2016-2017 NFL Thread

Hey guys,

With NFL camps opening up next week I've started the thread of this season.

1st the Zeke allegations and now 4 dead on Dallas Tour Bus. Not a great start. Prayers go out to those families who lost loved ones.

Pete,

It gets worse. The Cowboys Randy Gregory, their number two pick last year, faces a ten game suspension for the fourth drug violation of his very young career. That news came out today.

Gregory, a pass rushing demon was considered a sure first round pick, till he tested positive for weed at the combine. You know, where he knew he would be tested.

It's a wonder the Steelers didn't draft him. He would have fit right in.

The Steelers and Cowboys are in competition to see which is Team Blaze.

Gentlemen, start your bongs!

SPQR,

I saw that yesterday and just smh. There's nothing wrong with taking risk but it appears it's not working out for my Cowboys. I understand he's young, only 23, but it's just time to cut bait and quit taking these risks. He along with McClain and Lawrence just needs to be cut. But JJ won't do it so I'm just blowing smoke out my ears.

Pete,

I just found out something today that I had never heard of before. The Cowboys will have to pay at least 250 grand in fines because they have three players suspended this year in Gregory, McClain and Lawrence. And they paid that find last year. I never realized there was such a rule.

So if Bell gets the four game suspension and one more guy gets suspended the Steelers will be subject to this fine as well.

I'm really tired of guys so weak they have to have their weed so much that they literally destroy their teams chances just to get high.

Since pot is so very prevalent in the NFL that the league designs their tests so players should pass, but so many still don't, I would strongly advise the players union to eliminate pot testing in their next contact negotiations just like the NBA players union wisely did.

You know what, even the league legalized pot, there will be another drug that does them in. You have to be careful because once you give an inch, they'll take a mile. I'm quite sure there doing more than pot.

I will say this, these KNUCKLE HEADS could learn a few things from Tyrann Mathieu. Got in trouble in college with weed and ultimately learned from his transgressions. Kept his head on straight, surrounded himself with good people and has been rewarded with $62.5 Million Dollar deal. Highest paid Safety in the league. Congrats young brotha...Congrats.

One more thing, watch out for them Raiders. Just sayin.

Pete,

Yep. The Honey Badger really turned things around. Funny thing is I wanted the Steelers to take a chance on him. Just got a huge contract and he deserves it.

I agree with you you on the Raiders. I like them to win the West. From there, who knows how far they can go.

How are my Steelers doing two weeks into camp? Monster reicever Bryant of course out for the year. Weed. Leveon Bell, perhaps the best all around running back in the league faces a likely four game game suspension for missing drug tests.

And this week we lose last year's second round pick, cornerback Senquez Golson for the year with a foot injury. He led the nation in picks his last year in college and was to be highly incorporated into our anemic secondary this year. Oh, he missed all of last year with a shoulder injury.

I'm sure Ben will break his throwing arm shortly.

And how was your team's week?

Not sure how my team's week was SPQR. Just tired of JJ running his mouth and the season hasn't even started yet..lol. Looking forward to seeing my Cowboys against the Rams this Saturday in a preseason game.

The Futurehttps://mobile.twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/764659970608599040

^^^

Well it was only 1 preseason game....that being said, he did look awesome...lol.

Now it's 2 preseason games, kid looks like nothing bothers him out there. Great 4th round steal.

https://twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/766825836217507840

https://twitter.com/ArmandoSalguero/status/766826289143635969

Pete, can't wait to see Dak and Zeke on field together. Hopefully next week. Also Dez and Romo looking good.

^^^

Can't wait to see them this coming Thursday against Seattle kk. Should be must see tv....lol.

I see Dallas fans and the national media are going nuts about Dak Prescott. He is a very interesting story. Pete, Kkennon, my take on the Prescott phenomenon: Well, it two fold. First, it is much better and more exciting to see him play like he is than being mediocre or sucking. It gives one thoughts about what might be. I mean he's doing it right now. So instead of having this big nothing, you suddenly have this interesting something. If I were a Dallas fan, I would be intrigued. And if I were a Dallas fan, I would also temper my enthusiasm. I have seen dozens of rookie or young quarterbacks over the years do great in pre season, or even their first years then bomb out either from coming back to their real level or the NFL catching up to what they like to do and forcing them to do things they don't. And things they couldn't. The Steelers Neal O'Donnell looked like the second coming of Dan Marino in pre season. The pre season was the last time he looked like that. By his second year I had christened him with the nickname, The Duckman. As I am sure you know, that was not a compliment. RG3 looked like a hall of fame lock his whole first season. Now he looks like, well, you know. But like I said, it's much better seeing him do well now than sucking. Because it gives hope. Sports Illustrated came out with their NFL issue this week. Here is their playoff predictions. Wild cards: Bengals, Chargers, Arizona, Vikings. Division winners: New England, Steelers, Colts, Chiefs, Seattle, Packers and Panthers, Dallas. In the playoffs they have bengals over the colts, Cardinals over Cowboys (Sorry Pete, Kkennon), KC over Chargers and Packers over Vikings. Then Steelers over KC, Packers....

