NFL Training Camp / Preseason 2010

[Timby]

Is it just me, or is the whole blown ACL/MCL a recent trend?

It's not a recent trend so much as there have been enough advances made in the field of sports medicine over the last two-plus decades that a ruptured ACL or MCL is no longer a guaranteed career-ending injury, as was the case in days gone by. As a result, the isolation and diagnosis of such injuries, along with media coverage thereof, has increased.

 

[pork3]

Bradford looked pretty good last night against the Patriots.



I hope Donnie Avery's injury isn't too bad. I tell you, I really hate pre-season football.

I live near Boston, so we got that game last night. It looked awful. Those no contact injuries are just sad to watch.

It was rough (but classy) to see Welker go offer him his support.

Is it just me, or is the whole blown ACL/MCL a recent trend?

I watched that game, and on that injury alongside the injury to Wheatley, I noticed in both instances their cleats clinging to the turf causing abnormal twisting of their legs. Never been a fan of fieldturf, never will be a fan...

In response to the game, as usual soft zone coverage with an offense centered around dink & dunk plays kills the Patriots. It did last year with the Broncos and Dolphins, and it likely will happen again this year. Even more embarassing was that the Patriots 1st string defense couldn't shut down the Rams 2nd string offense.

With that said, it's the preseason, so I'm not taking too much out of it.

In other news, Polian and the Colts are yet again attempting to shift the rules in their favor.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5504506

-Jamman

 

[Timby]

In all deference to Sam Bradford looking pretty good, he was doing it against a Patriots defense that was, uh, not good. There was no pass rush to speak of (outside of drawing roughing the passer calls), and the secondary clearly didn't have everything together.

That said, the Patriots do have a valid complaint, given the hurry-up offense that the Patriots often run, and if there's a delay in the umpire getting to his position -- especially if that delay leads to an inability for the offense to snap the ball, resulting in time counting off the clock -- then the Competition Committee needs to re-evaluate the rule.

I get the safety consideration for umpires, I really do. But given that running downfield, setting up a hurried formation and spiking the ball has been an accepted part of NFL offense for God knows how long, having 5-yard penalties for doing so simply because the umpire wasn't in position is bullshit.

 

[1001001]

In all deference to Sam Bradford looking pretty good, he was doing it against a Patriots defense that was, uh, not good. There was no pass rush to speak of (outside of drawing roughing the passer calls), and the secondary clearly didn't have everything together.

It's always hard to say what you can take away from a pre-season game. Hell, the Patriots left Brady in until the 4th quarter (and still lost). On the other hand I think the Rams were 3-1 last pre-season, and we all know how well that worked out.



I do think it's fair to say Bradford showed some composure on the road, made good decisions, and definitely improved his accuracy from the first two games. And the Rams run defense certainly seemed decent.

 

[pork3]

That said, the Patriots do have a valid complaint, given the hurry-up offense that the Patriots often run, and if there's a delay in the umpire getting to his position -- especially if that delay leads to an inability for the offense to snap the ball, resulting in time counting off the clock -- then the Competition Committee needs to re-evaluate the rule.

Do you mean the Colts (as that article was about the Colts and Manning getting flagged)

As for the rule change itself, I was quite happy with it as I knew it would affect teams like the Colts since they favor the hurry-up, no huddle offense.

I'm surprised the Competition Committee, of which Bill Polian is a part of, didn't see this coming...

-Jamman

 

[Timby]

Do you mean the Colts (as that article was about the Colts and Manning getting flagged)

You're completely right. I had a massive brain-fart, I'm sorry.

As for the rule change itself, I was quite happy with it as I knew it would affect teams like the Colts since they favor the hurry-up, no huddle offense.

Why is it a good thing to negatively impact the ability of a team to run a hurry-up / no-huddle offense?

 

[Thestral]

As for the rule change itself, I was quite happy with it as I knew it would affect teams like the Colts since they favor the hurry-up, no huddle offense.

Why is it a good thing to negatively impact the ability of a team to run a hurry-up / no-huddle offense?

Because if you can't beat your opponents the old-fashioned way, changing the rules to hurt them works?

 

[Starbreaker]

I know everyone at ESPN always talks about how rookie QBs suck and will take years to make an impact, but I think Sam Bradford is looking really good. He could put up some big numbers if the Rams simply show up.

 

[pork3]

As for the rule change itself, I was quite happy with it as I knew it would affect teams like the Colts since they favor the hurry-up, no huddle offense.

Why is it a good thing to negatively impact the ability of a team to run a hurry-up / no-huddle offense?

Because if you can't beat your opponents the old-fashioned way, changing the rules to hurt them works?

I was being facetious. Though there is a precedent for changing rules to benefit a specific team, as Bill Polian of the Colts managed to lobby the Competition Committee to change the defensive contact rules after the Colts AFC loss to the Pats a while back.

With regards to this latest rule change, it actually hurt teams like the Patriots, as a lot of their intermediate plays were based off of using that specific ref as inadvertent picks.

-Jamman

 

[archeryguy1701]

I can understand the need to protect the refs, but if they're instituting rules that force teams to hurry up and wait on refs to get into position, they need to make sure they have refs that are fit enough to fly around for all 60 minutes of a game, especially during those pivotal 2 minute drills at the ends of games. Yes, refs need to be in position to do their jobs, but this has the potential of completely taking away a major style of play that, while most teams don't use all game long, almost all teams are forced to use many times during the season. And, I agree with the article's point about consistency...... one week, you can have a ref who sprints from spot to spot without breaking a sweat, and then the next week you could end up with a ref who takes his time getting around, which completely screws up the dynamic.

 

[1001001]

Generally, I agree. The refs need to be in top shape to keep up with the game. They still do need a certain amount of time to get into proper position.

In other news, FUCK!



Donnie Avery could miss the entire season after a ligament tear...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AlKR1ogC8w.20x79CnjJ.dpDubYF?slug=ap-rams-avery

 

[tomalak301]

Why can't all Raider/49er preseason games be played in San Francisco. Then I wouldn't have to watch them on tape delay like what will happen tomorrow night.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

 

[Timby]

After seeing what Suh did here, I'm pretty sure that Jay Cutler will indeed die in the first quarter when the Bears play the Lions.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

At least it will be a quick and mostly painless death.

 

[Starbreaker]

After seeing what Suh did here, I'm pretty sure that Jay Cutler will indeed die in the first quarter when the Bears play the Lions.

That was three fouls in one. I'm impressed.

 

[Roger Wilco]

hihi
Probably even true too.

 

[Timby]

After seeing the Bears did on Saturday (coughing up 116 yards on third down), I'm starting to think if the Lions run an offense solely comprising five-yard slants (that unstoppable offensive weapon that Lovie Smith has been unable to crack in five years) and then getting themselves into third-and-long, they'll hang at least 60 points on the Bears.

And then Suh will throw Cutler like a discus.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

After seeing the Bears did on Saturday (coughing up 116 yards on third down), I'm starting to think if the Lions run an offense solely comprising five-yard slants (that unstoppable offensive weapon that Lovie Smith has been unable to crack in five years) and then getting themselves into third-and-long, they'll hang at least 60 points on the Bears.

And then Suh will throw Cutler like a discus.

As a long-time Bears fan, I have to say.....I have no serious rebuttal at this time.

Thank you.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

Do you think Jay Cutler misses Ryan Clady about now?