NFL 2018

[Maxx]

@Plubby

[DMN in the House]

1 hour ago, livid said:

 

Their offense is run exclusively by former backup Cowboys QBs now!

Quincy Carter is expected to be hired as the get back coach.

[Maxx]

I think you mean "get blow"

[Meacon Keaton]

Oh snap!

[DMN in the House]

4 hours ago, Maxx said:

I think you mean "get blow"

First, I'm pretty sure the Cowboys have had that position filled since the Hollywood Henderson days. Second, I believe if they were going to make a move they'd get Chris Foerster.

[Plubby]

7 hours ago, Maxx said:

@Plubby

 

Seriously though, Moore had the Peyton Manning gig while he was at Boise State so it will be interesting to see if he can call plays at the NFL level. He was pretty bloody successful at it in College.

[Lineker]

Jason Garrett isn't getting extended - short-term or long-term. 

[Maxx]

[Lineker]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25881312/welcome-official-super-bowl-liii-uniform-preview

Quote

The NFC is the designated home conference this year, which means the Los Angeles Rams get their choice of which uniform to wear. They've opted to go with their blue and yellow throwbacks. That wouldn't normally be allowed in a Super Bowl, but the Rams received permission from the league to wear their throwbacks more often this season than the rules would normally allow, and that waiver is now extending to the big game.

This in turn means that New England will be wearing its white road uniform for the second consecutive Super Bowl. The Pats were the home team last year but chose to wear white because that's what they'd worn for their previous two Super Bowl wins (plus, it didn't hurt that the previous six Super Bowl winners, and 12 of the previous 13, had worn white).

[Lineker]

Quote

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, fourth on the NFL's all-time sack list, on Friday announced his retirement after 17 NFL seasons.

Peppers, 39, is projected by many to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection when he becomes eligible for the shrine in Canton, Ohio, in five years. His total of 159.5 career sacks trails only Kevin Greene (160), Bruce Smith (198) and Reggie White (200).

The next-closest active player is Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, with 132.5.

"No doubt a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee," former teammate Kevin Donnalley, a guard with the Panthers early in Peppers' career and a member of the team broadcast crew the past few seasons, told ESPN.com. "Just the one stat alone, fourth in all-time sacks, makes him that.

"And reaching a number that today's current players still might not get close to. ... When you couple he was so productive for so many years and he's got the stats to back it up ... it's just a no-brainer. I don't know why it would be in discussion."

Peppers' 266 games played out of a possible 272 are the sixth most by a defensive player in NFL history. The second overall pick by Carolina in the 2002 draft, Peppers closed his career by playing in 176 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak among active players behind Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

A quiet, behind-the-scenes leader for most of his career, Peppers became more vocal in the locker room and in the community when he returned to Carolina for his second stint after spending seven years with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers following his first eight years with the Panthers.

Peppers, who is nominated for this year's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award that will be announced on Saturday at NFL Honors in Atlanta, said his goodbye in a video in which he said:

"Thank you. For the victories and the good times. For the lessons and the times we desired more. For the sacrifices, the belief, the confidence and the unwavering support -- I'm thankful. Because without you, this wasn't possible. Thank you for the spirit, the resolve and the attitude to Keep Pounding. It's not something we just say around here, it's how we live. I'm thankful for the things you showed me about life that were bigger than football and for a second chance -- a new beginning.

"See, the players, we come and we go, but the constant is you. And as the saying goes, 'Once a Panther, always a Panther.' Thank you for the memories, the friendships, the laughs and the culture we created. For the understanding and for being family. Thanks for all the years, and cheers. And for being home now and forever.

"I wouldn't change a thing about this journey. It was the best teacher I've ever had and was everything I could've hoped for. The tough times never lasted, and the tough people inspired me to be better and give more. I hope I did the same. Only time can reveal what's next, but my time here is up. No regrets, no looking back and nothing left to give. It's not goodbye, it's kinda like, 'I'll see you later.' But until then I'm grateful, I'm satisfied and at peace with all that comes next."

Peppers was a model of consistency. He had at least seven sacks in all but two seasons, including a career-best 14.5 in 2008.