^^^

Just smh at Romo. 1st series and he goes down with a back injury. The writing is on the wall but I also don't want to rush Dak. Dammit!!!!!!

Hey SPQR, I know the Steelers don't place priority on receivers but AB needs to be reconsidered for a better contract. Dude is out of this world.

Pete,

Without question. They just renegociated Marcus Gilbert's contract. They did it to free up a couple million to give Brown this year. They did the same type of thing last year. Then they just take a couple million that is due to Brown next year and move it to this year. That way they can keep Brown semi happy and not break their rule of never renegotiating a contract till its last year. Its that rule they have that is really the reason that stops them from redoing Browns contract. His last year will be next year and they will rip that contract up after this season is done and give him what he has earned the last three years.

Didn't hear about Romo's injury. Prescott may end up playing this year given Romo's history.

Pete, I'm with you. Wanted Dak to be able to sit and learn at least his rookie season, but doesn't look like Romo is going to make it through a whole season.

Trying not to get to high on Dak, but damn it !!! He does everything asked of him so well. Guess we'll have to wait and see if he looks as good when games count.

Pete, Zeke looked good last night, although I didn't get to see start of game where I'm at, because of some NFL rule...smh

Would have like to see him get more plays, but looks like Dallas run game is back!!! Just want to see Zeke make better decisions off the field.

https://twitter.com/YShutdownCorner/status/769165393223122944

The 7 plays he ran were awesome. Yes it was a small sample size but man he looked NFL ready. As far the marijuana store, he didn't buy anything and really shouldn't be scrutinized. He more than likely was curious. Again, he didn't buy anything and has no history of....

Like I said when he was drafted, Zeke will be the NFL offensive rookie of the year if he isn't injured or has off the field issues.

Well Pete, it looks like Dak your QB...smh

https://twitter.com/dmn_cowboys/status/769605040646467584

His new name should be Mr. Glass.

Damn guys,

Sorry about Romo. That is just way too depressing. I really feel for both of you. It just sucks. That's all there is to it.

Well, if Dak can manage the team and Zeke kill with the running game who knows? Especially if Romo only misses six.

But the problem is, even if he does, how long till he's hurt again. I actually think he should maybe retire. It just doesn't seem like his body can take the beating any longer.

I hope for your guys sake, this turns into what happened with Big Ben. I loved him in college and wanted him bad. I was stunned when home town Cleveland and the Raiders, both in desperate need of a QB passed on him and he fell to us.

Then there was the other problem. Ben was third in line behind starter Maddox and back up Batch. So, just like with the draft, I hoped for this: that both those guys would get long term injuries and Ben could take the helm. And just as with the draft, amazingly, that is exactly what happened. Batch got hurt in pre season and Maddox went down in the first game.

The Steelers went 15-1 and that was the end of Maddox and Batch ever sniffing the starting job again.

So, even though this hurts, there is this possible bright side. Prescott is something special. What he has shown in the pre season is what he is or will end up being as he matures. And he plays so well in Romo's absence that Tony never gets behind center as the starter with the Cowboys again.

If I were a Cowboy fan, that's what I would hope for. No disrespect to Romo, who was a terrific QB, but they need to find someone who can stay on the field and he just isn't it anymore.

Well SPQR, I think the writing is on the wall for Ol Romo. It's probably time for him to think about life after football and being able to play with his kids. Some guys just have the worst luck and he's one of them. Some of it is his on fault like not knowing how to fall and you'd think this guy would know how to slide by now.....lol. Anyway, it is what it is.

Totally agree SPQR, think Dak could be the future. Thing that impresses me must is how teammates step their game up for him when he's on the field, in all the years I've watched J. Witten , I've never seen him go all out and make a catch like he did in that Seattle game. Players seem to play hard for Dak.

