrilled the so-called ‘best team in the AFC’ Ravens lost.
The pregame show was an hour-long love-in for Baltimore – you’d never even know Jacksonville existed – and while the ESPN crew had a point about the Patriots defense being a work in progress (putting it nicely), a team can’t win if it can’t score any points, no matter how good the defense. Maybe they’ll adjust their rankings accordingly.
The Jags never quit, even with the turnovers, and never stopped fighting. They were 1-5 going into that game and a much bigger team coming out.
Keep the faith!
Philip Rivers may have the worst throwing mechanics of any quarterback in NFL history.
Tim Tebow, Jay Cutler, Rex Grossman, Vince Young and Tavaris Jackson are furious right now.
Rivers’ motion is unorthodox, but its consistent and been pretty successful for him (this year notwithstanding).
But man he’s been all sorts of mediocre this year (have him on fantasy :( )
What do you all think of this ?
The New England Patriots will have someone there to evaluate Owens, NECN reports.
by RED SOX are #1 in my heart on Oct 25, 2011 11:42 AM EDT reply actions
He'd be worth a look, but only if they check between the ears as well.
We’ve got Ocho being the good little soldier, and it’s tough to say if Owens would as well. If you’re going that route, you might just as well get Moss.
Still they need to do the due diligence on everyone who’s available, and Owens is available.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 25, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Not only is it great to see fan notes being sent in, but to see them being posted is even better. These notes are amazing to see as they show the depth in which fans of the sport are involved. It seems like Tebow is going to always be popular, though.
Halloween World
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