"Julius is one of the greatest to ever play the game of football," head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. "To put up the numbers he did for as long as he did speaks to his incredible talent and commitment. He is a leader in the locker room and in the community.

"Getting to know him over the last two seasons has been tremendous because of the type of person he is. What he did for the people affected by Hurricane Florence, getting involved and bringing them hope, says a lot about who he is. I'm proud that I get to say that I was one of his coaches, and I think it's fitting that he gets to end his career as a Carolina Panther."

General manager Marty Hurney said that few players make him think of the word "special," and Peppers is one of them.

"He's a special player and a special person," said Hurney, who made Peppers his first draft pick. "His consistency and the ability to make big plays at big times are what define him on the field. Off the field, he's a great leader. He chooses his words carefully. He's got great perspective not only on football, but on life. For him to be able to come back and finish his career as a Panther is a great ending to a phenomenal career."

[The Buscher]

Yeah, he's going straight to Canton in 2024.

[DMN in the House]

1 hour ago, Lineker said:

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25881312/welcome-official-super-bowl-liii-uniform-preview

I'm really happy they've let the Rams wear their LA uniforms, the gold and navy are St. Louis. Hopefully they switch back to blue and white.

[GhostMachine]

The blue and white are my favorite.

 

[Maxx]

Blue and white is way too boring and its a color combination already used in the league.  Blue and yellow is the way to go.

[DMN in the House]

46 minutes ago, Maxx said:

Blue and white is way too boring and its a color combination already used in the league.  Blue and yellow is the way to go.

I like the blue and yellow a lot, but the blue and white make me think of Deacon Jones while the blue and yellow remind me of John Robinson.

[VerbalPuke]

8 hours ago, Buschie Van Wagenen said:

Yeah, he's going straight to Canton in 2024.

Yah, he’s had an amazing career. 

Did you know he was picked in between David Carr and Joey Harrington? Christ.

4 hours ago, DMN said:

I like the blue and yellow a lot, but the blue and white make me think of Deacon Jones while the blue and yellow remind me of John Robinson.

I thought this said Juice Robinson for a minute.

[Lint]

 

[DMN in the House]

That's how rain works.

That whole thing was amazing. This might be the best one yet.

Edited February 2, 2019 by DMN

[gunnar hendershow]

18 hours ago, DMN said:

I like the blue and yellow a lot, but the blue and white make me think of Deacon Jones while the blue and yellow remind me of John Robinson.

Because of the LA sun I think they should wear white at home, and as a result go with blue and white. Save the blue and yellow for night games and the occasional road matchup. I really do like blue and yellow and it's a more distinct look, but I actually think the road blue and yellow from back in the day didn't look too hot. And they'd naturally prefer to wear white at home given the weather in LA.

[The Buscher]

The reveal of the Hall of Fame class is my favorite part of awards season.  Time to make some guesses for tonight.

First off, the Senior finalist (Johnny Robinson) and Contributor finalists (Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt) will all go in.  These special committee nominees are very rarely turned down.  The only one to be rejected in recent memory was Paul Tagliabue and that's because there's always an inherent awkwardness in enshrining a commissioner.

Now for the five modern era spots.

Tony Gonzalez - He's about as surefire a first ballot guy as you can get.
Ed Reed - John Lynch and Steve Atwater have been waiting for years, but Reed has the type of resume to leapfrog them and go in first ballot.  A lot of the voters now are in their early 30s and for many of them, Reed was the first really great safety they saw play.
Champ Bailey - Similar situation, Ty Law has three wings and has been waiting, but Bailey has the numbers and is the first name that people my age would come up with when you ask about the first dominant cornerback they watched.
Edgerrin James - Honestly the last two spots on this thing feel like toss ups.  James' resume stacks up very favorably with running backs already in the Hall and it's only a matter of time before he goes in.
Isaac Bruce - Again, just total guesswork.  His numbers warrant election, he's been waiting a while, and I wonder if the Rams being in the Super Bowl for the first time since Bruce was there almost throws some extra momentum his way.

Really I can't argue against any of the finalist candidates.  As I say every year, Don Coryell really needs to go in and I'd hope it's this year, but I worry that younger voters don't grasp just how important he was to the modern game.  I feel like he might not go in until he's nominated by one of the special committees.