Kkennon, That is a good sign that they play hard for him. It means two things, they like what they see in him and he must be working very hard to have earned that kind of respect and effort. Nice. I haven't seen Dak play yet, but after all the hype and praise I have been hearing him get from the national media, I really want to see what the young man has. I'll be trying to watch any Cowboys game I can now to check him out for myself. Pete, I think they will have to drag Romo screaming and kicking off the field in the end, no matter what team he is with. This guy wasn't some prince charming number one pick in the draft who had it all given to him. He was nothing coming into the pros and had to fight and earn every single thing he has. I think that has also engendered in him a deep, deep love and obsession for the game. He strikes me as a guy who football is everything. I agree with you that he should consider leaving, if he wants any kind of normal life in his forties, fifties and beyond. But I don't think he will until nobody wants him. Going back to our talk about Brown and his contract. Did you see the sneaky move the Steelers did, just as I knew they would? They took four million of the money he was due next year and shifted it to this year. So now Brown can grin and bear one last year of being underpaid a little easier and next year, with Brown's last year under contract they can rip it up and give him a new one, which they will. And the Steelers can claim they kept to their inviolate law that....

SPQR,

That was a horrible injury that happened to Teddy. I mean a non contact drill. I was watching tv the day the news broke and the 1st person I thought about was Shaun Livingston and we know how long it took him to get back to playing decent basketball. Man I just feel sorry for the young man.

Pete,

Yes, a huge setback for Teddy. And to be cold and blunt, this was also the year for the Vikings to really see if Teddy was the guy for their long haul. Now that is posponed.

And I just heard they traded a number one pick for Bradford. Wow. That's a high price to pay for what will be a one year guy if Teddy is the man.

The Vikings must feel they are a super bowl contender to have done that. Going to be very interesting to see how that plays out. And what if Bradford just totally kicks butt? Then what happens with Teddy?

https://twitter.com/dmn_cowboys/status/772459410421612544

Hope this kid can get it together. Looks like he might be getting 2nd chance, sooner rather than later.

Yeah I saw that and my response is "How the hell they pull that off?"......

Well I will say this SPQR, Bradford held out earlier feeling disrespected because the Eagles moved up to get Wentz. Well now he has his chance to show and prove. Too me that's a lot of pressure but we'll see if he can handle it. As for Teddy, I say it takes him at least 2yrs to get back to some resemblance of himself. To be honest I just don't know. I mean as I stated before, it took Shaun Livingston quite some time to get back to a decent and respectable playing level. I pray the Vikings let this kid take his time to get back and not rush it only to have another setback.

Pete, Bradford has done lots of complaining. Almost as much time as he has spent on IR his career. And you are right, it is put up or shut up time for him. This Vikings team is actually the best team he has ever been on. It is interesting that in the last week, I have been hearing much speculation on sports shows that Bradford may in fact make the Vikings better than Teddy would have. Teddy was having his best preseason but we will never know what he would have been this year. But I would say this may be true: If Bradford finally plays like the guy who was picked number one in the draft, if he actually reaches the potential ascribed to him, since he is only 28, Teddy may actually be finished with the Vikings before he even started because he will not settle for being a back up for long. He wants to start. If it becomes clear Bradford has that job for good, Teddy will be leaving. I find the VIkings saga very interesting. In fact, right now, early in the season, the two most fascinating stories in the NFL are the Bradford-Teddy-VIkings situation and the Prescott-Romo-Dallas story. Both of them could end up making huge changes to what we thought were their solid quarterback situations. If Prescott and Bradford shine, we may have seen the last of Romo and Teddy as starters on those two teams. Watching these two things play out is real drama. Well, the first game is in the books and Denver ended up beating Carolina again in a great opening game. In the first half it looked like the Panthers would turn the tables on their super bowl bete noire as they took a ten point lead against a second year quarterback. But....

The first week is in and what a week it was. That Thursday night nail biter between Denver and Carolina was just a precursor to more of the same. Four games were decided by one point and end of the game field goal attempts. Six games were decided by two points. Some of the biggest results: Kansas City came from forever back to beat the Chargers at home. The turning point was when Charger receiver Keenan Allen went down for the game and the season with a torn ACL. The Chargers were up by 21 at the time. Then only scored one more field goal and lost 33-27. Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith had the best game of his career to lead the comeback. He actually looked like a star player instead of the careful caretaker he has always been. The loss and injury to Allen was brutal for the Chargers. That single game may have decided their season. What a tragedy for Allen who worked so hard to come back from another significant injury last year. Also bad news for the Bronco's and Raiders who could have seen their tough rival pinned with a rare division home loss. The craziest of the crazy games had to be Oakland and the Saints. Like the Chiefs, the Raiders came from way, way back to win the game on a two point conversion. If they had not converted, they would have lost. I don't know if Del Rio is a good head coach or not but man, he sure has serious sacks between his legs. Very few coaches would thrown out the chance for a tie and overtime. But he did and he was rewarded. I like that. The Raiders offense is lethal but the defense will need to improve a lot before they can think about being a real....

Terrence Williams.....smh. Been in the league 4yrs and doesn't know to catch the ball and get out of bounds. Wow!!!!...Dez Bryant, beginning to rethink JJ paying you all that money. Anyway, SPQR, enjoyed watching Big Ben and Antonio "Nino" Brown. What a duo.

Pete, I made a point to watch that game because I wanted to see The Kid. I was pulling for him and Cowboys. He did fine. He did enough to win that game. Dez at his age and with his skill level should have caught that TD in is sleep. That play cost literally Dak and Cowboys the huge road division win and there is no way to sugar coat it. A star has to make that catch. As for Williams, I have seen so many dumb plays in my life, as I'm sure you have, but that one ranks right at the top. Just ridiculous. I feel bad for you about that loss. It never should have happened. I remember clear as day when Dez came out in the draft. I wanted him in the worst possible way but suspected the Steelers would not take him because of the personal issues that were floating around about him. The Steelers were always trying to be like that back then. That proved accurate and I was so very, very disappointed. It bothered me for a long time. But all these years later, despite the terrific career he has had, I no longer feel that regret. When I think of Dez I think of potential unrealized, of what could have and should have been. He should have been so much better. He had the body and skill to be the dominate receiver for years. Putting up numbers like Brown does. Because I live here I know about Brown's insane work ethic, which is exactly just like Kobe's. He is obsessed with being unstoppable, with being the best reliever in the league, not only now, but of all time. It's all he lives for. Just like Kobe did. With Dez on the other side it seems....

SPQR,

Dude if your team had all of it's weapons at their disposal, I would say hands down the Steelers would represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. It appears both our teams have a weed/drug problem but my team has that and owner that just cares about make dollars and cents now. He leads on like he wants to win football games but what he really wants is to win the popularity and money game. With that logic, we've won the last 3 or 4 SB's....lmao!!!!!!!......How pathetic. But hey that's my team so I have no choice but to accept it.

Pete, I don't even want to think about what the Steelers could have had on offense if Martavis Bryant wasn't a pot head. That guy is amazing. He can score from anywhere on the field. The biggest physical freak TD receiver since Moss. But he is gone for the year and I really don't have any hope that he will get and stay clean. But we still have Bell, Wheaton and Ladareous Green waiting to return this season and hopefully they all will. But I still can't help bout wonder what might have been with Bryant. If he had played this year along with the rest of those guys, they would have had a chance to be the most prolific offense in NFL history. I really believe that. You know, the Jerry Jones thing is funny. I remember when he took over and fired legend Tom Landry. I don't have to tell you that was blasphemy. But it was the right call and I approved of it totally, just like when also legend Chuck Noll left the Steelers. Landry and Noll were done. Then when Jones hired Jimmy Johnson I thought, Wow, this Jones is a terrific owner to make those two moves. I loved Johnson at Miami and when the Cowboys hired him I knew super bowls would be coming and they did. So here you have this new owner starting off pulling the trigger on two huge, gutsy moves: Firing a legend and hiring a college coach. And I'm sure you remember he caught a lot of heat for both those moves. I loved both of them. And when Johnson built a machine and started winning super bowls everyone forgot about him being a college coach and Landry became Tom Who? At that point I thought Jones would take his place with....

Pete, Kkennon,

Congratulations on the huge win against the Skins. Not only do you get a must win over a division rival but you knock them down to 0-2.

Prescott and Zeke did well.

Bet you're really longing for Brandon Weeden, huh?

Lmao SPQR at the Weeden reference. Absolutely not longing for him lol!!!!!....Dak is the real deal. I'll take the win but was Garrett trying to give the game away. In the 3rd quarter, Dak rushes for a TD and then we come back and do an onside kick!!!!...I mean does Garrett think he's Andy Reid....smh at that one. Watching Dez though, I couldn't tell if he was there to play football or be BFF's with Josh Norman. I mean every play he's laughing it up with Norman. Getting tired of him. I tell you what though, can't believe the Rams beat the Seahawks. I watched that whole game and both teams got after it all day. 9-3, no TD's only FG's. Both QB's took a beating. I guess the Rams should wear the LA uniforms for now on lol!!!!! Jeff Fisher extension to follow that win...lol!!!!! Oh and Von Miller is a beast. I watched the Broncos/Colts as well. Think Broncos have the best defense in the NFL. Your Steelers did what I thought they were going to do the Bengals and Andy Dalton.

Pete, I thought you might like the Weeden reference. I didn't get to see the game, wasn't televised here but the Garrett play must have had you saying a few choice words, lol. Week two brought out plenty of stories as each one usually does. The two miracle rookie quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz both continued to play well and win, Dallas taking out division rival Washington and Philly destroying pathetic Chicago. These two guys are showing terrific stuff because in my view there is only one position harder to play than quarterback in all of sports and that is playing quarterback as a rookie. Of course both will have their ups and downs, it's going to happen, but man, they are showing some good things. My Steelers took out the Bengals. I loved the win but not how they got it. Ben left too many plays on the field. You can get away with that against almost any team and still win, if you are good, but not against New England, and that's the team you have to beat in the AFC and that is who I always measure the Steelers against. But that being said, I'll take the win. We have held serve at home, next time it will be in Cinci. One thing did stand out in that game, both Antonio Brown and AJ Green were nullified. Was it because both teams know each so well and both concentrated their defenses on those two wide outs? Either way, what were the odds on both being negligible in the stats department? The Vikings got a huge home win over Green Bay but it came with a hard cost as Adrian Peterson suffered his second bad knee injury. He could miss four to six weeks or the whole season if he ops for surgery. I would go under....

Damn Pete,

I just noticed the Steelers play the Cowboys November 13th LOL. I didn't know. That should be fun. Let's hope both teams are healthy for the game.

Dam and it's in Pittsburgh too.....smh for my defense...lol.

Pete,

Smh for our defense too. We have a grand total of one sack and the pass rush of a gentle lamb.

38-35? LOL.

Week three is over, funny how fast the football season moves. Like a down hill runaway truck. My Steelers had their first loss of the year, so bad it could count for two losses, 34-3 at Philly. There were several components to it, two of which did not surprise me, one that did. There was no pass rush at all. Not unexpected since we have nobody who can rush the passer. Going against a rookie QB I think they should have blitzed everything including the kitchen sink to try put some pressure on him. They didn't and Wentz stood tall looking every bit a franchise quarterback in passing for 300 yards, two touch downs and no picks. Philly has some player there for the next decade or more. That is 3-0 for the kid. Big Ben left too many plays on the field. Again, no shock to me. He does this regularly on the road. The surprise was the offensive line, which was supposed to be one of the best in the league just getting man handled. Ben was under pressure and there were no holes for the backs. This was the second game in a row the offensive line lost the trench battle. What's up with that? It all led up to a total disaster. The Steelers haven't won in Philly since 1965 and the way they looked, they may not win there till 2516. Super running back Bell finally returns this week for the Steelers. At least until his next weed suspension comes. New England continued on their merry way just destroying undefeated Houston 27-0 behind a rookie QB starting his first game. Houston Coach O'Brien had his defense playing like Brisset was going to stand in the pocket like Marino that throw the ball. Of course that was not going to happen. It was....

THE FUTURE IS HERE!!!!!

https://twitter.com/AroundTheNFL/status/782730517523279873

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/782730258638397440

Kkennon,

The future certainly is here for the cowboys. Zeke is as advertised and Prescott is having one of the all time rookie quarterback seasons in history so far.

Now the big question for you and Pete, when Romo is ready do you want him back in or do you keep riding Prescott?

That decision will have to be made. What do you two prefer to have happen?

SPQR,

I definitely don't want Romo back at anytime but he's family to JJ so he will be back in the starting lineup when we play Philly if rumor is true coming out of Cowboy camp.

But hey I like what I saw out of my boys and your Steelers kick you know what!!!!!! Man the Rams beat the Cardinals, the Falcons demolished the Panthers....what a weekend of NFL football and college football as well.

Pete,

I see it as you do. What's the point of going back to Romo? He's on the downside of his career and putting him back in just delays what has to happen and costs Prescott invaluable experience. He's playing great and the team is responding to him in a huge way.

Why go back in time with Romo and then have to do it all over again in a year or two?

Carolina and Arizona look really bad, as do Palmer and Cam. Which is a good thing because it's opening up spots for the Cowboys in case you don't win the division.

Man if things keep going like this those Cowboy - Philly games are gonna be something else.

I'm not really worried about Romo at this point SPQR, don't wish any harm on him, but I just don't think his body holds up anymore. Which will make Dak starter anyways. But either way, with that running game coming back like 2014, think either will be fine leading them.